Meet Haafner
Earn your stripes!
Chapter 1: The Blankets
Chapter 2: Bonus Projects
Chapter 3: Background and Basics
Find the yarn
Index and credits
Haafner Linssen is a blogger, instagrammer and crochet designer
with a knack for flower looming. She loves the retro vibes of this
amazing technique, and has developed a recognisable style - classic
pieces with a modern twist.Trained in cultural history, Haafner is
interested in the historical background of the craft. She has
contributed to Mollie Makes and her first book, Mandalas to Crochet
(2016), is an international success.
Haafner lives in a cute old house, somewhere between Amsterdam and
the North Sea. Visit her website www.byhaafner.blogspot.co.uk
Several books on crocheted blankets have been published in recent
years. But this one stands out with it distinctive style and colour
palette - it has a cool contemporary vibe, with most designs made
up of broad stripes in muted pastels and neutrals, worked in crisp
cotton and textured stitches. A couple of the blankets (Jaipur and
Weimar), with their dramatic arrangement of stripes, could almost
be hung on the wall as modern art. There are 20 blanket patterns
equally divided between easy, intermediate and advanced. Nearly all
are knee blanket size, but can be made bigger if wanted. Half of
them are worked in Aran, the rest in DK or 4ply. The broad stripes
mean that there are not too many ends to finish off, and the simple
repetitive patterns make for relaxing, even meditative crochet. The
last section has instructions for optional finishing touches
including borders, pom-poms and tassels, plus useful advice on
colour and blanket design, and last but not least, a crochet
refresher course on basic stitches. The subtle textures Haafner
obtains through using stitches that have been seen in stitch
dictionaries (but never actually tried) are rather fascinating! Yet
they are simple to do, for example (1dc 1ch), where the dcs are
worked in the ch space on each row. Try it: it looks really nice! A
favourite is Seoul with its alternating bands of triple trebles and
three rows of dc. Interesting textures emerge from various
combinations of dcs and trebles - one blanket (Odessa) has seven
broad stripes each in a different stitch. Also some classic blanket
designs are represented - such as Chevron, and what the Americans
call 'Mile-a-Minute', where you make long narrow strips that are
later crocheted together, so it makes a good portable project. Good
for beginners, the first pattern (Marseille) has horizontal stripes
of V-stitch, and very attractive it looks in leftover scraps of
harmonious blues, greens and mauves. This is another
beautifully produced, original, high quality crochet book such as
we have grown to expect from Search Press, with written
instructions, photo and chart for each pattern. Overall, it would
be a useful book for someone who wanted to learn new stitches
without the complications that come with shaping.
*Slipknot Magazine, December 2018*
Designer Haafner Linssen loves the "joy in repetition" involved in
creating beautiful projects from simple, soothing stripes, and this
new collection of blanket patterns shows them off to stunning
effect. With designs inspired by towns and cities around the world,
there's a great variety of colour and textures here as well, so
there's sure to be something for everyone! Our favourites
include Jaipur, with a bold colour scheme that combines v-stitches
with double crochet for lace and texture; Tokyo, which uses puff
stitches and bursts of colour for a cityscape feel; Istanbul, with
an unusual chevron effect created by chain stitches, and
Casablanca, which has a scrappy, "organised mess" feel inspired by
the rag rugs of Morocco. But there's a huge selection to choose
from - and we're quite tempted to just hook a houseful! The main
collection of patterns is followed by tips for blanket borders and
five more border designs, and then a few non-blanket designs made
by adapting the main patterns, including a chunky rug and rustic
wall hanging. All patterns use charts and written instructions, and
there's a clear techniques section at the end. This is a stunning
collection that's got us itching to get started today.
*Inside Crochet, Issue 106*
Crochet is a wonderful peaceful pastime and this is the perfect
project book to create something snug, warm and beautiful for the
colder days ahead. 20 projects include blankets, wall hangings
and even dish towels. The Salvador Bedspread, is just amazing.
Each pattern has a pattern chart, colour guide and simple to follow
instructions, and each stripey design is stunning. There are
three skill levels, Easy, Intermediate and Advanced so even
the basic crocheter can achieve something wonderful. Pattern
notes and a how to guide is included, which is perfect to remind
ourselves of techniques and even a resizing explanation is given,
so all the patterns and designs are completely
adaptable. These beautiful blankets would make the ideal
gift. I absolutely love them and cannot wait to get my hooks
going.
*Postcard Reviews*
Love the patterns in this book. I have just started to get back
into crochet and love the way the instructions are written so I can
understand as well as in chart form (never managed to follow
charts). Good to have the illustrations at the back as well to
remind me how to do the stitches. Can't wait to finish current
project and start on a Buenos Aires throw.
*Amazon*
I was really looking forward to this book after loving her Mandala
book and it did not disappoint. The projects are lovely - fab
choice of colours, clear instructions in both written and chart
form and some great blanket patterns that range from really simple
yet effective to more advanced. I love the fact that included are
notes on how to 'scale up' or 'scale down' a pattern and little
tips that work as a usual refresher. A very modern crochet book
that will be used again and again and would make a fab present for
any crocheter, regardless of skill level.
*Amazon*
This book is a really useful book to have, ok for beginners
upwards, the instructions are easy to follow and great pictures,
They are really nice blankets to crochet, ones I have never come
across before and also other smaller projects .
It is also easy to design your own blankets using the patterns in
the book. I have this book out all the time, I love just looking
through the pages. My next project is definitely coming from this
book.
*Amazon*
I absolutely love this book. These blankets are gorgeous and
beautifully presented. I want to make nearly all of them, I think
the one on the front of the book will be my first to start as I
love the look of the stitches and how the colours have been
used.
You have written instructions which is a must for me, and you also
have the chart for each blanket. You can choose your blanket by
your Skill Level, easy, intermediate and advanced. What I also love
about this book is that there's a section on borders with
information and patterns which again are fantastic. Then you get a
project section for a rug, potholder, couple of cushions, a wall
hanging and a bedspread. The last section features techniques
explaining the sizing, colours etc... The book then finishes with
crochet stitches which are beautifully explained with text and
pictures. I would highly recommend this book for everyone not only
are the blankets beautiful but there is so much more. Haafner
Linssen is also author of Mandalas to Crochet which I haven't seen
but will definitely be checking it out now.
I have received this book free of charge curtesy of Search Press
Limited for an honest review.
*Amazon*
A very beautiful and useful book for all crocheters. I have been
crocheting for many years and this would be more for beginners
though I love the colours used and the instructions are easy to
follow and some very handy hints and tips are included.
*Amazon*
Really pleased with this book.... It has clear instructions to some
truly lovely blankets. I just love the colours used and I think
everybody would be inspired to get crocheting these designs. They
are not overly complicated or fussy, and I love the presentation of
the book with its clear photography. Crocheting is truly having a
renaissance and books like this make the craft so up to date with
such fabulous projects. Looking forward to snuggling up in one of
them as the evenings draw in! Just have to decide which
one.........
*Amazon*
I love this colourful crochet book! It is the perfect size with 20
well-presented, easy to follow stripy blanket crochet patterns.
There is a good choice of designs that are suitable for all
abilities, ranging from easy, intermediate and advanced. Each page
includes the skill level, the size of the blanket, type of yarn and
the hook size needed to make the blanket. There's a useful crochet
refresher course and pattern notes.
I particularly enjoyed reading Haafner's introduction and visually,
the photos of the blankets, are stylish and colourful. There is a
good choice of blankets to crochet to suit all tastes and styles,
inspired by the author's travels around the world.
Haafner's love of crochet shines through in this book, and the
patterns are all individual and unique, inspiring me to improve my
crochet skills. I look forward to making my own stripy blankets and
I highly recommend this book.
*Amazon*
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