@naomialicec
Heres one for the crochet lovers! Anna Nikipirowicz has just brought out 'The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans' with Search Press and honestly its a total gem! Its packed with stitches, motifs and edges you can mix, match, and play with to turn your projects into something seriously special!
Theres loads inside: textured stitches, mosaic, lace, squares, diamonds, hexagons, edging ideas plus a whole blankets section so you can see everything in action. The photos are crisp, the charts are clear, and the instructions are the kind that make you want to drop everything and start a new project immediately...which I did!
Ive already dived in and started making squares for one of the blanket patterns (York Blanket), and its been such a joy. Swipe to see inside the book and the squares Ive made so far, and head on over to Annas page for a deeper look at all the crochet goodness.
Alison Russell
I think this is a brilliant book. A lot of these are mosaic blankets which are fairly easy to learn. I am more than a beginner, and I love this type of book. This book has 60 projects in there with step by step instructions on how to do them. Great explanations for the written patterns, using charts as well. The book is laid out beautifully, with great pictures. If youre crocheting something and you cant quite see which way it is meant to go, the pictures give you an idea of how the project should look. I would like to try the diamond motif Textured hopefully it will come out just like in the picture. Mixing up the colours in the book is also a great idea the puff heart motif would look lovely with red and white. If you are a beginner, you will definitely pick up some skills straight away from this book.
Simply Crochet - Issue 168
The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets and Afghans features 60 stitches, motifs and edges to help you build your perfect blanket. Whether you're just starting out and learning new stitches, or looking for your next yarny challenge, Anna Nikipirowicz's new book is a treasure trove of inspiration. Pop the kettle on, snuggle up in your favourite corner and while away the hours gazing at gorgeous photos of tactile stitches.
Slipknot - December 2025
When I accepted this book to review, I thought it was a knitting stitch dictionary. Clearly, as you can see by the title, it's not. I'm a knitter who has always said the only good use for a crochet hook is for weaving in ends. I take it all back. This is not Anna's first book, and it shows. The photos are full of colour and interest. There are 60 different stitches. There are even some blanket patterns at the back of the book.
Anna has worked in collaboration with West Yorkshire Spinners to produce this gorgeous book. All the yarn featured is from the ColourLab DK yarn range. It is utilised to its fullest from the contents and all the way throguh to the 'how to' section at the back of the book.
This book is a sheer delight. It has inspired me to pick up my crochet hook and start working my way through the stitches with a view to making a blanket. I believe this is a great book to give someone wanting to learn to crochet, or someone wanting something different from the basic 'granny square'.
