Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Crochet A Flower Bouquet: 35 crochet patterns for handmade flowers and foliage

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As someone who loves both crochet and florals, I was thrilled to discover Crochet Flower Bouquet by Susie Johns. This book is a perfect blend of creativity and craftsmanship, making it an excellent choice for crocheters who want to step up their game and add a personal touch to their floral arrangements.

The book offers a variety of 35 gorgeous patterns, and what I love most is the range of difficulty levels. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, there’s something here for everyone. The instructions are clear and easy to follow, and Johns breaks down each flower with simple steps and helpful tips. I was able to start making flowers right away, and the end results were nothing short of beautiful.

One of my favorites was the Tulip pattern—simple yet elegant. The use of vibrant yarns in the photos inspired me to experiment with colors I wouldn’t normally choose, resulting in a bouquet that truly felt unique and personal. There are patterns for everything from delicate roses to whimsical daisies, and each flower has its own charm.

What sets this book apart from other crochet flower books is the way it encourages you to create lasting keepsakes. The idea of crocheting flowers to make bouquets is both practical and sentimental. Whether you’re looking to create a gift, home décor, or even wedding flowers, this book gives you the tools to craft something that will stand the test of time.

The flowers are soft and realistic-looking, and they last much longer than fresh blooms—perfect for someone like me who is always looking for ways to preserve special moments. I even made a small bouquet for a friend’s birthday, and it was a hit!

In addition to the patterns, the book offers useful tips on finishing your flowers and assembling them into bouquets. I appreciated the sections on wiring flowers for durability and arranging them into a professional-looking display. There are also suggestions for adding embellishments like beads or ribbons to personalize your creations even more.

As someone who’s not a crochet expert, I was happy to find that the instructions were straightforward and included plenty of photos to guide me. However, I can see this book being a great resource for more experienced crocheters as well. The patterns can be customized and combined in so many different ways, making this book a versatile tool for any crafter.

Crochet Flower Bouquet by Susie Johns is a delightful book that offers a fresh and creative approach to crochet. Whether you’re new to the craft or have been crocheting for years, this book will inspire you to create beautiful, lasting floral arrangements. It’s a perfect gift for any crochet enthusiast or anyone who loves the art of handmade florals. I’m already planning my next bouquet project—can’t wait to try more patterns!

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Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.