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If It’s Robyn Chachula, It’s ‘Siimply Crochet’

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Are you a Robyn Chachula fan?  If not, what’ wrong with you???  This book simply crochet 22 ‘Stylish Designs for Every Day’ is a great collection of beautiful pieces that you’ll actually wear and  use.  In addition to the designs of Robyn Chachula, there are other designers patterns included – names you know like Omdahl, Chan, Ventura, and others

I love the scarf on the cover.  It’s part of the section of designs using one ball or less.  Also in that section is the delicious ‘Billows of Baubles’, a super fine laceweight design by Sheryl Means.  If you’re a hat fan, Margaret Hubert has created a stunning Flapper Hat.  Vashti Braha’s Tunisian Neck Lattice scarflette is another winner. Too many to describe each one.

Other designs by other designers range from Carol Ventura’s felted offering to Mitten Puppets to afghans and the yummy toddler Amelia Cardigan designed by Julia Vaconsin.  Shawls, shrugs, and cardigans round out this impressive collection.

This book was scheduled to hit your book store on December 21, 1011 – so tell Santa to make a special trip to be sure your copy is under the tree!

Book Specs:

Interweave Press

160 pages with many color photos and handy schematics

$22.95 USD

Simply Crochet ISBN:  9781596682986

Looking for more Shrug patterns to crochet? Check out these Crochet patterns for Shrugs we found on Etsy as well as these books on Amazon. 

 

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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.