Book Review – World Of Geek Craft

Are you into SciFi? I’m a huge fan of most of the SciFi shows on TV and have been over the years. The original Star Trek, campy tho’ it was, is still a favorite in my house. So, who doesn’t know about Tribbles? I think even people who have never seen an episode of Star Trek will have heard of The Trouble With Tribbles, cute little fuzzy things that reproduce at an alarming rate, quickly filling up the Enterprise with bits of fluff.

So, when I saw this book, “World of Geekcraft”, I picked it up and flipped through it. Some interesting stuff, but no crochet. But, wait! There are Tribbles! They’re designed by a ‘real’ crochet designer, Linda Permann! They are so cute! I gotta, gotta, gotta make some. Dig through the stash. What color should a Tribble be? I think I saw Star Trek on a black and white TV, so I have no idea what is the proper Tribble color. Do they come in more than one color? Yikes! Linda has crocheted three of them in shades of brown with three different novelty yarns. I’m thinking Tribbles will be created in every color of novelty yarn in my stash.

TRIBBLES a plenty

And, if you have a Christmas Stocking in my house, what do you think it will be stuffed with this year???

BOOK SPECS: Note – this book contains only one crochet project.

Author Susan Beal

Chronicle Books, 2011

World of Geek Craft ISBN 9780811874618

$19.95 USD list price

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.

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