Very good having English and American terms side by side as in other books it has not been clear which is in use. Am going to persevere even though small font is at limit of my eyesight capabilities. Good pictures showing finished projects from different angles.
-- Alison Finch * Customer review *
This is a lovely little book. I've wanted to try crocheting cacti for a while so I'm looking forward to trying some of these. The patterns seem pretty clear and relatively easy to understand (I've been crocheting for less than a year) so that's a bonus. Some of the suggested yarns are expensive but I see no reason why a cheaper alternative wouldn't work just as well for most of them.
-- Penny Hassell * Customer review *
Fantastic selection of cacti. Easy to read patterns.
-- Em Day * Customer review *
A lovely book with very realistic cacti to crochet. There are brief instructions for various crochet stitches at the front of the book but I would suggest this is intended for people who are not total beginners. The instructions are in American but the UK equivalent is also given. The instructions are clear and concise.
-- Maria Crouchley * Customer review *
If you buy all the wools recommended it would cost a lot, but crochet is more forgiving than knitting and size is not so important for cacti as for a jumper (for example) so you can easily adapt to whatever you might have in your stash. The results are lovely and make great decoration or can even be made useful e.g. pincushions. I think I will soon have a great collection of cacti.
-- Suze Lloyd * Customer review *
This is a great little book. There are lots of brilliant designs to choose from with realistic looking cactuses. The instructions are really nicely laid out and easy to follow. There is also a handy little help section at the front of the book with a crochet 'how to' guide which also has a really easy diagram on how to do a 'magic ring'.
-- Rai Kirk * Customer review *
This might just be the perfect book for anyone who can't keep a plant alive, no matter what they try. "Crocheted Cactuses" will share 16 patterns inspired by actual cacti species. The book starts with a quick technique section, making sure you'll have a good grasp of the craft before you take on any actual projects.
See the full list of Martha Stewart's craft book recommendations here.
-- Martha Stewart * 9 Crafty Books We're Reading in 2019 *
You don't need a garden to grow this charming crop of cacti - just a hook, some yarn and a little crochet know-how! The 16 patterns are quick and easy to make, there are no sharp spines and they don't need watering!
* Machine Knitting Monthly, February 2019 *
Being a keen crocheter, I jumped at the chance to review this new book by Sarah Abbondio. It comes with clear instructions - using both English and American terms - and this book is beautifully illustrated with lovely photographs of each cactus. The beginning of the book talks you through materials and equipment, crochet techniques and even soil bases for your cactus to 'grow' from! Each chapter is broken up into each of the 16 cactus to make using their Latin name, and uses step-by-step instructions including yarn suggestions. You would need to know how to crochet in the round to be able to undertake these designs but I can't wait to make my own cactus garden in the New Year!
-- Sophie Edwards * Workshop on the Web *
Each simple design begins with a crocheted "soil base" that supports the cactus and fits inside a plant pot, so they're easy to finish and display, and there's a range of varieties to choose from. Use different yarns to create different effects, as well as techniques such as raised stitches to make ridges, popcorns for a textured finish, beads for spots, alpaca yarns for fluffy sections and more.
* Inside Crochet, Issue 110 *
Using simple crochet stitches and yarn, you can create 16 cute and quirky crochet cactuses and succulents that look just like the real thing! These patterns are quick and easy to make, and can be embellished with beads, ridges and bobbles-all they need is a plant pot to sit in to complete the effect.
* Crafts Beautiful *
