Mar 14
This book is going to pleasantly surprise you. The techniques and looks of these flowers are going to hopefully make you smile. Everything from pipe cleaners, fabric & buttons are used to give each of these flowers their unique look. All of your favorite flowers are covered and with a different colour you can get a lot of different looks. These would be fantastic to add to a multitude of projects. What a fantastic way to brighten up a bag, cardigan or even a hat. Once you've finished with the fantastic range of knitted flowers there are another 28 crocheted flowers to choose from. Yet again with the crocheted flowers with different yarns, buttons and items to get you a really good look. http://www.crochetaddictuk.com/2014/03/flowers-to-knit-and-crochet-uk-book.html
* Crochet Addict UK *
May 14
May is all about flowers. It's spring, they are popping up everywhere both crafted and real. Flowers to Knit and Crochet by Susie John and Jan Ollis has 28 different varieties to knit and crochet. To make a large bouquet of 56 flowers. You can use knit/crochet flowers on hats, pins, home decor, as gift package decorations, fashionable necklaces and scarves. Your imagination is your best accessory guide. Knitting/Crocheting flowers are perfect for using up your very small scraps of yarn. The flowers are small and portable projects that you can take with you on the go. The photographs are large and clear and easy to help you visualize how you will use them. You can make a single bloom or maybe you prefer an entire potful of 'Auricula', pot included. Some of the flowers include embellishments of buttons, beads and a bit of fabric. No gauge is given so it is sure to please. Experiment with different weights of yarn and add some art yarns for whimsical flowers. The 'Allium' is a ball of fluff that will stand out and get noticed. You can almost smell the 'Lavender', surrounding its delicate appearance. The choices and uses are many. Only your needles/hook are required for a green thumb.
* Examiner.com *
August 2014
This is a republication of two of the 20 To Make series of books from Search Press condensed into a single volume with some added and updated patterns. The book is clear with excellent photographs showing the completed flowers at the start of each section. I would recommend this book for young or new crafters as a learning process which results in pretty flowers to use as embellishments on bags, headbands, cushions, throws or similar items. The patterns are simple and give quick results. Although the book lacks any information on basic knitting or crocheting techniques, more experienced readers may also enjoy it as a way to use up odds and ends of yarns.
The knitting section has very simplistic flowers worked in double knitting weight on 3mm needles which gives a bulky finish. There's a good variety of flower shapes and the most complicated pattern in this section is also the most visually pleasing - a flowering cactus in a small pot which would make an unusual gift or decoration.
The crochet section has more modern-looking patterns with several of them featuring fabric, beads, buttons and other embellishments. The projects are well photographed, but the instructions are written, rather than diagrammed, the terms used are American, with UK terms in brackets, with no instructions on how to work the stitches used.
* The Journal *
June 2015
Jan Ollis learned to crochet when she was a little girl. Years later, she set up her own business crocheting and knitting accessories. Susie Johns has been crafting all her life too. She's written dozens of books and created countless patterns. Now the two have joined forces, contributing previously published designs and patterns in one book which includes eight brand new crochet designs plus eight new knitting designs. Of the 28 knitted flowers there are Cherry Blossoms, hibiscuses and anemones and of the 28 rocheted flowers there are tudor roses, foxgloves and african violets. These simple projects make gorgeous accessories or quirky gifts. Each pattern has a list of materials and tools required and comprehensive advice on how to assemble the project.
* Knitting & Crochet Home *
