Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have long loved the beauty of Aran knitting and lamented the fact that I am not a knitter. I've crocheted for over 40 years and it's what I'm comfortable doing. Bonnie Barker shares in the introduction to this fabulous book that her love for these stitches led her to put together these spectacularly beautiful patterns. I am so happy she did, because I love this book. So much in fact, that I'm buying another copy to give to my sister for Christmas. Right away Bonnie reassures the reader not to "run away screaming in fear from any perceived difficulty in any of these projects." The Aran stitches all use the basic chain, single, half-double, double, and treble crochet. We are taught, in step-by-step photographs, how to combine these fundamental stitches to create the Arrow, Baby Feet Toe Popcorn, Basket Weave, Big Toe Popcorn, Braided Cable, Cable, Celtic Cross, Celtic Weave, Diamond, Honeycomb, Knurl (Reverse Single Crochet), Shadow Box, Shell With Picot, Wheat, and Woven stitches. The photographed instructions also include all the basic stitches and how to make fringe. If we get stuck, we can access Bonnie's website for step-by-step instructional videos. Each project is given a degree of difficulty, starting with Easy and increasing up to Experienced, the difficulty rating is determined by the amount of specialized stitches used in the project, the more stitches, the more difficult the rating. Bonnie recommends starting with the easier patterns, such as a scarf, and then moving on to the more advanced as we become more confident. Practice, practice, practice. I particularly liked how we are given the exact yarns used in each project. A lot of the time, I really love the color or texture of a particular yarn used in the model, and am frustrated because I don't know what it is. Of course, we don't have to use the exact yarn shown in the projects, we can substitute another brand, by weight, and making certain it meets the gauge requirements. Some of the projects use #4 Fine, DK #3, #4 Worsted, and Bulky #5. While the cover photo shows the use of the typical Aran color, other projects, throughout the book are done in a variety of colors. In the Resources Guide, at the back of the book, the websites are given for each of the yarn companies that supplied yarn used in the book. Of the projects there are shawls, baby blankets, purse, backpack, carryall bag, afghans, scarves, headband, sweaters, vests, covers for MP3, iPad, cell phone, and even a pillow cover. Sprinkled throughout the book are a half dozen, or so, photos of the drop-dead gorgeous Irish landscape. I'd love to see Ireland in person, but for now I'll look at the photos and dream, while I'm crocheting the patterns in this book. If Bonnie Barker puts out any future Aran crochet pattern designs...I'll be all over it! I highly recommend this masterpiece. Happy stitching!