Booklist
Ever since Taylor Swift wore a crochet dress for a night out on the town, crochet clothing has been trending. Here, crochet designer and teacher Sabido debuts with 15 patterns for crochet clothing and accessories. Utilizing the perennially popular granny square, Sabidos designs progress from simple projects like a scarf and a bag to more complex sweaters and a dress. The author suggests that those new to clothes creation treat the book as a learning process and work through the projects in order. Some of the designs achieve a retro look: the Woodstock dungarees, a colorful poncho, and a pair of shorts would not be out of place in a pattern book from the 1970s. For the clothing that is fitted, options are given for sizes S to 5X. Sabido also pays attention to size inclusivity by featuring models of various body shapes. Tips are given to help the crocheter take body measurements for the perfect fit. Crochet clothes are having a moment, and this easy-to-follow book full of colorful patterns is recommended for all craft collections.
Inside Crochet
Riding on a wave of love for the fabulously retro granny square comes designer Sam Sabido's new book. This colourful collection of garments and accessories incorporates granny motifs and stitches in different ways, with each pattern featuring clear written instructions, step-by-step photos and charts.
Designed as the perfect introduction to creating a granny square-inspired wardrobe, this book can be used in two ways. Either dip in, or use it as a workbook and start at the beginning, moving from the simplest designs to the more advanced, with each pattern introducing a new technique to gradually build your skills.
Newbies will love the vibrant Winter's Day Scarf, where 12 squares hooked in a chunky yarn are simply joined and tassels added to create an easy accessory. The beginner-friendly Cocoon Cardigan and Memory Lane Jacket are both simple and snuggly, revealing two different ways to use motifs, while the intermediate-level Colour Fade Jumper shows how granny motifs can be used to achieve different and more contemporary effects by using one colour in several shades.
Elsewhere, find festival-ready fashion in the form of Woodstock Dungarees or Fresh as a Daisy vest and shorts combo, while more advanced crocheters can get stuck into the beautiful Carefree Coatigan featuring pretty circle-motif granny squares.
A gorgeous book filled with stylish size-inclusive pieces that will appeal to all ages and all skill levels of granny-square enthusiasts - and it would make a great gift too.
Simply Crochet
The 15 wearable designs here aren't just cardigans and jumpers, but range from accessories to dungarees, a dress, and shorts. Sizing ranges are inclusive, to fit actual chest sizes 28-63in (71-160cm). The patterns are organised in a progression; each introduces a new skill so it can be treated as a learning process, or you can dip in and out. Tips, charts and photos help with every design.
