Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn [Paperback]

Norah Gaughan (Author), Margery Winter (Author), Berroco Inc. (Author), Thayer Allyson Gowdy (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

For many of us, afghans are the epitome of comfort. Colorful and inviting, they are a staple of the home, without which a living room or bedroom just wouldn’t feel complete. And whether you’re making one for yourself, as a housewarming gift, or to welcome a new baby into the world, the process of creating a handmade afghan can be as rewarding as the finished product.
 
Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans features 50 patterns for these cozy blankets, made with Berroco Comfort yarn—an affordable, ultra-soft acrylic/nylon blend—and designed by the Berroco team, headed by Norah Gaughan. The book includes something for everyone: The designs range from ultra-modern to traditional, from spare to embellished, and are inspired by sources as varied as Scottish tweeds, Japanese Ikat, and Delft pottery. Intended for knitters and crocheters of every skill level, this collection brings new life to the well-loved and versatile afghan.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Berroco began as Stanley Woolen Mills in 1810 and has gradually evolved into one of the largest importers and wholesalers of yarns, patterns, and supplies to independent yarn shops throughout the U.S. and Canada. Norah Gaughan, author of STC’s Knitting Nature, joined Berroco as design director after freelancing for most of the major yarn companies and knitting magazines in the industry.

Margery Winter was creative director at Berroco for 12 years, and has been editor-in-chief of Vogue Knitting and Family Circle Knitting, as well as the fashion editor of McCall's Needlework and Crafts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book; Original edition (April 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584798262
• ISBN-13: 978-1584798262
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,485 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book with over 50 afghan patterns to suit nearly every taste, April 18, 2010

By 

Carol S. (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn (Paperback)

Comfort Aghans is a lovely book, filled with over 50 afghan patterns. Roughly half are knit and half are crocheted. The vast majority are written for worsted weight yarn; the remainder are split between DK and chunky gauge. You'll find just about every style under the sun, from traditional stripes to more understated textural patterns; interesting variations on afghans made of squares; modular knitting & creative crochet shapes; embroidery, colorwork, cables and more. There are a few styles specifically shown as baby blankets (although making other patterns in traditional baby colors would easily work) but most of the choices are shown on couches, chairs or other non-baby settings. There are lots of clear, beautiful photographs; charts are provided where necessary; and the skill level ranges from afghan to afghan (some are suitable for beginner knitters or crocheters while others employ more advanced skills). If you do the math, this book is a wonderful value: at the current Amazon price, patterns cost on average less than thirty cents each. And there is nothing about this book as opposed to any other book that would make it difficult to substitute yarns if you didn't wish to use the Berroco yarns shown in the book. At around three bucks a ball for Comfort DK, for example, I don't think the Berroco yarns are exceptionally pricey in the larger scheme of things, but given that afghans provide great flexibility in size/gauge (they don't need to fit precise measurements in the way that, say, a sweater does), and given that most of the book uses worsted weight Comfort -- one of the most readily available gauges available -- it would be a cinch to substitute whatever worsted yarn you prefer, from Red Heart to Malabrigo.

All in all, a lovely book with tons of patterns that run the gamut when it comes to style, technique and skill level.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Afghans and Comforters for Every Knitting Level, April 25, 2010

By 

Bonnie Brody "Book Lover and Knitter" (Port St. Lucie, FL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn (Paperback)

I purchased this book because I am a knitter and I just love the varied and beautiful patterns that are in here for afghans and comforters. The book calls for the use of Berroco yarn but any yarn with the same gauge can be substituted. Most of the afghans call for needle size 8 - 10 U.S.

My favorite afghans in the book are the Retro which is reminiscent of the 1980's with "mock cables, twisted stitch blocks and garter ribbing". The Gypsy Patchwork is colorful and wild and "evokes the gypsy in all of us". The Weave is a sophisticated looking afghan where each square is knit individually and then sewn together. The Basketweave is perfect for a beginner and would make a beautiful bedspread. There is no edging in this pattern so it can be knit very quickly. Petal is a lovely baby blanket that has a repeat square pattern with a flower in the middle. Floret is also a baby blanket with "cables, ribs, and bobbles" that come together "to form stylized flowers". Still Life will make a lovely wall hanging. It is a multi-color pattern with a vase of flowers and a book lying nearby. It is a piece of fabric art. For you experienced knitters out there who want to take on a challenge, The Ukranian Tiles blanket is spectacular. Made in red and white it consists of "complex geometric patterns...inspired by classic Eastern European textiles as well as the elaborate patterns used to decorate Ukranian Easter eggs." The Kilim is a two-colored textured afghan worked with bobbles and Fair Isle colorwork. Herringbone is a classic afghan with cables and twisted stitches that are knit in a repeat pattern that is easy to memorize. I plan on knitting this afghan soon.

I think you knitters out there get the idea. This is a book of plentiful and beautiful designs, some for the beginning knitter and some for the more advanced. The patterns are adaptable for size and shape and can be made larger or smaller than those in the book. There is something in here for everyone and I highly recommend this book.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great collection of afghans, June 10, 2010

By 

M. Poller (Israel) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn (Paperback)

The pictures of the projects can all be found on Ravelry. Some afghans are challenging whcih I have come to expect from the Berroco design team. Others are easy for all skill levels. Yarns can all be easily substituted. The variety here is pretty amazing and very different from the usual afghan book. Both crocheters and knitters are in for a treat with a total of around 50 patterns. Certainly a bargain.