Customer Reviews

Vanna's Choice Color It Beautiful Afghans (Leisure Arts #4432)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was so disappointed with the content of this book. There are 5 ripple patterns, 5. All they did was change the colors of the yarn. One version of the pattern with photo inserts of the other 4 color combinations would have sufficed. There were repeats of a few other patterns from Vanna's older afghan books. NOTHING NEW. The whole book is one long ad for her new yarn line. That would not be so bad if the yarn wasn't so dull and uninspiring. The colors are so muted, they have no pop. They also reprinted a few of the blocks from 200 Crochet Blocks, Squares To Mix and Match and schematics of the sample afghans. I LOVE all of the other Vanna White crochet pattern books I have in my library. I was so excited to see there was another one being published. But they needn't have bothered. This should really be one of the $3.95 Lion Brand yarn pamphlets you get on the yarn isle or a feature article in their catalog. I wish I had bought this book in a store so I could return it. Not worth the shipping and handling to Amazon.

Step into Vanna White's home and see the beautiful afghans she has created. She begins with the basic granny square and enlarges it to make a one square afghan. Then she shows what you can do using two yarns and a large hook but still the same granny square.

Next she adds a pretty edging to the same basic granny square and comes up with another beautiful afghan. Finally using two colors, she creates yet a different look with the same basic square.

If this is not enough, she then creates a "Log Cabin" type afghan. Not just for quilter's anymore! She makes a traditional Log Cabin and then one large log cabin. Of course a basic ripple is included in a scrappy one and a tonal one. Or use colors of your favorite teams or a seasonal theme. And finally she show strips.

Now that she has you going with the basic patterns, she shows you 13 variations on a basic square. Pick and choose your combinations to come up with your own original afghan. She even presents a gallery of ways to put the squares together so you have an idea of what can be done.

The yarn of choice is Vanna's Choice yarn by Lion Brand. It is soft and comfy feeling and comes in earth tones. Each project has a color photo and the instructions are clearly written and easy to follow. Skill level and yarn weight recommendations are also given with each project. Seven pages of general instructions include weight definitions and hook or needle sizing chart as well as the skill level definitions. If you have forgotten a basic, these pages will help you get going again.

The final afghan pattern is call Warm Up America and is a charity for battered women's shelters, victims of natural disasters and the homeless. Take the time to make one and donate it. Visit www.warmupamerica.org to find more information.

All in all, it is great to see a STAR care about others and be willing to give of her time to help them.

Vanna may only have a few different afghan patterns in the book, but definitely makes some good ideas in reference to color brought together. She is using her own Lion Brand Yarn for all of the patterns, and shows how the different colors will look together. Some of the ideas she does, I would never have thought of, but they do look good together. I also like the idea that she includes ideas for the Warm Up America program that she partakes in. Most of the patterns are on the easier side.

Excellent book with novel project ideas for the novice at crochet. If you enjoy more complicated patterns, I suggest one of her other books. However, this is great to learn stitches with and practice some more basic patterns while completing beautiful gifts for friends and loved ones.

In this book, Vanna builds on basics to increase your "vocabulary" of creative tools. Use it all just as presented, or use it as a starting point to make more varied and spectacular projects.

Vanna's Choice Color It Beautiful Afghans is a keeper for beginner and novice crocheters. The directions are presented clearly. It's also a super brush-up for the more experienced.

If you are looking for a new addition to your crochet library, you won't go wrong with this.

I purchased this book and then ordered the yarn to make one of the ripple afghans. I used the color selections noted in the book. The pattern's are not new and innovative but I loved the muted shades in the photo in the book. When I worked this afghan with the colors from Lion Brand Vanna's choice yarn my afghan was fluorescent and almost glow in the dark bold. The colors in the photo were no where near the same as the ones in real life. I was very dissapointed.

I have recently taught myself to knit and crochet and love working with Vanna's yarn, so this book is a welcome addition to my growing collection of knit and crochet books. The projects are beautiful, the directions straightforward, and I have enjoyed deciding which of the projects will be my next!

I've made three afghans from the book. They are quick to make and very pretty. I used the recommended yarns and even had some left over for another project. The directions were clear and easy to follow. I liked the different color ideas offered at the back of the book.

Loved the book. Can't wait to try out the suggestions. I've only been crocheting for a little over a year. The instructions seem clear and concise. I loved the ideas for color combinations. Can't wait to start putting these ideas to the test.

Except for Vanna's interesting and challenging "Warm Up America" afghan, there is little here to interest anyone except a beginner.

There are several granny afghans - anyone can do those. Also there are afghans using nothing but dc (how dull is that).

It is the use of the beautiful Vanna yarns (which do go together) and her blend of shading that makes this book somewhat interesting. Warning: she tends to use double strands of yarn in many of the patterns. I like the effect of double strands and do not mind using large hooks, but if you do not like this technique, do not buy the book.

I suggest that if you like some of the patterns, consider buying this book used or with a good coupon. Only then would I recommend it for your library.