Crochet Ragdolls: 30 Animals and Friends to Snuggle by Sascha Blase-van Wagtendonk
If you’re looking for pattern books for crochet ragdolls and clothing, this is the book for you! Inside you will find 31 ragdoll patterns and six clothing patterns that consist of dresses and sweaters. Some of the patterns are miniature versions of the previous pattern. For example, the bunny and baby bunny patterns are close but one is a miniature version with some slight changes since they’re a baby bunny. You will also find tips and tricks as well as diagrams with directions on how to do the stitches and techniques required for these patterns. The diagrams are more for people who may need a quick refresher for any stitches over teaching a beginner the stitches.
There is also a skill level scale showing readers if the pattern falls under one of these five skill levels: beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate, advanced intermediate, and advanced. I wouldn’t say that this is a book for people who are just starting out on crocheting because it may be overwhelming between the techniques, such as the magic ring, and the different pieces one will be sewing together to complete the projects. Unless you are someone like me who takes on a pattern a little bit more advanced for a first project because you are determined and like the challenge of the techniques you wouldn’t normally take on at first, this is not for you. However, I can see this being a good book for someone who is getting ready to start their third or fourth project and is more familiar with the stitches, how to turn rows, and how to avoid accidentally adding stitches in each row. There are patterns that are beginner friendly in this book, but not a first or second project kind beginner level for most people.
One of the things I like is that the book introduces the magic ring technique for anyone who hasn’t heard about it before. It truly is magical! I remember feeling like it was life changing when I first learned about it many years ago. I also like that there is a section on putting the pieces together to complete the ragdolls because I know that seaming can be difficult for people at any level. I know that even I still have some trouble getting the placement just right and then keeping it that way as I’m seaming in regards to arms and legs from time to time, and I’ve been knitting and crocheting for many years!
All in all, I think it’s a great pattern book for anyone looking to make ragdolls and possibly a few clothing items for them. It’s beginner friendly, but not for early projects for new crocheters, while including a good amount of tips and tricks for crocheters of all skill levels. I especially like that there’s a small section that shows how different yarns can alter the overall size and appearance. A gauge isn’t provided for the patterns, so the size and overall appearance may be different based on the crocheter’s personal gauge even when using the same yarn and crochet hook as the author. Plus, different brands of yarn as well as different fibers drape and hold up differently, so I love that there’s a picture of ragdolls made using different yarns along with the yarn info and recommended crochet hook for each yarn. It’s a good thing to bring up for people who aren’t aware of this bit of fiber arts yet, and it helps make this book a good staple for anyone’s collection.
No comments:
Post a Comment