Books Reviews

Crochet bouquets of nearly 50 whimsical, wonderful flowers, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors! Done in upscale yarns like ribbon, chenille, and silk, this contemporary garden will get intermediate-level crocheters grasping their hooks. Some of the flora looks realistic; others are beautifully fanciful, pure products of the imagination. A simple, well-photographed basics section explains how to create them all: specialty techniques include felting, stacking the flowers, stiffening the petals, and linking the flowers together. “Grow” daffodils, dahlias, ferns, firewheels, primroses, sunflowers, and violets—or even a fantastic blossom with layers of scalloped petals radiating out in increasing size from a crystal button center. For added inspiration, a series of showcase projects incorporates the blossoms, including hats, backpacks, pillows, and cards.