Granny Squares & Shapes: 20 Crochet Projects for You and Your Home

Very disappointed. I like Sue Pinner's crochet but her books are lacking. I don't know who is advising her and putting them together. From seeing her work on her blog, the title, and cover pictures, I expected blankets, pillows, shawls. There is clothing, headbands...really? Headbands? Hats. A foot decoration. Really? Who wears foot decorations? And like her last book, pictures of squares that are not patterned in the book??? There is only one item in this book I'd like to make. After buying her other book, I should have known better. I don't recommend.

Thank you for the beautiful book

Some great unique patterns in this book. Love it.

This book was interesting to look through, and it gave me several new ideas. I will be making a few patterns from this book. I love granny squares and this book had a few new ideas for them. I am glad I bought this book. If you like granny squares and would like to see some new ideas for them, then this is a good book for you.

Granny Squares & Shapes: 20 Crochet Projects For You and Your Home is the second book by Susan “Sue” Pinner. It’s the follow up to Granny Squares: 20 Crochet Projects with a Vintage Vibe. If you’re familiar with that book or Sue’s blog, you are probably familiar with Sue’s cozy and colorful motif patterns. Granny Squares & Shapes delivers exactly what you would expect from Sue. It opens with her introduction, written in a very personable style. The book follows with 20 pages of “eye candy”: full size, full color photographs of the projects (with the pattern name and page number written towards the bottom of each page). The Getting Started section includes 20 pages of information to help even a beginner crocheter make the projects successfully. This section includes information about tools, yarns, basic crochet techniques (including written and illustrated instructions for the slip knot, 7 basic crochet stitches, 2 special stitches, several ways to work in the round, how to weave in ends, and 4 seaming methods), information about the care and blocking of your projects, and even a problem-solving guide. Throughout this section (and the rest of the book), you can find “Granny’s Tips” where Sue shares helpful tricks for crocheters. At the end of this section, Sue also includes basic patterns for 4-round granny squares, circles, and hexagons.The next section, Projects, includes the patterns. There are 9 home decor patterns, including 2 bowls, 2 pillow covers, and a stool cover, bunting, blanket, table mat, and rug. The remaining 11 patterns are for women’s garments and accessories, including 2 tops, 2 wraps/shawls, a pair of slippers, a hair band, a beret, a shawl pin, a collar, a bag, and barefoot sandals. Each pattern includes the finished size, a materials list (or “you will need”) section, tension (gauge) information, and pattern notes. Again, the “Granny’s Tips” are sprinkled throughout to help you along the way. Each pattern is broken down into sections that include the motif patterns and instructions for assembly, if appropriate. Many projects include an assembly diagram. And, of course, there are loads of pictures, including full page images, details of the motifs, and close ups and modeled shots, too.The book ends with back matter that includes a key to pattern abbreviations and conversion guides for US to UK abbreviations and hook sizes, a list of suppliers, and helpful resources including books and websites. I reviewed the UK version, but there is a US version available also. The book is a hefty paperback, so it is difficult to crochet and read at the same time, but it does have front and back cover flaps, so it’s easy to mark your place when you put the book down. The book doesn’t list a difficulty level with any of the patterns, but it’s safe to say that an adventurous (or determined) beginner can make anything included. More advanced crocheters will find the projects meditative and Sue’s color tips inspiring. I recommend this book for crocheters who like working with motifs and who are interested in going beyond the basic granny square blanket projects. And, of course, if you just like to flip through colorful project pictures for inspiration, you’ll enjoy this book, too.Full disclosure: A free review copy of Granny Squares & Shapes: 20 Crochet Projects For You and Your Home by Susan Pinner was provided to me by GMC Publications Ltd. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.

This is the first crochet book (and I've bought a lot) where I have liked all the patterns and want to make most of them. The only niggles are that it is not a beginner's book and a couple of patterns leave you hanging at the end with no instruction on how to finish the item, but if you are competent, you will be able to work it out.

Another hit from the talented interior design author. Easy to follow instructions and twenty great crochet projects to turn in to stunning Christmas pressies.

A great collection of doable and useful crochet patterns. Bucket-loads of colour which is Susan Pinner's trademark. I love this book.

Excellent book!

One of my favorite books and projects