If you love to crochet blankets and are seeking new inspiration, you’re in for a treat. Designer and author extraordinaire, plus personal friend Robyn Chachula compiled a wonderful collection of nearly 30 designs from all of your hooky favorites. Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques is divided into chapters by technique, and each one opens with a pillow–the perfect way to practice a swatch of a new-to-you skill without committing to an entire spread. Robyn designed all of the pillows and then whispered inspiration into the ears of other designers for the rest.

My contribution is the Dots and Poppies Baby Blanket, worked in wonderfully soft organic cotton from Blue Sky Alpacas. I’d actually probably work this one in a bulky if I wasn’t using the original yarn, because it is so fluffy and soft, and most worsteds wouldn’t behave the same way….so keep that in mind if you make it! There are a lot. of. ends. to weave in on this afghan, so just accept that before you begin. The cool thing, though, is you basically make all of the different motifs exactly the same way, it’s just the color changes that make them into flowers or dots. And, they are join as you go!  This is a great car project and I actually did most of it while riding back from TNNA in Long Beach a couple of Januaries ago.

Here are Robyn and I at her book signing in the Interweave Booth at TNNA last weekend. We always have a lot of fun and laughs at the shows. I got to see a lot of the afghans in the book and I must say I am especially impressed with the Tunisian and Lace designs.

Interweave is giving away one E-book copy of Unexpected Afghans! To enter to win it, answer the following question by Friday, July  6th at noon MST.

What do you love most about crocheting blankets?