Color It Beautiful Afghans

I love this book so much that I bought an extra one, just in case the first one disappears amid my huge crochet stash. The patterns are peaceful and well written, the yarn is readily available, and the pictures are dear. The color combining (marling) is inspiring, and I've used what I learned about color combining from Vanna in a huge number of other afghan projects. I have dozens of afghan books and this is my favorite. And I still know where both copies are. : )

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.

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.

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.

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.