After the introduction from the author and the contents page the first section has full page color photos of all of the patterns with written descriptions (Where does she find all those cute kids who model her finished designs?). Moving into the pattern section, each one has additional color photos, a materials list and complete directions along with finishing instructions. At the back of the book is the usual Crochet Basics section, Acknowledgements and finally a Resource Guide for yarns used.

There are 29 blankie designs and at first look I was a little disappointed. I think I was expecting the designs to jump off the page and capture my interest the way the designs in Candy Babies had done. Over time I have come to appreciate these designs although I still think her book Candy Babies trumps this one. Many of these designs are more subtle, not super fancy or lacy, they were meant to be soft and cuddly for wee ones; to appeal to little eyes looking for comfort or to pop with color, line & texture to yell for attention...come and get me!

Many of the designs use simple basic crochet stitches. A few use textured crochet stitches that requires an intermediate skill level. It is the combination of colors used along with textured stitches, textured yarns and the addition of a border, trim or applique that gives her blankets that unusual added dimension typical of Candi's designs.

The blankie designs are as follows:

It's A Boy! - A combination of squares in vibrant colors sewn together with a soft shell border.</br>
Nursery Magic - Solid squares & color-block squares in soft colors sewn together with embroidered chain stitch accent giving an argyle look.</br>
Block Party - Nine simple squares in soft hues sewn together with a rich colored border. This project is designed to be made quickly.</br>
It's A Girl - Crocheted blocks in a wide range of colors sewn together with a single color shell border.</br>
Cowboy Blues - A fun blanket with squares that look like black & white cow print & squares that look like a denim pocket edged with a denim border. Use of denim look yarn makes this design work great.</br>
Jean Dream - Blocks crocheted in 4 shades of denim look variegated yarns with yellow top-stitching. Use of denim look yarn gives this look.</br>
Creature Comfort - A black & white cow print blanket crocheted in one piece with denim look border. Again the use of denim look yarn.</br>
Denim Dazzler - Quick to make blanket worked in denim style yarn in one piece with added border in different shade of denim yarn with yellow top stitching.</br>
Bear Necessity - Crocheted bears in white squares bordered by blue. Three dimensional crocheted ears and embroidered smiles make it a hit.</br>
Purr-fection - Crocheted kitties in white squares bordered by pink. Three dimensional crocheted ears and embroidered smiles & whiskers. Uses velvet touch yarn.</br>
Farm Fresh - Crocheted in one piece a field of green in a textured stitch with crocheted appliqued sheep romping about. Candi adds whimsy here with one black sheep amongst the white.</br>
Soothing Note - Crocheted in one piece an argyle inspired design quick to make.</br>
Tickled Pink - A soft cuddly blanket using fleecy Lion Brand Polar spun yarn composed of squares & triangles of different soft colors sewn together. Has top chain stitching adding dimension.</br>
English Beat - An argyle blankie crocheted in soft cotton made in strips then sewn together, accented with chain stitch and border.</br>
Special Delivery - Soft stripes in pinks, whites and grays with white shell border. Woven in vertical lines add dimension.</br>
Ripple Effect - One piece crochet ripple in vibrant berry hues accented with whimsical pompoms on border.</br>
Blue Marine - Separately crocheted blocks in ocean hues stitched together with an ivory border and white & blue yarn woven in vertically & horizontally crossing the squares.</br>
Square Dance - Stripe squares & gingham squares crocheted and then stitched together with a single color border.</br>
Peewee pizzazz - Checkered blocks in ivory & plum hues with a woven in line of ivory yarn giving a plaid look finished off with a pretty scalloped edge border.</br>
Pattern Play - Crocheted in one piece with color changes to look like 3 different color squares then a single contrasting color woven through the centers vertically and horizontally finished off with a solid color border.</br>
Pretty in Pink - Crocheted in one piece this blanket has wonderful texture by the use of textured stitches giving it columns of thick & thin cables finished off with a simple border.</br>
True Blue - Another blanket with wonderful textured stitches bringing out a diamond pattern it is worked in one piece. Has a strip every 13th & 14th row using Red Heart Baby Terry Yarn for added detail.</br>
Rainbow Bright - Crocheted in once piece with a classic white backround for a combination of colors in long V stitch for interest.</br>
Creme de la Creme - Quick to crochet blanket in one piece in half-double crochet in ivory. The sewn on fabric trim adds the interest.</br>
Pompom Pleaser - Crocheted in one piece of a solid color the design is added by weaving in a contrasting color making several squares starting in the center and working outward and adding pompoms at the corners of the squares and in the center.</br>
Baby Love - Crocheted in one piece in a single color with woven in contrasting yarn crossing the blanket diagonally in seven evenly spaced places. There is a purchased satin blanket binding sewn on with jumbo rick-rack sewn to satin border.</br>
Petal Pretty - Crocheted in one piece solid color with contrasting scalloped border. Separately crocheted flowers are added for detail.</br>
Fine Lines - Easy to crochet in one piece this blanket features different color stripes of varying widths crocheted in cotton.</br>
Navajo Throw - Another easy to crochet stitched in one piece this is a striped blanket in vibrant colors.</br>

Candi uses a wide variety of yarns for these projects like Red Heart worsted weight yarn, Rowan Cotton, Dale of Norway Wool, Classic Elite Cotton, Red Heart TLC, Bernat Spinrite Denim Style, Berroco Velvet Touch, Red Heart Kids, Lion Brand Polarspun, Caron Simply Soft and Lion Brand Microspun to name a few. The best part is you can choose to use the same yarns or you can choose your own because each pattern gives the stitch gauge. As long as your yarn matches the stitch gauge it will turn out the same size. With blankets however, size is not as important as in garments which must be worn. So even if the gauge is not the same you would still get a nice blanket just a different size in the end.

I find the detailed directions to be easy to follow and complete. Each pattern gives the finished measurements, a list of materials used and the gauge. Some of the patterns have special notes on making different versions of the pattern, how to work color changes or how to make any special stitches in a pattern. There are also finishing directions for each pattern.

Knowing what I know now, I think I would still buy this book knowing it doesn't come up to my full expectations because there are a few of the designs I really like and want to have in my pattern collection. Also, looking at Candi's designs gives me ideas on how I can change other patterns I own through the use of different yarns or by the addition of trims, top-stitching or applique. Candi helps me see the possibilities of taking a chance with color combinations and using textured stitches & textured yarns.



Recommended:
Yes