Crochet in the City

Annemarie Benthem
Livres de Louise, £13.59
US terminology

Crochet designer Annemarie Benthem (www.annemarieshaakblog.blogspot.com) is a big fan of florals – and this stylish new book is full of them! Of course, that gives plenty of scope for a variety of designs, from cosy homewares to delicate accessories and even adorable amigurumi patterns.

Many of the larger designs are created by building up smaller motifs, joined as they’re worked to avoid a mass of sewing up at the end! We love the drapey effect this gives, for example in the multi-coloured Blossom In Spring Shawl (above), made of dozens of individual blooms that can be worked together into any finished shape or size desired. It’s also used to great effect in the Blue Poppy and Field Of Wildflowers Pillows, which use glorious colour combinations for a finished treat.

For those after a smaller project, we recommend the sweet Flower Necklace, a colourful set of Forest Flower Coasters, or maybe a simple daisy garland, just the thing for adding a homemade touch to any space.

All designs are charted, and many don’t have written instructions, so if you’re a beginner crocheter you may want to practise working from charts first – though the patterns in this book are certainly pretty enough to incentivise you to work through them even if it’s your first time!