When I found Haafner’s beautiful blog for the first time, my heart skipped a beat……
I had just re-entered the world of crochet, and although I was not a very experienced crocheter at that time, I instantly knew I was looking at an extremely talented crocheter’s work.
Not only is Haafner’s crochet immaculate, her designs/patterns and use of colors are one of a kind as well.
I loved making her “Popcorn Blanket”, my “Baby blanket Justine” – it’s fascinating to see how the squares form a pattern-within-the-pattern once they’re joined.
We connected via Instagram, and I was thrilled to read last Summer that she was writing a crochet book!
Even more thrilled when back in October of last year, she asked Andrée and me for some book advice, and I was able to test run one of her gorgeous patterns – an honor, really.
And then last Friday “Mandalas to Crochet” landed on my doormat …….
What a wonderful-wonderful book! I can’t help myself: I love everything about it!
The patterns are – no surprise – beautiful and unique, and there’s an attention to detail that I’ve rarely seen before.
I don’t know how she did it, but the patterns are concise, yet very easy to follow, and all patterns have fab charts also. Photography throughout the book is ace, and the section “Before you Begin” is so informative, every crocheter can benefit from the tips&tricks Haafner gives here.
Last but not least: I love how she has incorporated seven gorgeous and different projects that all use a particular mandala pattern from the book.
The book is already published – in English – in the UK and South-Africa, will soon be out in the USA, and a Dutch translation is underway.
The big mandala in grey/blue/black/off white was the project I made last October; I’ll probably add some more rounds and turn it into a cushion cover.
Yesterday I made the small one, which is a little present for one of my nieces. A collector of fine bone china tea cups, I hope she’ll like this recent lucky thrift store find, that now has a matching coaster.
Love,
Marianne xx
Beautiful!
Thank you very much! Marianne xx
Well written Marianne and all compliments are so true! The versions you made with Haafner’s patterns, have your own character and that is a compliment for you!
Thanks, Andrée – exactly! I really love Haafner’s book – very inspirational, and I loved playing with some of the patterns …..Thank you for your lovely compliment too! Marianne xx
Thanks for the lovely review, Marianne! Looking forward to flipping through myself.
Thanks, Sandra – this blog post wrote itself ….. I really love Haafner’s book, and I’m sure you’ll love it too! Marianne xx
Hij stond al op mijn verlanglijstje, maar wat ben ik nu extra blij dat ik snel jarig ben! Prachtige mandala’s haakte je en wat een superleuk cadeau voor je nichtje ?
Dat snap ik helemaal – ik zou ‘m met stip bovenaan zetten; het is ècht een heel mooi en inspirerend boek.
Dankjewel, Jan – ‘k hoop dat ze er blij mee zal zijn. Marianne xx
Ohh nooooo!!! I wish I hadn’t seen this post!! How can I not get this book now? I am going to add it and remove it from my shopping cart for a month whilst telling myself “but you don’t need another book on crochet!!” before caving, I foresee.
Hahahaha! I’m afraid you’re right: you cannot nót buy this book! You’ll love it, Zoe! Marianne xx
Very lovely. Can’t wait to find her website.
Thank you! Oh, you’ll love it there – enjoy! Marianne xx
GORGEOUS!
Thank you so very much! Marianne xx