300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects

300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects

Review by Dora Ohrenstein

This is the third in Lark's series of three reference books by the same author, and the one I like best.  It may not be absolutely clear that the "blocks" in the title are in fact motifs, not squares -- and come in all shapes.  The great strength of the book is the sheer number and variety  of motifs, most very attractive, many original.  Instructions are well-written, shown in large text, and accompanied by Karen Manthey's elegant diagrams.  Unlike the other Schapper volumes, the photos are large and detailed and stitches very clear.  Some are beautifully stitched, but unfortunately, some don't meet the standard one sees in other books of this kind. Never mind, crochet's beauty still shines through. Chapters are organized either by stitch used -- one called Picots, another Bobbles, each showing a variety of shapes, while other chapters focus on a particular shape -- Hexagons, Triangles.  A bit confusing, but still, who would have thought that post stitches -- one of the chapters --  would find so many uses in motifs? There is a section called samplers that are simple stitch patterns worked in rows into squares, good projects for less experienced crocheters before they plunge into motifs worked from the center. While I have quite a few motif books already, I still found a good number of new and interesting shapes and techniques in this volume.  I would call this a classic that should be on every serious crocheters shelf. Three hundred Classic Blocks is a big basket of motifs, ripe for the picking!