Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks by Ira Rott Review

Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks by Ira Rott is a fun, colorful collection of crochet animal blocks that enables you to make a wide variety of different blanket designs and other fun crochet projects. Today we’ll be taking an in-depth look at this new book from David & Charles publishing and I’ll be sharing my review of Crochet Animals Blankets and Blocks. Keep reading to learn how you can enter to win a copy of the book as well.

This post may contain affiliate links which means that I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through these links at no cost to you.

Thanks to David & Charles Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Ira Rott is a talented crochet designer that is well-known for her fantastic books featuring animal projects. She has her own website where you can order her crochet, knit and quilting patterns. On her site, Irarott.com, she has a free patterns section that you can check out and try some of the lovely patterns by this first-rate designer.

Ira is also the author of Crochet Animal Rugs and Crochet Animal Slippers, both of which were fantastic books (click on the links to view my reviews of those titles).

Patterns in Crochet Animals Blankets and Blocks

Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks by Ira Rott contains the patterns for 16 main animal block designs with instructions on how to make 2 additional new animals by making changes to 2 of the main animal block patterns found in the additional ideas section.

The block patterns in this book are:

• Penguin Block
• Koala Block
• Pig Block
• Monkey Block
• Hippo Block
• Cat Block
• Sheep Block
• Sloth Block
• Lion Block
• Raccoon Block
• Cow Block
• Unicorn Block
• Bunny Block
• Fox Block
• Horse Block (made from unicorn block)
• Bear Block (made from sloth block)

While this colorful collection of crochet animal blocks provides a huge range of possibilities for creating some fantastic animal-themed blankets, Ira takes this book one step further by providing 7 different projects ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.

The project ideas included in the book are:

• Toy bag
• Book bag
• Cushion cover
• One block wonders like wall hangings or doll blankets
• Blanket without border
• Blanket with granny square border
• Blanket with shell border
  • All the blankets come in 3 different sizes Small (a child’s blanket or lap throw size), Medium (an adult blanket or crochet afghans size) and large blanket (close to a twin bed size)

Check out the video version of this review & see a flip-through of the book

The blocks are created using various applique techniques and simple crochet intarsia (crochet colorwork). Because appliques are used heavily in these designs it does mean that there is quite a bit of seaming involved for most of the designs. I know this isn’t everyone’s favourite thing to do but sometimes, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do in order to get the look you’re going for.

Each crochet pattern in this book is written in the US terminology with a US to UK terminology conversion chart found on page 118. I found the patterns to be clear and easy to understand. Patterns are accompanied by stitch diagrams which I always appreciate seeing as an added support.

With so many cute crochet blocks to choose from in this book, there are countless different projects you can choose to make that aren’t limited to various, fun single animal-themed blankets.

Think about all the ways that you can use basic crochet granny squares and apply those uses to using the squares from this book (i.e. tablet cases, purses for kids, sweaters, etc.). The only limit is your imagination.

You can mix up the look of any block in this book by mixing and matching different parts of the patterns. I love how creative you can get with these designs and it’s hard to resist the lovely tactile quality that using appliques in this manner brings to a blanket. Kids will have so much fun touching various parts of each block, particularly those featuring the loop stitch.

Resources in the Book

On Page 6 you’ll find a breakdown of the skill level information, reading patterns and reading charts. The skill levels are illustrated with different flowers. Easy (1 flower) being accessible for the beginner crocheter, moderate (2 flowers) are more involved pattern that still use basic stitches and Challenging (3 flowers) that are the most complex, using special stitches and the most color changes.

Page 8 is where you’ll find a brief explanation of what crochet gauge is and how it could affect your crochet blocks in terms of not only size but yarn usage. It’s a brief outline of how to measure gauge, adjusting your hook size to match gauge and a note about maintaining consistent tension. If you’re a beginner crocheting or don’t particularly care about what size your projects end up, this last note on consistent tension will be the most important one for you to keep in mind.

Pages 118 – 125 is where you’ll find the majority of the resources for makers in the books. In the Useful Information section, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to stitch terminology conversions and abbreviations. This information has been placed in a chart format in order to show the abbreviation, its accompanying stitch diagram symbol and a description on how to do that stitch.

‘Pages 121 – 122 cover various crochet techniques used in the book with accompanying photo tutorials as support. Here is where you’ll find information on sewing stitches, specialty crochet stitches like double crochet loop stitch, creating butterfly bobbins, changing colors and the intarsia colorwork technique.

Pages 123 – 124 over different ways that you can join your crochet blocks like whipstitch through the front loop only, mattress stitch, slip stitch (sl st) through the back loop only and the join-as-you-go method.

Page 125 outlines different finishing touches used in some of the designs like creating a pom-pom, making a tassel, working on the opposite side of a foundation chain and creating a duo-colored twisted cord.

Tools & Materials Used in Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks

Below is a high-level outline of materials used throughout the book. The materials are listed on page 9 of the book with yardage and color names listed in a color chart with each individual pattern:

• Bernat Super Value, Bernat Premium and Red Heart Super Saver yarn (worsted weight (4), 100% premium acrylic yarns
• Crochet hooks in the following hook sizes: 4.25, 4.5mm (G), 5mm (H), 5.5mm (I)
• Stitch Markers
• Tapestry Needle
• Pillow form insert or cushion (20x 20 in)
• 10 Toggle buttons for cushion cover
• Wooden or Bamboo Dowl Rod for Wall Hanging
• Gauge tool or ruler
• Scissors

Overall, I loved Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks not just for its clear and easy-to-understand patterns but for its bright, colorful designs that provide almost limitless inspiration.

Whether you want to make single animal blankets, quirky multi-animal designs, a toy bag or even use the blocks as an inspiration to make something totally new, this book provides you with the tools and beautiful patterns to do just that. I’d recommend this book for adventurous beginners and experienced crocheters alike.

If you'd like to purchase a copy of Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks by Ira Rott, it is available for purchase from Amazon.

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Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks Book Giveaway!

Thanks to David & Charles Publishing, I have one (1) copy of Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks by Ira Rott to giveaway!

This giveaway on The Loopy Lamb is open to worldwide participants (except where void by law and void in Quebec) and ends February 24, 2022 at 11:45pm Eastern Standard time. The winner will be chosen on February 27, 2022 and notified by email.

To enter, use the King Sumo form below. If you are on mobile and have difficulty entering, please use a desktop computer to enter. Only the Email and Name option is mandatory – all other tasks are optional, for bonus entries only.