Vanna's Afghans A to Z: 52 Crochet Favorites
by Vanna White

Publisher:  Oxmoor House
ISBN:  0848714768

Maybe you didn't know that Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune, is a fellow crocheter. Through the introduction to this book, you'll catch a glimpse of Vanna's love of crochet and her solid belief that handmade is the best kind of gift. She states that she has "made more than 70 afghans as gifts". Vanna herself designed the afghan named Vanna's Choice; the other patterns are her favorites by various crochet designers.

Although most of the afghans use only basic stitches, there's a lot of variety presented. Three that are made in single crochet, with the colors crocheted in, include a football field with a huge football in the center (make it in your man's favorite team colors for a big hit), a colorful sea of fish and a piano keyboard with musical notes. One has kittens, another a lion to cross-stitch on an afghan stitch background.

How about a small afghan that's a checkerboard (with game pieces; you can actually play checkers on it); another that's a tic-tac-toe game with X and O game pieces.

Blanket Buddies is another favorite; a child-size afghan made as one large square, worked in rounds; to one corner you add a small hood with either a bear or bunny face and ears added. They're sure to be loved by a child in your life.

Other stitches used within some of the afghan designs are the post stitch, loop, puff and cluster; other styles are granny, diagonal, ripple, and hexagon. If you look for designs which are more challenging, you may enjoy "Elegant Roses," a 3-D rose, worked as a swirl in the center of a square and "Yesterday," a flower surrounded by a pineapple type pattern.

Worsted and chunky are the most common yarn weights used. All patterns suggest Lion brand yarns. Although there may be times when you wish to purchase the exact yarn called for in the pattern, in order to recreate those same colors or textures, you can certainly substitute the same weight in another brand of yarn that you have on hand.

Large color photographs are given for each pattern, and in many, Vanna White posed with the afghan. Directions are clearly written, with charts or diagrams, as needed. There are patterns for every skill level, beginner through advanced.

Sandi Marshall, your Guide for Crochet