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Free pattern: Felt koala bookmark

August 16, 2009 by Anne Weaver

koalabookmarkWee Folk Art shares a free pattern for this felt koala bookmark.  What a cutie!!  Go to the free pattern.

[photo from Wee Folk Art]

[tags]

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Have you read?

Book Review: Crochet in a Day by Angie Bivins – Quick Crochet Patterns For Gifts, Blankets And Cozy Make

There is something very appealing about a crochet book that promises you can actually finish something in a day. Not “start it enthusiastically and then find it again in a basket six months later,” but properly finish it. Ends woven in, project usable, smug little cup of tea afterwards.

Crochet in a Day: 18 Easy Patterns for Cute Sweaters, Cozy Blankets, Stylish Shawls and More by Angie Bivins is built around exactly that idea. The patterns are designed to be quick, cozy and achievable, using thicker yarns and simpler stitches so you can make pieces that feel impressive without needing to block out a whole season of your life.

And honestly, that is the sort of crochet book I think a lot of us need on the shelf.

You can find the book here: Crochet in a Day by Angie Bivins

 

What Is Crochet in a Day About?

This book includes 18 quick crochet patterns for wearable pieces, home accessories and giftable projects. The focus is on projects that can be made in a short amount of time, including sweaters, blankets, shawls, cowls and cozy accessories.

The idea is not that every single crocheter will finish every project in exactly one day — because we all crochet at different speeds, and some of us are interrupted every 14 minutes by family, pets, dinner or the sudden need to reorganise a yarn drawer. But the patterns are designed to be fast-moving and approachable, which makes them especially appealing for crocheters who like visible progress.

If you enjoy quick crochet projects, you might also like browsing our free crochet patterns on CraftGossip or the beginner-friendly crochet patterns on CraftBits for smaller makes to keep in your project basket.

Why This Book Caught My Eye

The title alone is a bit irresistible. Crochet in a Day taps into that very real crafter feeling of wanting a satisfying project without adding another long-term work-in-progress to the pile.

I love big heirloom blankets as much as the next yarn lover, but sometimes you just want a project that gives you a win. Something you can start after lunch and be wearing, gifting or tossing over the couch by bedtime.

This book is especially nice for crocheters who enjoy making handmade gifts. Quick crochet patterns are brilliant for birthdays, teacher gifts, Christmas presents, winter warmers, charity makes and those “oh no, I forgot I needed something handmade by Friday” situations.

What Kind Of Projects Are Included?

The book includes a mix of crochet garments, accessories and home décor. Amazon’s listing highlights designs such as the Embrace Cardigan, Serene Throw, and a Cape Cowl and Hat Set, which gives you a good sense of the book’s cozy, practical direction.

This is not a tiny-amigurumi-and-keychain sort of book. It leans more toward wearable and useful pieces — the kind of crochet projects that feel substantial but still manageable.

Expect patterns that suit crocheters who like:

quick crochet sweaters
cozy crochet blankets and throws
shawls and wraps
cowls and hats
last-minute crochet gifts
chunky yarn projects
simple stitches with stylish results

If you already have a stash of bulky or chunky yarn waiting for the right project, this book may be dangerous in the best possible way.

For more gift-friendly inspiration, you could pair this review with a roundup like quick crochet gift ideas or link readers through to simple beginner makes such as a basic crochet granny square on CraftBits.

Who Is This Book Best For?

Crochet in a Day is a good fit for crocheters who want patterns that feel achievable rather than intimidating.

I would recommend it for confident beginners, intermediate crocheters and experienced crocheters who simply want faster projects. If you know the basic crochet stitches and are comfortable reading patterns, you should find plenty here to enjoy.

It is also a lovely option for crocheters who:

want quick crochet patterns for gifts
prefer useful projects over decorative-only makes
like modern, cozy crochet designs
enjoy chunky yarn and fast progress
need last-minute handmade gift ideas
want crochet patterns that feel current but not overly complicated

If you are a total beginner who has never held a hook before, you may want to start with a smaller beginner project first, such as a simple dishcloth, scarf or granny square. Once your tension feels a bit more comfortable, this book would be a lovely next step.

What I Like About It

The biggest strength of this book is the promise of momentum. Crochet books can sometimes be beautiful but overwhelming, with projects that look gorgeous and then quietly scare you back into making another dishcloth.

This one feels more practical. The designs are intended to be made with speed in mind, but they still look like proper finished projects. That balance matters. Nobody wants a “quick” project that looks like it was made in a panic at midnight, even if, occasionally, it was.

I also like that the book includes a mix of garment and home projects. A cardigan, cowl, hat set or throw all feel useful, especially if you are making handmade gifts. There is something satisfying about giving someone a crochet piece they will actually wear or use.

And because the patterns use thicker yarns and simple stitches, it has that lovely “one more row” rhythm that makes crochet relaxing rather than fussy.

What To Keep In Mind Before Buying

The title is appealing, but I would still treat “in a day” as a friendly challenge rather than a strict guarantee. Your finish time will depend on your crochet speed, yarn choice, interruptions, and whether you are the sort of person who stops to make snacks every half hour.

Some of the larger projects, especially blankets or garments, may take longer if you crochet slowly or prefer to take your time with finishing. That is not a negative — it just means the book is better understood as a collection of fast crochet patterns rather than a stopwatch test.

You will also want to check yarn requirements before diving in. Quick crochet projects often rely on thicker yarns, so this could be a good excuse to use chunky yarn from your stash or shop for bulky yarn bundles from places like Amazon, Mary Maxim or your favourite yarn supplier.

Is Crochet in a Day Good For Gift Making?

Yes, this is where the book really shines.

If you make handmade gifts, this book would be very handy to keep nearby during the busiest crafting seasons. Christmas, Mother’s Day, birthdays, winter gifting and charity crochet drives all benefit from patterns that work up quickly.

A cowl and hat set makes a lovely cold-weather gift. A throw is perfect for someone who loves cozy home pieces. A shawl is one of those gifts that feels personal without needing exact sizing. And a cardigan, if you know the recipient’s style and measurements, can be a beautiful handmade present.

For readers who enjoy giftable crochet, this article could naturally sit alongside CraftGossip’s crochet gift roundups or even a seasonal post on quick handmade crochet gifts to make before Christmas.

Supplies You May Want With This Book

To get the most from Crochet in a Day, I would keep a few practical supplies nearby:

chunky or bulky yarn
a comfortable ergonomic crochet hook set
stitch markers
a yarn needle for weaving in ends
a tape measure for garments
blocking mats or a blocking board for neater finishing

If you are buying the book as a gift, you could pair it with a soft bulky yarn, a hook set and a project bag. That would make a lovely crochet gift bundle for someone who already knows the basics.

My Review

Crochet in a Day is a warm, practical and very giftable crochet book for makers who want beautiful results without committing to a huge long-term project.

I like that it focuses on patterns that feel useful: sweaters, blankets, shawls, cowls and cozy accessories. These are not just “make it once and wonder what to do with it” patterns. They are the kind of projects that can be worn, gifted, displayed or used around the home.

The quick-project angle makes it especially appealing for busy crocheters. Many of us love crochet but do not always have weeks to spend on a single make. This book gives you that satisfying feeling of progress, which is sometimes exactly what you need to fall back in love with your yarn stash.

It would suit crocheters who want stylish, achievable patterns, especially those who like cozy makes and handmade gifts. It is also a good book to buy while it is on sale and tuck away for Christmas gifting, either for yourself or another crochet lover.

Because let’s be honest, buying a crochet book “for later” is not a bad habit. It is project planning.

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