Book Review: The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets & Afghans by Anna Nikipirowicz

If you’ve been crocheting for a while, you’ll know that blanket projects have a funny way of sitting in the background of our making lives — patiently waiting their turn while we cast on just one more shawl, jumper or pair of socks.

They’re comforting, practical, and endlessly useful — but they can also feel a little overwhelming to plan, especially if you want something more interesting than rows of plain stitches, yet still cohesive and balanced.

That’s exactly where The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets & Afghans by Anna Nikipirowicz comes into its own — quietly rolling up its sleeves and saying, “Right then, let’s make this enjoyable.”

This is not a pattern book in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s a carefully curated design companion — a practical reference that helps you make confident stitch choices and combine them successfully into larger projects.

Having said that, here are the deets of what’s included…

• 60 stitch patterns including motifs and edges

• 4 blanket design patterns

• Basic & Advanced Technique info

• Finishing, joining & even making tassels!

A stitch dictionary with a clear purpose

At its heart, this book is a stitch collection, but what makes it stand out is the way those stitches are presented with blankets in mind.

Each stitch pattern is:

• Clearly photographed

• Supported with well-written instructions and charts

• Designed to work well in repeated rows or blocks, making it suitable for larger-scale projects

Rather than feeling like a random selection of textures, the stitches feel intentional — chosen because they lend themselves to blankets and afghans that need rhythm, balance and visual flow.

Helping you think like a designer (without feeling scary)

What I particularly like about this book is that it gently encourages you to think beyond simply following instructions.

Anna provides guidance on:

• Combining stitches successfully

• Creating sampler-style blankets

• Understanding how texture, density and stitch structure affect the overall fabric

This is invaluable if you’re starting to move into designing your own projects, or if you enjoy adapting patterns rather than following them word-for-word — and let’s face it, many of us start tweaking long before we admit we’re doing it.

For anyone interested in pattern writing or tech editing, this kind of structured thinking — understanding how stitches behave over repeated rows and across a larger fabric — is an essential skill.

Clear, accessible and beautifully presented

As you’d expect from Anna Nikipirowicz, the presentation is calm, clear and very approachable.

The photography is excellent without being distracting, allowing you to really see the stitch definition. The layout gives each stitch space to breathe, making the book easy to dip in and out of — perfect for those moments when you’re planning your next project with a cup of tea and a notebook to hand.

What I also really appreciate is the practical support built into the book itself. Towards the back, Anna includes a series of helpful tutorials, all shown with full-colour photographs, covering:

• Basic and more advanced stitches

• Colourwork techniques

• Finishing details

• Joining methods (always a hot topic!)

These sections make the book feel reassuringly complete — the kind of resource that quietly says “don’t worry, I’ve got you covered” while you nod along in relief.

There are also two very handy fold-out flaps at the beginning and end of the book. One lists all the abbreviations used, and the other shows UK vs US crochet term conversions — ideal for keeping open as you work, especially if (like me) you occasionally mutter “double or single?” under your breath.

All of this makes it the sort of book you keep within arm’s reach — the one that stays open on the table while you’re working, rather than being put back neatly on the shelf (because let’s be honest, that never happens).

Who this book is for

II’d especially recommend The Crochet Stitch Companion for Blankets & Afghans if you:

• Love making blankets but want more stitch variety

• Enjoy sampler projects or modular designs

• Want to build confidence in combining stitches

• Are beginning to explore crochet design

• Appreciate reference books that support long-term skill development

It would also be a lovely addition to the bookshelf of any crochet tech editor or designer who wants a reliable stitch reference specifically suited to large projects.

My Favourite...

Of course - this has to be a Mosaic Crochet pattern! This is me after all.....

This one is worked from the centre out and like all the stitch patterns includes both a chart and the written instructions.

Gorgeous! 😮

Final Thoughts

This book does exactly what a good companion should do: it supports, inspires and quietly nudges you to try something new — without shouting at you or assuming you already know everything.

Rather than telling you what to make, it gives you the tools to decide for yourself. And for me, that’s where the real magic lies. Confidence grows, creativity follows, and suddenly that half-formed blanket idea scribbled in a notebook starts to feel completely doable.

If you enjoy crochet books that earn their place on your desk (not just your bookshelf), this one is very much a keeper.

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