75 Shells, Corals and Sea Creatures To Knit and Crochet
Jessica Polk

Search Press
14 January 2012 / ISBN: 9781844487752
How To / Knit and Crochet
Amazon US - UK

Reviewed by Rachel A Hyde

Knit and crochet a beach or aquarium full of aquatic flora and fauna, then have fun decorating almost anything you can think of with your creations.

If you are a standard intermediate yarncrafter then you should have no trouble making up the models in this book. There is a fair bit of information about such matters as reading the symbols, what to buy, caring for your work, etc., but this is not a book on how to knit or crochet for the beginner. The author mentions this useful section being for brushing-up purposes, and there are handy and very clear diagrams showing basic knitting and crochet stitches.

Before you choose a project there are several pages, handsomely illustrated, with the models arranged in groups, eg The Beach, Coral Reef, The Deep, etc. Choose from ocean-going mammals, fish of all kinds, cephalopods, shells, seaweed, coral and more. Instructions are listed in two separate sections, knitting and crochet, and you will need to be able to read charts as well as written instructions. Each project page has a picture of the finished item, what you need and the method; in a few cases there are some notes of interest about the subject. Some help is given at the beginning, but it's of the reminder type rather than actual tuition. At the back, there are seven projects, including a lovely mobile for a child's room, corsage, trim for a beach hat and diorama. This is an attractive and unusual book that is sure to be one of the most fun ways of recycling lots of oddments of yarn.