Would you be interested in finding a collection of crochet patterns for beautiful, stylish tops that fit well and flatter your figure? If so, 21 Crocheted Tanks + Tunics by Sandi Rosner is a book you need to know about.
Book Details:
Publisher: Stackpole Books, an Imprint of Rowman & Littlefield
Copyright Date: 2016
ISBN #: 987-0-8117-1483-9
Book Formats:
This book is available in the following format(s):
- Softcover With Perfect Binding
- Digital download: Kindle e-book edition
Number of Pages: 96
Cover Price: $24.95 US dollars
Skill Level: 10 of the patterns in this book are rated as “easy” patterns and 11 of the patterns are rated as being intermediate level.
Crochet Projects Included in This Book:
All 21 of the crochet projects in this book are sleeveless tops sized for adult women. The size breakdown is as follows:
- All 21 of the patterns are graded for women’s sizes small through extra large.
- 19 of the patterns are graded for women’s size extra small.
- 7 of the patterns are graded for women’s size 2XL.
Many of these tops are solid-colored projects requiring only one yarn color, but there are exceptions:
- “Sutter” is a gorgeous tank top featuring a wide four-color gradient from dark to light earth tones.
- “Mission” is a lively, colorful granny square tank top with stripes.
- “Portola” almost appears solid at first glance, but the look is created by alternating two different yarn colors every two rows.
- “Pacific” is a lacy, colorful design that gets its interesting color scheme from the hand-dyed variegated silk yarn used to crochet it.
- “Bernal” and “Balboa” are two more crochet projects that utilize variegated yarns.
- “Clipper” is a simple striped camisole worked in 4 different yarn colors.
- “Greenwich” would be a solid color except for a small bit of a second accent color around the collar and armholes of the top.
- “Taraval” features interesting bobbles crocheted in an accent color on the yoke of the top.
I think Sandi Rosner is a genius for her ability to transform medium-weight yarns into drapey, figure-flattering crochet projects. It’s unusual to see a truly wearable crochet top made from worsted weight yarn, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that 4 of the projects in the book are exactly that.
9 of the projects in the book are crocheted using lightweight yarn (#3 on the Craft Yarn Council’s standard yarn weight system); 7 of the projects are crocheted using fine weight yarn (#2); and 1 of the projects is crocheted using super fine weight yarn (#1).
The Best Things About This Book
The projects in this book are outstanding, and they all have mass-market appeal. They range from casual to dressy, and there are choices suitable for wearing just about anywhere.
These tops are ideal for wearing in warm spring and summertime weather; they’re also ideal for layering under cardigans and blazers in the fall or winter in many locations.
This is a pretty book to look at, with lots of helpful details. It’s professionally styled, and the wardrobe choices are all realistic. The locations in the book are evocative without being distracting. The photography is done well; there’s a front photo and back view photo of each garment, and several also include side view photos. I think most crochet enthusiasts will be able to look at the photos included in the book and easily decide if the projects are ones they want to attempt.
The book is straightforward, organized logically, and easy to use. There’s a helpful stitch guide in the back if you need to brush up on your basic stitches.
Things to Be Aware of Before You Buy This Book
Schematics and international symbol crochet charts are not included in this book.
Conclusion
21 Crocheted Tanks + Tunics is one of my favorite recently published crochet books. Considering the classic nature of the styles presented, I believe this book will be valuable and relevant far beyond 2019. I’m delighted to recommend this book to other crochet enthusiasts, particularly crochet enthusiasts who enjoy working ladies’ garments using text instructions.
I think this book is an excellent value for its cover price. The retailers I’ve linked to below often sell books at discounted prices; if you’re able to find the book on sale for less than its cover price, it’s an even better value.
Where to Buy This Book:
Similar Crochet Books You’ll Also Want to Consider
- Delicate Crochet: Womenswear patterns including tops, sweaters, shawls, wraps, scarves, fingerless gloves and a necklace
- Carefree Crochet: Sophisticated Scandinavian-style patterns for tops, long cardigans, sweaters, blankets, pillows, hats, mitts, a bikini and other projects
This page was last updated on5-29-2021.