This is a book review of Crochet for Every Day: 30 Gorgeous Patterns for Going Out and Staying In
What You Need to Know About This Crochet Pattern Book:
Author: May Britt Bjella Zamori
Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books
Copyright Date: I am reviewing the English language translation of this book, which has a copyright date of 2021. This book was originally published in the Norwegian language with a title of Hekling til Hverdag og fest (which translates to “Crocheting for everyday and parties”).
ISBN 13: 978-1646011049
ISBN 10: 164601104X
Book Format: This book is available in softcover with a perfect binding.
Number of Pages: 160
Skill Level: Intermediate and advanced-level crocheters will get the best value from this book, but there are some patterns included in the book that are rated as “easy”. The easy patterns include the Tara Jacket, Pants and Exercise Mat Bag; the Ivy Armband (Bracelet); and the Krystal Sturdy Vest. Most of the rest of the patterns in the book are rated as intermediate, but there are also some advanced patterns included.
The Focus of This Book:
This book is focused on giving you a collection of stylish, on-trend crochet patterns. Most of the projects presented in the book are wearable clothing items like tops, tunics, jackets, cardigan sweaters, skirts, dresses, ponchos, wraps and accessories. There are also some home décor patterns including blanket patterns and pillow cover patterns.
Crochet Projects Included in This Book:
Crochet Tops, Tunics and Pullovers
All together, I counted 7 patterns for tops, tunics and pullover sweaters.
Crochet Dress Patterns
There are two patterns in this book that are presented as dresses. However, one of these dresses, to my eyes, looks more like an ultra-long cardigan. The model in the book is wearing another dress under it, and for modesty’s sake, I’m thinking that’s really the best way to style it.
Crochet Skirt Pattern
I counted one skirt pattern in this book. It is a gorgeous one! And it also matches several of the other pieces in the book – a top and a scarf.
Crochet Bolero Pattern
I counted one bolero pattern in this book, and it’s a lovely one! It is intended to match one of the tops.
Crochet Cardigan and Jacket Patterns
All together, I counted 6 patterns for cardigans and jackets in this book.
Belts
There is one belt pattern included in this book.
Crochet Jewelry Pattern
This book includes one pattern for a gorgeous arm band / bracelet. This gift-worthy project would be lovely to make for all your female co-workers, friends and family members if you’re in need of quick gifts for birthdays, Christmas, or whatever other gift-giving occasions are upcoming on your calendar.
Crochet Scarf Patterns
I counted 4 different crochet scarf patterns in this book. These scarves are designed to match some of the other projects in the book. One of them matches the skirt; one of them is a perfect match for one of the multicolored jackets.
Pillow Cover Patterns
I counted 6 crochet pillow cover patterns in this book.
Crochet Poncho Patterns
You get 2 exquisite poncho patterns in this book.
Crochet Pants Pattern
I review bunches of different crochet pattern books, and very few of them include pants patterns. If you would be interested in getting your hands on instructions for crocheting pants, you just hit the jackpot – because this book includes a pair of pants that also matches patterns for a hoodie and an exercise mat bag that are included, too.
These patterns are rated as “easy”. I can confirm that the stitch pattern looks fairly easy, but I haven’t tried crocheting these pieces yet to confirm whether this skill level rating is accurate for the garments.
The stitch pattern for these pants is lacy and has some open areas. If you make them, plan to wear a pair of tights or leggings underneath, or else style them with a long top.
Crochet Bag Patterns
This book includes 3 lovely patterns for crocheting unique bags.
Crochet Wrist Warmer Pattern
The one wrist warmer pattern included in this book is a lovely, intricately textured one that matches one of the scarves.
Crochet Vest Patterns
If you want to get in on the vest trend that’s happening right now, this book gives you two lovely vest patterns to crochet.
Crochet Hat Pattern
The hat pattern included in this book coordinates with one of the scarves and the pair of slippers.
Crochet Slipper Pattern
This book includes one pattern for making a pair of slippers.
Crochet Blanket Patterns
You’ll find two blanket patterns in this book.
Crochet Basket Cover Pattern
This book includes an interesting basket cover pattern that matches one of the blankets and one of the pillow covers.
Crochet Shawl Pattern
There’s one spectacular, richly-textured shawl pattern included in this book.
Total Projects: 44
Adding up all of the above, I came up with a grand total of 44 different items you can crochet if you want to make all the items presented in this book. This is significantly more than the 30 patterns promised on the front cover. I believe this discrepancy in project count comes about because the publisher appears to be counting each matching set of items as one pattern. However you do the math on it, it adds up to a truly fabulous bunch of projects.
The Best Things About This Book
This book stands out from the zillions of others in my library because it offers a number of truly innovative garment silhouettes. With this book, you get patterns for tunics, sweaters, dresses, a skirt, ponchos AND a pair of pants, and that doesn’t even get into the home decor projects.
The projects presented in the book are truly stylish, lovely and appealing. I really want to crochet them all, and they’re all so pretty that it’s a challenge to determine where to start. The crochet lace cardigan pictured on the front cover is exactly the sweater I’ve been wanting to wear over sundresses and pair with jeans; however, I’d also love to have the Helena A-line top, the Selena top, and bunches of other projects from this book.
This book includes international symbol crochet charts to visually and intuitively help you understand how to crochet each stitch pattern. Not all of the patterns include symbol crochet charts, but there are 60 charts included all together, so quite a few of them do.
Other Observations About This Book
113 full-color photographs give you a detailed look at each project from multiple angles. I only found one noteworthy exception; there’s a single, full-page, informative photo of the Dalia bag, which I believe is sufficient for showing you the details you need to understand in order to crochet this project. Many of the sweater patterns in the book have photos showing both the front and back of the design, which I greatly appreciate.
The majority of these patterns do not include detailed schematics.
These projects are all usable as pictured, but I think re-coloring would make some of them even better. For example, the Violet Poncho is a truly lovely design, and the colorway pictured is visually interesting. However, the colorway presented in the book might not be to everyone’s taste; it includes dusty purple, acid yellow, slate gray, and a neutral putty color. If gray is one of your go-to wardrobe colors, you’re likely to love this colorway as it is pictured; if it isn’t, you could swap out the gray for whichever color you wear most often, and then replace the purple and yellow with other vivid colors that would complement your chosen main color. Color is really a personal thing, and this stunning poncho design gives you an amazing opportunity to express your unique color sense.
If I were going to spend the time to crochet this pattern, I’d swap out that yellow for a vivid light turquoise color, or perhaps even recolor the whole design into soothing shades of blue and green. It’s really enjoyable to ponder all the possibilities.
These patterns use a broad variety of lovely-looking European yarns. Some of them are from familiar brand names that I believe are readily available in North America, but many of them were unfamiliar to me. Some of them are likely to be challenging to locate in North America. However, the editorial team has provided the corresponding yarn weight on the Craft Yarn Council’s standard yarn weight system, making it reasonably easy for you to substitute yarns in case you aren’t able to find these suggested yarns where you live — or in case you simply want to try a different yarn, perhaps one you already have stashed or one that’s on sale from your favorite yarn supplier.
I haven’t yet crocheted any of these patterns, so I’ll update again with additional details after I’ve had a chance to give them a try.
Conclusion
I believe Crochet for Every Day offers you an outstanding value for its asking price. I’m delighted to recommend this book to intermediate and advanced crocheters who are in need of women’s clothing patterns and home décor patterns.
Where to Buy This Book:
More Crochet From May Britt Bjella Zamori
The same author, May Britt Bjella Zamori, has written another gorgeous crochet pattern book called Carefree Crochet: 50 Soft, Fashionable Patterns That Make You Feel Good. You can check it out HERE if you are interested.
More Crochet Pattern Books You Might Enjoy
This book is included on our list of Best Crochet Womenswear Pattern Books.
See Also:
- Best Crochet Lace Pattern Books
- Best Crochet Sweater Pattern Books
- 10 Best Crochet Accessory Pattern Books in 2023
Find More Outstanding Craft Books:
- Best Crochet Stitch Dictionaries
- Best Crochet Edging Pattern Books
- Casual Weekend Knits: Knitting Patterns for Women’s Wraps, Scarves, Hats and More
Posted By: Amy Solovay
This page was last updated on 8-9-2023.