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, but please don’t let that scare you away from considering this book. The book has aged well and is just as relevant and useful in 2026 as it was a decade ago.
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
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.
ISBN #: 987-0-8117-1483-9
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 crochet books. Considering the classic nature of the styles presented, I believe this book will be valuable and relevant far beyond 2026. 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.
Where to Buy This Book:
- Click here to shop for this book at Amazon.
- Click here to download the Kindle e-book edition — which is available instantly, with no shipping required.
- Click here to shop for new and used copies of this book from the independent booksellers at Biblio.
Thanks for checking out this book review of 21 Crocheted Tanks + Tunics by Sandi Rosner. I appreciate your interest!
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By Amy Solovay
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About Your Book Reviewer:
Amy Solovay is a real, live, human content creator and educator who holds an Associate of Arts degree in Textile Design from FIDM LA (The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Sweet Briar College. She is NOT a robot and does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to write book reviews or articles for this website.
Amy learned to crochet as a small child, and she still enjoys crocheting all these years later.
As an educator, Amy Solovay used to teach in-person college courses in trend forecasting, marketing and surface design at California Design College in Los Angeles. Nowadays she uses online platforms for sharing her knowledge about textiles, crafts, current color trends and current design trends.
More Crochet Clothes and Fashion Accessories to Make:
21 Crocheted Tanks + Tunics is featured on my list of the best crochet womenswear patterns for 2026. If you’re hoping to crochet some new wardrobe essentials for yourself or your loved ones this year, you might enjoy checking out the entire list.
- Delicate Crochet: Womenswear patterns including tops, sweaters, shawls, wraps, scarves, fingerless gloves and a necklace
- 31 Patterns for Crocheted Beanies and Slouchy Hats: Beanies and berets are a couple of the trendiest hat styles for 2026, and this pattern book hooks you up (pun intended!) with bunches of on-trend designs to crochet and wear this year.
- Carefree Crochet: Sophisticated Scandinavian-style patterns for tops, long cardigans, sweaters, blankets, pillows, hats, mitts, a bikini and other projects
Find More of My Top Picks for This Year’s Best Crochet Books
- The Best Crochet Stitch Dictionaries
- The Best Crochet Hat Pattern Books
- The Best Crochet Sweater Pattern Books
- The Best Crochet Shawl Pattern Books
- More!
Learn More About Crochet:
This page was last updated on 12-31-2025.
