Crochet Book Review: Candy Babies
Unique Crochet Patterns and Designs for Babies
Candi Jensen updates crocheting for babies with fun twists on classic designs.
Crocheters are always in search of projects that are polished and sophisticated, especially for babies. Candi Jensen delivers more than 25 such designs, some classic and some unconventional. She uses high-quality yarns and classic stitch patterns, often with a twist on tradition, allowing crocheters to create unique garments of heirloom quality.
The Layout
The book begins with Jensen's introduction, where she cites the children in her neighborhood, her grandson, and today's immense variety of quality yarns as inspiration. A spread for each design follows, with a full page photo and Jensen's narration about the project.
Instructions for each project are found in the next section, each with additional photographs. There is a detailed schematic for nearly every project, and materials, measurements, gauge, and stitch patterns are clearly presented. The instructions themselves are written in a paragraph style that can be a bit difficult to follow at first, but explanations are clear and there are headings to separate each portion of the garment.
The book concludes with a complete reference section, including color illustrations explaining the various crochet stitches, reference charts for crochet hooks and yarns, and resource information for the yarns used in the book. The yarns are generally higher-end but relatively easy to find, and their quality definitely contributes to the designs' success.
The photography is one of the most striking features of the book; the projects are shown carefully for the crocheter to study, but they are also displayed in action--babies wear them while playing and enjoying themselves, which makes the garments all the more appealing.
The Designs
Perhaps what's most applealing about Candy Babies is the variety of unexpected ways Jensen uses and embellishes classic techniques. Instead of sewing granny squares into a blanket, for example, she combines them into a darling earflap hat, paired with a striped sampler-style vest; all are edged with a novelty fur yarn. There are also several designs that combine fabric with crochet. These include two Asian-inspired projects: a silk-edged kimono-style sweater and a brocade-skirted dress with frog closures, both in a striking bright pink and black color combination. Another dress, shown in blue and white, uses an applqued and embroidered bow as a central design feature.
There are a number of designs for boys, which is unusual and welcome, and several accessories, including some baby Ugg-style boots in a suede yarn with fur trim. Some other highlights:
- a striped romper, perfect for a newborn
- a denim-style vest and jacket, both complete with fur trim and embroidery
- animal booties, with variations for a pig, a dinosaur, a bear, and a duck
- a tiet-top sweater edged in a contrasting yarn
- a nautical sweater and pants set
- a shearling-style jacket and earflap hat trimmed with fur
- a striped poncho, perfect for using odd bits of yarn
- a lace-embellished cardigan
Crocheters in search of projects that allow them to use their skills to create garments that are a little different will definitely want to add this book to their libraries.
Jensen is also the author of Candy Tots and Candy Blankies.
Candy Babies is published by Sixth & Spring Books: ISBN-13: 978-1931543545.
