Book Review: The New Tunisian Crochet

 The New Tunisian Crochet: Contemporary Designs from Time-Honored Traditions is written by Dora Ohrenstein who writes the Talking Crochet e-newsletter and is the mastermind behind The Crochet Insider online magazine.

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This book is TWO major components. One very important component is something you might not guess... it's also a Tunisian Stitch DICTIONARY with 33 Tunisian stitch patterns. And they aren't just written but SHOWN in symbol diagram form.  (revolutionary for Tunisian!). She comments on working a circle in short-rows, the history of Tunisian Crochet, double-ended crochet hooks, and entrelac crochet. The second important component is 11 patterns.

The 11 patterns are a variety of accessories, garments and home decor. Dora taps the talent of her friends to create the patterns. Vashti Braha, Doris Chan, Lily Chin, Margaret Hubert, and Charles Voth to name a few. The projects are: A woman's cardigan, a skirt, a man's cabled vest, a pullover, a blanket, hat and mittens, a luscious scarf, a wrap, a tote, slippers, and a rug. One of the most striking projects is the Marisol Cardigan, (shown above in red) by Andrea Graciarena.  It's lovely in Madelintosh Tosh DK. But the project that will likely get made most often by readers is a luxurious scarf by Dora in Lion Brand LB Collection Angora Merino. This book is a great reference tool for various aspects, techniques and stitches in Tunisian Crochet.