I’m so happy to share some exciting news… I wrote another book! It has been a long, rewarding journey, and I’m thrilled to announce that Crochet Animal Blankets and Blocks is now available for preorder and will be arriving in local bookstores next month.
What’s Inside the Book
This book is filled with adorable, exclusive designs and endless project ideas. You’ll find 18 animal blocks that can be used in so many creative ways - blankets, cushion covers, toy storage bags, book bags, backpacks, and even sweet wall hangings. With so many variations, the only limit is your imagination.
Techniques & Construction
Each block is made using the Intarsia colorwork technique, followed by a few appliqué pieces to bring the animal faces to life. Many designs include charming 3D elements such as ears, hair, flowers, and bows.
Intarsia may look complex, but it’s wonderfully manageable once you understand the basics. Instead of carrying yarn across the back of your work, each color section has its own working yarn that moves with you from row to row. I included a beginner‑friendly guide and detailed technique instructions to help you every step of the way.
Meet the Animals
There are 16 main animal designs: Panda, Cat, Dog, Fox, Raccoon, Penguin, Pig, Sheep, Koala, Sloth, Lion, Hippo, Cow, Unicorn, Bunny, and Monkey.
To give you even more creative freedom, you can mix and match features from different blocks to create new animals, like the Horse and Bear blocks shown in the book.
Blankets, Borders & Joining Techniques
Each finished block measures 15 × 18 in (38 × 45.5 cm). You can combine them into small, medium, or large blankets using one of several joining methods:
- Whipstitch Through FLO
- Mattress Stitch
- Slip Stitch Through BLO
- Join‑As‑You‑Go
You can leave your blanket borderless, add a classic Granny Square border, or crochet a beautiful Shell Border to turn your project into a meaningful family heirloom.
More Project Ideas
A single block can become a cozy animal pillow, perfect for brightening a living room or adding charm to a child’s bedroom. Cushion covers are removable, washable, and easy to switch out whenever you want a fresh look.
You can also turn your blocks into book bags or backpacks - a fun and quick project that makes reading time even more special.
A Heartfelt Thank‑You
I hope this book brings you endless inspiration and many happy hours of crafting. You can preorder your copy through your favorite retailers or directly from our website. I truly cannot wait to see what you create.
With a grateful heart, I want to thank David & Charles for believing in my designs. It’s an honor to work with such a talented team of designers, editors, stylists, and photographers. My sincere thanks to Yarnspirations for providing Red Heart Super Saver yarn for testing, and to our wonderful testing team (Cheryl McNichols, Lenore Cartlidge, Ryan Nicole Hazeltine, Helen Hamilton, and Cynthia Fuller) for their time, care, and attention to detail.
And most importantly, thank you, fellow crafters, for your constant support and encouragement.
A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it.
— Samuel Johnson
