Book Review: Tunisian Crochet Wardrobe
All photos in this post are shared with the author's permission.
I bought Tunisian Crochet Wardrobe the week it came out and I have been flipping through it regularly since instead of actually casting on. Lindsey Muscarella, the designer behind Just the Worsted, put together 15 patterns that read like a real closet you would actually wear, not a pile of technique swatches with sleeves attached. I haven't stitched a single one yet, but I already know which ones I want to cast on, so I wanted to walk you through why I think you should add the book to your collection.
What's in It
The introduction covers what you actually need before you start a garment: materials and tools, how to use the book, a rundown of Tunisian crochet fundamentals, special stitches and techniques, pattern notes and abbreviations, and a section on how to take care of the piece once it's off the hook.
From there it's straight into the 15 projects: Afternoon Bonnet, Trails Tee, Saddleback Vest, Daunder Pullover, Solstice Slipover, Bröchten Bag, Cedar Cardigan, Summit Tank, Trellis Cardigan, Magnolia Sweater, Larch Sweater, Picnic Polo, Voyager Tee, Hearthside Raglan, and Yesterday Cardigan. That's tees and tanks for warm weather, cardigans and a raglan for cold, a bonnet, and even a bag, all in Tunisian crochet, and every single garment is graded from XS to 5X.
Each pattern also comes with a QR code linking to video tutorials from Lindsey herself, covering everything from the basics up through things like circular construction and color transitioning. That is the kind of detail that makes a book something you actually use instead of just something you display.
Highlighted Patterns
I haven't made any of these yet, but here are the six I keep flipping back to.
Hearthside Raglan. This is the one that stopped me mid flip and it is still my favorite in the book. It is worked in a mix of Tunisian knit and purl stitches, which gives it an amazing texture but still keeping a light drape instead of turning stiff. Lindsey built it around the rich orange and red of fall in Seoul, and that color story comes through even before you know the backstory. This is the first one going on my hook.
Magnolia Sweater. The texture on this one is what got me. It's a lightly textured, almost eyelet like stitch running in bands across a cropped, airy silhouette, built for that in between stretch of weather when winter is loosening its grip but isn't gone yet. It reads warm and breathable at the same time, which is a hard balance to pull off in a sweater.
Daunder Pullover and Trails Tee.
These two are going in the same breath because they scratch the same itch for me: stripes with real 1970s energy. The Daunder Pullover takes its name from the Scots word for a slow wander without a destination, and it shows up as a relaxed striped crewneck in warm browns and cream. The Trails Tee goes even further into that decade, with rust, gold, and cream stripes that Lindsey pulled straight from childhood camping trips in the electricity free wood cabins of western New York. Each of these are what I think of when I picture Lindsey's designs and I mean that as a compliment. They are great fitting, fun garments that represent her brand perfectly.
Larch Sweater. Named for the conifer that grows in cool, mountain climates, and it looks the part: a deep, textured olive green mock turtleneck with a collar you can wear rolled low or pulled up high depending on the day. That kind of built in flexibility in a single pattern is exactly what I want out of a sweater I'm want to wear all winter.
Yesterday Cardigan. A classic crewneck cardigan in Tunisian crochet is still rare, and this one earns the spot. It leans on the honeycomb stitch and a top down raglan construction, with a slightly roomier, more modern take on the cinched in waistlines of 1930s knitwear. Four buttons, a soft crew neckline, and just enough shaping to feel put together without feeling fussy.
Final Thoughts
I bought Tunisian Crochet Wardrobe to add to my collection and I honestly wish I had the time to make all six of these patterns right now. Lindsey built a book with real range, easy pieces and ambitious ones, warm weather and cold, and she sized every single garment from XS to 5X instead of treating that as an afterthought. I'll report back once I've actually made something from it, but if you've been circling Tunisian crochet garments and weren't sure where to start, this is a genuinely good place to land.
Tunisian Crochet Wardrobe is out now and available everywhere books are sold. You can grab a copy on Amazon.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I bought this book with my own money and I'm sharing my honest first impressions.
