Beaded Crochet Designs by Ann Benson
ISBN 1-4027-2141-0, Hardbound, 128 pgs, $24.95, Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 387 Park Avenue, South, New York, NY 10016, Chapelle, Ltd, Inc. PO Box 9252, Ogden, UT 84409, 801-621-2777, fax 801-621-2788, www.chapelleltd.com 

Ann Benson is a well established author and has several beading books to her credit.  This is her first bead crochet book and all I can say is WOW! 

Ann used bead single crochet and chain stitching for most her projects.  The step by step instructions are easy to follow, along with the color illustrations.  She experimented with several threads and bead types and discusses them. 

Her patterned ropes are exquisite with colored graphs to follow.  You can also use patterns from her bead weaving books for bead crochet.  There are 42 projects within these pages, all beautiful. 

Brick stitch is introduced to combine with the bead crochet, along with illustrations and instructions.  Brick stitch pieces are combined with ropes; the beading is a flat piece that is wrapped over the rope and fancy beads added.  You can bead crochet these pieces by fastening off after each row; working reverse bead crochet on every other row; or if you are ambidextrous, you can work one row with one hand and back with the other.  I taught myself to crochet with both hands to teach, and to make bead crochet in rows without having to use the other methods. 

The illustrations for increasing and decreasing in a pattern are excellent and visually clear.  The spumoni bracelet is worked this way, and larger beads are set between each rope piece.  Incorporating a designer/focal bead and various bead shapes are explained. 

Ann has many gorgeous projects and one of my favorites, the sparkly bracelet, is very easy to make.  It is absolutely sensual, with crystal beads and metallic braid and threads; chained strands for a must have bracelet.  New Metallic threads and crystal beads would be outstanding.  The fairy-tale necklace, made with a variety of size beads and beading wire, results in a visual effect of random bead placement.  The vine is wrapped around a heavier wire and the necklace is stunning. 

There are gobs of jewelry to choose from, including those with bead crochet cabochons; earrings with wire shaping, and ropes that are thick in one section and thin in others by using various size beads.  I love the leopard spots bracelet and plan to make a lariat soon as I get a chance.  The graph is easy to follow and the repeat pattern is identified for making any length you prefer. 

Ann’s color and design background is evident throughout her book of contemporary and romantic patterns.  I recommend Beaded Crochet Designs, a real creative effort!  Thanks Ann.