Some’r’ Hot, Bikinis, Crochet Bikinis, Bag & Sandles by Jenny King
Softbound, 37 pgs, $8.95, Jenny King, Australia, phone 07-5441-2683, email, footyrug@squirrel.com.au, shipping charges will vary with destination.

You may ask: "Beadwrangler, what is a bikini book doing in the reviews?" There is a lot more than bikinis in this book. The sandals are the type patterns viewers have been asking me about for months. They are not sandals per say, they are like foot ornamentation, fitting around the leg above the ankle and working down to and around the toe. Beads can be added to these designs. In addition, I use bikini tops as purses. In the past I took my old fabric bikini top, hand stitched the sides and bead embellished it. Crocheted bikini top purses would be lovely. There is a beach bag included and a bikini bottom cover up that is very attractive.

There are about 10 bikini designs for you young slim figured gals. Color photo images of all the projects are on the front and back cover of the book. The printed pages inside are black and white.

Illustrations and instructions for how hold a hook and basic stitches used in the patterns are included. Jenny offers some tips and suggestions and lists abbreviations and terms. There are illustrations of the basic bikini top and notes on where it is sewn together for finishing. The patterns are easy to follow and the rows and rounds are separated for ease in keeping your place. Don’t you wish crochet magazine would do the same?

I love the names she has for some of the items such as Red Slave "Sandles" for one of the foot ornamentation’s and Gold "Everlasting soles" for the other pair.

At the back of the book you will find a listing for several other books Jenny has authored such as Tartan afghans and rugs, clothing and many other items. Her next book is Heirloom Beaded Bags and believe me you want that book. I saw the actual bags at the Crochet Guild of America Conference and they are just must have patterns. They are not like any other bag patterns in print and each one is glorious, take my word for it. I have my name down for the first copy off the press.

There is an interesting note at the back of her bikini book about testers, models and crocheting. Jenny is a real character, the life of the party and kept us in stitches at the conference. She is a joy to know and a real professional in her approach to crochet instructions. Some’r Hot Bikinis will be of great interest to crocheters and designers as well.