Each of the 40 extraordinary hand-crocheted afghans displayed here in magnificent photos is a blue-ribbon winner, and you can recreate these wonderful items at home, thanks to the patterns, detail shots, and instructions provided in "Blue Ribbon Afghans from America's State Fairs." Scattered throughout the text are fun facts about the fairs, along with new and vintage photos

Two hot trends combine in one classic collection: the popular poncho and the hip craft of crochet. And these 33 designs take the versatile wardrobe staple to new heights of sophistication: they feature a range of neckline and hem variations, and come in a variety of yarns, including novelty types like ribbon, faux suede, and fur. Some are long, others short; some are dressy, others just made for a fancy night on the town. And the majority are one size fits all. With the help of a well-illustrated basics section, brand-new or out-of-practice crocheters can confidently pick up their needles and create an open-weave poncho with sleeves and cuffs, a wrap-up for winter, a shimmering gold lacy poncho, and other showstoppers.

Create beautiful, award-winning afghans with HERRSCHNER`S BLUE RIBBON AFGHANS. Both crocheted and knitted afghans from Herrschner`s national afghan competition are presented here. The best afghans from all over the nation will suit a wide variety of tastes and styles as well as skill levels. Great designs with clear instructions and photographs will aid readers in creating over 40 projects.

The author of Imperial Life in the Emerald City (winner of the 2007 Samuel Johnson Prize) now gives us the startling, behind-the-scenes story of the struggle between President Obama and the US military to remake Afghanistan.