This is a guest post from Emily. You are probably familiar with her love of all things knitting, especially books. Here she shares some of her very favorite books for baby hats, toys, sweaters and blankets.
Books books and more books. When you choose a knitting book to purchase it can be really over whelming. You are really investing your money, time, and your chance for a successful project with the purchase. There are a few criteria that I use when buying books; most of you have heard the “At least three patterns I want to make" rule. However, there are other considerations you need to take in account when making a book purchase.
When purchasing a book for Baby one author meets or exceeds all the criteria. Susan B. Anderson writes the most creative and enchanting patterns I have seen. She is the author of Itty-Bitty Hats, Itty-Bitty Nursery, and her latest book Itty-Bitty Toys. All three books are in my personal library.
The layout of Susan’s books are very similar she begins with some basics. The how-tos include basics like casting on and others to what you need to complete even the most elaborate pattern in the book.
The designs are really what set these books apart from others. You will want to make everyone of the patterns! This is a rare treat for any book. Nursery has just about everything you could want to make for that little one. The book includes a book pillow and matching sweater and slippers in bright alpaca, a mobile cover with tiny mice, covers for tissue and wipes boxes, a whimsical clothesline, with tiny jeans and parasol, a cupcake hat, mitten and scarf set complete with cherries, to (my personal favorite) pacifier clip ornaments that include an elephant and frog. I may have made 20 of these for shower gifts. There is even a felted diaper bag that will work as a purse when the diaper days are over! There are 40 one-of-a-kind pieces in all. There are a variety of projects for every level of knitter-even the most inexperienced.
Itty-Bitty Hats takes that quick gift hat to a whole other level. This book is quite possibly one of the best knitting books I own. Of the more than 30 patterns, I would say I have made 90% of them. They are adorable and practical and make the greatest gifts. Instructions are given in several sizes, usually newborn to two years. Also, most patterns come with one or two variations, and the book has an extensive and well-done “getting started” section that is very new-knitter friendly but yet has some great tips for the intermediate knitters too. My favorite is the Rosebud hat. I made it for my granddaughter and she is so cute in it that it is beyond words. (Stop by the shop and I will show you some pictures.) You will not believe how cute the first birthday hat is with one candle at the top or how enchanting the chicks in a row are for that newborn little girl. I also love the fact that not all the hats are for girls. There are great hats with bold colors for the boys in your life.
Just when I think Susan has it all covered she comes out with Itty-Bitty Toys. Again Susan’s voice and talents are evident. All her introductions are done in the first person, and each is peppered with stories from her own life and explanations of her design inspiration. She has designed blocks, balls, animals and dolls. There is a cute Christmas set with a Santa doll, his toy sack and the mouse who wasn’t stirring on Christmas Eve. Other dolls include the Princess and the Pea with multiple mattresses and a baby doll with removable clothes. There are stuffed animals and what Susan calls “Take-action toys” but what I found the most interesting was the last chapter, called “Reversibles”. Susan has designed toys that transform from one animal to another by reversing a skirt from one end to the other. A cat to a mouse, a turtle to a frog, and or an egg that becomes a bluebird, complete with its own nest. There is even the “sisters” doll which is two dolls in one. How cute is that! Some of the patterns require higher levels of skill then others but nothing that cannot be explained and learned quickly even for beginners.
We have a limited supply of all three books in the shop come in and enjoy seeing the patterns. Of course we cannot guarantee how long they will stay around. You can always enjoy reading about Susan and hearing what is new with her on her blog at http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com. It is well worth your visit.
Also, there is a free pattern available from Itty-Bitty Toys, a very sweet lamb which is perfect for baby or even your favorite knitter. You can find that pattern here.
I hope to do a few more book reviews but we always welcome your book review to share too.
See you in the Shop!
Emily
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