fellow knitwear designer alana dakos is in the process of publishing her third book, this one a collection of garments and accessories inspired by plant life, entitled botanical knits.
leaves, vines, berries, and branches twine over and travel across the surfaces of twelve pretty pieces—four sweaters, fingerless mitts, hats, scarves, and socks.
the color palette featured within the book’s pages is autumnal, a composition in rich greens, rust, gold, and taupe—a look that is warm and comforting when the weather drops in the brisk zones it has been lately (right now, it’s much too cold for springtime where i live).
but if i squint my eyes, i can totally see these pieces working equally well in all natural colors, such as the palette in our collection of bare naked wools.
or for springtime, an array of garden colors like celery, apricot, wheat, and sky blue, knit in soft cotton or silk for more temperate weather.
with botanicals, you just need to choose a season and look around to find a set of alternate colors that would work.
everyone who loves leafy motifs will be pleased by the designs featured on these pages—from the simplest application to ones that get more elaborate, there is something for everyone.
deep texture, sheer openwork, eye-catching trims—sometimes a little and sometimes a lot; they are each interpreted in a way that makes you want to reach out and touch (i like that in a book, don’t you?).
alana is one of a whole wave of contemporary designers who is comfortable producing and promoting her own compilations. as with her earlier books, this one is self-published, which means you can purchase it directly from her (a nice win-win) in hardcopy or eBook format.
hardcopy may be preordered now and will begin shipping in mid may. for a limited time, early birds who pre-order the book will immediately receive a free eBook copy with their reservation (this bundle offer ends in may).
purchasing the bundle will also entitle buyers to a free additional garment pattern as a thank-you from the author. the eBook is available for purchase by itself, for those who prefer a green option that does not require expensive shipping.
preorders are a crucial component in the self-publishing equation; with some idea of how many knitters are interested in buying the book and what version, producers can make informed, cost effective decisions about how many copies to print. preorders also help fund the print run and initial promotion work, providing the author with income during these stages, as well as the ability to plan and budget the distribution of the work.
and if all that wasn’t enough, here’s some awesome sauce to go on top:
alana has offered a free eBook version of botanical knits to one lucky knitspot reader. leave a comment at the end of this post by 9 pm EDST on sunday, march 24th. we’ll draw a winner on monday or tuesday morning and let you know the results.
david and i will be on the road most of today (friday); when you next see us, we’ll be transmitting from upstate NY and have we got a weekend planned for you. not only a look at alana’s beautiful designs, but tomorrow the release of the next installment of bare naked wools—our new stone soup blend, in both fingering and DK weights, which would be lovely in a number of the patterns seen here.
so don’t wander too far—you don’t want to miss the excitement!
287 thoughts on “botanical knits”
Love these pieces! So lovely!
Thanks for sharing with the readers. Looks like a very interesting book indeed.
I love Alana’s designs and would love to add this to my library.
Thanks for sharing the new book with us. I love the motifs of nature.
I saw these sampled at Stitches West last month and was wondering when they would be available! Gorgeous.
Looks like a gorgeous book. Would love to win!
Oh my goodness . . . the botanical knits book looks lovely! HOWEVER, what got me in to your blog was a desire to comment on the Inky Dinky Hat and Sweater! Absolutely adorable! I love it! You are so so talented!
Love Alana’s impeccable designs and attention to detail! Having already knit one of her sweaters, I can vouch for her wonderfully written patterns…
Alana’s designs are gorgeous! I live in New Zealand so the autumnal theme is very fitting.
What a beautiful collection! There isn’t a single project here that I wouldn’t want to knit.
Very nice. The depth of the designs are intriguing.
Wow, the book looks beautiful. Please enter me in the drawing!
Patterns are so pretty! Safe travels!
Such lovely and thoughtful patterns! The kind of book that is a pleasure to read, gaze and then dream about the patterns and yarns that go together.
Alana has some terrific spring patterns. Thank you for the giveaway.
Gorgeous! I really like the pine cone sweater.
Well, of course I’d like to win these beautiful patterns! Wouldn’t even know where to start, but I’m sure I’d manage.
This book is amazing! I would love to have a copy!
love the photos here, and I’m coveting all of these patterns!
Totally smitten with the book ! And I’m squinting hard and you are right , the garments are going to be amazing in bare naked yarns..:-)
I think I just love every one of these patterns. And you’re right about the gorgeousness of the colour palette.
Lovely patterns. Would love a copy.
I would love a copy of the book – the patterns look really pretty.
What a perfect springtime giveaway!
Beautiful patterns, I love the inspiration for them.
So beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love your suggestions for how to update these patterns for spring; hope I get the chance to try them out…
These patterns are so beautiful! Would love a copy.
Beautiful patterns! As knitting herbalist I think I should make a few of these! I thank you for the chance to see them and possibly win. 🙂
Such talent! I can see myself knitting several of these patterns.
Totally stunning; love it so much that I have already pre-ordered the book. And…I am contemplating which item(s) to knit with bare naked wools!
that is so beautiful! thank you so much for the chance!
Love the designs- so interesting to look at. I would really like to knit some of them.
Love all the leaf shapes and the texture of these pieces. So much to like about them.
I love this book! So many great patterns!
DH is a botanist. This looks perfect for me. Thanks for the draw, I’ll cross my fingers!
This would make a wonderful birthday gift for me! Alana’s designs are consistently beautiful! Thanks for the chance to win!
What beautiful patterns. Yes put me in for a chance to win this. If not I will put it on my to do list.
Lovely! Enter me in the drawing, please!
Beautiful patterns, lovely deisgns. Please enter me in the drawing
What a beautiful collection. My favourites are Autumn’s End & Twigs and Willows. Thanks for the chance to win ♥
This one is for sure going into my library! I love every pattern that I see in your blog!
love Alana Dakos’ designs in Coastal Knits! will have to add this book to my wishlist
Goodness! Soooo beautiful! I haven’t seen such a ‘must have’ collection for a long time… If I don’t win, I’m buying 🙂
So gorgeous! I love botanicals; I’m playing with a leafy pattern right now. I’d love a chance to peruse more, up close!
I adore Alana’s patterns! This would be a special addition to my knitting library 🙂
Such beautiful patterns! I’d love to have this set of patterns in my stash. Thanks for such a fab review and the offer.
What beautiful patterns! I would love to knit them.
I’m going to have to knit that mustard cardigan one way or the other – thanks for alerting us all to the coolness that is this book 🙂
Lovely!
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