as i write this (on monday, before i left home), i’m not sure yet how many times i’ll have been able to get online to post from london, or if i’ve caused anyone at home to be sad that they’re not here at knit nation.
by the time you see this, knit nation will be done and even i might be a little sad. cookie, janel, and i will be spending our free day doing something fun, somewhere in england (and hopefully, not getting hopelessly lost; we need to catch planes monday morning!).
so i’ve prepared a little consolation entry for you to read until i wing my way home, with the help of tara at sixth&spring books
because she has another new release that she wants to share with us, sure to make you all drool and resort to babbling in baby talk
i mean, who does babies better than debbie bliss??
her simple, straightforward garments in cushy textures with just-right touches of trim always get me; not mention her unerring and unexpected sense of color.
design it, knit it babies is a useful guide to all aspects of knitting for babies and toddlers. the focus here is not on the garment patterns themselves, though. and truly, i don’t know how many of the items included (if any) have been previously published, but for me, it doesn’t matter.
because this book, a follow-up of sorts to her design it, knit, is more a roadmap for knitting garments on the smaller side, rather than a collection of patterns.
beginning with a discussion of yarn types and weights, debbie discusses how to sort through the many possibilities available to choose the right materials, textures, colors, and amount of design detail to make small garments that are special, but not overwhelmingly so.
as she progresses through each aspect of the garment design to discuss and debate about what works and what doesn’t, she offers a plethora of photographic examples to illustrate
and finalizes each section with a few projects that put her discussion points to work
included is an excellent segment on size and shape as well as proportion—important when the need arises to knit for the smallest of babies.
being the aunt of many boys (and a tomboy or two), i liked the chapter on rugged knits very much, having knit many that got passed from boy to boy over the years
there is a fine line between “sturdy” and “stifling” (and also between “fun” and “loud”)—boys do love their knits, but they won’t stay on long if the fabric is stiff, bulky, or difficult to get on and off. and why not make them fun to look at while we’re at it?
i was really glad to see the discussion of the artful use of trims and embellishments—here again, a judicious eye to color and proportion is emphasized
to help an over-enthusiastic knitter avoid that “wedding cake” look and instead, produce classy, timeless favorites with just the right touch of feminine charm or boyish fun.
featured trims and embellishments are attractive, yes, but also soft to the touch, scaled appropriately to the garment size, and (probably most important to parents) easy to care for
garments that have too many fussy details tend to lay about unworn, unfortunately, for fear they will be ruined. and yet, a procession of plain, boring clothes may be overlooked. acquiring a sense of just how much is enough pays off handsomely.
at the back, a workbook space is provided for making notes and sketches, with several useful tools to help the knitter visualize and prepare a design. the covered spiral binding allows it to be opened flat and used as a working notebook.
while not necessarily a guide to designing from scratch, this book provides a nice bridge to begin putting together one’s own design idea on an existing shape, with visual prompts from an experienced designer’s eye. it’s a great place to start or to help organize a too-full drawer of mental ideas.
as with other sixth&spring releases, we are lucky today to have a copy of design it, knit it babies to give away: sixth&spring books has generously offered to send the book one lucky winner. if you’d like to receive a copy, leave a comment at the end of this post some time before 9 pm on tuesday, aug 3rd. i’ll announce the winner upon my return home, probably wednesday morning (but don’t hold me to that; i’m not sure when i’ll be human enough to blog next).
213 thoughts on “a lil sumpin’-sumpin’, baby”
Can’t wait to hear about your London trip! Hope you took lots of pictures and please enter me for Debbie’s new book..
I have a 9 mo. old grandson who needs some winter warmies. This book looks like just the ticket.
What a gorgeous looking book! I have a couple of Debbie Bliss’s books – it would be lovely to get see some of her designing techniques.
Thank you for sharing this new wonderful book.
I learnt to knit from a Debbie Bliss baby book and with a new niece/ nephew on the way soon would love a book such a this to help me knit some of my own ideas for this new arrival.
You’ve convinced me that I need this book! : )
I’d love to be entered in the giveaway.
How nice of you to arrange a giveaway while you are in England. Hope you are enjoying the trip. I am heading home to Scotland at the weekend, I will wave as I fly over 😉
My nephew’s baby, my first grandnephew, is due in October. This book will be perfect!!!
We miss you Anne! And of course I am jealous that you are in England right now. Aren’t Debbie Bliss’ books wonderful?
Debbie Bliss designs such nice babywear, it always makes me a little broody! I especially love her fair isle cardigans for little ones.
Now, that looks like I baby knits book I could be interested in owning: information, as well as patterns! Beautiful!
It was wonderful, too, to meet you in London; it feels like an age ago now, and it seems quite odd that I’m reading this now, when you wrote it before Knit Nation!
Thanks also have to go to David for sharing you with us for this time; the man is clearly a gem.
Looks like a beautiful book. Thans for the opportunity.
Looks like a perfect addition to my knitting library. Have always loved her designs-pure simplicity. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Safe journey home.
I love the baby designs in this book. My granddaughter would look precious in these. Welcome home.
My next door neighbor is having a baby next week. This is exactly the book I need. Thank you for making this opportunity available.
What a wonderful book!!!! Would love to add it to my library.
mm… Debbie Bliss. She’s done it again hasn’t she?
Hope you had lots of fun! I’m leaving a comment, but I never ever win these sorts of things. I’ve been contemplating making baby things for my hope chest, but of course I’m torn! It’s supposed to be bad luck!
Oh, I would love to win this book so I can knit my darling grandson, Graham, some lovely new garments for winter. kelley secrest
Beautiful patterns! Would love a copy. Glad to hear England was fun. Yes, I wish I was there. Expect full report when you get home.
Looking forward to hearing about your London and Knit Nation experience. Be safe in your travels back!
I love Debbie Bliss – thanks for the chance to win!!!
I have all her books…..seven grandchildren there’s alot of knitting I can do for them. I love her patterns. See you when you return. Have a safe trip.
I love knitting for little ones. It must be the instant gratification or the fact that even though I have a son, I long to knit frilly girly things 🙂
I love Debbie Bliss baby books. Just reading them is a pleasure let alone knitting the projects inside. Looking for babies to knit for!
Ah, just in time to knit my little one a new sweater for her birthday! Debbie Bliss books are such a treat to look through and knit from.
What a great book! I just love Debbie Bliss baby designs. Thanks for sharing, and thinking of us while you are away. And thanks to David for sharing his lovely thoughts of you – you are both very lucky:)
This book looks wonderful. Love the pictures and teaching tools. I would be proud to add it to my collection. Pick me!!!!
I can’t wait to hear all about Knit Nation! Debbie’s new book looks like another winner and it’s time for me to stock up on baby/child knits for my nieces! 🙂
Love Debbie Bliss books and yarn…
What I great book! I’ve been a grandma for one month, so I enjoyed reading your description. Can’t wait to hear about the trip to England.
wow! I would love this!
Oooooh! What a fabulous book! This grandma of 5 would love to win it.
That book looks a real treat. Looking forward to hearing about KnitNation in particular and your trip in general.
This book looks just about perfect. I have 6 grandchildren and I find it hard to find modern knitting patterns where I live, the parents want funky new stuff. Thank you for the opportunity! I love the ease and simplicity of Debbie Bliss patterns.
I’ve got a new niece or nephew on the way so I could really use this book to make something wonderful!
Wow, that looks like a fun book! I have a whole boatload of babies to knit for (including a set of newborn QUADS, oh my goodness) and so I have baby knit books on the brain.
love knitting for small people and am lucky to have them in my life…..love your patterns, have just “discovered” you! safe travels
Debbie Bliss’s books have always held a wealth of information. I have many, many of her books. This one sounds just perfect for to have done!
Love Debbie Bliss; she gives me such good ideas to use on other garments. Thank you for such a good opportunity. Did you make the store V V Rouleaux in London? Great embellishments, and the staff are so full of ideas.
Welcome back. Hope you had a fantastic trip to the UK. So jealous I couldn’t attend Knit Nation.
Hmmm…looks like a book every grammy should own (and soon-to-be grammies, too!).
Debbie Bliss has an amazing sense of style and her designs for babies are especially beautiful and timeless.
Looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win.
What a neat book!
Thanks for the book preview.
Looks like a great book – not just for the little ones – thanks for the opportunity to win one – and can’t wait to see your pics from London Town!
Cheers!
mmmm baby things! i have so many gifts to make and this book would be such a wonderful addition to my library. but more important anne, we miss you!
I have a renewed interest in knitting for babies – new great-nephews and great-nieces in the family! I can’t wait to hear about your adventures in the UK. Your blog is a highlight of my day.
I’m still a relatively new knitter, despite re-learning how to knit about 3 years ago. I absolutely love your blog and really look forward to knitting little garments for my baby niece and 4 year old nephew. Thanks for the inspiration!
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