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”
This looks like a lovely book, I’d love to win it!
I hope you’re having fun in the UK 🙂
Looks like a fabulous book! Can’t wait to read about London and get my hands on that new shawl pattern!
I have been blessed with a new granddaughter and this book will be perfect to knit from baby through later years! Pick me!!
One of my dearest friends delivered her first baby yesterday! The first granddaughter on both sides of the family. I would LOVE to win this book and knit all kinds of things for new little Jacey.
You are right, no-one does babies like Debbie Bliss; and, as the mother of a (nearly) two-year old always looking for patterns and inspirations, I’d love to have the book. Thankyou for teh giveaway!
I knit for babies often but I haven’t had the courage to design anything yet. Thanks for offering this up!
Love your blog. It provides inspiration and a daily dose of lessons in many things. Thank you for the chance to see the Debbie Bliss book.
I have started knitting for babies just this year – first for others, now for my hope chest! Thanks for sharing your review of this book. Would love to win it, but may have to go out and buy it myself 🙂
So cute! Win it or not I will have to have a copy for my darling granddaughter. Oh, and welcome home I hope your trip was all kinds of wonderful.
I have a new nephew. I would love to make some clothes that he will really wear!
What a delightful resource! I’ll be looking out for this one!
I love your blog and I’d love to win the book.
This is a gorgeous book, with wonderful ideas. It’s nice trying out new things with baby clothes because they don’t take too long to finish! And then I can store them as gifts for the future when someone has a new baby. Thanks for the great pictures of the book.
I love that you are giving this book away. I hope you are having a fabulous time in merry old England!
I’d love a copy of that book as I have 2 grandsons who need reindeer sweaters.
I seem to have babies springing up all around me this year! I always look to Louisa Harding and/or Debbie Bliss to find that perfect baby knit and they never disappoint. I love Debbie Bliss’ style and her yarns. A book like this to get a peek inside her designing mind? Priceless!
I love Debbie Bliss patterns. I have a lot of them and have the other Design It Knit It book. She is a great designer. I hope you are or were having a good time in London. I love England–we were stationed there (Air Force) 1982-1987. This is actually my very first comment to anyones post. I’ve read many BLOGs but have never posted a comment. Have a great time in London.
I’ve knit several Debbie Bliss patterns for my young grandson and gdaughter, and I do love the simplicity of the lines! This book would be a great help to me as they continue to grow — and also for their siblings, when they arrive!!
Looks like a fun book. Hope you had a grand time in London. David’s post was amazing.
This book looks really beautiful and useful. Can’t wait to hear all about London!
Debbie Bliss is my main go-to designer for sweaters and hats for my granddaughter. All her designs have been winners. I can’t wait to see this book.
Gorgeous book! It would be lovely to have in my knitting library. Hope you had a spectacular time in London. I’m SO jealous.
What a fabulous book…one I’d love to add to my library! Thanks for the chance to win it.
I just found out that I’m going to be an Auntie for the first time, this book could really help with my knitting for the wee one.
What a lovely book! I think I would learn a lot from it and I always love Debbie Bliss patterns. Pick me, Pick me!!
Debbie Bliss amazes me with her continuous stream of kid’s designs. I would love to have this book since i have two baby presents to make soon!
hope you had a wonderful trip and i look forward to reading all about it when you get back.
I would love to see what is said about sizing.
I can’t believe the sheer volume of wonderful stuff that Debbie Bliss puts out! She is just awesome! and this book looks great!
I have been thinking about purchasing a book specific to knit ware design lately (the new Shirley Paden book is at the top of the list). But seeing the new Debbie Bliss “Design It, Knit It” book will make me look into her books! Thank you for the chance at winning a great book like this!
A few years ago I might have thought “Huh, baby stuff… not interested.” Now as I face one friend’s baby shower next week, another friend due in December, several others trying with yet another couple just getting married (baby plans in the future), I say “I need baby stuff!”
I love Debbie Bliss’ designs and have knit several of them for my grandchildren (which now number 19) when they were babies.
Oh Goodness, what a great prize this would be. Debbie Bliss knows babies, that’s for sure. All your blog following friends have been missing you, but, no one misses you more than David, I suspect. Safe trip back, and can’t wait to hear about your London adventure.
What a great looking book! Thanks for doing the give away.
Very cool book! I’ll bet you had a wonderful time and there will be some great blog posts coming after you get home. Welcome back!!!
What a wonderful resource this book is! I hope your journey back home was uneventful!
Hello, Anne…I have missed your blog while you were in London, but hopefully, you were having a MOST fabulous time, and I will be anxious to read about your knitterly “adventures”…! Please put my name in the running for the LOVELY Debbie Bliss book…it looks very yummy…thanks!!!
What a neat and interesting followup to her first book. I am into knitting baby things right now as I have 6 mo old psuedo gran baby, and a almot 1 yr old gran baby and a new one on the way in Jan.
I hope you a had a great time in London and enjoyed yourself and the trip back will be an easy one. Thanks for the opportunity.
Nice book. Look forward to seeing your blog updates
Safe travels, Anne!
Lovely book!
Would love that book, have grandchildren, need patterns!
I was already interested in this book, but based on your recommendation I MUST get it!
I am truly inspired after looking through the “teaser” shots you have shown. Debbie Bliss is the best when it comes to babies, hands down. I am expecting my first grandson in 6 weeks, enough time to whip up just the tight something special from this inspirational book!
I have been wanting a Debbie Bliss baby book, and this new one looks especially good. I hope your trip continues to be wonderful!
Oh I’d love to win this book… I have a new grand-niece that needs more knits!! 🙂
Lovely to meet you at Knit Nation! Hope you had a safe trip home. I was lucky enough to win two skeins of Wollmeise at the Ravelry party so perhaps my luck will hold for the draw for the book!
Hope you are enjoying your free day in London! Sounds lovely!
What a wonderful book. Thanks for the review.
Have a safe trip home and I hope they let you knit on the plane! Lovely book – there are babies coming up left, right, but not quite centre (yet)! in my life! I’m content to knit for the nephews & nieces at this point!
I have three babies to knit for the book looks beautiful. I hope you had a truly marvelous time at Knit Nation.
I’m hoping for a new grandchild this year, and that looks like it’ll be just the thing! dying to hear all about your trip!
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