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”
What another perfect use of Bare Naked Wool, lovely book!
I have drooled over these patterns on Ravelry. Gorgeous.
Ooh, what pretty patterns!
I have been in love with these designs since I first saw them. I am SUCH a leaf lover 🙂
This book looks AMAZING! It may be staged in fall colors but it makes me excited for Spring’s arrival.
I can imagine knitting some of these beautiful patterns for my lovely daughter – and I can also see them in yarns by Sweet Georgia. They are beautiful patterns – and I’m a man who will not get to wear any of them. But I would be happy to add this book to my collection.
oh my! nothing I like better than leafy patterns!
she’s got some lovely patterns in this book
Beautiful patterns, I would love to have a copy of this!
Gorgeous patterns! Thanks for the chance to win.
Quelle belle inspiration végétale, qui donne tellement envie de maille en maille de rendre hommage aux feuilles et de s’en couvrir. Merci pour ces beuax modèles
Oh, these patterns! I’ve been drooling over them every time I see them pop up somewhere. Every single one is so gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win!
Great giveaway! I’d love the opportunity to knit these patterns and try out your yarn.
Love, love, love these patterns. Hoping I win. Thank you for the opportunity. Have a great weekend.
I’d love to win! Alana’s patterns are so pretty!
I can totally see all of these designs with your wool Anne, love those
fingerless mitts, heck I like every design ;0) would love to win!
Love the patterns in this book and would love to own a copy.
Gorgeous patterns. Thanks for the opportunity to win! Safe travels.
Is it odd that this book has me longing for fall when spring is just around the corner – what a beautiful collection!
Love the patterns in this book!
Cannot wait to see this book, patterns look lovely and so creative!
This would be a great book to have. Thanks for the contest.
I am obsessed with the patterns in this book! Beautiful! Can’t wait to see them all!
Beautiful book! Perfect timing with spring just around the corner (well, maybe a little further around the corner up here in Alberta)
I have admired this book ever since it was launched. I would love to own a copy!
I love the colors! Autumn´s End and the Ivy Trellis Socks are my favs.
Oh, I want this soooo badly. Love love love!
This such a lovely book and is on my list.
There are so many lovely patterns in this collection. I am an avid outdoors person and find the use of leaves in so many of Alana’s patterns very much to my liking. I would love to own this book.
What a beautiful book. Love the colors, textures and can easily see how these would work well in your yummy yarn.
Gorgeous patterns, gorgeous photography, gorgeous yarn!! Please pick me!!!
I love everyone of the patterns in Botanical Knits, Alana has really out done herself with the designs! It would be fabulous to win a copy!
Thank you.
The designs are really nice
The leaf motifs are lovely! I have yarn calling to me for a project …
Such a lovely collection!
Beautiful patterns and photography! Love the shawl!
I’ve been eyeing this book. It looks fantastic!
Gorgeous book! I’d love to win. Thanks for doing the giveaway!
Great looking book, love leaves everywhere! Thqnks for the chance to win.
I would love to make all of the patterns in this book starting with the Pressed Leaves beret!
I have been enamored with this collection for weeks! Alana actually lives in my home county that I miss so much. The botanicals in her collection are the ones I grew up with and the pictures look like they could have been taken on my parents’ property. Thank you for doing such a lovely review, and for offering the contest. It’s so generous of both of you. I will be pre-ordering for sure if I don’t win!
I would literally kill for this book…. Ok not kill but maybe stab somone with my knitting needles lol
Oooo… I’ve been watching for these patterns to come out for a while on Ravelry. Whether I win or not, this collection will become part of my library 🙂
Gorgeous patterns, I cam picture loads of them in your BareNaked Wools.
Lovely book.
An amazing collection. I love seeing the generosity of designers supporting each other, and I would love to win this book.
Gorgeous patterns – like her earlier book! Thanks for the info and the chance to win.
Awesome all around! Thanks to Alana for the drawing and you for sponsoring it. Please put my name in the hat!
Wow, what an amazing group of patterns. Good for her for self publishing!
i would L.O.V.E. to have this in ebook format. or in whatever format you choose to hand it to me…thanks to the generosity of the artists!
These lovely patterns remind me of the virgin forest behind the house where I grew up in New England. So familiar and comforting. Can’t wait to knit and wear these designs.
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