Friday, September 11, 2015

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: One-Skein Wonders for Babies

Disclosure: Storey Publishing LLC sent a copy of One-Skein Wonders for Babies to Lapdog Creations for review. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions expressed are my own.


One-Skein Wonders for Babies

101 Knitting Projects for Infants & Toddlers

Edited by Judith Durant

Paperback: 288 pages

Publisher: Storey Publishing LLC (September 8, 2015)


OSWbabies

There is nothing I appreciate more as a knitter than one-skein projects, especially for those expensive, hand-dyed, and unique skeins we all have in our stash.  

There is nothing more adorable - and fun to knit - than baby items.

One-skein + Baby = the latest addition to what I often refer to as the best knitting book series ever, One-Skein Wonders for Babies: 101 Knitting Projects for Infants & Toddlers.

I've been a huge fan of the One-Skein Wonders books since the original title was released nearly nine years ago.  I treasure that well-used book.  Not only is it signed by editor Judith Durant (whom I had the pleasure of meeting at the TKGA Knit & Crochet show in 2007), but it is one of those books I refer back to again and again.  While I find myself reaching for many of the One-Skein Wonders books when looking for just the right gift pattern, it's the original and the "Designer" ones I tend to grab most often.  Considering my over-abundance of sock yarn, I should probably start reaching for the "Sock Yarn" edition as well.

Two years have passed since the last in the series, Lace One-Skein Wonders, was released and if you ask me, there's no time like the present to jump on board the baby knit wagon!

One-Skein Wonders for Babies, the seventh installment to the best-selling series, features a collection of 101 knitting patterns for babies and toddlers, as well as a couple of ideas for Moms.  The format is one that we've all come to know and love, with beautiful photos throughout.  

One-Skein Wonders for Babies is organized into 10 chapters full of adorable patterns, all knit with just one skein of yarn.  I've already stuck post-it tags on several patterns throughout the book and will note a few that have caught my eye below:
  • Little Ensembles
    • Claredon Baby Vest and Hat - sometimes it can be hard to find cute boy sets, and this one takes the cake
  • Little Tops
    • Lacy Baby Top - a cute little number worked from the top down and perfect for a little lady
    • No-Sew Taiyo Baby Jacket - they had me at "no sew," but really got me at "chunky yarn"
  • Little Bottoms
    • Baby Green Jeans - inspired by Captain Kangaroo, this pattern comes from the Editor herself, Ms. Judith Durant
  • Little Dresses
    • This section features just three patterns, a lacy little number, a no-fess tunic and a christening gown
  • Little Hats
    • I jumped to this section first, as I'm currently looking for the "right" baby hat pattern for a new little man.
    • Happy Hat - this unique design sort of looks like a collection of smiles all over
    • Hootenanny Hat of Owls - as the name implies, this one features a row of owls created by simple cables and tiny buttons
  • Little Socks & Bootees
    • Montana Moccasins - these toddler size slippers are just too cute for words
  • Little Accessories
    • Snow Baby Leg Warmers - sure, I happen to know the author of this pattern (Ms. Gina House from Sleepy Eyes Knits), but I'd tell you about these cozy little duds regardless - after all, what chunky little legs wouldn't look extra cute in leg warmers this fall? 
    • Tutti Fruitti Bib - I used to knit a lot of baby bibs way back when... and am now thinking to myself, "why didn't I think to knit it a little longer and add pockets?" - genius!
  • Little Blankets
    • Tuck Me In - features a cozy looking blanket stitch pattern that reminds me of a honeycomb
  • Little Toys
    • Sunshine - what baby doesn't deserve his or her own ray of sunshine - plus, as baby grows, the "toy" becomes a lovely pillow
    • Friendly Lizard - sure the bunnies, penguins, and other typical creatures are included, but this cute little lizard could be the start of a whole new appreciation for wildlife
  • Little Miscellany
    • Bath Toy Hammock - use it in the bath or in the baby's room (or both) - it's a great catch-all for little toys

Just as I refer back to the original One-Skein book again and again, I can already tell I will be doing the same with One-Skein Wonders for Babies. I seem to have at least one baby knit on my needles at all times these days (if you know me, you know I am not a monogamous knitter and always have several projects going at once) - whether for friends or relatives, or just because I need an instant gratification project.  I find baby knits can also be a great way to learn new techniques, as you don't have to invest too much time or money into a "smaller" size project.

Plus, one of the things I love most about the entire One-Skein Wonders series is the simple fact that when inspiration strikes, I can go stash diving from the comfort of my own home and get started right away.  (disclaimer: NO, that doesn't mean I won't still go to the yarn shop anyway)

If I had to make one teensy-tiny complaint about One-Skein Wonders for Babies, it's the fact that many of the patterns do not include additional sizes.  I don't know about you, but when I knit for baby I almost always knit at least a 6 month size or larger.  After all, babies grow faster than I can knit and no one wants to spend $30 on a single skein of yarn to knit something that can only be worn once.  While I'm sure some patterns have been purposely written this way to stick within the one-skein guidelines (although I would have much preferred little side notes saying if you wanted to make the larger size, you would need extra yarn), I'm wondering if some are simply due to the designer not spending enough time on creating the pattern for extended sizes (there's no reason why any hat pattern could not be written for two or three sizes, even with using just one skein of yarn).  le sigh... perhaps I'll just have to knit a few of those teensy-tiny little sizes.

All in all, One-Skein Wonders for Babies is a must for your knitting book collection!

I don't normally share old photos with my reviews, but since I mentioned getting that original edition signed...
      JudithDurant & Nichole 71407
      Judith Durant & I, July 2007

About the Editor: Judith Durant is the editor of the best-selling One-Skein Wonders series (which currently includes 7 volumes), the author of Increase, Decrease and Knit One, Bead Too; and the co-author of Knitting Know-How. Durant has been knitting for more than 50 years and has been writing and editing for more than 30 years. She lives in Lowell, Massachusetts. 

GIVEAWAY! All knitters know that the only thing better than a new knitting book is a new, free knitting book... and thanks to the folks over at Storey Publishing, one lucky reader will win a copy of One-Skein Wonders for Babies!

To enter, use the Rafflecopter widget below.  ***Note the first entry method is to answer a question in the comments on this post -- please be sure to click on the Rafflecopter to find out what the question is before posting your comment***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't have any... Yet!

Anonymous said...

would love this one skein book

Gina House said...

Loved this detailed review!! If I didn't already have this book, I'd want to run out and get it right now...lol! Thank you so much for mentioning my Snowbaby Legwarmers!! (I have a hat pattern to go with that...to be published very soon) You're the BEST!! xoxoxo

vickib said...

I have the One Skein sock yarn bbok. Would love this one too. I have friends having babies!

Marjie said...

If only I could knit! My oldest son is eagerly awaiting their first baby next March, but I will have to stick to crocheting a blanket.

Sue said...

I knit lots of baby things for the local hospitals so this would be a wonderful source. I'll even make something for Marjie's first grandchild.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...