Handknits for Kids: 25 Original Designs for Girls and Boys

by Lucinda Guy

Book Overview

Presents 25 hand-knitted designs for girls and boys, ages two to five, with something to knit for various seasons.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570763100
• ISBN13: 9781570763106
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Publishing
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.5" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Adorable handknits

This sweet book delighted me at first glance in December 2005, so I put it on my "Santa list." The next day I went back to the shop and bought it for myself -- Santa's usually good to me but why take chances? I'm cautious about books featuring a specific brand of yarn but Rowan's so luscious and children's knits use smaller amounts, so it seemed worth using the real thing. I chose the Wildflower Sweater for my 2006 Knitting Olympics entry and enjoyed every second of the project. Nine months later I had the pleasure of seeing my granddaughter dig deep to find her pretty "flower jersey" and pull it on over her pajamas on a cool Australian autumn morning. Priceless! I'd happily knit anything in this book -- the plump, abstract little animals, the gorgeous blankets, the hats and bags, dresses and pullovers. My only reservation is the crocheted picot edgings, which are perfect finishing touches but challenging for me since the crochet hook is not my friend. It's a skill worth cultivating, however, and this book is great motivation. I found all the instructions clear and fault-free. Lucinda Guy's inspired designs are a pleasure for the knitter and a treat for the lucky little recipient.

More than five stars!

This is by far the best children's knitting book I've seen in a long time. My three-year-old son wants every boy's sweater in the book and trust me, he's never taken an interest in my knitting before. And why wouldn't he want them when one sweater has a dinosaur, one a truck, and the other a dog? And the little girl sweaters are equally wonderful (the dress on the cover is actually my least favorite). There are just the three boy sweaters in this book, although there are also a couple of hats and a scarf. There are four girl sweaters (well, one is a dress and one is sort of a coat), three hats, a scarf, and a purse. Besides the patterns being so original and fantastic, there is something especially thoughtful about this book. The patterns are grouped by season, and each season calls for only one type of Rowan yarn (wool cotton, cotton glace, 4ply soft, or kid classic). Since there is a LOT of colorwork in this book, the little bits of color left over from one sweater can be used up in another, or in making an accessory (like a sweet little flower posy pin), or in toy (there's a dog, a mouse, a cat, and a very funky bird). When you buy a bunch of colors for some intarsia, it's nice to have a project ready made to use up the left over yarn. Honestly, I want to make everything in this book (except the four blankets - I'm just not in to blankets). And how often does that happen?

very clever book, great patterns

I was convinced I wasn't going to buy this book (add yet ANOTHER children's knitting pattern book to my library??). Well, I was wrong. This book grabs you on the first page. The art work is a treat, and seeing the sweaters, etc. on the whimsical characters is actually very charming. Now to the patterns: The designs are unique and playful - not babyish. I found no errors and the patterns were very concise and easy to follow. Great book for knitted gifts. I'm eager to see her new book.

Totally cool knitting book!

I have a library of knitting books, but this book is now at the top of my list! It contains patterns for the coolest and chichest kids' clothes, accessories and toys and I'm excited to get started. The instructions are clear and the photos and illustrations are wonderful -- my 2-year old daughter actually reads through it as though it were a book for her! I've already pre-ordered the new book from this author and I'll continue to recommend this book to all my knitting friends. HIGHLY recommended.

Excellent and fun to look at!

Frankly, I really love the book. It has fun designs and easy instructions. I am not a very experienced knitter and am so far doing very well. It might help to know somebody who is more of an expert knitter to help you with the harder designs. Best thing about the book, even my little girl loves to browse through it.