Friday, November 29, 2013

E-Book review and Giveaway!

I am regularly asked to review books or patterns, magazines or yarn and I don't because it is a yarn which is not easily accessible for my readers in Australasia (by not easily accessible I mean either not for sale here or not readily available for online purchase from a reputable supplier). Or it is publication which is does not marry well with my brand and the sorts of patterns my customers like to knit.



So I was happily surprised when I was asked to review "Head to Toe: Kids' Knit Accessories" by Katya Frankel. This book contains a whopping 24 patterns for knitted accessories that your kids will love. It's easy to dress a baby the way you want to, but from the age of two children tend to want to dress themselves and their taste varies wildly (with my girls they each went through the "no pants" year, then the "no dresses" year, it drove me nuts!). I know a lot of knitters have trouble finding patterns for boys, you won't have that issue here as all of the patterns are suitable for boys and girls.

Katya has addressed this nicely by providing a wide range of hats, scarves, cowls and socks which will appeal to the conservative child as well as those with broader taste. The patterns use simple stitch patterns and cables as a canvas to which you add the colour of your choice depending on the child.


I love the Breamish socks which come in five (read that again FIVE) sizes) if I'm paying for a sock pattern I expect it to come in at least three sizes, there is nothing worse than trying to size a sock pattern up or down when all you want to do is knit it! (I do not apply the same principle to free patterns as I feel that if someone is generous enough to offer a free pattern I am grateful even if I have to re-size it, because they have done a lot of the work for me). This makes the book excellent value as you can use it for years as the children grow.

The Simonside hat is already on the needles here, I'm making it for Cody for Christmas. Cody is a quiet little guy and I'm knitting this is a heathered blue/grey wool. I think it will suit him beautifully.

Katya has cleverly created a set of patterns which suit both boys and girls, with beautiful photography and styling. The size ranges are outstanding and the patterns are comprehensive and easy to follow. I'm impressed!

To win an copy of Katya's e-book "Head to Toe: Kids' Knit Accessories" go have a look at the e-book page then please leave a comment here containing the following:

-  which pattern you would best like to knit and why
- your Ravelry name

 I'll draw a winner using a random number generator on Monday 9 December at (around) noon my time.  All duplicate entries and entries without a Ravelry name will be ineligible for the draw 
(e.g. if you forget to add your Rav name in the first comment and add it in the send that is fine, but only the first comment will be eligible)

To purchase both the print and PDF versions combined, please visit the Cooperative Press website.


28 comments:

Janet said...

Liking the Thirlwall hat and that it is reversible with just the right amount of slouch!
Rav name louisson.

Jan said...

I really like the Simonside hat but also like the socks, especially Cobble or Pegwhistle. A hard decision.

Ravelry: Shalom

Charlotte said...

I was drawn instantly to the cheviot hills fingerless gloves because of the pattern picture with the ukulele. My 6 year old has just started to learn to play and while we've got summer coming up, the fingerless gloves could be of great use next year. shortlette on rav

KathyR said...

To choose just one pattern is very hard but I think I would go for the Cheviot Hills mitts first. They might keep some little hands warm next winter. Second place would probably be the Tyne Green cowl to keep the owner of the above hands cosy warm. KathyR on Rav.

Anonymous said...

I'd like to knit Coldstream. I really like the textured pattern stitch, and my daughters would look so cute in matching ones!

I'm vernalequinox on Ravelry.

maureen said...

back hand hitchhiker love the little detail. and handwarmers are so useful for kids walking to school
raverlry: maureencrow

meppybn said...

Hmmm - hard to choose between Coldstream, Simonside or Duaggar as I love them all but I hav several little heads that would look sweet in any of them in a variety of colours.
Rav name meppybn

Anonymous said...

Liking all the hats! especially coldstream and bowburn - great unisex hats and come with sizes for big kids, too! Hats are so gratifying as they knit up so quickly.

I am mingknitkitty on Rav.

Rachelle said...

I love the Bowburn hat and the Roam Slippers; can see both of them on my boys.
sewsable on Rav

Leanne said...

Like Bowburn and Coldstream.....this would be a great book for my nana drawer! ;-)

Leanne said...

Oops...forgot my Rav name.....kiltsnquilts :-)

lmecoll on Ravlery said...

I'd nit the Cannonfire socks first. They are really cute and I've never knit color work socks before.

lmecoll on Ravelry

lmecoll on Ravlery said...

I'd nit the Cannonfire socks first. They are really cute and I've never knit color work socks before.

lmecoll on Ravelry

Debbie said...

I love the Bowburn hat, I would knit that because I love the detail, and also, small projects are all I can get done these days :D

Ravelry name: scubaknit

Jo said...

I can't decide between Coldstream and Dabbler. :)
NativeKnitter on Rav

Jo said...

I can't decide between Coldstream and Dabbler. :)
NativeKnitter on Rav

Lynn said...

Amazing! Love this!

Victoria said...

I would like to knit Wylam as I think it looks like a kina!
Rav name: WikiNZ

Saskyumchar said...

Great giveaway! Eying up Simonside as I like the look of a rib beanie, but the extra 'twist' would make it a more interesting knit, as well as the fact it looks cool too ;)

ViolettaIvanova said...

Love every single thing in this collection! :)

fugaco said...

Wow, you're right! These patterns must be loved by parents of a boy!
Well, I'm a mom of a girl, and would love to knit Wetland because it's interesting as kids tend to soil their stuff. And, a few months ago I started practicing double knitting. I'd like to knit it with white and pink yarn.

fugaco

Mary Lou said...

I don't need to win the book, but they are lovely kid patterns. Just wandered over to check out your blog. (Some Rav link, can't remember which!) I like Simonside and Bowburn.

Karen said...

Loving Wylam because it is original looking. (Rav Id knitnspin)

Karen said...

Loving Wylam because it is original looking. (Rav Id knitnspin)

Alison said...

Wow what a gorgeous ebook. I think my son would love the bowburn for next winter and he needs a new hat. Rav id Tentacles.

Unknown said...

I really like Coldstream, and think it would be perfect for my grandsons.
Ravelry name Nanamort

Unknown said...

I really like Coldstream, and think it would be perfect for my grandsons.
Ravelry name Nanamort

chickenpickle said...

I really love the bowburn hat. And i'm pretty sure my boys would love just about everything in there as well. thanks for reviewing this as i think i might buy it even if i dont win it!

rav name : chickenpickle