Customer Reviews

Boho Baby Knits: Groovy Patterns for Cool Tots

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book and was very excited to crack it open today.I had seen previews of some of the designs but I was really happy to see that ALL projects in this book appeal to me (doesn't often happen).This book is Funky (with a capital F) and a refreshing take on patterns for kids. With the collaboration of some brilliant designers Kat Coyle has delivered what should be a must have for your knitting book collection....we all have some wee ones out there that would adore these knits!

I ran across this book and had to have it after I saw the super cute bobble set on the cover! Overall this book is great. Yes some of the items are a little too much for me (honky-tonk jacket and poet coat), but there are also many cute, unique patterns I haven't seen anywhere else. So far I have finished the bobbled bloomers and am about halfway done with the "Garage Band Tee". The pattern for the bloomers is off a bit. I read it over many times and had my friend who owns a knit shop look at it and she agreed. I was able to correct the mistake on my own without too much trouble and I had only been knitting a few months at the time. That's why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5. Other than the pattern flaw this is a great book to add to a knitting library. If you are sick of the same old classic designs and want something more fun, this is the book for you!
This book includes:
-Prankster's Poncho and Hat (cute for cold weather)
-Salon Set (skirt w/lace edging and coordinating hat, very cute for a little girl)
-Bloomsbury Nursing Shawl (LOVE this)
-Bobbled Bloomers and Toppers (on cover, very cute!)
-Boho Boatneck (just a simple sweater w/stripes)
-Beatnik Dolls (very cute and different from other knits dolls I've seen)
-Story-time socks and footies (flower pattern)
-Woodland Fairy Wings (a little girl would love these!)
-Poet Coat (not for me, but a neat design anyhow)
-Baby Book
-Big Idea Vest (simple v-neck)
-Painter's Smock and Beret
-Patchwork Dreamer (fun baby blanket)
-Stripe Sleep Sacque (love this design
-Mobile for crib
-Beat Bonnets (lion, girl, monster, alien face on the back hats - super cute!)
-Studio loungers (knits pants)
-Festival Frock (simple dress)
-Honky-Tonk Jacket (faux suede cow girl/boy sweater)
-Moccasins
-Glam Rock leggings (black/white checks)
-Garage Band Tee (classic raglan tee w/ "01" on front, very cute!)
-Legwarmers and caps (3 color variations)

I'm a new knitter looking for some cool gift ideas for little ones. This book is perfect. I've made the prankster hat for my son and plan to make the fairy wings for my nieces. The instructions are good and the photos are inspiring.

I reviewed this book first by borrowing it from my local library. I always do this before purchasing a book. So far I've knitted 3 projects from the book and have two more on queue. As all knitting books go, there are patterns that catch your eye and patterns that scream "what are you thinking?!?!" There are both types of patterns in this book. The bobbled toppers and bloomers on the front of this book are in the category of catching my eye for they were the reason I first picked up the book. I knitted the bloomers up in a couple days and whipped up the matching cap. They were a breeze to knit (I'm a more experienced knitter) and made an awesome baby shower gift. I also continued into the book and knit the legwarmers that were easy (although, I did alter the pattern and knitted them in the round), and also made the Studio Loungers. Again, the patterns are well written. They are pretty basic and not difficult to master. More experienced knitters will wonder why she has you make them one way when you are thinking in your head, "It would be easier to do them this way..." So I just followed my instincts and made alterations where I saw fit. They would be fine knit as instructed but we all have our preferences (mine include NO seaming!)
Some patterns are just silly. Who would make a crazy Western Jacket? Or make the Poet Coat which looks like a Halloween costume? Those patterns have their niche - for people looking for off-the-wall knits that aren't practical. Those patterns can be hard to find, so if you're looking for them, they're here.
But if you're looking for a book that will give you 3-5 well written, basic patterns with a whimsical twist, this is it. At the price tag of $20, I think $4/pattern is a decent deal (that is if you like 5 of the 20 or so patterns).
My favorites?
1. Bobbled Bloomers and Topper
2. Scenester Legwarmers
3. Modernist Sleep Sack
4. Studio Lounger
5. Mobile Menagerie
6. Woodland Fairy Wings (would be a cute Halloween or dress up costume for a young girl that would be quick to make)

In the end, unless you go to an exclusive yarn shop and buy the brand name yarn, assuming that that brand still makes that type of yarn, these patterns are just pretty pictures. This book is not for the beginner who doesn't know how to translate guage for yarn exchange.

I loved the patterns, so I bought the book from a remaindered discount book bin. I should have read the fine print, they are remaindered for a reason. There is only specialty brand name yarns used in the directions. One then has to look at the needle size and guage then knit a swatch and translate it for an economical and easily obtained yarn. But then, baby clothes sizes don't have to be exact, they can be odd sized, they will eventually fit.

I wish knit authors would take the time to note DK, sport, or worsted weight with the yarn weight numbers in their directions. They prevent their own books from becoming classics. Brand name variety yarns are discontinued every few years, a narrowly written book like this is obsolete in a year or two. When they don't write the patterns for translation to generic yarns, they lose beginners, plus 95% of experienced knitters like me who won't spend $20 on premium yarn to knit a baby sweater. Expensive yarns are an investment,we buy them for long term use adult sweaters. And narrowly written books, no matter how cute the designs, end up in the remaindered discount book bin.

I ordered this book as it was on sale - it has some great patterns for babies to pre-schoolers; several that I plan to make for my nieces and nephews. Worth the price.

Although this book wasn't quite as useful as I had hoped, I am still glad I bought it.

My only discontent is with items such as the poet's jacket - clever and beautiful, yes, but would a hard-working mom really spend weeks knitting something that will only be worn to a Halloween party or for a photo op? I also have mixed feelings about the designer's color choices. I'm glad she got away from baby pastels, but...

What I love are the basics designed with a twist, as the cover shows. I've already knitted the Sleep Sacque and love it.

Most of the patterns live up to the "groovy" title, but some are a little over-the-top for everyday use. I was hoping for more basic items with funky twists, like the bobble hats and soakers on the cover. The rock star leggings are pretty cool, but the Little Prince coat (they don't call it that, but that's totally what it is) and the western fringe jacket are a bit much.

This was an impulse buy, and I wish I had looked through it before deciding whether to buy it.

I was disappointed with this book. I found the knitting very basic, verging on hippy and ill fitting. Not for me.