Customer Reviews

Essential Baby: Over 20 Handknits to Take Your Baby from First Days to First Steps

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a disappointing book. On the positive side, the first portion of the book is dedicated to teaching knitting, from casting on to instructions on reading patterns. The explanations and accompanying graphics would be helpful to a complete newbie. However, all this information is available for free on knitting help websites and they have video.

The patterns are nice, but nothing spectacular nor even very creative. Garnstudio has a website which provides hundreds of free patterns for knitted baby items. You can find every one of the the 22 items in the book at that website or other sites, such as Knitty.

The photography for this book is quite lovely, but focuses on the baby rather than the project. The babies are adorable, but this is a book about knitting for babies, not babies in knits. Thus, we never see one blanket in it's entirety, just the bits which are visible while it is wrapped around the baby. The lace pattern on that blanket is given as text, with no accompanying chart.

Also, as with all knitting writers these day, Debbie Bliss has her own yarn line, so all the patterns call for her yarn, with no suggestions for substituting.

Pure heirloom but easy to knit, not the usual run of the mill type of creation that most babies are wearing. Debbie Bliss really does rock as usual.

I love the patterns in this book! I took it out from the library originally and found myself renewing is way to much, decided to finally buy it. The patterns are easy to follow(as long as you are experienced at reading them) and offered many size options. I seem to have a lot of people around me having babies right now including myself and a homemade sweater is just a really great gift. Most of the sweater patterns can be used for boy or girl with yarn color choices. I have been very happy with this purchase, I have not used so many of the patterns from other books in the past. It was good to find one that I have made so may things from.

If you're only going to buy one baby knitting pattern book this should be the one. Most of the patterns are winners including several adorable jackets and sweaters and the baby carrying bag which is easy to knit, adorable and impressive. I have yet to knit the bathrobe but it's next on my list. Simple but lovely patterns that are classic not trendy. I great buy.

The book seems like a great addition to have for patterns. My copy was delivered missing the pages I wanted for the pattern I was wanting to make. The company did rectify the situation but it was still a little annoying. Like I said though, the book looks like a great book.

This book is okay. A friend wanted the duffle coat for her bun and I had a difficult time finding something comparable for free or less, so I broke down and bought the book.

I was really disappointed when the book arrived. As another reviewer noted, the book is gorgeous, but focuses on the babies not the knitting. The patterns are not interesting, simple and most you can find comparables on Ravelry for free. There are 2 other projects that I might make, but would not have bought the book for.

other than the redundant information at the beginning of the book which is the basic of knitting (redundant for me, not for a beginner) i love this book there are many patterns that i plan to make for my friends babies which will get years of wear.

As always, Debbie Bliss is excellent and a right choice to good taste in knitting for babies and children

Typical Debbie Bliss. Simple, beautiful designs. Clear direction. End product is beautiful as the pictures.

I have enjoyed this book and have used one pattern. The instructions are easy to understand and I look forward to making more of the baby items.