Essential Knits for Kids: 20 Fresh, New Looks for Children Two to Five [Hardcover]

Debbie Bliss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

For the first time, this popular designer unveils fashions just for toddlers and preschoolers. Featuring children involved in activities from nursery school and birthday parties to dance lessons and sports, the book presents 20 charming modern projects organized into three collections. The first features designs that keep kids comfy while they are hanging out at home, including a  double-sided throw for cuddling in front of the TV and a knitted rag doll for both playtime and bedtime. Because every child loves a party, the second collection is devoted to dressy designs for girls such as a cashmere shrug that can be worn over a party dress and a cute beaded bag just right for carrying party essentials. For boys there is a pattern for a good-looking polo shirt with buttons and a collar—and it can be paired with a stretchy striped tie that can be slipped over the head. The final collection focuses on items for the outdoors, including a boy's parka, a girl's coat with scarf, and a fabric-lined bag with its own striped pencil case. Practicality prevails in all the projects; they are knitted in beautiful, classic yarns that are soft and gentle against a young child's skin but are also sturdy and easy to wash and dry. 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There's nothing flashy or fussy here; as the title suggests, there are simple, clean basics that moms and kids will reach for regularly."  —Vogue Knitting

"The 'Special Time' chapter offers dress-up clothes, 'Time Out' is all casual, and 'Down Time' goes heavy on the cozy: a TV blanket, a rag doll, and a cool cargo vest."  —Yarn Market News

About the Author

Debbie Bliss is one of the foremost designers of hand knits and the author of numerous books, including Celtic Knits, Classic Knits for Kids, Essential Baby, Junior Knits, and Simply Baby.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570763968
• ISBN-13: 978-1570763960
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Expert Advice > Debbie Bliss

More About the Author

Debbie Bliss is the foremost knitwear designer for children. With a string of bestselling titles to her name, she regularly tours the US, Canada and other countries, giving lectures and doing workshops and has her own Debbie Bliss branded yarn range which is sold worldwide. Debbie lives in London with her husband and two children. Her website is www.debbiebliss.freeserve.co.uk.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Knitting beauties, November 24, 2008

By 

Barbara Broussard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Knits for Kids: 20 Fresh, New Looks for Children Two to Five (Hardcover)

Debbie's patterns are not for the faint of heart. You need to remember that she is a machine knitter and that yardage is by weight of finished garment when she tells you what you need. I have always bought more yarn than suggested and checked the guage carefully. The finished projects are spectacular.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as her baby books, February 4, 2009

By 

Martinique Lin "Book Worm" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Knits for Kids: 20 Fresh, New Looks for Children Two to Five (Hardcover)

This book is nice, but the designs lack that sophistication that the baby books have. The projects look frumpy and not quite thought out. It's Debbie Bliss for crying out loud! I LOVE her books and have EVERY SINGLE one. But I was disappointed with this one. I'm not sure if I'll even attempt to make any of these for our new baby.... I might just modify the infant patterns to fit a toddler.

But I can say this, it's better than most kids knitting books out there. The patterns, for the most part, are clean and classic. Her yarns are also scrumptious, if you can find them.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful patterns but some seem like updated old patterns, December 29, 2008

By 

CapeMaui (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Knits for Kids: 20 Fresh, New Looks for Children Two to Five (Hardcover)

I love all Debbie Bliss books and this one included. Her patterns are just gorgeous and the finish products are beautiful! However, you may want to substitute yarn as using her yarn for her projects can get quite expensive. Anyway, this book has some great patterns and address the 2-5 YO group which few of her other books address. However, included in this book, are some accessories, like bags and pillows rather than clothes. And many clothing pieces are not unisex like her other patterns in the baby books. So not as perfect as some of her baby knits, but still really great! I'm inspired and will be making a few for my 2.5 yo girls.