Customer Reviews

Knitting for Two: 20 Simple Designs for Expectant and New Mommies and Babies

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

 

 

After seeing the lacy bonnet online, I got this book from the library, but now I'm here to buy it. This book is full of beautiful projects for both mother and child. Honestly, there are twenty patterns in here, and I'd love to make ten of them; how often does a book come along like that?

Some projects I plan on making are the lacy bonnet (actually, I've finished this one: very fast, very easy, and very impressive-looking), a simple summer tweed cardigan for babies, a beautiful kidsilk haze cardigan with embroidery for moms, a lacy ribbon-tie cardigan (also for moms), and a spectacular wrap sweater with embroidery for little girls.

The patterns are for babies up to the age of about one year old, and some of them come in very small sizes (for premies). Although a couple of the mom patterns are obviously meant for pregnant women, most of them will fit non-pregnant women too (such as a soft long jacket, a zip-up hoodie that is meant to open over the tummy, and that kidsilk haze cardigan that stays open). After all, how many sweaters am we going to knit that can only be worn for a few months?

What bugs me about the book? No schematics, so it is tricky to know the proper sizing. This is mainly why I gave the book four stars instead of five. She does provide measurements for chest, actual width, length, and sleeve length (for the mom sweaters, babies just get chest, length, and sleeve). Also, the pattern for the lacey bonnet calls for 2 balls of Rowan Wool cotton, but it took me less than one ball of that same yarn. Makes me wonder how far off the other estimates are.

One other thing I do like, although this is minor, is that, even though this is a Rowan/Jaeger book, Knight only suggests those yarns. She will say, for example, "any medium-weight or dk yarn, such as Rowan Wool Cotton..." and often suggests a sweater would also look great in a wool, or easy-care cotton, or fancier silk. It just bugs me when books say they don't recommend yarn substitutions!

I hope that helps!

I think it should be a law in the world of knitting books that patterns have schematics or at least a non-artistic photo of the item. There are some beautiful and seemingly simple patterns in this book, but no schematics. Especially for something like the papoose pattern that appears to be simple, you don't even see a photo of the full finished product to get an idea of how it finishes. I'm a semi-experienced knitter, but I need a little visual help and that's what keeps me from giving this book a better rating.

I can't find a maternity sweater in this book that has bigger than a 38 inch chest. According to the standard size chart, that is a MEDIUM! If you wear larger than medium, you will have to alter the pattern significantly to fit. That is truly ridiculous-- the sizing should go up at least to XL, and preferably larger. The book ought to be called "Knitting for Two (As Long You Don't Weigh Over 98 Pounds)". If I am going to alter the pattern so much to fit me-- why bother? I might as well just design my own. And less experienced knitters who don't know how to size up will just be out of luck.

What is wrong with knitting designers today that they think that normal or even large size women don't want to knit and wear beautiful things when they're pregnant?

The largest size in this beautifully photographed book is a 38" chest. I am so frustrated that even though the patterns are gorgeous I don't even WANT to fiddle around with trying to size them up -- I shouldn't have to!

Not a single woman or baby of color? Boo!

The patterns are absolutely stunning, I must say. I likely will take the time to size up the ones I like for me and the baby patterns are sweet and useful, things I would actually make for this little one I'm cooking now (due in October 07!). However, I did find it frustrating to not see whole photos of some of the items, especially blankets. That papoose is the sweetest thing ever, I'm sure... I could tell you for sure if I knew what the whole thing looks like!

I wish knitting designers would look outside and see that women come in a variety of shapes, and make their books relative to real women. It's getting very, very old.

Knitting for Two presents 20 easy-to-complete designs for expectant mothers and their soon-to-be born babies. Full color illustrations on almost every page clearly depict the classic yoked cardigan, pixie hat, mom's soft wrap jacket, baby's silky wrap sweater and many more pieces. Intended for knitters of at least intermediate experience, the solid instructions walk one through the steps of the process in explicit detail for each inch of the measurement, though they are written in standard knitting shorthand. A materials list, techniques and tips section, recommended gauge, size list for the finished project, and more fill out this practical source of ideas and advice for soothing, enjoyable, and productive individual maternal activity.

This is a fantastic book of great maternity and early motherhood clothes and stunning baby clothes as well. The only thing to note is to not order both this title and baby bloom as they are the same book under a different title and cover-otherwise inside they are exactly the same book.
This book has some very quick and easy little baby items which can be completed in just a few hours through to more complex designs. I have made 3 of the designs in lesss than a week. The sweater from pages 20-21 took less than an evenings tv to make and looks great. The chunky zip up jacket from pages 32-33 which was very fast and easy and will layer up over the sweater for extremely cold weather. The lacy bonnet from pages 92-93, because i just couldn't resist it( hopefully 1 of the mums from playgroup will have little girl) and I have started the chunky tweed cardigan from pages 61-63 although I am making it in wool instead of cotton. This is all in less than 1 week so they are certainly quick and easy projects although there are others which would take longer. I would recommend this book to ANYONE who likes to knit for babies and the patterns for maternity are so stunning I will knit some for myself even though I am definitely not pregnant-LOL.

The photography inside this book is just stunning! And there are so many of the projects that I want to make. Plus, the designers have chosen some unusual colors for some of the baby projects which are incredible! Who would have thought of the color eggplant for a baby blanket, but WOW is it gorgeous! The maternity designs are elegant, and different. I plan to have another child soon, so I know I'll get a lot of use out of this book.

I made the soft wrap jacket that is pictured on the front.. I had to alter the pattern because even though I made the biggest size, it was too small.. Like it didn't fit my 105 lb husband.. It is very easy to knit and looks nice but the size was tiny! Even the sleeves were 4 in too short and I'm only 5'9" so I can imagine the problems anyone taller than me had. Wish I would have known before I started just how much I would have to change with the pattern because I would have just used a different one..

A plus side is that there are a bunch of adorable items to knit for a baby. I wouldn't touch another maternity pattern out of this book though.

I have already knitted two pieces from this book and it has some really beautiful knits in there, the only thing I would have added as well is a higher age group for the children, most knits end at age 9 months so if you want to knit some of these beautiful pieces in a larger size, you would have to calculate yourself how many stitches and inches to add to each piece, which I am planning to do, as some clothes are just too cute to wear only for a few months.
I am not planning to knit anything from the mothers section, even though it does have some really nice pieces, but I am too far along already and I never purchase or make something for the pregnancy itself (besides a couple of pants maybe), as I personally think it is a bit of a waste to get rid of the stuff after only nine months.

I obtained this book from a marketplace seller (and got refund). I really felt like this book needs more diagrams (charts) to follow along better. Also, do not buy this book if you are a beginner in knitting. These projects are extremely hard looking. I am still a beginner knitter. So, if you want something easier--try a Candy Crochet book (if you crochet) or look for an easier knitting book.