Customer Reviews

Little Badger Knitwear

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

 

 

This is a cute book on the surface, but when you try to knit one of the patterns, you realize that either the authors did not know what they were doing, or they don't care to proofread the text to ensure that their clientel can actually knit the item!! I had to call the publisher 3 times to get the actual total and complete list of errata for the one hat - Dragon Hat. So beware if you try to knit that one. It is so cute, but if I wasn't an experienced knitter, I would have been totally confused and given up. I corrected 3 rows but the errors kept on coming so I then resorted to the publisher. If I were the authors I would immediately have someone go through each and every pattern to ensure accuracy and arm the publisher with the changes ASAP.If they don't have the pride in their work, why should I ever try another pattern or buy another book by these authors?

I thought the garments presented in this book were attractive and they looked fairly simple to make. However, once I got started with my first project (the Ballet Cardigan, page 64), I realized that the instructions for the Front Back and Front Left section were incorrect. And not just a LITTLE bit incorrect...they were full-blown, gonzo wrong. I asked an experienced knitter to check the pattern for me, just in case I was mistaken about how the sweater was constructed, and she confirmed that the pattern was bizarre and unworkable. I'm still fiddling with the pattern, trying to juggle it into something that IS workable...I hadn't expected to have to expend so much skull sweat for something that should be so simple to knit.
On another note, I am disappointed that the authors didn't include diagrams of how to assemble the finished garments. It would be easier to re-write and re-design their creations if I had better pictures of how they think the things should fit together.
I believe I'll call the publisher for a full errata sheet tomorrow, and afterward I'll be wary of any other pattern published by Ros Badger or Elaine Scott.

I thought this book was so bland and uninspired that I returned it despite being given it as a gift. The patterns are basic and not particularly well written. The examples photographed for the book were poorly assembled and clearly represented the author's inability to design a technically good pattern; ie a cabled sweater had a rippling seed stitch border because the pattern neglected to take into account the drawing in caused by the cables. Even an intermediate knitter would anticipate this problem and have an idea how to prevent it. Shouldn't a designer take care of this problem before launching the book? For a book as poor as this you really need an option of o stars.

This is a lovely book with some beautiful babies and toddlers patterns. These patterns (and more) are sold as ready knits in the authors' store, so if you're a knitter this is a less expensive way to re-create some of their designs. An index is provided so you can buy the same yarn, mostly, but not exclusively Rowan Yarns. However, do check the pattern before you knit as there appear to be a few pattern errors in at least one of the designs.

I have really enjoyed this book. It has lovely photos of children in hand knit garments. I bought the book, because I could not resist the Quaker ridge pixie cap pattern. It is a lovely pattern, but like some other patterns, I wondered why they hadn't knit them circular instead of flat. More details on actual garment sizes would have been helpful, but I have been pleased with the projects I have made that were from this book or inspired by the book.

Little Badger Knitwear
Due to printing errors and conversion from inches to cm please note amendments 10/06/01

Abbreviations
SSK: slip 1 stitch, slip another stitch, put on left hand needle, k2together through back of stitch. This looks like K2tog in reverse and avoids stretching the stitch. However slip 1, knit 1, pass slip stitch over would also work (but wouldn't look as neat).
Sl 2tog.k1,p2sso;slip 2together(as if you were going to k2tog) then knit the next st and pass both the slipped sts over the knitted one. This has the same effect as k3tog but the stitch in the middle lies on top of the other 2

P58, Coat Dress, Leggings & booties
Tension should read 25sts 40 rows = 10cm.
Back; Cast on 106(121)sts
Shape Waist; next row; (p2tog)7times,(p1,p2tog) 26(31)times then p2 tog 7 times.
Shape Shoulders last sentence should read. cast off remaining 20(24) centre back.
Left Front; Shape armholes
2nd row should read Cont in st st keeping Moss st border but dec 1 st at armhole edge on next row and every following row until 25(32)sts.
Right Front; Shape armholes; Cont in st st keeping moss st border but decrease 1 st at armhole edge on next row & every following row until 25(32)sts.
Cont in st st until right front measures 34(38.5)cms from cast on edge if using denim cotton or 31(31.5)cms if using plain cotton and making 2 further buttonholes at intervals of 10(12)rows
Sleeves; 4th row of pattern should read ending with a purl row. Increase should read Inc 1 st each end of every following 6th row.
Collar; cast on 76(90)sts

P66, Museum Sweater
Yarn quantities should read 5(7,8)grm balls

P64,Ballet cardi; Back 2nd row should read work 12 rows in K1 P1 rib.

P65, Square Neck cardigan
Yarn quantities should read 4(5)grms

P61 Cot Blanket
Yarn quantities should read 5 x 50grm balls Ecru 2 x 50grm Red

P68 Heart Sweater
Front Last line before shape armholes should read; cont as set until 46(44)th row of chart has been worked

P69 Dragon hat (see also abbreviations above)
When knitting dragon hat try knitting tail first to get an idea of how fins work
R21; k8,slip 2tog, k1, p2sso,(k12,ssk) twice, k11, inc in next st,k4, inc in next st, (k12,k2tog)twice,k12, k3tog,k8.
R23; k6, sl 2tog,k1,p2sso(k11,ssk)twice, k10, inc in next st, k8, inc in next st (k11,k2tog) twice, k11, k3tog, k6.
R26;p3,p2tog tbl,p to last 5sts,p2tog,p3
R27;k2,sl 2tog,k1,p2sso,(k9,ssk)twice,k16, fold work back with RS facing, using a third needle, k1stitch alone from front needle, then alternating k & p, cast off all recently increased sts (7 more) by taking 1st from each needle together, slip the remaining sts from 3rd needle back onto original rh needle, pull yarn up tight to avoid a hole and continue row,(k9,k2tog) twice,k9 sl2tog,k1,p2sso,k2.
R29;sl 2tog,k1,p2sso,(k8,ssk)twice,k7,(inc in next st)twice(k8,k2tog)twice,,k8,sl 2tog,k1,p2sso.
R31;Cast on 10sts,k10,ssk,(k7,ssk)twice,k6,inc in next st,k2,inc in next st,(k7,k2tog)twice,k7,k2tog,k10.
R32;p9,p2tog tbl,p to last 11sts, p2tog,p9
R33;k8,sl 2tog,k1,p2sso,(k6,ssk)twice,k5,inc in next st,k4,inc in next st,(k6,k2tog)twice,k6,sl 2tog, k1,psso,k8
R34; p7,p2tog tbl,p19,inc in next st,p6,inc in next st, p to last 9sts,p2tog,p7.
R35; k6,sl 2tog,k1,p2sso,(k5,ssk)twice,k4,inc in next st,k8,inc in next st,(k5,k2tog)twice,k5,sl 2tog, k1,psso,k6
R36; p5,p2tog tbl,p16,inc in next st,p10,inc in next st, p to last 7sts,p2tog,p5
R37; k4,sl 2tog,k1,p2sso,(k4,ssk)twice,k3,inc in next st,k12,inc in next st,(k4,k2tog)twice,k4,sl 2tog, k1,psso,k4
R38; p3,p2tog tbl,p13,inc in next st,p14,inc in next st, p 14,p2tog,p3
R39; ;k2,sl 2tog,k1,p2sso,(k3,ssk)twice,k2,inc in next st,k16,inc in next st,(k3,k2tog)twice,k3,sl 2tog, k1,psso,k2
R41;sl 2tog,k1,p2sso,(k2,ssk)twice,k11,fold work back with RS facing, using 3rd needle k the first st alone from the front needle, then cast off as before, taking 1 st from each needle together, until all inc sts have been cast off. Slip remaining st from 3rd needle back onto original rh needle and finish row. (k2,k2tog)twice,k2,sl2tog,k1,p2sso.
Transfer all sts onto other needle, cut off yarn leaving a long end for sewing up, thread yarn twice through remaining sts(19) and draw up into a tight circle, sew along back fins with mattress st.

P89; Star Jacket 25(31)sts for back neck should be cast off not left on needle holder

P90; Scarf
Cont as set until scarf measures 28cm should be 71cm (28")

P91 Hats
2nd row of heart & star graph should read
k32(38,34) with MC, k across 2nd row of chart A or B k32(38,44) with MC

P81Soccer Sweater
Shape armholes; Last line should read. Continue in st st until work measures 32(37,46)cm
Shape Shoulders; Cast off 16(20,22)sts at each end of next row to shape shoulders. Place remaining 31(31,33)sts across center on needle holder. Back should measure 32(37,46)cm
Front
Shape Armholes Last line should read; 24(28,35)cm from cast on edge
Shape Neck; Next row; Cont in st st work 26(30,32)sts. 4th Row of pattern should then read cont in st st until work measures 32(37,46)cm from cast on edge Cast off remaining 16(20,23)sts for shoulder. With right side facing, place center 11(11,13)sts on st holder. Rejoin yarn to remaining 26,(30,32)sts cont in st st shaping neck as on opposite side.
Neck; 3rd row of pattern should read pick up all 31(31,33)sts from back.

"Very sorry for any inconvenience this causes!
"Ros Badger & Elaine Scott" (the authors)

The book has great photographs and interesting looking pieces upon trying to follow one of the patterns I'm ready to throw out the project. It's as though a picture was taken of an item and someone made up a pattern they thought would work. One of the most confusing instructions reads "every following alternate row" and still I wonder what that means. If I were to decrease every alternate row the item would be lopsided...and there is more. If there were pictures of the individual pieces I could figure it out, but, alas, there are none.
Just so you know my skill is a strong intermediate, I've been knitting for over 5 years.
I tried to contact the publisher to see if there were any corrections made to the publication, no answer.

These knits are so cute that I feel like having another baby just so I can make it those little clothes! Fortunately, there are patterns for toddlers & older kids as well.Some of the patterns seem unnecessarily confusing since they are fairly simple designs. I think that measured diagrams(as in the Minnowknits books and others) would have been helpful.On the whole,though, it is an inspiring book!

I bought this at a time when I was looking for patterns and ideas for babies thatwere coming into my life. I am glad I bought it at a discount because I feel there is way too much wrong and patterns that aren't worth doing.

The designs run a bit short on imagination.

Many of the photos are of 8-year-olds, hardly "Babies and Toddlers".

Small needle sizes = small gauge. Enormous amount of time required for each item.

Not for the advanced/prolific/inspired knitter.