I have VERY mixed feelings about this pattern book which is why I've decided to write a long more detailed review for this book so that others can make a better informed decision before purchasing this.
PROS:
1.) The book offers beautiful glossy pictures and pages of the patterns and are presented in a very cute way.
2.) There are over 15 different graphs that you could knit into other items or apparel thus promoting creativity.
3.) The patterns are very easy and the instructions appear to also be quite easy to understand.
4.) The patterns have original designs (I'm talking about the graphs and style).
5.) Skills needed, gauge, and yarn weight are presented.
CONS:
1.) Not very innovative in terms of "shape" and "stitches". Similar patterns can be found elsewhere, some even for free. All you need is a little creativity to change up those "free" patterns or the ones you already have.
2.) Some of the patterns are just variations of the other (I can squeeze the entire beanies/head patterns into just one and provide multiple graphs to change them up a bit.) All in all, there's actually 15 patterns--slightly more or less depending on how you look at it.
3.) Not very challenging for the more experienced knitter.
4.) Only for beginners who already know how to knit, purl, and do intarsia (there's no instructions on how to learn).
5.) You might need to know how to crochet if you fancy the Vamp scarf as is (not really a con but rather an annoyance for those who don't happen to know how to crochet).
__The Patterns and my opinion on them__
For the Head:
I won't bother reviewing these, they are all shaped exactly like the hat on the cover page. The difference is that some are missing the mohawk and have different themes.
Punk's Not Dead
Lucky 13
Red Baron
God Save the Queen - the cover page hat. Refer to that picture to have an idea of what the other hats look.
For the Neck:
Ska Skarf - It's a striped garter-stitch scarf
Moral Panic - It's a tie
Vamp - Very cute loose garter-stitch scarf--you need to know how to crochet in order to create the border. I would knit this up.
Rude Girl - it's a checkered choker with two red buttons. It's cute, but I don't exactly see people wearing a knit choker although I may be wrong.
For the Chest:
Goth Girl - a "cobweb-inspired jumper". Not much going on here, its a fishnet top that you can place over the top of your shirts.
Master & Servant - My favorite pattern in the book. It's a spaghetti strap top with yarn-overs and runs which looks really nice. I would knit this.
Transgression - another "jumper" though this one is worn as a dress and is knit up with superbulky yarn and is actually styled to "fit" the body.
The Swindle - It's a striped sweater that you can see in the gallery in on the main page.
The Young One - I've seen similar patterns in numerous different books and online. This one has a nautical theme on it.
Lolita - At first glance, I loved it and thought "Oh, let's just get rid of the corset and...oh, wait...the pattern IS the corset." It's a vertical striped under-the-bust corset.
For the Arms:
These are also basically the same but I will review these.
Feel the Pain - It's just a short wrist warmer/band with a red cross, white background, and black border. I like it but I, and chances are, hundreds of other people, have already come up with this design/idea.
Love Bites - a longer wrist warmer with a heart and horizontal stripes.
Death or Glory - this wrist warmer covers your entire forearm and has a skull and crossbones design!
Combat Rocker - about as long as the last one only it has a camouflage design.
For the Bum:
I'm not going to bother reviewing these, they are all the same "butt flaps". They only offer different designs and sizes though I do appreciate the various graphs as they are cute, young and can be put onto just about everything else (think sweaters, bags, purses, etc.).
Bum Patch
Union Jack
Dethroned
Ready Steady Go
For the Rest:
I won't bother with these either. These are just messenger bags with different designs on them as well.
Mini Mod
Anarchist
Rockabilly Riot
Overall, I enjoyed the book but I was pretty disappointed and felt a little cheated out a whole 10 patterns. I'm going to keep this a little longer to see if it grows on me, otherwise, I'll return it. Base your decision on your skill level as a knitter and how much you need the graphs presented in this book. I'm an advanced beginner and still felt that these were too easy (though I like the idea of "quick-knits" for instant gratification on some of these). If I keep it, it'll be for the graphs, though printing out graphing paper and coming up with your own free designs might be more economical.
