Customer Reviews

And so to Bed...

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been wanting to knit bed time items for a long time. When I first heard about this book I knew I had to have it. The design and the beautiful pictures make it my very favorite knitting book to look at. I am almost done knitting the bathrobe in the cover. I love the fact that the items are so easy to make and yet very pretty. I want to make almost everything in this book. The main yarn used is ROWAN Cashsoft which is a little pricy but worth your money. Cashsoft is truly the softest yarn I have work with and it is very elastic and cosy. My only two suggestions for this book are: 1- Sizes go up to 5 years old (I wish it went up to 8 years old) I had to modify the pattern to create a bigger size for my daugther. And 2- This book does not have schematics. I can't believe they missed that. Nowadays, this is almost a requirement in all knitting patterns.

Besides that, I LOVE IT!, my daugther and I love to look at it in bed before going to sleep. We love to make up stories based on the beautiful pictures...

For the next edition; add little stories to it, schematics and bigger sizes, and this will be the most wonderful children knitting book ever!

Unlike so many other knitting books for babies and kids, this has creative, attractive patterns. No ugly pastels, no useless cutsie booties, no hideous hats, nothing that will embarrass the poor child in 15 years. None of that garbage. I make the stuffed toys and they are universally a hit. Buy this and Handknits for Kids. You will wear them out with use.

I like her first book, "Handknits for Kids", better - but it's still very cute. I can't imagine spending the time to knit a kid a robe that is never worn outside. So... I plan to modify one of the robe patterns & make it a regular sweater. If you love to knit blankets, (not me) this book has some gorgeous patterns. Some really cute toys, too - I love the owl! Definately worth a look if you are a Lucinda Guy fan.

AND SO TO BED... takes the theme of bedtime and provides handknits for girls and boys ages 2-5 in this sequel to HANDKNITS FOR KIDS. Full-page patterns and easy directions assume prior knitting experience and provide fun socks, a bathrobe for boys, toys, and more for this age range. Colorful photos throughout insure interest and polished results.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

"And So To Bed " is a wonderful book to look at. With the combination of photos and illustration, a truly whimsical outlook is provided. However , the practicality of its text makes it a great book to use. Beautifully designed yet often simple children's clothes, toys and blankets have clear and explicit instructions. I love it!

This is a Rowan-published book, so naturally all the patterns call for Rowan yarn, primarily Cashsoft DK and Cashsoft Baby DK. I like Rowan yarns, so that's no big deal, but I didn't see anything to suggest they couldn't easily be substituted for something else. The intro says, "These 24 projects should make bedtime fun for any two- to five-year-old child!" and I expect that's true. There are blankets, toys (plus accessories!), bathrobes, slippers and bed socks, cardigans, tanks, vests, and hot water bottle covers all aimed at the pre-school crowd. The book contains no how-to section except for a short appendix of tips at the end. The appendix will be a must for me, as about 20 of the 24 designs use intarsia, crochet, embroidery, or some combination of the three. This is not a collection for those who don't have and aren't willing to learn these skills. What makes this book truly amazing, though, are the illustrations. I'm just in love with them. Instead of using models, each item is photographed and inserted into a hand-drawn illustration (e.g., the cover--the bathrobe, slippers, and doll are all actual handknits; the little girl is strictly two-dimensional.). The book is worth the price of admission for the pictures alone.

Queue-worthy: 4 toys and accessories, 2 cardigans, 2 pairs of bed socks, a tank, etc. I'm not into blankets, but pretty much everything else.

Why bother?: the hot water bottle covers. What is this, Victorian London? They're cute, but not useful for 21st-century America. Viva la central heating!

Conclusion: A winner, even if I never knit a thing out of it.

Just received this book and can't wait to make one of the projects. Her designs are so appealing and fresh. Hard to believe it is already out of print. I've already put her other knitting book for children on my list to purchase next. The artwork makes the projects seem more like a storybook. Can't say enough good things about this designer.

If you are a knitter who loves whimsical and imaginative patterns for children (or anyone for that matter) Lucinda Guy is your gal. I have ordered matterials for her blanket with the chickens on it and am aching to start knitting. Her patterns are not only amusing, they are sophisticated enough to become family treasures.

Lucinda Guy has to be one of the most talented designers of knitted children's wear, ever. Her partner, François Hall, illustrates her lovely books, and his art is completely in sync with the whimsical nature of Lucinda's designs. The subtitle of the book is "twenty-four original hand knits for girls and boys," and "original" is the operative word here. The patterns include amazing designs for blankets and fabulous stuffed toys, as well as adorable clothing for children. While the stated purpose of the clothing has to do with sleep--bathrobes, slipper-socks, etc.--every single item can be used as daytime wear--for example, the bathrobe would make a charming light-weight coat.

I don't have any little kids at home now, but I bought this book and her other wonderful book, "Handknits for Kids," because everything in them is so delectable. I'll use the clothing patterns for friends' children, and maybe even make a few of the stuffed toys for me!

I absolutely love what Lucinda Guy does. From the artwork to the actual projects, I can't seem to get enough. Every project I see, I want to make. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I think that every level of knitter would enjoy this book.