I’m excited to share a knitting book review with a giveaway. I’ve also included an excerpted pattern, so read on for details!
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. A free review copy of The Knitted Nursery Collection was provided to me by Search Press North America. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Book Review
The Knitted Nursery Collection: 14 Cuddly Toys and Colourful Accessories for Babies is an adorable pattern collection by Jem Weston. The book starts with an about page that introduces us to Jem, a knitting designer, author, and teacher.
The book then moves on to the table of contents, which features images of each project. The patterns section includes a full page photo introduction, a detailed materials list, and instructions with additional large (and well styled) photographs. The patterns do not include difficulty level, but all are made with garter or stockinette stitch, so they should be possible for beginners to complete. The book ends with a list of abbreviations and acknowledgements.
The Knitted Nursery Collection includes 14 knitting patterns (five toys or stuffed mobiles, three blankets, three pillows, and three decor projects). Five patterns are intarsia projects and two patterns are felted. Five patterns include a fabric portion, such as a backing. While intarsia is more challenging, those projects are also clearly marked (and include color charts). Each pattern is displayed in contemporary colors and several, such as the one excerpted below, include two versions (one each in traditionally masculine and feminine colors).
The book is a paperback and though, like most paperback books, it doesn’t lay completely flat while you’re knitting, you probably won’t mind because the photos are lovely and inspiring and most of the patterns are uncomplicated. Jem has a great sense of color and manages to be playful without resorting to the same old knitted baby gift colors. You can see all the patterns from The Knitted Nursery Collection on its Ravelry source page here. (My favorites are the Flock Pillow, Flock Wall Hanging, Ginger Blanket, and Ollie and Polly Elephant.)
If you need a knitting refresher, this book won’t be right for you (or, you’ll need to teach yourself online) since it doesn’t include any instructional information. If you’re a knitter expecting a baby, or who enjoys making gifts for babies, and you like straightforward projects with contemporary color combinations, you’ll likely enjoy this book.
Ollie and Polly Blankets
Knitting Pattern by Jem Weston
Published in The Knitted Nursery Collection: 14 Cuddly Toys and Colourful Accessories for Babies.
Pattern and Photo © 2015 Quail Publishing, Published by Search Press. Shared with permission from Search Press North America.
These very simple striped blankets are the perfect project for a complete beginner. They coordinate with Ollie and Polly Elephants and are a great size for the pram or a Moses basket.
Materials
- Yarn: Rowan Cotton Glace
- Ollie Blanket
- A – Winsor 849 – 2 x 50g
- B – Mineral 856 – 2 x 50g
- C – Dawn Grey 831 – 2 x 50g
- D – Shoot 814 – 2 x 50g
- Polly Blanket
- A – Persimmon 832 – 2 x 50g
- B – Lipstick 865 – 2 x 50g
- C – Dawn Grey 831 – 2 x 50g
- D – Poppy 741 – 2 x 50g
- Needles: 1 pair 3.75mm (no 9) (US 5) needles
Tension
- 22 sts and 43 rows to 10cm (4in) measured over garter st using 3.75mm (US 5) needles.
Finished Size
- Both Ollie and Polly blankets measure approx. 63cm (25in) wide and 65cm (251⁄2in) long.
Blanket
- Using 3.75mm (US 5) needles and yarn A cast on 138 sts.
- Rows 1 to 10 Knit.
- Change to yarn B
- Rows 11 to 20 Knit.
- Change to yarn C
- Rows 21 to 30 Knit.
- Change to yarn D
- Rows 31 to 40 Knit.
- Rep these 40 rows 6 times further.
- Cast off.
Giveaway
So now that you’ve read the review and checked out the sample pattern, I’m sure you’d like to get your hands on a copy of The Knitted Nursery Collection: 14 Cuddly Toys and Colourful Accessories for Babies. The nice folks at Search Press North America have set aside a copy for one lucky reader!
This giveaway is open to readers with mailing addresses in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, or other parts of Europe, except where prohibited by law. Enter by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Monday, May 29, 2017. One winner will be chosen at random from the entries submitted via the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will receive 1 copy of The Knitted Nursery Collection, courtesy of Search Press North America. Good luck!
Sooo beautiful! Thanks for such a detailed review. My new grandniece has her room all done in elephants and this looks like a perfect book of patterns.
So many wonderful designs but I think I would like the Flock pillow first
I would make the Flutterby Floor Cushion first.
I would make the cute little elephant.
Hard to choose but I would make the butterfly motif pillow.
I’m just learning to knit so I’d probably have to make the Ollie and Polly blanket first
I’d make the elephant first.
I’d go for the butterfly pillow first.
I really want to make the elephants, Ollie and Polly, for my toddler!!
I’d get right into the Flock Pillow, which is beautiful enough to fly right out of the nursery into the livingroom. Thanks for the giveaway.
Lovely book, I would make Bertie and Bea Bunnies first
I would have to make a bunny, squirrel AND elephant along with the felted basket to hold them all for my new little 6 week old love. ❤️
I just made new curtains for my grandson’s nursery and they have red and yellow birds (along with a lot of forest animals) so I would make the Flock Wall Hanging to hang on the wall between the windows. Cute patterns!
I would make the Flock Wall Hanging.
Flock pillow!