Rating:  Summary: quick but not easy to read. Review: As with all of Debbie Bliss's books, the patterns in this book are for beautiful sweaters, cardigans, and booties. And they really are quick--everything is garter or stocking or moss. The pictures are lovely, but I must agree with an earlier reviewer below who says they are not sufficient for a knitting book. While they would make a wonderful calendar (the kids are an adorable, multi-cultural group), they generally don't show the whole item in question, or the view is too close up (some double page spreads of the cutest babies, but I can't see the part of the sweater that I'm trying to figure out!). While the patterns are indeed quick (I knit up the booties in half an hour) and not terribly hard knitting either, they are not easy to read. I may have knit the booties in half an hour, but I also spent a good few minutes just trying to figure out the pattern. Debbie Bliss doesn't use a single extra word in these patterns. While a beginner could easily knit these items, he or she should have a more experienced knitter read the pattern first. Read the pattern over and over before you start, and then read it again as you go along. Believe it or not, this will be the most complicated part--the knitting itself is straightforward and quite quick. All in all though, I am glad to have purchased this book. All knitters need some quick projects, for when they just can't bear to look at that afghan again, or that man's sweater they're supposed to be knitting for someone special. And babies wear such little sweaters!
Rating:  Summary: Not so quick, not so easy, but adorable Review: I am an experienced knitter and have knitted many Debbie Bliss patterns. I now have a daughter and have been knitting a variety of things for her. Although the sweaters in the book are adorable, I have several criticisms about this book:
(1) it is NOT a book for beginners, as many of the patterns use fairly difficult techniques, which I was surprised at, with no real explanation about them (I had to look some of them up in my Vogue Knitting reference book); (2) there are no pictures of what the garment looks like - the photos are all nice and adorable, but if you can't see the finished shape the directions can be confusing - I had to re-knit parts of the sweater featured on the cover because I couldn't see how it all fit together. The patterns are cute and adorable once finished, but they do take some time and patience to complete.
Rating:  Summary: Between 3 and 4 stars Review: I am not generally a Debbie Bliss fan--she tends to recycle patterns from one book to another, changing perhaps the color scheme or color pattern, which an experienced knitter could quite easily do on her own. Her books also tend to have errors and I am never fond of books that specify a specific brand of yarn rather than just listing the weight--it makes things quite difficult when the yarn is no longer available or if you can't figure out what yarn weight was used. THAT BEING SAID, there really are some adorable designs in this book. I would not call them "quick" by any standards, and I am a fast knitter. Debbie Bliss does provide unique designs that are worth exploring, but I think this book would frustrate an inexperienced knitter, and maybe a few experienced ones. Buy it on sale, or check it out from the public library before purchasing.
Rating:  Summary: for Baby Gifts you give before baby's wedding day! Review: I have a number of books on knitting for children. I have found that this one is my favorite so far. In Bliss's other books, unfortunately for me, there was just too much to do--I couldn't get them done while the baby was still small (I was trying to make them for gifts!) I began to wonder why I would put so much effort into something to be worn for so short a time--and my time is precious as a working single mom! Thank heavens for this one! The designs are simple, yet elegant and/or classic, and charming. They work up fairly easily. I made an alpaca/silk cardigan with a zig-zag edging for my step-grandbaby, and her parents loved it! This is a book I have already used for several items. I still like some other books, but this one is just so useful.
Rating:  Summary: Classic looks for babies Review: I really admire that this book doesn't try to cram in a "how to knit" chapter in the very beginning. Those hurried instructions never do justice to someone who's never knitted. Therefore, don't buy this book hoping that it will contain a chapter teaching you how to knit, because it doesn't. After two pages devoted to general knitting considerations, the patterns begin. The majority of the projects are sweaters, and there are also a few patterns for booties and one for a blanket. My impression of the projects is that they are for an intermediate knitter - one may use a fancy collar, another may use Fair Isle, a third, stripes, but these skills aren't often used in combination to drive a less-experienced knitter insane. I really like the way the sweaters look - so simple and classic, not too gaudy. I don't like that the instructions run-on from one project to the next; I would really prefer that each project be presented on its own page or set of pages to clearly see where one ends and the next begins. Items presented are for newborn-3 year olds, and all can be used for either boys or girls.
Rating:  Summary: Simple and charming - with a few caveats Review: I'm a big Debbie Bliss fan, and this book features very typical Debbie Bliss designs: charming, classic sweaters for babies and children, using interesting details, lovely yarn and unusual colors. I've already made 2 of the sweaters, which turned out beautifully. That said, I would point out the following: (1) if you have other Bliss books, you may feel as I do that she recycles too many of her patterns, changing only minor details or colorways; (2) the book ought to be called "Simple Baby Knits"; while the patterns aren't complex or terribly time-consuming, they also aren't exceptionally fast. Only a few patterns use chunky yarn and bigger needles which speed the knitting along. (3) the book needs more practical aids to the knitter, such as clear photographs or sketches of the sweater, and either diagrams or a list of dimensions so the knitter can make sure the pieces are turning out as they should. I am a fairly experienced knitter and didn't have trouble with the instructions for the sweaters I made, but a beginner may need some more guidance. Overall, however, this is a good introduction to Debbie Bliss styles. I'm happy that I bought it and eagerly await the next Bliss book.
Rating:  Summary: Not so quick Review: The designs are very traditional and sweet, but not very quick. They are still done on US6 needle or smaller. The designs are worth making, but save the $ and go to the library. Debbie Bliss does nice things, but she seems to do the same nice things only slightly different in many of her books. She also only uses her brand of yarn, which is pricey and very skimpy on yardage!
Rating:  Summary: instructions wrong Review: This seems to be a nice book. I still love some of the sweaters, but on my first attempt to knit one (the ballerina top featured in the cover) I got stucked on some mistakes in the neck shaping instructions.Very dissapointing...I had to figure it out myself and that was very boring, specially when you really want it to be a quick baby knit. I tried to reach contact Debbie Bliss (or somebody) via their web page, but they don't answer questions regarding patterns. They do have an errata page, but they only feature some of their books, and not this one. No way out I guess.There's couple books on the errata page that have tons of mistakes though. Probably not a good sign. I agree with previous reviews in that there is no charts or plans or really good instructions.Some of the sweaters still look very good.What to do...
Rating:  Summary: From a newer knitter Review: This was the first Debbie Bliss book that I have purchased. In part I chose this one because the title said "quick" knits. As another reviewer mentioned, I don't really see these as "quick" patterns and not only because I am a newer knitter. The first pattern I chose used such small needles and had such a fine pattern (the cover design) neither rows, nor the whole pattern worked quickly. My only other complaint was too few pictures of the actual patterns themselves. While the photos are quite enchanting and truly move you to begin knitting the patterns, they are not very detailed, nor are they very clear in some instances. (I love the way the Rowan books show other views of the patterns with the instructions at the back after the glitzy photos in the front). That having been said, the patterns are functional, adorable and very worthwhile to have in your "baby knitting" repertoire. The pricing was good for the number of patterns that you get, and although it is a soft cover it is sturdy, good quality.
Rating:  Summary: From a newer knitter Review: This was the first Debbie Bliss book that I have purchased. In part I chose this one because the title said "quick" knits. As another reviewer mentioned, I don't really see these as "quick" patterns and not only because I am a newer knitter. The first pattern I chose used such small needles and had such a fine pattern (the cover design) neither rows, nor the whole pattern worked quickly. My only other complaint was too few pictures of the actual patterns themselves. While the photos are quite enchanting and truly move you to begin knitting the patterns, they are not very detailed, nor are they very clear in some instances. (I love the way the Rowan books show other views of the patterns with the instructions at the back after the glitzy photos in the front). That having been said, the patterns are functional, adorable and very worthwhile to have in your "baby knitting" repertoire. The pricing was good for the number of patterns that you get, and although it is a soft cover it is sturdy, good quality.
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