Note for overseas buyers - postage costs quoted are for UK only. Please contact me for details of postage costs to you before your order is confirmed.
Jarol Streetwise Chunky
The contents as described on the cover are -
Story book coat (shown on cover) - 4 to 8 years
Snow ranger - 8 years to adult tunic or pullover
Tootsie Roll Pop - 1 to 5 years, tunic and pants
Denim Boy - 18 months to 7 years pullover
Train and Boat - 18 months to 5 years pullovers
Border Jacket - teen to plus sized adult
Basic tunic- toddler, child, teen and adult
My Doll - 3 to 7 years tunic, headband and socks
Growing up - 2 to 7 years tunic, pants and hat
Marmalade - 1 to 7 years tunic, pants hat
Rainbow quilted afghan
These patterns are aimed at experienced knitters as I would say that only the basic tunic is suitable for a new knitter. However, if you long to knit interesting, vibrant and unusual designs for yourself and your little ones, this booklet will keep you busy for ages!
£4.99 and £1.50 UK p+p.
Sirdar Snuggly Knits - fashion designs for a fashion baby
Happily, all the designs are shown on the back cover.
All are knitting patterns apart from two crochet patterns (middle picture, 1st row and left picture, 2nd row). Most of the sizes start at 16ins (41cm) and some start at 14ins (36cm) so a very useful range of sizes. This booklet is £3.99 with £1.50 UK p+p.
Patons Fashion Plus - 12 designs for larger sizes
These 12 designs are sized from 40inch to 54inch, but they have lots of ease. One even gives the actual size as 68inch. As ever, Patons give very clear instructions and some of the designs could easily be tackled by a novice knitter, but not necessarily the ones I have shown here!
All the designs are lovely and it was hard choosing a couple to show here. It is pretty difficult to find nice patterns in large sizes in the knitting shops so this collection of 12 designs is great value at £4.99 with £1.50 UK p+p.
Wendy Donna & Dolce Duet Collection 4
Some of the patterns in this book have a distinctly '80s vibe, like the dolman sleeve sweater on the cover. However, many of the patterns are timeless like the lace cardigan below.
There are 12 patterns for men and women featuring laceand multicolour work. There is also an unusual diagonal knitted top that I like a lot, too.
The publishers have flagged 2 of the 12 designs as "easy knits" so I guess the rest must be moderate to difficult. This booklet offers a good choice of styles and is good value at only £3.50 plus FREE UK p+p."The Knitted Farmyard" by Hannelore Wernhard
This is a lovely little softback book with instructions to knit an entire old fashioned farm complete with buildings, fields, animals and people. The skills required include shaping by increasing (making stitches) and decreasing by knitting together or casting off stitches. This looks like something that could be done by someone with the basic skills and would be a good way to practice the slightly more complex things with the satisfaction of getting small, quickly-made projects done. you will also have to make pipe-cleaner frames for the animals and people and there is embroidery too. There is a lot of photos in this booklet and I would have liked to show more of them so I will just show an overview of the farm here. There are instructions for everything in this picture.
I have not seen this book anywhere else and could not find it on Amazon, but if I do in the future I will include a link. This book is £4.99 + £1.50 post and packing in the UK.
"Woolworth Knitting Magazine" issue 2, July 1971
A delightful glimpse into the past with this original vintage 1971 knitting magazine. The patterns include the obligatory hot pants and halter dress. Cool designs for adults, children and babies, along with dolls' clothes, hats and bags. Originally priced at just 12p, this useable and well-thumbed magazine is available at £2.49 plus free p+p in UK.
"They Lived by the Sea" by Henrietta Munro and Rae Compton SOLD
This tiny softback booklet has folklore about sea folks and ganseys as well as patterns. There are three patterns for traditional ganseys in various sizes - Donald Thompson's Gansey, Donald Angus's Gansey and George Mackay's Gansey. Also, the patterns are divided up into panels so that you can design your own ganseys or change the sizing or gauge. A must-have for anyone with an interest in traditional or historical knitting. This book has a little wear on the front cover but is otherwise in very good condition. My copy has been sold, but you can sometimes buy it from Amazon.
"Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls" by Martha Waterman SOLD
Not only lovely patterns for shawls but a complete guide to designing your own knitted lace shawls and stoles. Step by step, this book explains how to set about planning a square, rectangle, triangular, round, or half-round shawl. There are pictures and patterns of traditional stitches such as razorshell, old shale, trinity and wings of the swan; the edgings include van dyke, leaf and ocean wave - the very names evoke the beauty of the ancient shawls that inspired this book. In addition, blocking out and pressing are clearly explained and there is even a section on repairing antique knitted lace. And for the knitting geek in all of us - a look at the history of the Shetland shawl. My copy of this book has now been sold but you can still buy it from Amazon.
"Family Circle Beautiful Baby Knits" by Leopard Books, Random House (out of print)
This hardback book has loads of patterns for babies and toddlers up to about 3 years old. The range is excellent with classic and contemporary designs to please everyone. Many of the designs are in cotton and so are suitable for Summer wear. The patterns are graded from easy to advanced and the instructions are clear and helpful. Every design is shown in full colour. I particularly like the hat and jacket in simple knitting with a fabric collar and brim. Unusual, eyecatching and easy. I recommend this book to anyone with a baby or small child to knit for. It is in used but good condition and still has its dustjacket. £5.00 + £2.30 p+p
"Stitches in Time" by Sue Bradley (out of print)
Bright and colourful designs inspired by fashions from history including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantine and Medieval, Renaissance and others right up to the thirties and forties. Although the photos have a distinctly '80s look to them, these designs are timeless and would look great now. There is a lot of multi colour work so I would recommend this book to more experienced knitters. Having said that, some of these designs are well worth learning a new technique for. If you like something different or a bit of a challenge, this book will delight. Large hardback book, used, in good condition. £19.99 + £4.00 post and packing.
Or, buy it from Amazon
"Jean Greenhowe's Golfing Clown" Jarol DK
A nice 12 page booklet with the instructions for the clown and all his accessories. Jean Greenhowe's toys are always popular and the patterns are easy and fun. This booklet is a little scruffy so is only £2.49 with free p+p.
Special Offer - Get the Golf Clown and Knitted Clowns for only £4.99 and £1.50 p+p
"Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Clowns" Hayfield 7110
If you have ever knitted a toy, chances are it was one of Jean Greenhowe's creations. This booklet contains full instructions for the painting and decorating clown, holiday clown, gardening clown, cooking clown, and bedtime clown, along with all their props and accessories. Hours of fun to produce mascots and good-luck dolls that are sure to be loved. The toys of Jean Greenhowe remain timeless and you are sure to come back to this book again and again. Good, clean condition booklet only £2.99 plus £1.50 p+p in UK.