Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Debbie Bliss Strikes Again

Hi Knitters,
Reading this brief "about the author" blurb about Debbie Bliss sort of sums it up:

"Debbie Bliss has been designing knitwear for more than two decades. She is the best-selling author of more than 30 books on knitting design and has her own line of luxurious yarns which are sold worldwide. She designed a line for Baby Gap and a line of little boys' wear for Marks & Spencer. She lives with her husband and daughter in London."

Debbie is a constant source of inspiration for anyone who enjoys baby knitting (and adult knitting and home decor knitting and toy knitting, etc). She has a signature style that is easily recognizable. Her newest book, Design It, Knit It, Babies, takes you on a journey through the design process. She shares tips and tricks, sizing, shaping, embellishments and she includes 18 incredibly sweet designs to put your skills to the test.
The book is a hardcover with a concealed spiral inside which is everyone's favorite. Debbie sprinkles swatches and sketches and texture on the pages. She offers patterns for different basic garment shapes and hats and mittens, too.
Different styles of pockets and zippers and edgings are included throughout. I love the pocket with the stripey inside. Sweet surprises are always good.
I love all of these edgings. Yummy. Debbie is the queen of simple but adorable details. She has a whimsical style at times but it is always subdued and tasteful.
The photography is always exquisite and inviting in all of Debbie's books and this one is no exception.
There is knitter's graph paper and blank templates that you can photocopy and use. The blank templates come in several different sweater styles. The book really gently pushes you to come up with your own designs while using Debbie's tried and true patterns as the base for your work.
The ballerina wrap sweater is a a Debbie Bliss classic. Love. Love. Love. Knit one of these from Debbie for The Collector when she was a toddler. It had tiny flowers all over it that I duplicate stitched on.
And who doesn't love a garter stitch cardigan?

If you would like a copy of this fantastic baby knitting treasure please leave a comment on this post! I will take entries over the next several days. Please leave one comment only and also leave some sort of identifying email address, ravelry id or something so I can easily get in touch if you win. I will need your mailing address to send on to the lovely Tara at Sixth & Spring Publishing so she can send you your book! I will randomly select a winner very soon!

Let the entries begin!
best, susie