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Review and Giveaway: Faerie Knitting

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faerie knitting review and giveaway
Alice Hoffman and Lisa Hoffman are creative cousins whose chosen outlets are on the surface rather different. Alice is a writer and Lisa a knitwear designer.

But they combined their talents to spin tales and knit stories in their book Faerie Knitting.

The book includes 14 original fairy tales along with 14 knitting patterns that go with the stories. For example a woman in one story knits while she waits for her husband to return from war; the pattern is the shawl she worked.

The stories tell of the power of women and power of knitting, the magic of making and storytelling in ways that many knitters — and writers who knit, and knitters who write — will find familiar.

It’s an interesting concept and the stories and knitting patterns are enjoyable alone and in combination.

My favorite is Blue Heron, a large triangular lace shawl with picot edges for a feathery look like the shawl of the heroine in the accompanying story. Other patterns include mitts and fingerless gloves, a vest, a cowl, leg warmers, shawls and cowls.

Two patterns are rated for beginners (an amulet necklace and charm bags), three are for advanced beginners, six are intermediate and two rated for advanced knitters. Check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

If you’d like to get your hands on a copy of Faerie Knitting, you don’t need a special enchantment. Just use the Rafflecopter link below to enter. We have four copies to give away (and another giveaway will be happening on our knitting Facebook page, so go visit).

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Comments

  3. love that these 2 cousins put their talents together to come up with a knitting story book for us. great idea.

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Vintage Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern PDF – Baby Cardigan and Crew Neck Jumper

There is something very sweet about vintage baby knitting patterns, especially the ones that still feel wearable today. This Vintage Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern PDF from the CraftGossipStore has that lovely old-fashioned charm without looking fussy or too dated, which is exactly what makes it a nice find for knitters who enjoy making baby gifts with a bit of heirloom feeling.

The pattern includes two classic baby sweater styles: a textured crew neck jumper and cardigan options with raglan sleeves. The stitch pattern gives the finished pieces that beautiful handmade texture we all love, but it still feels practical enough for real babies — not just the kind of outfit that gets worn for one photo and then carefully folded away forever.

You can find the pattern here: Vintage Baby Sweater Knitting Pattern PDF from CraftGossipStore.

This is a restored vintage knitting pattern delivered as a printable PDF, so there is no physical pattern posted out. After purchase, the file is available through Etsy as an instant digital download, which is handy if you’re the sort of knitter who gets an idea at 9 pm and wants to cast on before common sense has a chance to intervene.

The pattern is designed for 8 ply / DK weight yarn, which makes it a practical choice because DK baby yarn is easy to find in soft modern colours. It uses 3.25 mm and 4 mm knitting needles, along with stitch holders, buttons for the cardigan versions, a yarn needle, scissors, and measuring tape.

What I like about this pattern is the flexibility. Worked in cream, lemon, powder blue, sage green, oatmeal, dusty pink, or warm beige, it would suit either a traditional baby wardrobe or a more modern neutral nursery style. The cardigan version is especially practical because cardigans are always easier when dressing little ones. Anyone who has ever tried to wriggle a jumper over a sleepy baby’s head will understand that immediately.

Because this is a vintage pattern, it is worth remembering that older knitting patterns are often written more briefly than modern ones. They tend to assume the knitter already knows a few things, so I’d recommend this for confident beginners through to intermediate knitters rather than someone picking up needles for the very first time. If you’re comfortable reading shaping instructions, checking gauge, working textured stitches, and sewing seams neatly, this should be a very satisfying little project.

Before starting, make a tension square. I know, I know — no one wants to hear it, but baby garments are small enough that gauge really does matter. A tiny difference in tension can quickly change the finished size, and nobody wants to finish a beautiful baby cardigan only to discover it fits a doll or a toddler with very optimistic shoulders.

This pattern would make a lovely baby shower gift, newborn photo outfit, heirloom baby knit, or handmade market sample. It is also a nice choice for knitters who enjoy vintage patterns but prefer having them cleaned up into a more usable digital format.

If you need supplies, look for a soft DK baby yarn, smooth knitting needles, small cardigan buttons, stitch holders, and a blunt yarn needle for finishing. Mary Maxim is always worth checking for baby yarns and classic knitting supplies, while Amazon can be handy for basics like stitch holders, measuring tapes, button packs, and printed pattern binders if you like keeping your PDF patterns organised.

For anyone who enjoys traditional baby knitting, this is a sweet little pattern with plenty of charm. It has that “made by Grandma, kept forever” feeling, but with enough simplicity to make it useful for everyday babywear too.