Spring 09
Lesley Stanfield clearly has a keen eye for flowers, as they burst out from the pages of this pretty book. From forget-me-not to poinsettia and lily-of-the-valley to mistletoe, garden favourites and exotic blooms, you'll find everything you need to make a bright bouquet or a pretty wreath - including leaves, a few friendly insects such as a ladybird and a bee, and even fruit and veg! Each of the 100 patterns has clear written instructions to either knit or crochet the item, and the crochet patterns are also charted, making it really easy to see how the flower is constructed. You'll find great ideas for how to use finished flowers in the back of the book.
* Simply Knitting *
May 09
Adorn anything and everything in sight with these beautiful knitted and crocheted flowers. As the cover shows in glorious color a vast array of flowers can be created to decorate holiday items, clothing, furnishings, presents and more. Not only flowers, but a few leaves, butterflies and vegetables too, as well as mistletoe and acorns. This is not a primer aimed at teaching the beginner to knit and crochet, but a book aimed at those who can already do these things to a reasonable standard. To jog the memory however there are useful tables of abbreviations, laundering symbols and some diagrams going swiftly through some stitches. The crochet patterns are shown with charts, so anybody not sure how to use these might be well advised to learn how to read them elsewhere, although the symbols used are given and explained. Knitting patterns are written out in the traditional manner. All the flowers are shown full size and looking their best on a series of pages first so you can choose easily what you want to make, then there is a section on knitted ones and a section on crocheted ones. These are arranged in skill levels, basic, intermediate and advanced. At the back is another section of projects to display your blooms, although sadly these are just shown and briefly described and you have to make up the patterns yourself or buy blanks. Decorate a peg bag with a fresh daisy to cheer up washdays, adorn a gift box with a poinsettia or crochet some forget-me-nots to use as buttons and trim for a baby's cardigan. This is a good example of a Search Press book - lovely photos, plenty of direction as to what to buy, instructions for making up and a gallery of master works. Also, an unusual and interesting subject not covered elsewhere. One for the keeper shelf.
* Myshelf.com *
June 09
This book is flying off the shelves - and for good reason. Lesley Stanfield has created a pattern in this book for every flower imaginable, from forget-me-nots to snowdrops. And then there are the incredible fruit and vegetable knitting patterns, including lemons, grapes, carrots and surprisingly beautiful asparagus. There are project ideas too, which give practical applications for these lovely decorative details. This book is a brilliant labour of love, and if you've never thought of knitting what grows in your garden before, we bet you won't be able to resist once you've seen this.
* AllAboutYou.com *
June 2015
Some flowers are bold and colourful, like the red poppy. Some are poetic and romantic, like the wild rose. And others are delicate, like th soft and fragrant lilac. In Lesley Stanfield's book, there's room for them all. Each pattern is meant to be as an embellishment for a hat, belt, blouse, coat, to be used to make a feminine place of jewellery or decorate a gift-wrapped package, to add a finishing touch to knitting or crochet project, or to freshen up a vintage item. Lesley also shows us how to decorate your flower with beads, sequins or buttons, to make it your own. Her instructions are easy to follow and come with yarn requirements and a suggested skill level. But the real magic of this book is in the beauty of the accurately recreated flowers themselves.
* Knitting & Crochet Home *
April 09
A collection of beautiful blooms for embellishing clothes, accessories, cushions and throws. It's the perfect way to use up scraps of yarn or practice with novelty yarns and this one really is a 'must have' book. You can use the knitted and crocheted flowers and leaves to decorate clothing, hats, bags and belts, embellish home accessories or make a beautiful bouquet as an unusual display piece. Choose from simple spiral roses, pretty poppies, elaborate layered blooms and fabulous felted flowers. The flowers are beautifully arranged on the pages, with stitched leaves and embroidered stems. They're also cross-referenced to a separate section featuring clear pattern instructions and information on yarn requirements. You'll find plenty of inspiration for embellishing your finished flowers with beads, buttons, sequins and embroidery plus ideas for using them in a range of fun ways, from unusual jewellery to decorating gift-wrapped packages.
* Machine Knitting Monthly *
May 2012
Although we're previously mentioned this collection of beautiful blooms for embellishing clothes, accessories, cushions and throws in the magazine, it deserves to be here once more. This was Search Press' top selling title last year and it's now on its 12th reprint. The flowers, for hand knitting and crochet, are the perfect way to use up scraps of yarn or practice using novelty yarn. The flowers are beautifully arranged on the pages and cross referenced to clear instructions. There's also plenty of inspirations for embellishing your finished flowers with beads, buttons, sequins and embroidery, plus ideas for using them in a range of fun ways, from unusual jewellery to decorating gift wrapped packages.
* Machine Knitting Monthly *
March 09
At last a stylish, contemporary knitting AND crochet book on flowers (and veg!). Unlike other books which revive old patterns, [this book] generates a plethora of new, colourful and exciting designs. The book gives inspiration for the complete beginner (a short how to guide at the beginning) with clearly labelled basic designs for the novice to try. And for the adept knitter, patterns honestly labelled as intermediate to advanced. The use of colour combinations is excellent, the cover showing an enticing layout, stylishly displayed. An absolute must for all makers - a great mix of knitting and crochet; the combination of both skills being a winning formula. It is great value for GBP10.99 (approx 10p a pattern!) and a lovely square, handbag-sized book. It is equally inviting for the groovy teenager wanting to customise their lapel with a coloured garland, to women of all ages, inspired to add a contemporary corsage to their outfit or household items.
* Craft Business *
Issue 7
Sometimes we hear about something that reminds us of what wonderful people knitters can be. Last month, a little birdie told us that a group of knitters (the British Banter group on Ravelry) were all clubbing together to make a member's wedding extra special. Clare has a vision of a woolly wedding and asked for a little help knitting flowers and other decorations. Before she knew it she was absolutely inundated with hundreds of flowers, leaves and even tiny fairies and caterpillars in every colour of the rainbow!
* Knit Now *
June 09
A delightful collection of blooms, ideal for decorating clothing, accessories and homewares. Choose from simple spiral roses, pretty poppies, elaborate layered flowers, and fabulous felted blooms, all of which are a perfect way to use up scraps of yarn. You will also find plenty of ideas for embellishing your flowers with beads, buttons and sequins.
* Knit Today *
Summer 09
As with certain DIY products, this book provides exactly what it says on the label. And then some more, since there are also leaves, vegetables, butterflies and fruit in addition to the flowers. The beaded blackberries look edible they are so plump and glossy. The crochet instructions are both written and charted. The pattern for each flower is only in one technique, so if you wanted to crochet the lavender or knit the pansies, you will have to try and adapt from knitting and crochet respectively. The collection goes over some of the same ground as Suzann Thompson's Crochet Bouquet (Lark Books) but with charts for the crochet and different interpretations where the flowers are the same. There's room for both on my shelves, but if I had to choose I'd pick the 100 Flowers because of the crochet charts, the lavender bunch and the single, comprehensive index that Suzann's book lacks. Lesley Fidler
* SlipKnot *
July 09
If you're looking for small projects to use up oddments, you'll love what this book has to offer. While the majority of the book covers a comprehensive directory of flower patterns, there are also designs for leaves, vegetables and insects, with a butterfly, bumblebee and a ladybird all included! Whatever you're favourite bloom, this book is sure to cover it. Towards the back there are also ideas on how to use them to embellish clothing, accessories and gifts. With versatile and simple designs, this book will become a staple in your knitting library.
* Knit Today *
