Botanical Knits Review & Giveaway

I'm delighted to be bringing you another beautiful knitting book. Botanical Knits is the latest collection of knitting patterns designed by the very lovely Alana Dakos. Isn't this cover just fabulous?! Well, let me tell you, this book is just as gorgeous inside too. It is postitively overflowing with the intricate artwork of Neesha Hudson and the special touches and perfect finish that Alana's work has become famous for.

This is Alana's third publication. In 2011 she collaborated with the very talented Hannah Fettig to produce Coastal Knits & last year she published a children's book about a little girl learning to knit; Annie and the Swiss Cheese Scarf. Botanical Knits is the first book of patterns that Alana has produced on her own, and the book itself, and the 12 patterns it contains, are absolutely stunning. 

A lover of nature, Alana has drawn inspiration for her new collection from botanical elements, especially trees and foliage. On her podcast, Alana said that she created garments that she would love to wear and these 12 patterns just flowed out of her. I love that. Her patterns have always been lovely, but I think Alana has made a giant leap as a designer with Botanical Knits and it's wonderful that she's being so true to herself in the process. I feel so excited for her :)

Shall I show you my favourites?

 

Autumns End is a 5ply, all over lace sweater and I love it. I can't wait to knit it. Isn't that side panel fabulous? It's so flattering and a clever way of gently shaping the waist. Not only is this lovely garment knit in the round, but Alana has charted the lace repeats through raglan shaping so we don't have to work out how to make the lace pattern work with the decreases! Thank you Alana!

The worsted weight cardigan Twigs and Willows seems to be the most popular design in the collection. It's so stylish and I bet it would look fabulous over jeans or a skirt. I love the deep ribbing and the angled cabled leaves along the collarbone.

Isn't this hat just amazing?! The unusual construction of Oak and Trail had me intrigued immediately. The brim is knit flat and then stitches are picked up along one side and knit up in the round to create the body of the hat. I'm looking forward to finding the perfect botanically coloured, worsted weight skein to knit this one.

I know, another cardigan. But, you know me ... I'm a great lover of cardigans. And, just look at Entangled Vines - the shoulders are such a cool idea and it's so lovely in its simplicity.

But, this is only a little of what's inside Botanical Knits. See that pile of beautiful natural shades? There are 8 other fantastic designs in Alana's collection, including socks, hats and shawls. Each pattern has both charted and written pattern instructions that are easy to follow. I think there's probably something in here for everyone and the range of sizes is pretty awesome. You really should check it out :) 

At this stage Botanical Knits is available as an e-book or, if you would like a hard copy you can pre-order the printed book, get a complimentary digital e-book download today and receive the printed book in May 2013. More information can be found on the Botanical Knits website.

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Would you like to win an e-book copy of Botanical Knits? Alana has kindly agreed to give a copy to one of my lucky readers :) To be in the draw, all you have to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post telling me which is your favourite design from Alana's new collection. Entries close midnight Sunday 24 February 2013 GMT. I'll let you know who's won on Monday :) Fingers crossed!

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By the way, Alana's podcast Never Not Knitting (with its own catchy theme tune) was the first knitting podcast I discovered. If you haven't listened, you should, it's a great show and still one of my favourites. Alana is warm, entertaining and totally passionate about knitting :)

P.S. Alana hasn't paid me a penny! She did send me her book to review but everything I've written is my own opinion :) That goes for all my reviews.