Knitch Magazine

Title: Bella Babies Collection Book 1

Author: Universal Yarn

Date Published: 2009

Review Date: May 20, 2010

Who is this book for?

The new Bella Babies Collection is an updated collection of classic sweaters, hats, and accessories to keep baby comfortably fashionable. The designs are easy to knit and suitable for beginners or experienced the knitter looking for a charming baby project. Clever applications of patterned yarn, contrasting trims and slip stitches keep the knitting easy and the results stunning.

What Yarns does it Feature?

All patterns in this book were designed exclusively for Bella yarns from Universal Yarn. The Bella collection of baby yarns is available in solids, dots, self-striping and self-patterning variations. All are super soft, colorful and lightweight. These easy care machine washable and dryable blends are ideal for baby blankets, caps and sweaters. Five different yarns make up the Universal Yarn Bella Collection: two super fine weights and three light weight yarns. Bella 4 Ply and Bella Lite Stripes and Dots are worked on fine needles at a gauge of 6.75 to 8 knitted stitches to the inch or 5.25 to 8 crocheted stitches to the inch. Bella DK, DK Tapestry and Shimmer work in a range 5.25 to 6 knitted stitches per inch or 3 to 4.25 crocheted stitches per inch. These gauges are ideally scaled for little sizes. The wide range of 27 colors includes baby brights and gentle pastels.

What’s Inside?

Bella Babies Collection features 30 sweet projects for babies exclusively using Bella yarns. Designed for easy knitting and baby’s comfort, the projects are all simple to knit. The book opens with an array of each of the hats, sweaters, socks and blankets displayed next to the table of contents. At a glance you can see this collection will become a classic handbook for baby knits.

Using It

Following the format of some well-known pattern books, the opening pages are filled with large scale color shots of the projects. You’ll get a close up view of the pattern details. That is, if you can take your eyes off the apple cheeked babies who are modeling the knitwear. If you don’t have a real life baby to fit these garments to, you can get a glimpse of how they’ll fit by examining these little runway beauties. Detailed patterns fill the second half of the book. Each pattern opens with a brief description and many offer suggestions of how to mix and match yarns. Most of the patterns are classified as “easy”, and the skill level is prominently featured in the pattern, along with finished measurements, materials requirements, project notes and pattern notes. Schematics are provided for all the projects, and there are charts for simple color patterns. Ingenious design elements like ruffled edges, eyelet lace inserts, and easy cables make these garments special.

Most of the projects are knit in pieces and sewn together, and the top down garter ridge baby sweater requires next to no finishing and can be completed very quickly. Beginners may need a supplementary text to show them how to sew the seams, pick up stitches, or use double pointed needles. More experienced knitters will sail through these easy projects.

Best Pattern

The Simple Bib is easy enough for beginners and a charming idea for baby. Knit one to match baby’s outfit or in your favorite color. Once you master the basic shape, add some decorative stitches, a few stripes or an intarsia design. Babies never stop drooling and a fresh bib is always a welcome gift for mom and baby!

Recommendation

This book has lots of fashionable baby projects created for easy care Bella yarns. There’s so much color to choose from in the Bella collection, and the patterns are cleverly designed to take advantage of all those color and pattern choices. There may be 30 projects in the book, but the possibilities for these traditional classic baby designs are endless. If you’re looking for an all-purpose baby collection, you’ll treasure Bella Babies.

Overall Recommendation

I rate this book #8.