The Jubilee weekend might have been a few weeks ago now, your bunting might be flagging and the street party a distant memory, but fear not, for you can keep the good times going in the form of a beautiful new book by vintage knitwear designer, Susan Crawford. As part of its blog tour, today I’m going to be reviewing Coronation Knits… but that’s not all that’s happening!
Susan has been kind enough to offer one of my lucky readers a copy to win for themselves (so be sure to read carefully to the end for instructions on how to enter the competition).
THE COMPETITION IS NOW OVER AND THE COMMENTS ARE CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR ENTRIES!
Coronation Knits is a beautifully put together book, featuring fourteen gorgeous, authentically styled designs for ladies, gents and children, drawing inspiration from the late 1940s and early 1950s, and in particular the fashion influences around the Queen’s coronation in 1953. Not so much of the ermine and Bishop’s mitre though, you might be glad to hear, (although there are some wonderful crown motifs), Susan was inspired by the fashionable looks of the elegant new Queen and her glamorous younger sister, Princess Margaret, who were very much the trendsetters of the day.
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The book starts with a lovely, personal introduction from Susan and a very informative piece of social and fashion history that sets the scene for the whole book. I particularly liked that these little bits of fashion history popped up again and again throughout the book, adding that little bit extra that we have come to expect from Susan and making this so much more than just a book of knitting patterns.
Oh, but the patterns! I won’t let the cat out of the bag and tell you about all of them, because there are plenty more bloggers to come on the blog tour yet, but instead, here are some of my favourites from the book, and a little about why I like them.
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All photographs were styled by and are copyright to Susan Crawford.
Although Coronation Knits is not a book for the brand new knitter, there are lots of patterns that would be great for someone keen on trying new techniques like short rows or a little fair isle in a garment. The book contains thorough abbreviations and a ‘knitting know how’ page, the patterns are clearly written and are in a very good range of sizes (women’s 30-50” bust in most cases). Throughout the book, Susan has cleverly chosen to use red, white and blue yarns, often in her own line, Excelana, for her knitted garments and it works brilliantly, without being a cliche.
Even if you are not a big knitter, I would recommend Coronation Knits as an enlightening and enjoyable slice of social history, both now and then. And if you are a knitter, then what on earth are you waiting for? You can buy yourself a copy of Coronation Knits at the knitonthenet shop by following the link here, where it is available as both a print book and an e-book, and also as an e-book from Ravelry (where you can also see all of the patterns).
…or perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to win a copy in the competition!
To enter the draw, please leave your comment below this post telling me which pattern you would most like to wear, if you were Queen (or King). I will close the comments at 9pm GMT on Monday 2nd July, and on Tuesday 3rd will choose a winner at random from the comments (which must include this information to be eligible for the draw). Only one entry in the draw, per person, please.
The winner’s copy of Coronation Knits will be sent out after the blog tour is complete at the end of July 2012, and can be sent anywhere in the world, so don’t let being in New Zealand or Canada stop you entering!
Good luck, and I look forward to reading your comments.
COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR ENTRIES!
The next stop on the Coronation Knits blog tour is Felicity Ford’s The Domestic Soundscape on 28th June (and if you don’t read her blog already, add Felix to your feed reader, people!)
I would most want to wear the Princess Twinset if I were queen, of course!! I especially love the detailing on the back — it is too perfect! What a darling look!
Wearing the Silk Rose headscarf will make me feel like the Queen!
the twin set is so darling, and I love that it’s been presented in differing colours. thanks for the chance.
I think that Amies is just the thing for Royal engagements on a chilly day. One tends to get goosebumps in British weather.
If I were Queen I’d wear the Princess Twinset. It’s so classically understated.
I would wear Embassy gloves – they look like a pure luxury for me:)
And if I would be King (one can dream – as I am not anyone of them…), I’d wear Coronation Sleeveless pullover – love it :))
Isn’t this the greatest book? Love it! and I can just see myself swanning around in Amies, doing all kinds of queenly things…….(yea, right!!)
I love the Amies lace sweater. It’s so delicate and lady like!
The Amies jumper and cover scarf are both quite lovely and would be welcome additions to this queen’s wardrobe… Must check out Ravelry!
It would have to be Amies in a beautiful blue colour if I were Queen…!
I would wear the Lion and the Unicorn, love the detailed intarsia work, think it’s is clever but also sophisticated!
Definitely the twinset – it is truly fit for a queen/princess!
I would love to wear Amies. The allover lace pattern is so beautiful! Thanks!
If I were Queen I would like to wear the Princess twinset as I’ve always had a softspot for them and it would look good with a string of pearls.
Princess Twinset is gorgeous!
If I were a Queen, I, like everyone else, would wear the Princess twinset. The details are so classic and elegant! And it would look lovely with a circle-skirt.
Although the princes twinset and silk rose are my favourite patterns, the most ‘regal’ pattern, the one I would wear as a Queen, would be Amies. It’s beautifully styled with the pretty scarf around the model’s head.
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