Woodland Knits – and spotting dragons

Shhh – come over here! Look what I found in the toadstool patch!

Woodland Knits by Stephanie Dosen aka Tiny Owl Knits

OK, so I didn’t actually find it in the toadstool patch, I actually found it on Amazon, but that’s not the point!

Do you long for a little more enchantment in your life? Do your feet itch to dance in the fairy ring at the end of your garden but struggle to see them in the starlight? Do you simply want a gorgeous knitting pattern for your next project? Then this book is for you!

I will be honest. I have waited to blog about it as I knew otherwise this post would be full of squeaks and gushes and “it’s just so amazing”s. So, I knitted two projects first and waited for the excitement to calm down. It didn’t, and it is still taking my full restraint not to do just that anyway.

The first thing that struck me was the beautiful ethereal imagery used throughout the book – just look at this one from the back cover…

And then, obviously, Stephanie’s stunning designs.

I had to cast on the moment the book arrived, literally. The Dragon Watcher’s Hood simply couldn’t wait, and the yarn for Midsummer Night’s dream was ordered within days, nay, hours.

A midsummer night’s dream

 

Each pattern is utterly beautiful. The attention to detail is wonderful, as is the creativity and imagination in each one. I am convinced Stephanie is in fact part fae.

So many of her captivating patterns are quick knits too – the Dragon Watchers hood took only 3 days and the Seedpod Purse about 2. I can see lots of Yuletide presents being born from this book!

The patterns are truly well written, but in a friendly and inviting way, almost as though they have been written for you by a good friend. I have found myself flicking through to find the little comments about how dragons love to dance and rubbing fern seed into your eyes to see fairies. Vital information when woodland walking with a four year old.

There is information about all the yarns used and how to substitute them  with a weight guide. It makes the patterns feel far more approachable when the designer tells you not to feel limited to the yarns used as it could work out expensive.

The book includes lots of information about how to perform certain techniques, like the best way to gently hand felt or machine felt, but not in a solid block at the back of the book like so many others, rather included where and when you need it.

The owl experience level gives a really handy idea of what you can make according to your skill levels and there are plenty of pattern notes to help you along your knitting journey.

I adore the edgings of each page; woodland leaves and branches gracing each pattern in soft changing colours and designs.

I really cannot tell you how much I honestly LOVE this book.

While I wait for my yarn to arrive I will be casting on several flower crowns for the little people in my life. Maybe, probably, even for myself.

Wildflower Crown

Any bad points to this enchanted work of art? Yes. And its name is Emily. I keep finding it stashed in her treasure chest, or under her bed, or even in her cheeky little hands under the pretense that it is her story book. Here she is having just stolen it when my back was turned!

 

This book is now easily my favorite knitting book. It will be my inspiration. My vade mecum.

I leave you with a few pictures of my newly made tinkling dragon watching hood.

Have you bought the book yet? Which is your favorite Tiny Owl Knits pattern? And more importantly, how many dragons and fairies have you seen so far while wearing your woodland knits?

 

Oh dear, it would appear she will be stealing the finished goods too!

P.S. Images of Stephanie Dosen and the wildflower crown have been  used with kind permission from TinyOwlKnits.