Vintage Knitting, Retro Dressmaking, Make do and Mend, Original and Vintage Inspired Knitting Patterns, Vintage Inspired books

Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Coronation Knits available to pre order now!

I am so happy to be able to share with you the cover image of Coronation Knits! 

Copyright ©2012 Susan Crawford

It features my beautiful, patient daughter Charlie who kindly travelled down from Edinburgh so that I could torment her all day by making her pose for the camera.

The cover also features the Diamond Stole, knitted in Juno Belle which is a described as a lightweight fingering yarn. Its composition is 70% superfine British Alpaca and 30% Blue Faced Leicester spun in Devon by a very good friend of mine! This stunning stole was knitted by my friend Tom, who is the most incredible lace knitter I have ever met. His ability to remember patterns is too amazing to comprehend. Tom also managed to knit this stole in three and a half days.

Copyright ©2012 Susan Crawford

 The stole is one of 14 designs all working around the theme of the Coronation, the late 1940s-early 1950s fashions, diamonds and red, white and blue. The stole is one of a selection of designs for women in the collection which also includes jumpers, hats, cardigans, twinsets and head scarves. There are also two men's designs - a fabulous fair isle sleeveless pullover and a retro pair of socks - and also two children's designs - one for girls and one for boys.  The book is approximately 100 pages in length, full colour and also contains a chapter all about this pivotal period in British history, where I set the scene for the collection.

Copyright ©2012 Susan Crawford
This design is part of the Princess Twinset and is knitted in Excelana 4 ply. Here's a little peek at the matching cardigan which is knitted in Cornflower Blue, Excelana 4 ply.

Copyright ©2012 Susan Crawford
One of my particular favourites from the book is Diamonds are Forever.

Copyright ©2012 Susan Crawford
This jumper is knitted in the round from the bottom up and has gentle waist shaping to create that 1950s silhouette. The yoke is picked up around both sleeves and the body and then the diamond pattern is worked before decreases are worked for the neckline. The sleeves are bracelet length which again was a very popular design feature in the period. This garment is knitted in Renaissance Dyeing Dorset Poll 4 ply which was an absolute delight to knit with, and thoughtfully had several coordinating blues in the palette which made particularly perfect for this design.

I'll share more designs with you over the next few weeks (there are also some additional images on the website) but the most exciting news is that due to demand the book is going to be available in print as well as an e-book. There will be three options to purchase, either just the print book or the print and e-book as a joint purchase or finally the e-book on its own.  The publication date is June 8th which just happens to be the Jubilee weekend.

I'm also delighted to be able to offer a pre-order package for both the print and the digital versions of the book which are:

Your pre order package includes a signed copy of this beautiful book, 
project bag, commemorative gift card and discount vouchers.  
Price £12.99 (+p&p)

As print package above. 
Special combination price of £17.99 (+p&p for the print book)

Your pre order package includes discount vouchers and a 
free bonus pattern PDF from the Susan Crawford Vintage online shop.  
Price £9.99

Please note that all parts of these offers will be sent at the same time as your book.

You can see more preview pictures and read more about the book and place your pre order if you so desire on my website.

Also do look out for details of my forthcoming first ever, all singing, all dancing, blog tour! Exciting stuff. 

but for now,
Ruby xx