Vintage Knits for Modern Babies [Paperback]

I agree with the other reviewers in saying that this book is full of beautiful patterns. The photography is done very nicely too. I would definitely consider making every project in the book, which is somewhat of a rarity in pattern books anymore.
True to the title, many of these little items have the vintage feel to it (such as the wavy cashmere blanket and vintage pixie cap) and are very cute. Vintage isn't always the best though; I've looked through my share of patterns from the 40's & 50's and so on and have found the vast majority of them don't appeal to me, are outdated and old looking, you wouldn't want to put them on any baby today. But this book does a wonderful job of featuring patterns that are vintage but at the same time perfectly wearable and still modern enough to give to a child now.
I have been finishing other projects and waiting to start on a pattern from this book. However, the 1st thing I have attempted to do had me a little confused and this is why I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5. It isn't my own error, I've double checked and read the instructions carefully. The instructions on the Pom-Pom Booties tell you to follow a round with some increasing, and then to repeat it again once more and is followed by the number of stitches you should have. You're supposed to have 31 stitches, which you do, if you count everything. But you've only been instructed to work 29 of them. The other 2 stitches are still on the left needle. There is no instruction on what you're supposed to do with these remaining 2, the round just ends with the completion of repeating the instruction for the second time. There isn't something like "K2, or K remaining stitches" or any little note in the beginning of the pattern that you would go back to.
This irritates me. I assume by looking at the picture of the finished product that I probably do knit the remaining stitches. This situation is the same on the other lines of the pattern (complete an instruction another time and only get the stitch count, not what to do with the few remaining on the left needle). This is the first book I've come across that just flat out doesn't tell me what to do with stitches. The book seems to think the knitter will just know to knit the stitches, or know what to do with them. I don't want to have to assume. Maybe it's a minor thing, but a person could assume the wrong thing and not know. I'd rather just have a spelled out "K2, K remaining stitches, etc....' or some type of instruction that makes what you're supposed to be doing very clear.
This is the first pattern I've tried to do, I haven't tried any others yet so I don't know if the same thing happens in any other patterns. Besides the issue of unspecified instructions, I'd still say the book is a really great buy, worth the money, and full of great little projects for knitters of different experience levels.

To update: I have just tried a few more patterns. I've finished the pom pom booties from before and came out with great results (knit those stitches when it leaves out what to do with them). Also, the little hat from the beginning of the book came out great. Though again, I have run into a minor issue. I am making the crossover jacket this time and have found that the gauge or measurement may be inaccurate. I'm using the right type of yarn, right size of needles, and checked my gauge beforehand which was correct. In this case, you are repeating instructions until you have 19 stitches. You are then instructed to work even in garter stitch until you have 6 inches. Problem is: repeating the instructions until you are left with those 19 stitches already puts you over. I have followed the directions and ended up with 6 1/2 inches, without even going on to working even. All my measurements before getting to that point are correct, gauge and materials and tools correct, which is why I'm leaning towards there being maybe a misprint in how many inches you should have when finished. I'm not sure what to do here, but I suppose leaving it with the supposed extra half inch won't ruin the garment, just make it somewhat looser. I don't know if anyone else has found this problem with this project, but I'd be interested to find out.

I have made two of the patterns in this book and they where fast, easy, and totally adorable. If you like the idea of quick and wonderful gifts for babies, this is the book to get.

Finally a book that puts together my two passions - knitting and vintage baby patterns in post-1950s language! These patterns are easy to follow and actually end up looking like the photos! Thank you!

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