Grown: Sophisticated Sweater Designs from the Maker of Tot Toppers
I thought I was done having babies. But then I embarked on this project.
I can’t believe I actually made it to this point (longest “pregnancy” ever, ha!) but I finally have A BOOK TO ANNOUNCE. I have dropped some hints and teasers here and there but have mostly kept this not-so-little project under wraps. I hope that those of you who are used to more regular pattern releases from me haven’t gotten too frustrated; it turns out that I’m just not fancy enough to keep putting out single patterns while also creating my first full-size self-published book. I have so much to share about this whole process but let me just start by revealing the designs.
Although my adult line has been around for a while, the concept behind the book was a little different. Most of my When I Grow Up designs of the past are their own thing and not connected with my kids line. But last year, after receiving yet another request to upsize one of my Tot Toppers designs, I decided I was going to do it but perhaps in an unexpected way. I toyed around with how this collection would come together. First, it was just going to be single patterns that could be purchased in bundle form. Then I thought maybe I could do an e-book. But eventually, I fell in love with all of the new versions so much that I decided to go all out in a way I have never done before, overseeing the book from start to finish without an experienced publisher to guide me and actually taking it to print.
Some of the designs are what you’d call upsized, keeping true to the inspired kids’ version overall. Others borrowed a stitch pattern or feature to create something entirely new. More importantly than that, each pattern was transitioned thoughtfully and intentionally for grown-ups. These Grown versions were cultivated to flatter adult women and men and not just blow up something made for kids. We all know that kids bodies are just a little bit different than adults. The last thing you want to do is wear something that was made with a kid in mind. I think you will find that is not the case here and the elements of each pattern were truly formulated for post-adolescents. Each of the designs I chose to feature in Grown are raglan-style seamless sweaters with very little finishing and sewing: perfect for your busy grown-up life! You can combine this book with your favorite Tot Toppers patterns to create sweaters for the entire family. Maybe I’ll hold a Christmas card competition… :)
I hope you have seen and heard enough that you are ready to order this book! Here are some more enticements. Right now, you have a few options to purchase and any of them will get you knitting straightaway. Your best deal is to pre-order the print version of the book and receive the following package:
• Grown E-book (immediate delivery)
• Your choice of any one of the coordinating Tot Toppers patterns (immediate delivery)
• Beautifully printed version of Grown (shipping in January)
• A special custom wooden treat from Retromantic Fripperies (ships with your book early next year)
Local yarn shops will receive a 10% discount when you pre-order your copies of Grown from NNK Press and will also be sent a complimentary e-book immediately, so you can get started on a sample or two if you wish. Also, there will be a trunk show that includes every sweater in the book so be sure to sign up for that.
The pre-order package for knitters and shops will only be available for a limited amount of time and is a really great deal! Your support means so much to me.
Of course, if you would rather have the e-book only, you can absolutely do that right now as well through my website or through Ravelry.
Over the next month or two, I’m going to be sharing more detailed design-specific info and you can also learn lots by following along on the upcoming blog & podcast tour! I’m so honored that Grown will be stopping by the following locations through the middle of November. Follow along for chances to win all sorts of goodies, yarn, books, patterns etc. I’ll come back and update each link so that it is direct to the post/episode as we go along so they are easy to find.
YOTH Yarns Blog………………………………..October 6
Knitting Butterflies Podcast………………….October 7
Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird……..October 11
Down Cellar Studio Podcast…………………October 13
Scavenger Hunt…………………………………..week of October 17
French Press Knits Blog……………………….October 19
Knitterella Blog…………………………………..October 26
Knitmore Girls Podcast………………………..October 27
A Playful Day Blog……………………………….October 29
2 Knit Lit Chicks Podcast……………………..October 29
Alicia Plummer……………………………………November 5
Very Shannon……………………………………..November 14
Webs Podcast………………………………………November 16
Knittin’ Little Blog……………………………….November 16
Anzula Blog…………………………………………November 17
by Annie Claire…………………………………….week of November 21
Knittin’ Little Podcast…………………………..November 23
Before I close out this post I have some thank you’s to those who were invaluable at putting together this project. You were and are awesome and this page deserves to be shared with the world and not just in the back of the book!
And, more on this when I post about the designs themselves, but thank you also to the yarn companies who were part of this collection! Thank you for trusting me with your precious fiber and I hope you are pleased with the outcome: Anzula, Dream in Color, Lorna’s Laces, The Plucky Knitter, Quince & Co. & YOTH Yarns
<3 to you all
Even when you are Grown, may you never stop growing.
