Scrumptious Toppers for Tots & Toddlers: 30 Hats and Caps from Debby Ware

Who else but the author of Too Cute could come with a "Baby Chick Cap" (pick up some yellow eyelash), a "Hearts & Flowers Hat" (get a silk flower), and a "Bull's Eye Beret" (needs chenille)? Nobody but designer Debby Ware, who presents 30 hats and caps in this new collection. The Tunton Press outdid itself with layout and photography in this 137-page offering. How did they get those babies and toddlers to sit still, lie still, and even pose? I'm told the answer lies in the employment of a "baby wrangler," someone equipped with both funny noisemakers and calming devices. Even better, in an instructive vein, are the close-up photos and graphs of the colorful and sometimes comical details that make Ware's designs so singular. In addition to her easy-to-follow patterns, the book includes a how-to drawing of her signature french knots. There is also a short section on "Special Stitches" like the welt, the I-cord, and the pom-pom. Ware encourages the reader's own creativity. In her description of the "Greenie Beanie," she notes "it is so easy to create that you'll want to knit one in every color of the rainbow." In her introduction she asks readers to "use my patterns as a starting point to your own one-of-a-kind creations." Her 30 hats are divided into three sections: "Homecomings," which feature many beanies for newborns; "Hooplas," which are holiday hats, and "Humdingers," which includes the sparkly "Lemon Drop Cream," the smashing "Feathers & Fringe Fedora," and a one called a "Wee Wild One" that has glittery ears and nose and a big smile. Scrumptious Toppers is one of those knitting books that make you glad you're a knitter who knows other knitters so you can share this beautiful book with them.

My sister and I attended one of Debby's workshops and had so much fun we've been haunting her ever since, waiting for this new book. I've already made the "Firecracker Topper" for my overactive nephew, and the "Pretty-in-Pink" hat for my niece. Debby's touches are unique, but once you master them, you can use the same techniques to embellish anything you can dream up. These hats are truly "scrumptious". I plan to start with the "Birthday Cupcake" hat in the beginning of the book and knit my way through all of them... until I run out of babies!

Someone in my knitting circle recommended D. Ware's first book (which I have loved), so I recently went looking to see what she's been up to. I'd gotten a couple of her sweet ready-made knitting kits and turned the circle on to them too--everyone put their own touches on them and we had fun sharing the finished products. I love this new book. Inventive, colorful and most of all, fun to knit. I can't wait to add to my nieces and nephews' collection of Aunt Kate knits.

Someone gave me this book for my birthday and it is totally delightful. I loved just thumbing through and looking at the great photos of these very creative, original, and endearing hats. Scrumptious is the right word. I am still trying to decide what to make first! I think it might have to be the baby chick hat in its nest. Wonderful.

Great styles for both boys and girls. Can't wait to get started knits for those special little persons.