THE CHILDREN'S COLLECTION

THE CHILDREN'S COLLECTION by Alice & Jade Starmore, published by Interweave Press, Loveland, Colorado, USA, 2000. Price £12.80. This book is available to buy from this website.

This book is needed to make all the designs on this page.

SECRET GARDEN

A lightweight coat for girls aged 2 through to 7 years of age, shown here in our Wild Orchid shade of Hebridean 3 Ply. The body is worked in one piece to the armholes, and is then subtly decreased to produce its A-Line shaping.
Available in any colour of Alice Starmore Hebridean 3 Ply

ISOBEL OF MAR

Here, following many requests, is Secret Garden in five adult sizes. It is scaled-up from the original version, and so has the same subtle, flattering shaping, as shown here in our Carrageen shade. An amendment is provided for use in conjunction with the instructions in the book.

I felt this new version deserved its own name, and so I chose that of a woman who died tragically young, but whose descendants ruled Scotland - and later England - for centuries. These photographs were taken at a spot known as Queen’s View, overlooking Loch Tummel, about three miles from the Pass of Killiecrankie in Perthshire. Queen Victoria came here and was highly impressed, but she was not the first queen to visit. Legend has it that the spot is so called because it was a favourite view of Isobel of Mar (circa 1274-1300), the first wife of Robert the Bruce. Isobel died before the Bruce was actually crowned Robert I of Scotland, so she was never technically a queen. However, her grandson Robert II became the first monarch of the Stewart dynasty, which reigned - despite a few Cromwellian hiccups - for over 400 years, so I think she is perfectly entitled to be remembered as Queen Isobel.
Available in any colour of Alice Starmore Hebridean 3 Ply

CATS & MICE

I wanted to use my whimsical cats and mice patterns in a baby blanket, but the resulting warm new colour scheme would also look good on a chair by any fireside. The original vest is also available in the new colours. For both blanket and vest, an amendment is supplied for working in conjunction with the book.

The cat looking on approvingly is Leonard the Leadville Leopard with whom I bonded instantly through the window of a little second hand store in Leadville Colorado when I was ten years old. I don’t know his origins but I thought his wry grin deserved a wider public. JS
Available in Hebridean 2 Ply in colours as shown in Cats & Mice Blanket

WESTERN SEAS ADULT

Here is a classic sweater for all shapes and sizes, all ages, and just about all situations from dressed-up to casual. If you were to have only one Scottish Fleet gansey in your wardrobe then this timeless design would be the one.
Western Seas is available in any colour of Scottish Fleet.

WESTERN SEAS CHILD

Western Seas is available in any colour of Scottish Fleet.

SAND DOLLAR

Sand Dollar is available in any colour of Scottish Fleet.

CLASSIC ARAN

The Classic Aran is worked in Hebridean 3 Ply on 4.5mm needles with tension and measurements exactly as given in the book. The sweater is shown here in Red Deer. It is lighter in weight and much livelier in appearance than the original.
Available in any colour of Hebridean 3 Ply.

ORIENTAL FLOWER

Oriental Flower is worked in Hebridean 2 Ply on 3mm needles with a tension of 29 sts and 33 rows to 10cm measured over chart patt. The swatch photograph shows the pattern worked in Hebridean 2 Ply colours. The cardigan is slightly larger than the original. Amended measurements are shown above. Revised tension and schematic are included with the yarn.

ELEPHANTS WAISTCOAT

We are able to offer our Hebridean 2 Ply yarn for this child's waistcoat in two colourways. Colourway 1 is a vibrant version of the original. Colourway 2 is warm, rich and redolent of Eastern spices. Along with the yarn, we supply an amended chart key and schematic for use with the book.

ELEPHANTS BABY BLANKET

The Elephants theme has been hugely popular with children and adults alike. This blanket will make a beautiful gift for a new addition to the family, or it can adorn any well-loved room. An amendment is provided for use in conjunction with the instructions in The Children’s Collection. You see it here shown in Colourway 1, but it is also available in Colourway 2 as shown in the Elephants Waistcoat.

Available in Hebridean 2 Ply in Colourway 1 or 2, as shown in the Elephants Waistcoat.

ELEPHANTS CUSHION COVER

Cushion covers present an easy and rewarding way to hone your stranded knitting skills and at the same create a piece of work to admire and enjoy on a daily basis. The soft touch of the yarn, as well as the images, will give any child an early appreciation of knitting. The cushion cover is also available in both colourways. An instruction sheet together with an amended chart key will be provided for use with the book. Available in Colourway 1 and Colourway 2 as waistcoat.

FISH & ANCHORS PULLOVER

Fish & Anchors is a classically styled dropped shoulder pullover. The photograph shows the original design from the book while the detail picture shows the design reworked in our Hebridean 2 Ply yarn. Jade's playful imagery of tiny fish, anchors and little waves use our vibrant shades of Whin, Poppy, Summertide, Red Rattle, Witchflower and Machair. For the pullover, an amended chart key and schematic will be provided for use with the book.

FISH & ANCHORS CUSHION COVER

This is a bright and breezy design, guaranteed to brighten up a child's room. The pattern is very easy to work in the round and makes an ideal beginner project. For the cushion cover, an instruction sheet and an amended chart key will be provided for use with the book.