cover image Mom & Me Knits: 
20 Pretty Projects for Mothers and Daughters

Mom & Me Knits: 20 Pretty Projects for Mothers and Daughters

Stefanie Japel. Chronicle, $22.95 (132p) ISBN 978-0-8118-7929-3

Popular knitwear designer Japel has a clever concept for her latest book: each pattern is shown with two variations. The first is for mom, and the second for a daughter, either sized for a baby or a young girl. Each set clearly goes together, but these aren’t the matchy-matchy designs that might make one’s skin crawl. Japel assumes readers know how to knit and the designs can be complex, but all are photographed clearly, in full color, and many show the set together on models. Plenty of helpful illustrations are also provided within the instructions. A sure hit is the Surfer Tee set, a relaxed duo that knit into casual T-shirts with kangaroo pockets for both ladies. The Library cardigans are bookishly cute, although the sight of the baby’s Aran coat will elicit the most squeals of adorableness. The only off-note is an oddly shaped set of artist vests that is unflattering for both young and old. This book is sure to do well with the mostly female demographic of knitters, as the range of styles is excellent for a small book and the cute factor is off the charts. (May)