I’ve been a big fan of Warunee Bolstad for a little while now- her stunning embroidery on knitwear is so inspiring, and at the same time feels accessible. So I was squeaky with excitement when the publisher of her book reached out about doing a review! This is Warunee Bolstad’s book, Wardrobe Embroidery – Knit & Embroidery Projects for Upcycling Clothes.

So, spoiler alert- I adore this book completely. This is the book I have ALWAYS wanted and didn’t know it until I saw it. As someone who is really into both knitting and embroidery, this felt like the perfect thing at the perfect time, you know?

The book includes a getting started guide that has instructions on working various embroidery stitches in the book, as well as some tips and tricks for embroidering on different types of fabric that are really helpful to anyone just starting out with embroidering on their clothes. Then it opens into a great section with embroidering on different types of fabric for upcycling clothes- jeans, dresses, tops, you name it.  There are also 9 knitting patterns included, with designs for embroidery as well- the 9 patterns are for 3 sweaters, 2 cardigans, a top, a headband, a jacket, and a neckwarmer. The embroidery designs could easily be worked on a variety of items, so while certain items are shown with a particular embroidery design on them (15 embroidery design templates are included in the book), you could easily switch them out for others in the book, and mix and match.

Here are 2 of my favourite embroidery designs from the upcycle projects, although it was hard to choose!

That floral design on the dress fronts are such a showstopper, aren’t’ they? This is the Dress with Flower Meadow design, and would be so beautiful on just about anything.

I particularly love the branches and buds design on the Little Black Dress with Leaves, which looks so pretty worked in a single contrasting colour. Those branches could also be worked all over for a scattered effect.  Would be pretty on a sleeve, too.

And out of the 9 knitting and embroidery patterns (it was so hard to choose favourites!) These are my top picks:

This Rendezvous Sweater is working with fingering weight yarn held double with a strand of mohair for a soft-as-a-cloud effect, and the lace yoke is a fully charted design. I love how the embroidered flowers nestle into the the garter stitch panels in the yoke, such a pretty effect, don’t you think?

This Headband with a Twist is a brilliant stashbuster for small amounts of yarn, and is also fingering weight held double with a strand of mohair. The flowers are stitched on with the leftover yarn for a subtle floral, although you could work it in contrasting colours, too!

I love the scattered floral effect on this Three Day Cardigan, so named because Warunee actually made it in three days! I love the deep V neckline, and the scattered, almost cherry blossom effect of the flowers fluttering down the cardigan. It’s just so dreamy.

The Botanica Sweater is a quick knit in a bulky weight yarn and 6mm (size 10) needles, and how beautiful are those embroidered flowers around the yoke?! The embroidery is worked with standard embroidery floss, and you could really have fun with different colour ideas and arrangements around the neck and shoulders of this sweater.

Should I get This? I Should Get This.

If you love knitting and embroidery, or even just embroidery, then YES, you should get this. It’s the holiday season, so feel free to send book links to people who are looking for gifts ideas for you- this would be a perfect holiday present for you or for a friend or family member that you know would love this.

Suitable For Beginners? Yes!

Most of the embroidery techniques and the knitting patterns are suitable for adventurous beginners, with some of the knitting patterns requiring skills for place knitting or cables that might be a little more challenging for a brand-new new knitter. But the simple, classic shapes of most of these garments make these great beginner-friendly patterns, if you’ve got a few knits under your belt so far.

These Are All Amazing, I Want to See More!

Warunee Bolstad lives in Oslo, Norway and has an eco-friendly knitting accessory brand, as well as being fantastically creative with knitting and embroidery! Her Instagram account has been a favorite of mine for a while- check out lots of embroidered knitting inspiration here.

You Said Something About a Giveaway, Right?

You can purchase this wonderful book  on Amazon here, or for international orders, on Book Depository (also owned by Amazon) here.  But you know, independent booksellers are always the best place to buy your books, if you can!

Thanks to the fabulous folks at Zakka Workshop, we are having a giveaway (International)! Please leave a comment here let me know which pattern from the collection you are most excited to knit/embroider! You can get an extra free entry by leaving a comment on the instagram post about the giveaway, too!

Contest will close at midnight Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, December 2nd. Winner will be announced on Monday, Dec 6th.