Botanica – Knitting Jacquard

The book Botánico. Knitting Jacquard brings together a varied collection of knitted garments ranging from simple projects to more complex ones. It includes children’s and adult sweaters, shawls, ponchos, waistcoats and smaller designs that allow you to get started with jacquard without difficulty. Each project is designed to be knitted in the round, which removes the need for seams and makes working with graphic motifs easier.

The highlight is that all the patterns are inspired by nature, featuring botanical forms, flowers, leaves and fruits, with colour palettes that evoke different seasons of the year. In addition, clear explanations are included on garment construction and size adaptation, making each design accessible and versatile for different skill levels.

Although many of the designs in the book use the jacquard technique, it is not exclusively for experts. In fact, the author proposes an accessible and pedagogical approach, with preliminary explanations on materials, tools, chart reading and fabric preparation. While it is recommended to have basic knitting knowledge, anyone with motivation can follow the steps and progress gradually.

Moreover, Jandi Gardiazabal includes a warm introduction in which she shares her own experience as a beginner knitter, reinforcing the message that everyone can learn jacquard with practice and patience. The tone of the book is encouraging and motivating, ideal for those wishing to start or refine this technique in a creative and friendly environment.

One of the main differences of Botánico. Knitting Jacquard compared to other knitting books is its combination of graphic design inspired by botany and a clear educational structure. Each pattern has a strong visual component, with colour use and natural forms as central elements, making it an attractive book from an aesthetic perspective as well.

In addition, the author’s personal narrative provides added value: it is not just a book of instructions, but also a story of learning, creativity and emotional connection with knitting. The tone is warm, sincere and full of references to nature and the experience of knitting as a personal and therapeutic act. All this makes it a unique proposal within the knitting publishing world.

The content of the book is organised in a progressive and clear way. It begins with a personal introduction by the author, followed by technical chapters explaining tools, types of needles, the use of colour, garment construction and the basic principles of jacquard. This section is very useful both for beginners and for those who want to consolidate their knowledge.

Next, the projects are presented according to difficulty level and target audience: mini projects, children’s garments and adult garments. Each design includes its own charts, detailed explanations and colour suggestions. The book ends with a flagship project (the Botánico sweater), a collection of charts and additional references. Everything is designed to support the reader at every stage of the process.

The use of colour is one of the creative pillars of the book Botánico. Knitting Jacquard. Through jacquard, the author proposes a way of “painting” with yarn, using harmonious palettes that evoke nature. Each project is designed to explore colour combinations reflecting flowers, trees or fruits, with well-calculated contrasts that make the motifs stand out clearly.

Furthermore, Jandi Gardiazabal encourages each person to modify the colour combinations according to their personal taste, allowing for full customisation of each garment. This approach provides creative freedom, as well as an artistic dimension to knitting, where each project becomes a unique piece that expresses the sensitivity of its maker.