Itty-Bitty Toys: How to Knit Animals, Dolls, and Other Playthings for Kids by Susan B. Anderson. Published by Artisan, New York.
Lately, I have been OBSESSED with wanting to knit toys.
Notice I said "Wanting," and not yet "knitting" toys. I have not knitted any toys yet--was never interested, never understood the point, etc.
The only thing I made was a teddy bear based on Baby Bobbi Bear by Bobbi Intveld for my sister 3 years ago.
Then I saw this Instagram post by EweandMe earlier this week. How cute is that? It got me thinking, when Logan is born next March, I'll probably need to take a break from big projects or design work for a couple of months. What am I going to knit besides socks?
I might have mentioned that I am not planning to do a lot of knitting for the baby. I already knitted a couple of things but I know babies grow very quickly, and I don't want to spend a ton of time on something that my baby will only wear once or twice. I'll probably do more knitting and sewing for him as he grows older, but I am using this last bit of free, childless time for me and my husband's handmade things.
I'm thinking, instead of clothes or booties for my baby, TOYS will make really fun projects. It's small, somewhat portable, I can take breaks in between, and the FOs will stay with him for a lot longer than a tiny cardigan.
So I started combing over all the thumbnail size photos on my phone one night, when I searched under Toys on Ravelry. Many of my favorites were designed by Susan B. Anderson, some were free patterns, some were not. But there were so many, I decided to just buy this book by her.
What did you do with Jean? Who is this person? Jean NEVER makes toys!!!
But these are so cuuuuute. I might even make some now and keep them for myself, AWAYYYY from the messy baby. =P
Some of my favorites are (click on the images to go to their Ravelry pattern pages):
Every knitter needs a lamb (or ewe, or sheep) toy doll.
Maybe it's the baby model, maybe it's the color of the doll, but this purple/pink hippo is just right for me.
And how can you do a review on a knitted toy book without showing a teddy bear?
I have a ton of leftover handspun and sock yarns from all my sock knitting craze these days so once the baby arrives, I can just get to these projects. Or I might even start now to contribute to my destashchallenge.
There are even patterns in here that are REVERSIBLE. TWO toys in ONE.
I just can't get over the cuteness of these patterns. This book was published in 2009, so it's not even new. After almost 5 years since the first publication of this book, I'm just beginning to find out the joys of knitting toys. Babies DO change you, don't they. :)
On a sidenote: Voolenvine of Yarngasm Podcast is hosting the Ornament-a-long KAL!
I think the projects from this book will be perfect for Voolenvine's Ornament-a-long and it will actually encourage/enable me to start now, before the baby arrive ;)
Disclaimer: I personally purchased this book myself. I was not paid, compensated, contracted, or otherwise obligated to write this review.