Knitted Toys

If winter’s chill has you confined to the couch with nothing to do, here’s the ideal way to keep you (and your icy hands) on the go. No need to leave home; knit up a treasure chest full of colourful soft toys for children’s gifts, home décor or Christmas stockings. My favourites are the bugs on page 24 – use them to make a colourful cot mobile, or even to hang from your car’s rear-view mirror.

With 20 options ranging from furry farmyard animals to quaint finger puppets, each project provides colourful photographs, detailed instructions and information about measurements, materials and tensions. Particularly useful is the skill-level indicator, ranging from one (easiest) to three (most difficult). For those of you who are just starting out, there’s also an introductory few pages covering different types of yarns, stitches, needles and techniques.

And if you’ve got children, jump at the opportunity for collaboration on easier projects. A perfect example is the teddy on page 72 – while you bring him to life, encourage your kids to learn by knitting him a scarf. Nothing could be easier, or more rewarding. And once teddy is finished, he’ll make the perfect winter companion.

Reviewed by Cara Visser

Published by New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd.