The Best-Dressed Knitted Bears: Dozens of Patterns for Teddy Bears, Bear Costumes and Accessories. Emma King by Emma King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE this book! It's laid out well, the patterns and directions are very clear, and I love the photos and the patterns.

First of all, and I know you've heard it before, I love toys even though I can't make them. This book once again makes me want to desperately try. I love how the book is set up - an easy bear to make (and some clothes), a harder bear to make (and different clothes), and lastly, the hardest and biggest bear in the bunch to make, with more clothes. The bears are knitted flat, but an knitter can easily convert the bears to being knit in the round to save some of the seaming chores.

The clothes are only written for each individual bear size, but again, an experienced knitter can easily make them a little bigger or smaller to fit the bear you knit. You can also adjust yarn weight & needle size to make the bears a little bigger or smaller.

Most of the outfits are beyond cute - I love the wizard and pirate outfits the best - and a few are rather simple, like the princess dress.

Any knitter who enjoys toys and making them for the children in their life - or big kids like me! - will love this book.

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Knit Christmas Stockings: 19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments by Gwen Steege
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So let us begin, shall we?

Now, I want to start off by saying... I've never knit a Christmas stocking before. I know, I know.... though I've knit plenty of socks, I've never knit stockings, and I don't hang any up by the chimney with care, either... I have a store bought stocking for hubby, my parents & I and that's it. But maybe with this book... just maybe... that will change?

We start with the usual how to section, including how to knit, purl, increases and decreases, turn a heel (short rows) and the importance of a gauge swatch. I've complained before about how knitting & crocheting books always include a how to section & it bugs the heck out of me, I find it a complete waste of space. If you are buying a book of knitting patterns then you already know how to knit... if you want to learn how to knit, you are going to buy a how to book, or take a class, or ask a friend, or go onto youtube

The patterns are laid out very clearly, and each part of the stocking is spelled out for you, casting on, knit the leg, turning the heel, finishing, etc and the photos are what you'd expect: clear, pretty, well lit. Patterns are all charted.

So, the patterns! Some of my favorites from the book include:

Winter Wonderland - a cute fair isle stocking, space to customize a (short) name, with little 3 dimensional snowmen to add on

Mix and Match Stockings - just what the title says, it's a great mix of fair isle patterns, you can also add a name to it.

Stars Brocade - if I were to knit my MIL a stocking, this would be it, though instead of the photographed white I'd use a Victorian burgandy

Mini Socks - great for an advent calendar

there's also an assortment of ornaments/package tags as well.



I received a copy of this book free through netgalley.

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book review: Knit Your Socks on Straight: A New and Inventive Technique with Just Two Needles; 20 Original Designs by Alice Curtis

Knit Your Socks on Straight: A New and Inventive Technique with Just Two Needles; 20 Original Designs by Alice Curtis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good morning!

Have you seen this book yet, that just came out today? Have you admired the crazy gorgeous yarn on the front cover or the designs on the inside? Have you started knitting socks yet?


Anyone who reads my blog knows I knit a lot of socks - a lot - though I make mainly basic, easy, toe up socks and don't often challenge myself in the socknitting department... or really, the knitting department. (I'll challenge myself with crochet sometimes, but knitting... knitting is just for me, and for fun, and I really do like the basics though I do know how to do any knitting technique under the sun & teach them all on a regular basis). Now, that being said, I love to knit in the round (and regularly turn flat knit patterns into being knit in the round) but I can't wait to start the socks in this book.

OK, whew... went off on a tangent there, didn't I?

So the book begins with the basics... how to, gauge, and specific sock knitting techniques as well, such as turning the heel. Then come the socks... oh the gorgeous socks! There's 15 patterns here, from the basic worsted weight sock to the fancy, fingering weight texture or cabled socks, and there's baby socks and heavier slipper socks. Surprisingly, there's only a few intarsia designs (Coffee Break would make EXCELLENT scrap socks) & only one pair of lace socks (though admitably it's gorgeous).

Alice Curtis, who's an LYS owner (lucky girl), even explains the best way to seam the socks... and seriously... it's not hard, and the finished socks look good. Crocheters, are you listening? She's having us slip stitch the sock seam!


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