Susan B. Anderson

I checked out this book from the library because I liked the idea of a baby bird in an egg that hatches (you turn the construct inside out to turn it from one to the other) and is even settled in a little nest. How perfect that would be for Easter baskets! Now I'm also planning on making some toy fruit (finger puppet grapes and pears and apples!) and looking wistfully at The Princess and the Pea playset with stacks of cute little mattresses. And there is much more: cheerful, round-bodied show more stuffed animals, interactive toys that turn inside out to take on a different aspect, and simple to knit basics like balls and stacking blocks.

Update: the fruit finger puppets were gorgeous, one of the prettiest projects I've ever made, they were a lovely autumn fruit-bowl decoration, and the kids even liked playing with them. The fact that I made them some little caterpillars to crawl in to the finger-holes and "eat" the fruit may have helped there.

I also made the three little pigs, complete with their houses, and wolf. The modifications I made, mostly to improve the stability of the houses, are detailed on Ravelry where my screen name is also Muumi. This playset was a huge success, even with kids up to 8 years old. The pigs, wolf, and the whole scene was just so extremely cute. With two projects so very well-loved, and another eight or potentially more in my Ravelry favourites for potential later projects, I think this book earns five stars. show less

I don't know whether this book will stay "gone" or not, but when I thought that not having any more babies in the extended family made the book surplus to requirements, my 6 year old grandson soon proved me wrong. I had to retrieve the book from the box destined for the secondhand bookstore and cast on for the Three Pigs and a Wolf playset (three houses and a cauldron also included). SO cute and apparently, not "too young" for six year olds! It's finished, getting a lot of use, and is a show more remarkably versatile play set. And then, a friend pointed out the adorable Grumpy Bear pattern, composed entirely of garter-stitch rectangles: a perfect project for beginning knitters. The book is definitely a keeper. show less

Quite possibly one of the best knitting books I own. Of the more than 30 patterns, I would say 90% of them are adorable and practical. There are only two or three hats that I would never dream of knitting. Instructions are given in several sizes, newborn to two years, in most cases. Also, most patterns come with one or two variations, and the book also has an extensive and well-done "getting starting" section that is very new-knitter friendly but also has some great tips for intermediate show more knitters. show less

Note: I have not yet knit from this book.

I like many of the patterns. I like the fact that she starts with a section of nice patterns based on garter stitch rectangles. I found a nice sweater I want to make for my grandson.

The general directions are split between the front and the back of the book. Most places the specific directions do not tell you where (and if) directions for the specific stitch are in the book. Can anyone help me with 'smocking stitch'? Some of the patterns are just show more too, too for me. There is no chart to translate US to mm needle sizes. (This book is from 2007, please.) show less