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

Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys Magical Two-in-One Reversible Projects by Susan B. Anderson
Such a cute and useful idea. This book gives you the details and instructions on how to make a stuffed animal with a surprise.
My favorite is the egg that turns into a penguin.
Easy to understand knit directions that explain how to sew the item together so one side will show one face expression and the other side with different arm/leg colors show a different face expression.
Stitch abbreviations are show more also explained.
Shows some of the more difficult techniques with step by step detailed sections.
12 projects, another favorite would be the snowman that turns into a Christmas tree, then again I like the dog in the doghouse and the butterfly one... show less