Today I have another book review for you, this one for Knitted Wild Animals:
15 Adorable, Easy-to-Knit Toys by Sarah Keen.
Published by Watson-Guptill, it was released earlier this month.
**Warning: This book is almost unbearably cute. Proceed at your own risk.**
The book has a full-color gallery at the front with photos of each of the 15 wild animals in the book. They are: an elephant, giraffe, zebra, lion, giant panda, tiger, crocodile, monkey, snakes, hippo, rhino, warthog, koala, moose, and penguin.
While it is hard to choose, I think the warthog is my favorite.
How could you not love that guy?
There are a couple of group shots of all the critters together:
Adorable photo-styling!
The next section has all the patterns for the animals. Each pattern starts with a fun tid-bit of information about that animal, followed by complete instructions for making it.
Every pattern in the book calls for “any light worsted weight yarn” (a dk weight) and all call for polyester fiberfill for stuffing (but of course you could stuff with something else.
In the back of the book, the techniques section, it advises you that an acrylic yarn is a good choice for washability. All of the patterns are knit on 3.25mm needles at a gauge of 26 stitches and 34 rows to 4″, so it’s a good form gauge, appropriate for toys — you wouldn’t want a loose gauge here so that stuffing would leak out.
My first thought upon seeing these designs was “Cascade 220!” because of the amazing color range, but of course if you want a toy that will be machine washable and dryable, that wouldn’t do. But I think Encore and/or Encore DK would work great. If you go into Ravelry, you can do an advanced search of yarns that have acrylic in them and are DK and/or worsted weight and come up with lots of choices.
I estimate that the animals in this book range from about 8 to 12″ inches in size, so if you wanted to make a larger one, you could conceivably use a bulkier yarn and bigger needles. Just make sure you use the same type of yarn for all parts of the animal (if it used more than one color).
In the Techniques section of the back of the book there are step by step instructions for pretty much everything you need to know to make these animals, including casting on, and forming a knit and purl stitch, increasing and decreasing, working intarsia, binding off and assembling the pieces, and working embroidery and tassels that are needed for some of the critters.
One-stop shopping for everything you need to know.
I had a long talk with myself about how it would be much nicer of me to give this book away instead of greedily keeping it since I do not have children to knit for. My inner child screamed “But I want it!”
Lucky for you all, my inner adult won out, so I’ll give away my review copy to one of you lucky readers. (But my inner child is pouting. I want a warthog!)
Leave a comment to this post and on Tuesday, November 2 at 4:00pm Eastern Time the Random Number Generator will draw a name to receive my review copy.
Lucy sez:
“Why would she ever want one of those stuffed animals when she has me?”
Oh, I need to make the rhino! I agree with you about the warthog though, he is adorable! I would make him black and white like the potbellied pig I used to have.
Jen´s last [type] ..Cooking in the yarnhoardin household
I’m not sure how you can part with such a cute book! Doesn’t Lucy need a Warthog?
Ruth´s last [type] ..The Iron Heel
Absolutely adorable! I don’t know how your grown-upness won out here. My inner child must really know how to throw tantrums….
Adorable!
Oh the joy of knitting lions,and tigers and bears….Oh My!
Carmen´s last [type] ..Were 1
Lucy’s right–she’s cuter than a warthog. You need nothing more.
My grandkids would love these animals
dying from the cute! If I win, I’ll knit you a warthog my dear!
Oh what fun! So cute…I would love to give these a try.
I agree with Lucy. But those critters are adorable!
I need to make the elephant. He looks just like Babar!
Ashley W´s last [type] ..Best Pictures of the Season
Sooo Cute!
Don’t forget that Cascade 220 also comes in a superwash version, with lots of colors!
Oh please random number generator… pick me!
I’ve been wanting to make something fun for my grandson… I love the looks of the warthog or the hippo!
Lucy really sez: Is there a pattern for a fuzzy rat in there??
How can you not love such adorable cuteness? Keeping my fingers and toes crossed in hopes you pick me! LOL
That tiger really grrrrrrrrrrrabs me!
I agree, too adorable!
Yay for your inner adult:). I most almost exclusively for kids and this book is SO cute. Thanks for sharing it Wendy.
Maybe whomever wins will knit you the warthog – these are the cutest animals I’ve ever seen, and I’m not one to knit animals. But these are just too cute. Lucy probably need an animal too.
So cute! Yes, please, sign me up!
Oh, wow. Those are adorable! I’m working on a bat right now, and he might get a little lonely with only an octopus for company. Probably wise for me to delurk and get in a chance at the book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Kirstie´s last [type] ..Summer Sprouts
OMG These animals are so cute!
so cute! i think you should make yourself a warthog as well….
Oh, those are ADORABLE! I think the hippo is my favorite.
Love the monkey. “hoohoo haahaa” as my 2 yr old loves to say. So cute!
My son would adore that book. My husband would adore it even more! Oh, please, let me knit a whole zoo for them!
Lorraine´s last [type] ..SewMamaSew Serger Contest
I would use Cascade 220 Superwash for these cute animals….I have 2 grandsons, aged 3 and 1.5 and another baby on the way…plenty of stuffed animal lovers.
I would love to make those animals for my grandsons. Please enter my name.
That book is too cute! I’d like to thank your inner adult for offering it up to us.
Oh my goodness! Those are so cute! Thank you for being so generous (as always) and I promise to make you a warthog if I win. Though, it may be a while, since I’d have to make elephants for my mom and mother-in-law first.
My daughter’s school mascot is a panda. It would be great to knit her one of those (and one for the school too)! My son would love the crocodile, rhino, elephant…..What a great book.
Rusty Boyd´s last [type] ..Seattle-Day 4-with surprise news
Thanks as always for the chance to win. I like the monkey and hippo!
this book is so very very cute.
Well if I’m not lucky enough to win this copy, I am heading straight to the book store! Those are the cutest animal patterns I have seen in a long time.
Those are fabulous toys – would love this book and so would my four grandchildren!!!!
Carolyn
This is a really cute book…
Come on Random Number Generator! What an adorable book!
Must have a Koala! Though they are all awfully cute.
I want the rhino! Too cute!!
I love making stuffed animals! Maybe some day I will have a grandchild to give them to but for now they look so cute in my sewing room!!! Please, please a new book!!
Very cute book. Thanks for the chance.
I would love to have this book. My kids would love to have them!
If I start knitting now, I could finish one of these cuties by the time my grandchildren are born!
because, Ms. Lucy, she can’t take you to work…
That book is so cute. Hopefully I will have grandchildren one day!
This would be perfect for my daughter! I could whip some of these up for her 1st birthday on the 27th!
aaawwww, that is completely adorable! and I have two little grandchildren who would love one of those in their christmas packages.
best wishes from Iceland
Frida
I have grandchildren that would love to have those cute animals knit for them..Thanks for the giveaway.
Love to knit stuffed animals now. thanks for the giveaway!
A warthog is what you want. Hmmm we’ll have to see…
Adorable animals! How are they constructed? Is there lots of sewing involved in the finishing?
I agree with some of the others: make a stuffed animal for yourself, they are so cute!
They are all so cute! Thanks for the review.
What an adorable book–just the thing for this Grandma…I’ve always loved stuffed animals and would love to make some for my two grandchildren. Thanks for posting the info on the book and for being so generous as to share it with one lucky person.
Barbara
You are correct…almost unbearably cute! Hard to pick a favorite animal (I guess I want ‘em all!)
Aww, it IS almost too cute for words! Thanks for the chance to win!
YuLian´s last [type] ..Will Work For Yarn Swap 1
Love the cute animals. Who needs kids for these.
I like the look of the arrangement of the animals. I think it would be fun to do all of them and have my own zoo!
Kate´s last [type] ..Finally Finished!
Must…knit…tiger…
That is adorable!
So Cute! I have new twins in the family to knit for!
So cute! I want to make a penguin.
Oooh, that’d be fun. And Lucy, she loves you plenty! Just guilt trip her into salmon nibbles.
My grandchildren would love those animals.
Need this book!
What a great book, it is as cute as can be, I have two grandbabies and have been looking for a book like this.
My three year-old would love, love, love these animals!
Lucy’s definitely cuter than any of *thoze* ani-mules, but I’d love to win the book and make quite a few of them! Thanks for the opportunity.
Betsy
My kids (and their teachers) would love it!
Ooooo OOoooooo I want a penguin. O Random Number Genie, please allow me to rub thee the right way.
These animals are adorable! My daughter goes ape over monkeys, so that will be my first project. Then I have a friend who likes hippos. My personal favorite is the tiger. I think that this one book could be in my knitting bag for a long time! Thanks, Wendy!
Kathleen
These animals are soooooo cute! I would definitely make some for my grandchildren.
Sallie´s last [type] ..Almost Forgot
Those are adorable. My grandkids would love them.
Sooo cute. I love the warthog, too. But they all are darling.
Thanks for the review, Wendy. Great things to make for grandchildren. Thanks for counting me in.
I have six children to choose from, though a few are college age. But the 8 year old would be enchanted.
Oh the cuteness! A veritable jungle in those pages!
OMG!!! These are too cute for words…you’re strong to give this book away….’ll take it:) cg
Oh Em Gee those are some cute animals! (Hope I win!)
I totally agree about the warthog, too. I think it’s the cloven foot. So Prosh!
That little koala has stolen my heart. I’d love to knit it for my great nieces and nephews.
My kids are too old, the grands are too old (and way to cool, they think) to want this; but the great-granddaughter would love one of these great stuffed toys. So I guess I really deserve/need the book and hope you’ll agree and pick me =c)
Thanks!
Theresa
Oh my goodness!! I need to get this book and if I’m not the lucky winner I will most certainly be buying it. I’m going to be a first time Gramma in May and the baby’s room is going to be themed with baby animals. This will be just perfect to make the little critters!!
I have been drooling over this book for weeks now but this is the first time I got to see what animals are in the book. Now I’m really hoping that the number gods pick me!!
Love that zebra!
Those are soo adorable. I have a stash of yarn just waiting to become animals for my twins! I hope the picking system lands on me!! I do agree with Lucy, you have the best little one to love!
Amy
they animals are adorable. Count me in for the contest. Thank you!
My inner child would want to keep it too! My inner child wants it!
These are too adorable! I’m glad I have waited to get a pattern book of toy animals! However, would love to have this one.
Beth´s last [type] ..Pay Attention!!
baaww, its so cute! I’d knit you a warthog! <3 and maybe a mini catnip warthog for Lucy. Then she'd understand what all the fuss is about! XD
So adorable! I’d love to win it!
I have a brand new great grandson and he would love to have a few of these darling animals.
That level of cuteness is ridiculous.
Okay, I’ll bite–those are adorable! (And yes, the warthog is especially cute!)
Too cute! The giraffe is awesome.
I want! I want! I have a grandbaby hope chest that I am filling with goodies. Both children got married last year, so the clock is ticking!
I tried to comment, and it doesn’t look like it worked, so I’m trying again. I must have this book! I hope I win, because I don’t have any spare money right now, and I think it might be wrong to spend the grocery money on knitting books. (But I might do it anyway!)
Want! OMG Want!
Emily´s last [type] ..Not socks- dishcloths- or baby clothes!
So. Adorable!
I think whoever wins should knit you a warthog!
How adorable! My little girl would love those!
Kristin´s last [type] ..Little Tink Costume
Love the cute animals