Itty-Bitty Toys: How to Knit Animals, Dolls, and Other Playthings for Kids [Spiral-bound]

Susan B. Anderson (Author), Liz Banfield (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 5, 2009

Adorable hand-knit playthings, featuring clever twists on classics and enchanting reversibles and interactive toys.

Kids love toys, and toys you make yourself are extra-special. If you could buy these imaginative playthings in stores, they would fly off the shelves! This book features stuffed animals, including a luscious lamb and a gigantic giraffe, and finger-puppet fruits that will delight babies and toddlers. With step-by-step directions, clear diagrams and drawings, and gorgeous photographs, knitters of all levels will find it easy to make the Pull-Toy Mama Duck and Ducklings, the set of Russian nesting dolls, and the Princess and the Pea Set. Even older kids will enjoy these, as well as the Felted Bouncy Ball, a felted version of a Super Ball that's perfect for indoor play. A series of five reversible toys—a frog that turns into a turtle, a mouse that changes into a cat, an egg in a nest that transforms into a blue bird, and so on—showcases the creativity that makes Susan B. Anderson a rising star in the knitting world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan B. Anderson writes her popular knitting blog at www.susanbanderson.blogspot.com. The author of Spud & Chloë at the Farm, Itty-Bitty Toys, Itty-Bitty Nursery, and Itty-Bitty Hats, she lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and four children.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 167 pages
• Publisher: Artisan; Spi edition (October 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579653766
• ISBN-13: 978-1579653767
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.9 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #129,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Toys & Models > Stuffed Animals

More About the Author

Susan B. Anderson is the author of Itty-Bitty Hats, Itty-Bitty Nursery, Itty-Bitty Toys, Spud & Chloe at the Farm, and Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys. Her popular knitting blog, susanbanderson.blogspot.com, won the Reader's Choice Award on About.com for the top-knitting blog/website in 2012. Susan also has a YouTube channel with dozens of instructional knitting videos that can be found under SusanBAnderson. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and four children.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Toy Book! October 8, 2009

By Legal Knitter VINE™ VOICE

Format:Spiral-bound|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you like to knit toys, you need this book in your knitting library, plain and simple. There is a huge variety of yarn weight, toy and pattern types in this book, and the adorability factor is off the charts. The section on knitting toys with sock yarn is one of my favorites, not only because of how cute the toys are, but because sock yarn is such a rich canvas for a knitter. (And for those of us who don't like to knit socks, how wonderful to have a fresh excuse to plunge into the sock yarn section!) The two patterns jockeying for top spot in my queue are the Hippo (in sock yarn!) and the Giraffe pictured on the cover, but there are plenty of others tugging at my needles too. One of the best toy knitting books out there.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! October 16, 2009

By M. Boyd

Format:Spiral-bound|Amazon Verified Purchase

June 25, 2010 Update: It's been several months since I first reviewed this book, and I wanted update my review to show that I'm still incredibly enthusiastic about this book! I've now made several toys from the book, and there are more on my summer knitting list. The patterns have all been well-written and so much fun to finish. I just really like Susan B. Anderson's aesthetic and instructions. The instructions are clear but concise, and they encourage confidence. This is the longest I've kept any knitting book on my "always handy" shelf or in my knitting bag, and I've made more patterns from it than from any other book. It's also fun because the finished toys always get rave reviews and amazed reactions when others see them. This is definitely money well-spent!

Original review (October 2009): I love this book! I load up on knitting books because I start projects in rapid succession and also because I like to dream about what I'll make someday, and this book is easily one of my favorite knitting books ever. The toys are fun, and I think they'd be appreciated by kids of any age (and even by the young-at-heart). The toys also seem original and fresh to me. The patterns are well-written and easy to follow. And the first toy that I started (New Sock Monkey) has been knitting up quickly this week, so I may actually finish one of the toys I've started for my 9-month-old! Overall, this is an excellent book and a really amazing price for the collection of toys you get. Oh, and there are five "reversible" toys that are really unique, at least among knitting patterns that I've seen.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to knit October 13, 2009

By J. M. Almy

Format:Spiral-bound|Amazon Verified Purchase

Concur with prior reviewer on the chance to use the sock yarn on something that isn't a sock. I received the book this weekend and I still haven't decided which project to start with. I love the hippo and the giraffe but what really intrigues me is the section on reversible toys. The Lion that flips over and becomes an elephant looks like so much fun.

The book itself has lots of color pictures and like the author's prior books has a spiral binding that lets the pages lay flat. Since I haven't started a project yet, I can't comment on errata.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars projects are appealing but not intimidating February 19, 2010

By chinadollady

Format:Spiral-bound|Amazon Verified Purchase

I love this book. I have made the santa and bag. I plan on making the mouse next. My 9 yr old grand daughter loves the santa and he will sit on a shelf of honor in the family room all year.

I am not so good at multi-needle patterns. The instructions were simply straight-forward and I had no problems with making Santa. I do enough knitting on a budget that I don't opt for the expensive yarns. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn purchased at the local Wal-Mart and size 4 needles purchased at a flea market with excellent results. I used round beads for the eyes and pulled the threads taut for a little (needle sculpting) different look.

My biggest complaint about any knitting instruction pattern is the loyalty to a certain type or brand of yarn. I always try to adapt the patterns to use the yarn I prefer or have access to. This book adapts well.

I am pleased to see so many reviews on this book. Some of the patterns seem very simple, maybe too simple. But I also enjoy this approach because I can take any pattern and add my own touch to create something by my own hand and vision. I have already found a little golden book containing the story of The Princess and the Pea and will make this simple little doll. Many children enjoy a simple toy and again, I can fancy it up a little. The simplicity allows me a spring board of sorts for my own creativity.

The baby doll is the cutest I have ever seen in knit. I will have to make that for the fair project of the year.

I plan on attacking the bird/egg/nest set for Easter baskets. Those are a bit more challenging and more than cute.

I love all the sock yarns but don't make socks (as of yet anyway). So I welcome the idea of making a monkey or bear out of the stuff....

Lastly I would like to applaud the size and design of the book overall. The book is easy to hold in my lap and opens flat due to the spiral binding. It is easy to stuff in my rather small to go knitting bag. I actually covered the book in a school book cover to protect the pretty cover and hide my current obsession. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great fun February 5, 2010

By novice knitter

Format:Spiral-bound

I have to admit to being a lazy knitter. On numerous occasions I've started a project without finishing it, either because I get bored or become frustrated by confusing instructions. But even so, I love this book. I just finished two koala bears, and I can't wait to start on a bunny. The bears were so cute as they came together that I couldn't put my needles down. (And, I'd never used double-pointed needles before, but the instructions are very clear.) The other thing I like is that so many of the projects are appealing. I rarely buy knitting books b/c usually I only like one or two of the patterns, but I can imagine trying about 75% of the toys in this book.