Tuesday, February 10, 2009

REVIEW: Pet Projects - The Animal Knits Bible

Pet Projects: The Animal Knits Bible
by Sally Muir & Joanna Osborne
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Taunton Press (February 10, 2009)

51Qjc1PA7pL__SS500_

Pet Projects: The Animal Knits Bible is where knitting pattern book meets coffee table delight... and I adore it! This is one of those books that both knitters and non-knitting animal lovers will appreciate and find themselves flipping through again and again. Diana Miller's photography is exquisite, the models are beautiful and expressive, and the patterns uniquely fun.

Pet Projects is a collection of 32 irresitible accesory patterns for a wide range of pets - dogs, cats, birds, turtles, hampters, horses and more - even gold fish! It is the brainchild of celebrity UK knitwear designers - and pet lovers - Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who caused quite a stir in their homeland last fall with the release of Pet Heaven. Now, the dynamic duo is set to take the US by storm with their charming, and sometimes humorous, patterns.

The projects range from "simple designs, which can be knit by the ten-year-old beginner for her new kitten" to more complex patterns for experienced knitters seeking challenge. Many of the patterns can be used as a base to branch off of, creating your own unique items to suit your individual pets. Customize and make each your - or your pet's - own!

Whether you want to knit dog coats or cat cushions ... parakeet or horse blankets ... bean bag beds or mouse mats ... water lilies for your favorite fishy or an edible house for the pampered hamster ... its all here in Pet Projects! You can even knit some furry friends, including a ferret and a fox terrier.

I've stuck post-it flags on many projects already, including the Wire Bird Feeder. Marked as "difficult until you've mastered knitting with wire, than intermediate," this looks like a fun spring time challenge I'd like to take a stab at after hunting down some materials at Home Depot.

The Anti-Firework Dog Balaclava looks amusing (must see: the alien looking pugs on page 78) and adorable all at the same time - and if it actually works, I can see many of my fellow rescue doggy moms whipping them up before July 4th!

If you have a koi pond or large fish tank tank, think about recycling those grocery store plastic bags with the Water Lily pattern.

I think Teutul just might need to rock a Hell's Angel Dog Collar this summer when he goes to Daddy's races. So as not to leave the other kids out, there just might be a Ruffle Dog Collar in store for Sophie, Floral Dog Collar for Lola and Zeus raised a paw for the Spot Dog Collar.

All in all, this is definitely a book to add to your collection. You won't be disappointed - in fact, you'll receive 4 paws up - or a few feathers, fins, horse tails and bunny ears!

About the Authors: Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne have been partners in their knitting business, Muir and Osborne, for 25 years. In 1980, Princess Diana was photographed wearing one of their red and white sheep sweaters. Several pieces of their knitwear are in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Their work has been featured in several knitting books and magazines.

9 comments:

Sue said...

I can't wait to get a copy. What could be better than combining two favorite things, pets and knitting. When I knit them blankets, my guys sit there and watch every stitch. They know it's for them.

SissySees said...

I wanna' knit a fox terrier!

Turtle said...

this is in my amazon wishlist! so love that turtle on the cover...go figure! can't wait to see what is inside, good to hear the book is worth the $$!

~Tonia~ said...

Sounds like a great book.

Dianne said...

That sounds like a must-have book!!! I remember Princess Diana in that sweater- lots of white sheep and only one black sheep on a red background.

Unknown said...

Sounds super cute! Great ideas!

The Princess said...

This is adorable! And such a great idea...I just wonder how my knitting will survive in my house after I give my dogs hand-knit objects and tell them its ok to play with them? hmmmm....

Corinne said...

This book is so clever, and beautifully done! I love to look at it, even if I never make anything from it.

Trina said...

Does anyone know if there is errata for this book?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...