If you google Sock Monkey you can easily find instructions how to make your very own for nothing, but this book expands on the whole concept and the girls found the instructions very clear and easy to follow…
Last year I had the pleasure of taking my 13-year-old daughter back to the country of her birth – the UK. I got to travel with her for a month. And while most of this was lovely fun for the two of us, near the end things began to unravel somewhat. I think maybe we had just been in each other’s pockets somewhat (it was for a month), and we needed a bit of space. In an attempt to find a bit of space, my daughter went shopping with her Great Aunt and while perusing the shops, she came upon a magazine on crocheting.
Well, she is a bit of a tomboy – and to this day I am entirely unsure why this struck a chord with her, but struck a chord it did. She is very focused when it comes to trying something new, so she sat down and read it cover to cover. With the help of my cousin Nicky, they worked out how to crochet from the pictures, and then away she went. Before we knew it she was downloading patterns from the Internet and creating these wonderful toys for all and sundry!
From there, she found Super-Cute Crochet by Nicki Trench at the wonderful IkoIko in K Rd, Auckland.
The book is a wonderful plethora of crocheted gorgeousness! I am told (by Madeleine) that it is a great book. The patterns for each figure are very well laid out according to her, and easy to follow. Each type of stitch is clearly taught in the book also if you have never crocheted before. The creatures/animals in the book are just lovely – and there are 35 patterns in all – so the book would keep you busy for a long time! Super Cute Crotchet by Nicki Trench is published by CICO (UK), distributed by Southern Publishing Group and is $39.99.
The next little gem we found is Amigurumi by Lan-Ahn Bui and Josephine Wan.
Amigurumi is the Japanese craft of crocheting (and knitting) small stuffed animals – they have a very particular look and tend always toward cuteness. Madeleine has also really enjoyed this book, though she would recommend it for those that have a little experience. It is not as easy as the previous book but the patterns are just gorgeous. Amigurumi by Lan-Ahn Bui and Josephine Wan is published by Guild of Master Craftsman Publications. It is distributed by Southern Publishing Group, and retails for $29.99.
So after that, she discovered knitting. I have to say that I can knit – but only just. I am a very basic knitter – and how my daughter has become so proficient, I really have no idea. She got hold of the Knitted Odd-bod Bunch by Donna Wilson.
This is a book full of the most delightfully quirky knitted creatures. If your tastes run to the unusual then this is the book for you, from the two headed Terry and Tina Twin, to the Sleepy Pom. Madeleine has knitted Rill Racoon-Fox, Iced Donut, and Rita Racoon all of which are pictured above, with the books. She is in the middle of completing the very pink Fifi Flamingo. For those of us that love the handmade quality of knitting, but wish for something more than the run of the mill patterns – then the Knitted Odd-bod Bunch is just perfect. Published by Cico books, distributed by Southern Publishing Group – it is $39.99.
For those of us that are somewhat challenged in the knitting/crocheting department, Sock Monkey and friends might just help. The book comes with 9 different fun-to-make projects, all made out of socks. Just to get you started, the book comes with a couple of stripy socks to get you started.
Madeleine discovered sock monkeys with her friend Cal. If you google Sock Monkey you can easily find instructions how to make your very own for nothing, but this book expands on the whole concept and the girls found the instructions very clear and easy to follow. All sock monkeys were made with absolutely no help from the adults! We have found it a very fabulous way to recycle socks with a small hole or two in them. Sock Monkey and Friends Kit is published by Chronicle Books, published by Southern Publishing Group and is $42.99. We think it is a great gift to get those hands busy.
By Anya Brighouse, 3 May 2011.
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