Book Review: Knitting with Disney

I love going to my local library and checking out knitting books I might have missed when they came out. This week I found Knitting with Disney: 28 Official Patterns Inspired by Mickey Mouse, The Little Mermaid, and More.

By Tanis Gray, this book’s format will be familiar to you if you’ve seen her Harry Potter and Star Wars books. The designs come from Gray and other knitwear designers, and they include characters, costumes, apparel and decor inspired by Disney films.

Projects are rated on a scale of one to three mouse ears, with seven rating one, 11 getting two ears and eight ranking three sets of ears on the scale.

There’s a nice range of movies represented, from Beauty and the Beast to The Emperor’s New Groove. There are projects inspired by Mulan, Cinderella, Moana, Ariel and many more.

Some of my favorite patterns include:

Jaq and Gus, designed by Sara Kellner, these brave mice from Cinderella are true to their animated versions
Kuzco’s Poncho from The Emperor’s New Groove (designed by Cassandra Cruikshank) mostly because this was one of my daughter’s favorites
Three Fairies Socks and Mitts by Spillyjane, with allover colorwork inspired by the fairies in Sleeping Beauty
Ariel Socks, covered with the texture of mermaid scales and designed by Agata Mackiewicz (you can see these on the cover)
Meghan Regan’s Beauty and the Beast Pullover, covered with icons from the movie like teacups and post, roses and clocks (a portion of it is also on the cover)
Mistress of Evil Socks, designed by Heini Perälä, worked in bands of colorwork that look like flames, inspired by Maleficent
Heidi Gustad’s Magic Carpet Throw Blanket, which is of course inspired by Aladdin

There’s a great variety of designs and inspirations here, sure to delight any Disney fan. Whether someone in your household has a favorite Disney movie you want to celebrate or you know (or are) a superfan who will love all these projects, you’re sure to find something you want to knit for yourself or as a gift.

About the book: 208 pages, hardcover, 28 patterns. See all patterns on Ravelry. Published 2021 by Insight Editions. Suggested retail $29.99.

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

Have you read?