Book Review: The Knitter’s Activity Book

Remember activity books from when you were a kid? These books often included puzzles, games, stories and more to keep kids entertained while traveling or in periods of waiting.

Sincerely Louise (aka Louise Walker, author of Faux Taxidermy Knits) has brought this idea to the grown-up knitting world with her book The Knitter’s Activity Book.

The book includes patterns, stories, quizzes, puzzles and more to entertain and inspire knitters, though it definitely has a British vibe and the patterns are all animal related (not that that’s a bad thing).

What do I mean by British vibe? American knitters might not get all the trivia questions or pop culture references unless they are steeped in Brit knit designers and shows.

When it comes to the patterns, there are 20 in all, from the lobster dinner featured on the front cover to miniature faux taxidermy farm animal heads and triceratops slippers. A picture book style story about Lola the polar bear looking for a new home features lots of cute animals, from meerkats (one of my faves) to roosters and starfish.

You’ll also find puzzles, knitters math problems, a selection of Sincerely Louise fan and staff projects and more.

It’s a fun book for teens and beyond who already have knitting skills and a love for animal projects.

About the book: 112 pages, hardcover, 20 patterns, retail price $16.95. Publisher’s website

Next Pattern:

The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical.

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique.

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead.

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit.

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern.

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like.

[Photo: Maymade Knits]

Next Pattern:

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