Knitting

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Giveaway: Drop-Dead Easy Knits

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drop-dead easy knitsThe first commenter wins it!

Easy knitting doesn’t have to mean plain knitting, as Drop-Dead Easy Knits illustrates, and easy but pretty knitting is the perfect thing for this time of year, whether you’re planning holiday gift knitting or just want to whip up something fast to keep yourself warm as the temperature cools.

This book has fun themes for the projects such as things to keep you warm, things to work on in waiting rooms or while traveling and the like. I like this book because while the level of attention needed to work these projects is usually not very high, they’re still pretty and things you will enjoy knitting, gifting or using yourself.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, October 16. I’d love to know if you’re knitting something to keep warm (if you’re in the northern part of the world) or what you are working on. I’m knitting a sweater that was supposed to be my summer sweater (lightweight bamboo yarn knit at a loose gauge) and a giant scarf our of Icelandic wool. I really want to be knitting some socks. Soon.

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

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Comments

  1. Wonderful giveaway. Right now I am knitting a cowl in a lovely lavender-colored wool blend.

  2. I am knitting a sweater and a scarf and a shawl. I tend to work on a few projects at a time. It does get cold here in the winter.

  4. I’m currently knitting fingerless gloves for a sale I’m in for the holidays. This book looks great!

  5. Your knitting sounds delightful and that book sounds perfect for the Christmas season. I’m knitting myself a new winter hat. It’s the Headgear 1 pattern by Catherine Lowe in a natural colour wool. I’m so excited to wear it. I’m just closing up the top and then on to finishing. It’s so nice to knit warm things in the brisk fall breeze.

  16. I’m working on a Sorting Hat that is taking a lot of yarn and will be fulled. My grown sons and knitting friends are all interested in how it turns out! Harry Potter fans are a varied and friendly lot!!

  17. I’m knitting a vest for my husband, but I think it’s destined for some creative stripes or something as I’m running out of yarn. I don;t know what made me think 6 balls would cut it.

  18. Thank you for the chance to win. I am knitting three ponchos for Christmas. Two for my neices and one for my sister in law!!! I better get busy!

Have you read?

Book Review: Knitted Safari Friends – 20 Adorable Animals to Make

If you have a weakness for knitted animals wearing tiny clothes, Knitted Safari Friends by Sarah Keen is going to be very difficult to resist.

This colourful collection includes 20 safari and savannah animals to knit, including a lion, tiger, elephant, flamingo, hippo, crocodile, rhinoceros, zebra and giraffe.

And yes, many of them have their own little outfits.

The lion in purple overalls is probably enough to sell me on the whole book.

Cute Animals With Plenty of Personality

What I like about this collection is that the animals are clearly designed as characters rather than realistic wildlife models.

They are bright, friendly and a little quirky, which makes them particularly appealing as handmade gifts for children or animal-loving adults.

Looking at the sample pages, the hippo and flamingo patterns have a cheerful illustrated layout, with the finished animals shown in little safari scenes alongside the practical pattern information.

There is also plenty of variety in the shapes, which means you aren’t simply knitting the same basic body 20 times and changing the ears.

If knitted animals with interchangeable clothes are already your thing, have a look at our Knitted Wild Animal Friends book review. That collection includes elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, zebras and other animals with an entire wardrobe of tiny knitted clothing.

Is Knitted Safari Friends Beginner Friendly?

The publisher describes the patterns as easy to follow, and the book includes a techniques section, abbreviations and knitting conversions to help you through the projects.

I would still put this more in the confident beginner to intermediate category rather than recommending it as someone’s very first knitting project.

Toy knitting usually involves shaping, joining pieces, stuffing and finishing neatly, and that finishing stage can sometimes take almost as long as the knitting itself.

Ask anyone who has ever had a finished knitted animal sitting in pieces on the craft table for three weeks waiting for its legs to be sewn on.

For knitters who are still learning the basics of toy making, our Knitted Amigurumi Animal Friends review is another useful option, with smaller animals and simple clothing pieces.

A Great Gift Knitting Book

These would make lovely handmade gifts for children, particularly if you matched the animal to their favourite safari creature.

You could also knit several of them together as a nursery display or create your own little safari collection.

The clothes and accessories add another level of fun, too. Once you’ve knitted an elephant, there is something wonderfully satisfying about then deciding what that elephant ought to wear.

Apparently this is where my crafting priorities are now.

My Take

I think Knitted Safari Friends is one of those books that you buy intending to make one project and then immediately start planning an entire knitted zoo.

The bright colours, cute facial expressions and tiny outfits give the animals loads of personality, while the variety of creatures should keep the knitting interesting.

Sarah Keen has been designing knitted toys for years, and that experience shows in the way these animals have been turned into characters rather than simply miniature versions of real wildlife.

If you enjoy toy knitting, handmade gifts or anything involving animals in overalls, this one is definitely worth a look.

Knitted Safari Friends: 20 Adorable Animals to Make is written by Sarah Keen and published by GMC Publications. It was released on April 21, 2026, with a listed RRP of $26.99.