Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

This Fun Book of Knit Accessories Could be Yours

by

Boutique knitsBoutique Knits is a fun little book with more than 20 knit accessories with a high-fashion flair. Because who doesn’t want to show off their knitting skills on hats, shawls, mitts and other projects that everyone will notice no matter what else you’re wearing?

These projects have an eye for detail, and even the most basic patterns have fun additions, like that cloche on the cover with its sideswept brim like a flapper’s hair. There are buttons, beads, ruffles and lots of texture knitting in these projects, adding lots of interest for knitting and for wearing. Check out all the patterns on Ravelry.

If you’d like a chance to win this book, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, May 7. I’d love to know if you have a favorite way to embellish your knitting. Mine is probably stripes, but I love a good picot edging, too.

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

Comments

  7. There are so many beautiful hats in the book. I would love to do them all!. I like to embellish adding little beads or a last row in a different colour.

  9. I love to add beads anywhere I can, and I think a Picot edge adds a bit of interest to a hem!

  10. I love to add beads or found objects that have holes. I also like a little design pattern like a row of ducks. Everything looks better with fringe

  11. What a great giveaway. I love to embroider flowers and leaves on my knits, or little lambs on baby items. I also added crocheted vertical stripes one time.

  12. Ive a wonderful new daughter-in-law who taught herself to knit and does remarkable work. Would love to give her this gem .

  13. The patterns are beautiful!! I would love this book, so I could knit them all!! 🙂

  14. I’m fairly new to knitting, but I’m so excited to try different patterns.

  15. I love lace and try to embellish my items with lace patterns. I would love the chance to win this book.

  21. I’m often surprised to see how a single button can show off the beauty of knit projects, so simple and such a difference! Although the items in this book seem to fashiony for buttons… OH, how I love the cloches! 😀

  22. I love adding cable or lace details to patterns, but would love to try some beading. Thanks for this great giveaway!

  23. I like to add beads to some of my knitting, but mostly just follow the pattern

  24. I like a crocheted decorative edge. I like that felted collar in the book, and the diamond print shrug. Unique. 🙂

  26. I love to embellish my knits. The devil is in the details. I will add knitted flowers to hats, offset beads, add tassels and fringes. Just about anything I need to add that final touch that makes it mine. The options are endless.

  32. I like interesting edgings, too, or a little flower on the side of a hat.

  33. I’ve been known to add a little flower-loom flower, but I’ve gotten a lot of buttons (cats) that I think would be fun on that hat. chime while you walk!

  36. I’m lucky to remember to make my edges neat! Lol. But I do love adding beads or maybe a row or two of eyelets if possible.

  39. I like to explore a pattern and make it my own, therefore I may work it several times before satisfied. Embellishment for me is experimenting with the delightful colours and textures of the yarns to decide which ones suit the patterns.

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.