topsy-turvy inside-out knit toys giveaway

Let me start by saying that I'm not a big toy knitter. I don't dislike it, but I don't necessarily love it either. Most toys tend to be too fiddly for me with all sorts of finishing and little bits and pieces. However, I do love that knitted toys get all the oooooohings and ahhhhhhings! I'm not sure what it is, but my non-knitting friends are always shocked at how I can manage to knit a toy - they could care less about the intricate lace work I just completed on my latest shawl. It must be the cute factor!

Even though I don't knit toys often, when I do I always go to Susan B. Anderson's designs first. She is a genius when it comes to knitted toys! She has this amazing ability to create patterns for toys that have little to no finishing. Her latest book, Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys: Magical Two-in-One Reversible Projects, is just the coolest knitted toy book I've ever seen. It has 12 toys that turn inside-out. That means that you get two toys to play with out of each project. I haven't knit each pattern myself (yet!), but most if not all, are seamless or have very little finishing. All of them are marvelous! Here's a peak at the contents page:


I was lucky to meet and spend a little time with Susan when she was in Seattle for Vogue Knitting Live this past April, and she gifted me a copy of her new book. Yes, she is as sweet and nice as she sounds on her blog or even more in real person! Right after paging through her book that evening when I got home, I just knew I would have to knit the Top-Down Seamless Petticoat Dolls pattern. I believe it's the largest toy in the book, at 10" tall, and is knit all in one piece. My hubby's co-worker is having her second baby girl soon and so I thought what a wonderful gift this would make for the big sister to share with her new sibling.


This doll pattern doesn't leave any detail out. The skirts are finished with a little bit of lace and when flipped, the under skirt makes the top skirt look ruffled and layered. Plus, the fullness of the skirts allows the dolls to stand up on their own. The hands are so adorable with how they are attached together. Even the wrists are so well thought out. And, I don't have to go into how sweet the hair pigtails are! I kinda did my own thing on the red and gray skirt dolly, but the pattern actually includes instructions for a solid color, striped, and fair-isle version of the skirt.


All the patterns are very well written, easy to understand, and if there's a technique that is unique to a project, the book includes photo tutorials for it. Like the doll's hair attachment:


I know I'm a weirdo, but I also love the feel of this book. It's the perfect size, the cover and pages are matte finish, and it's spiral bound, my favorite when knitting from a book. I've actually thought of having all my books turned into spiral bound, that's how much I like it. Also, the cover has this really adorable pull tab that demonstrates how one of the toys flips to the other side. All of that plus gorgeous pictures throughout and you have a winner! This book is worth it, my friends. I think I may need to knit this toy next, the Squirrel & Hedgehog:


And, if you haven't seen these toys in action yet, Jasmine and I made a little video to show you how awesome these little flipping dolls are. We hope you like it!




Artisan Books and Susan B. are offering one lucky follower a chance to win a copy of their very own Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knitted Toys book, and don't miss out on the next stop on the blog tour on August 26th with Mel from SlipSlipKnit.com for your next chance to win!


I would like you to do the following if you would like to be entered into this week's giveaway:

1. Read over the rules if you have not done so already.

2. Leave a comment on this blog post by the end of Sunday, 8/25/13. Do you enjoy knitting toys? Have you knit one of Susan B.'s before?


I'll randomly pick the winners in 2 weeks and post the results along with the new giveaway, so be sure to check back. Good luck everyone.

Sincerely,

Ve