Claire Garland - Knit & Purl Pets

For a child, the idea of having your very own pet to love and care for rarely becomes a reality, forever to stay a pipedream. However, children constantly continue to cry, I need my own pet! if only I had a coin for every time my children, ages seven, nine and twelve have uttered those words

Well, entre nous, here is my very effective answer knit and purl them one, or two, or more pets. And in answer to the type of pets that have been yearned for, and these have been numerous and change like the weather, I've designed patterns for a variety of familiar and unusual pets. They need only a little basic knitting knowledge and can be knocked-out to meet demands in very little time at all. And what's more, you don't have any vets bills or mess to contend with, or need to be constantly nagging can you clean out your pet's hutch/cage/ basket now! A knitted pet for child or grown-up is the perfect solution!

In this book there is an array a veritable (knitted) pets shop of creatures to knit, some with their own accessories, from a lolloping Labrador puppy to an inquisitive kitten and a docile ginger tom with his favourite knitted basket, the cutest of bunnies and the tiniest ponies to a multi-coloured chameleon and a stegosaurus! There are also design hints on how to go about personalizing your own special pet.

All the pets are knitted with as few components as possible, many in one piece, and because many of them are so small only small amounts of yarn are needed a great excuse for using up your stash! There are projects for beginners through to more challenging pieces for more advanced knitters. Each piece is patterned like a 3D sculpture a slightly different method to the usual knitting of separate parts before sewing everything together.

This book was a joy to create. The pets are enormously satisfying for the knitter and the pet-loving/wanting child or adult. So now over to you. Which one first?

Enjoy!