Susan B. Anderson - Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys Magical Two-in-One Reversible Projects

Bowl by Julie Knowles Pottery

During my years of motherhood, Ive learned that certain toys strike a chord with children. Some toys are merely cute to look at. Others are more interactivetheres something to do with or change in the toy, or it packs a surprise. Its the latter type that people come back to. Kids want to share their delight with others, and they often covet that toy for years. In fact, sometimes adults not only remember such a cherished item but have actually saved the toy carefully, as a beloved keepsake of their childhood.

A reversible knitted toyfor instance, a lamb that, when turned inside out, becomes a bunnysurely fits this definition of an interactive plaything thats a winner. So Im very, very pleased to share this collection of a dozen reversible toys with you.

When I was preparing my book Itty-Bitty Toys, which had a few reversible toys in it, I was invited to my daughters classroom to do a presentation on all my knitting books. I brought in a whole bunch of the projects I had devised and knit, but it was the reversibles that received the strongest reaction. I held up a knitted turtle and turned it inside out to reveal the secret: there was a frog inside. The kids smiled and laughed at the transformation. Similarly, there were oohs and aahs when I flipped the lion into an elephant. As I passed these toys around, the students got so excited that, as each kid reversed one of the projects, the whole class started to generate ideas of pairings for more reversible toys. I wrote them all down, barely keeping up with the fast stream of suggestions pouring from these youngsters. It was extremely gratifying, and when I went on tour to promote Itty-Bitty Toys, I discovered that knitters were as enthusiastic about the reversibles as my daughters classmates had been.

Because these interactive toys truly bring joy to people of all ages, I jumped at the chance to design and create a collection of reversible toys. Its been an incredible opportunity and a very interesting challenge. First, I had to brainstorm ideas to find a dozen reversible projectsand yes, I did unearth that list from my daughters class and consult it. Next, there was the design phase, when I planned whether the toy could actually work as two things in one. Finally, there was the actual knitting of the toy, which for me is pure fun.

On these pages you will find a couple of egg stories, a chrysalis with a fluttery surprise inside, pigs in a blanket, a tiny hidden fairy, a vintage-inspired toy with a fabled theme to boot, a dog in a doghouse, and much more. Some of these reversibles flip, others turn upside down, and still others turn inside out; theres also a traditional topsy-turvy doll worked completely in one piece, with no seaming to be found. (I can assure you that was quite a design feat!)

There is something for everybody in this book: the projects exhibit a variety of subject, size, and form. And theres something for every skill level of knittingbeginners can easily tackle Happy Mouse, Sad Mouse and work their way up to the more advanced toys. (The projects are presented roughly in order of difficulty.)

The instructions include the weight of the yarn used to make each project; however, when you are knitting toys, the gauge doesnt always match up to what is expected for the yarnso I hope having the weight at the start of the pattern will help you when choosing your yarns. Dont forget about using up your stash yarn or leftover yarn, which is always perfect for toy knitting (only small amounts are needed to make each toy).

My hope is also that you will take liberties to make the toys your own, through color selection or other changes that suit you. For some of the projects, I have included multiple color choices; for others, use your imagination. The sky is the limit!

Its inevitable that you will have some seaming and detail work to do with toysthats what makes them stand out. Here, though, I tried to streamline as much of that as possible. Every toy is doable and fun to make.

Finally, this book contains a series of lessons on special techniques. Im certain that youll find these tutorials helpful. If youre unfamiliar with other, more basic techniques, I suggest you look at my YouTube videos or consult such sites as knittinghelp.com.

Hang on to your needles, as you are in for some fun and imaginative toy knitting. As you knit, keep in mind that everyone loves a hand-knit toyespecially a reversible!

Abbreviations

Happy Mouse, Sad Mouse

Whenever my daughters and I visit the local gift shops in Madison, Wisconsin, we always sift through the toys and stuffed animals. One Saturday afternoon, my older daughter found a funny plush flip toy that had a sad face on one side and a happy face on the other. I realized that a simple flip toy, worked seamlessly and in one piece, would be the perfect starter for this book.

Happy Mouse, Sad Mouse is something beginners can knit; for intermediate and more advanced knitters, its a great quick knit through which to dive into this collection of reversibles. Either way, youll be done in a flash, which is always a Happy Mouse kind of thing!

Happy Mouse, Sad Mouse

Finished Measurement

4 inches tall (not including the ears)