| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Samantha
New Pal
12 Posts |
 Posted - 09/16/2004 : 09:58:17 AM
|
| I actually got this book on the weekend prior to the review and supplies to do a Christopher or Rosie, which also caught my eye. I am pretty excited for it, and happy to hear the patterns are very complete which admittedly is what keeps me from knitting many "toys." I had heard about it from a Rowan feature pattern which is what made me start to ask for it. Haven't started the bear yet, so I can't give my impression of the pattern. |
|
|
klfrazier
Permanent Resident
1745 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2004 : 4:37:46 PM
|
I may give this one another look after Clara's review. I personally like Debbie Bliss's bears much better, though. Her style just is more appealing.
Kristin
PS. I saw some great bear patterns - fair isle bear patterns - in "Simply Shetland" today! |
 |
|
|
lacylaine
Seriously Hooked
USA
771 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2004 : 8:15:56 PM
|
I've made a dozen of Debbie Bliss' small bears - the one that is on the cover of her Knitted Toys. It took me 4 bears to really get the hang of it and if I hadn't had an actual teddy bear store nearby, I never would have learned to use joints, noses, eyes, etc.
I loved being able to give those bears away, but ten hours to put one together (those odd seams really are a pain) made me finally give up. I've slowed way down on collecting knitting books, but this looks like a good one to grab.
Melanie
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10 |
|
|
|
Yogi
Warming Up
USA
95 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2004 : 07:02:23 AM
|
ACK! Melanie! Oh, help me please... :-(
How the heck do I assemble these Debbie Bliss bears? I'm making the small tweed bear.
I don't suppose you could photograph a "naked" bear and send it to me? All the pictures in the Teddy Bear book have clothes on the bears! Are the instructions better in the Knitted Toys book?
I've convinced myself that each limb is stuffed and sewn closed, and then each limb is sewn on to the body, right?
And where do these darts go on each body piece? Do I even have to make the darts? :-)
What does she mean when she says "pull up and secure", e.g. Gather top edge, pull up and secure.
Oh, woe is me! I can't believe it takes 10 hours to assemble these bears. It didn't take me 10 hours to knit it.
Lisa
lisagoodwin@yahoo.com
|
|
|
|
JudyT
New Pal
13 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2004 : 08:36:14 AM
|
Never have made a teddy bear, but Clara's review of this new pattern book makes me want to try! Is a teddy bear really that difficult to put together?
JudyT |
|
|
|
SweaterGrrrl
Chatty Knitter
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 11:01:29 AM
|
I just finished one of the bears in the Knitted Teddy Bear Book, and it's even cuter in person than in the pictures--which are pretty cute! I got it out of the library, but now I have to buy it. The beginning of the book has easy to follow information about constructing the bears, and it even gives tips on how to position the eyes, which I don't remember seeing in any other books of this type.
The bears are in a lot of different sizes, including miniature--which is my favorite--and some bears include patterns for clothing. Some of the bear patterns are adapted in ways that make them look totally different than the originals. The book is written in a non-fussy, "don't worry about gauge, it's going to work out" manner, at the same time being very detailed. I am an intermediate knitter, but I think most, if not all of the patterns are easy enough for a beginner.
These are not too "cutesy." Some look like adaptations of antique bears, and some are more contemporary. Any of the bears would be appropriate for any age--including adults--depending on the materials you use.
I'm starting my second bear today....
SweaterGrrrl |
|
|
|
maganna
Chatty Knitter
USA
215 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2004 : 7:56:53 PM
|
Are DPN's required to do these bears?
Jennifer |
|
|
|
marinon@msu.edu
Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2004 : 1:22:01 PM
|
I bought this book last week and started Bertie today. A hour later I had the first half of the body done. (he is 9" high) The instructions are very clear and the pattern is easy. The selection of patterns in the book is very good: different sizes, shapes, degrees of difficulty, but none to difficult for knitters with at least some experience with shaping. And they are all adorable. Looks like Christmas presents for nieces, nephews, and even grown-ups who like teddies. And since they use relatively little yarn, it is a great way to use up leftovers of sport, DK, and fingering weight (although I think there might be a worsted pattern as well.)
Nancy |
|
|
|
SweaterGrrrl
Chatty Knitter
USA
334 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2004 : 09:39:01 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by maganna
Are DPN's required to do these bears?
Jennifer
No, I'm pretty sure all of the patterns use straight needles. When I made the "beginner" bear, I used DPs for the little arms and legs, even though the pattern called for straights.
SweaterGrrrl |
|
|
|
klfrazier
Permanent Resident
1745 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2004 : 11:22:23 AM
|
As I usually do, I looked again after Clara got my attention, and now I have to have this book. The schematics are fabulous!
Kristin |
|
|
|
lizzi
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
553 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2004 : 5:08:54 PM
|
I was already looking at this book when it got reviewed. I'm a member of the Crafter's Choice book club, and I have one more book to buy to fulfill my obligation. In the last mailing it was featured, and I immediately fell in love with it. Especially since my mother is a bear collector, and a long time ago I made her a crocheted bear out of an ancient Family Circle magazine, but she has no knitted bears...
Lizzi
http://amimono.blogspot.com
http://projectkoolaid.blogspot.com
"Flimsy as it is, it's open-mike punk rock, red, white, and blue" --Cake, You Turn the Screws |
|
|
|
maganna
Chatty Knitter
USA
215 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2004 : 05:17:53 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by SweaterGrrrl
No, I'm pretty sure all of the patterns use straight needles.
SweaterGrrrl
Thanks so much, that is great news. I haven't learned how to use them yet, maybe I should buy a book to teach me that too!
Jennifer |
|
|
|
Lisa811
New Pal
15 Posts |
Posted - 10/20/2004 : 10:13:32 AM
|
Bought the book recently and thought I'd give a little info. I found out. I really wanted to make the teddies on page 23 (Christopher & Rosie) and in the exact yarn the author noted as Paton 4-ply fingering Natural(4823), Denim(4136)& Hollyhock (4258). Well, I was having no luck finding the yarn in shops or online so I emailed Patons directly and this was the representatives reply "We currently only have one fingering weight yarn under Patons - Patons Beehive Baby - the problem is that none of the numbers or names match up with the information your supplied below. All of our current Patons products are on our web site. There is also a Patons company in the UK, as well as one out of Australia, maybe one of these have the yarn in this design. I am surprised that the book you have does not have a list of yarns used in each model, they usually do. Sometimes they are not listed with the pattern, but there is a master list at the front or the back of the book. Sorry I am not much help." I'm not sure how to locate the Patons in the UK. I'm a bit disappointed that the book was not more specific in the yarns being used. There doesn't seem to be a way to email the author for more information but if anyone has a clue where to find the exact yarns she noted I'd be grateful to hear from you. I'm new to knitting and was really hoping to find the exact yarn for the project. Thank you..........
|
|
|
|
marinon@msu.edu
Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2004 : 1:24:11 PM
|
Hi Lisa,
I just noticed that at the very back of the book, under "Useful Addresses," the author has a list of "commonly found yarns" that one could use for the bears. The Patons she uses is not among them. She also says "you should not worry if you cannot find these exacts yarns," (i.e., the ones she used). After looking at the yarn suggestions for each bear and the yarns she actually used, I can see that sometimes she uses a different weight. For example, she will call for "fingering yarn" but use DK herself. Not really very helpful.
Nancy
|
|
|
|
Lisa811
New Pal
15 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 06:26:53 AM
|
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for your reply. I guess being somewhat still new to knitting I was really hoping to use what she stated because I like the specific colors and texture. I knowe it could worked up in other yarns. I emailed another Patons in Australia and they said they don't have any records of those colors either?? It's just a little disappointing that the author states what she uses and then you can't find the materials. I wonder if it's the same for the other patterns in the book? Just one person's opinion but I feel it's a poor way to write up an instructional book. I'm tired of searching so I'll just work with what I can find. Thank you to everyone who's been kind in replying to my "search" for the yarn. I appreciate the feedback. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Knitter's Review Forums |
© 2001-2010 Knitter's Review |
|
|
|
|
Topic Locked
