This charming book is nothing less than the Waldorf approach to knitting captured between two covers. Here is everything - rhymes for each stitch, excellent step-by-step photographs, and the most delightful collection of projects we have seen gathered in one place. With the help of this book and a kind adult, any child can master the basics of knitting and then go on to create more animal and people friends than you can shake a knitting needle at! We are often asked questions about how knitting is taught in a Waldorf school - we are delighted that now we have such a wonderful way to answer them.

The wonderful continuation of A First Book of Knitting for Children has makes the journey through the intermediate levels of knitting both joyous and straightforward -- for children and their adults! Building on their first volume, the authors bring many new skills and a wider variety of patterns to eager children and adults. Here is everything anyone needs to know about:

• reading a pattern
• increasing and decreasing
• dividing work
• picking up stitches
• ribbing
• multi-color knitting
• knitting in the round
• turning
• double casting off
• making proper holes

Included too are patterns for everything from sweaters and hats to gnomes, frogs, hand dolls and their clothing. This is a great book to have fun with - whether you are a child expanding your knitting horizons or an adult knitting for a beloved youngster. A terrific and inspiring resource!

Delight a child while using odds and ends from your stash!

Here is an irresistable collection of animals to knit in soft, natural materials: ducklings, teddy bears, lambs, piglets, hedgehogs, a handsome rooster and clucking hen, mice and more and more. Most of the projects can be quickly and inexpensively knit with odds and ends of yarn, and many can be completed in an hour or two. Not to mention that then you can present them to a beloved child and watch their eyes light up at the sight of their new friend.

Knitted Animals includes:

• Step-by-step, clearly written instructions for making over 20 dear little animals
• Beautiful full-color photographs throughout
• Many projects that are suitable for older children to make themselves

Beginning and experienced knitters alike will love this charming book.

What a great book for young knitters (and older knitters looking for an introduction they can understand)! There are delightful and useful projects that take a beginning knitter all the way from an introduction to the basic tools of the trade to dying yarn (although all the projects name the commercial yarns that were used), making needles, shearing sheep and more. Then come the projects: these range from a basic bean bag as a beginning, then a pocket scarf and hat set with optional tassels, a patchwork afghan, knit dolls, puppets, and a stuffed caterpillar, a ribbed scarf, backpacks, purses, more caps, magic spiral tube socks (I made these - a truly great pattern for anyone!) and - finally - a sweater. This introduction is hard to beat for enthusiasm and thoroughness - great for beginners of all ages!

Because crochet technique is such an important part of knitting, and because crochet in and of itself is a wonderful, creative approach to fiber, I have included this book here.

Cindy Crandall-Frazier has created the book I've always hoped for to help teach children (and anyone else!) how to crochet (part of the 3rd grade handwork curriculum in Waldorf education). In it you'll find a perfect marriage of joyful enthusiasm with clear instruction featuring creative techniques and new learning approaches. It is fabulous. Cindy's background as a homeschooling mother and Waldorf Kindergarten teacher shines through the book as well: though written for a broader audience, she has incorporated so much of what makes the Waldorf approach to teaching fruitful and beloved:

• She includes a verse with instructions for making the slip knot as well as a diagram for those who are visually oriented
• She created new labels for the parts of the hook, so that using the hook can be more clearly explained
• Her technique of having students skip the first 2 chains when beginning a row is brilliant because it makes it much, much easier to see the first stitch and to keep correct count
• She includes a very helpful chart of hook sizes coupled with yarn weights - very helpful.
• You'll also find LOTS of information about different fibers and color - wonderful stuff!
• and, her projects just sing with the kind of excitement that will urge children or adults on to more learning and eager skill development

There's lots more to love, much more - but I'm hoping you'll get a copy, grab your hook and yarn, and discover them for yourself. Your children will come to think of the crochet lesson as one of their favorite parts of the day!