Knit your own dolls by Fiona Goble

Create your own knitted dolls, full of personality and fun to make.

Everyone loves dolls with character, and Fiona Goble has designed 25 knitted toys with real appeal. As well as boy and girl dolls, there are animal dolls, and a whole wardrobe of clothes and accessories. The dolls are all the same size, so outfits can be swapped between the dolls, and you can change hairstyles and colouring as well to create a personalised gift for a child (or an adult!) As well as the dolls and their clothes, there are more than 10 added extras such as pet cats and dogs, a mini teddy bear, and beach gear, making more than 35 patterns in total. Whether you want to knit Ben the Surfer Dude, Vintage Rosie, Marion the Mermaid, or Superhero Stan, you will find easy-to-follow patterns, and instructions on everything from knitting techniques to creating the all-important finishing touches.

Publisher: Ryland, Peters & Small Ltd
ISBN: 9781782495635 

This is the perfect book for parents or grand parents who have young children who love dolls or who love to participate in imaginary play  or for someone who needs a special friend to take on a journey or scary adventure.

There are 25 individual patterns for dolls and anumals within the book which cover a variety of themes including sportmen/women, scientist, bakers, ballerina, mermaid, gymnast, superhero, pirate, skier and surfer.

The book starts off with a pattern for a basic doll which forms the template for most of the designs in the book. The doll is made in sections: body and  head, arms and legs meaning it is relatively easy to construct in manageable pieces. It is made using stocking stitch. The subsequent patterns include clothes and accessories to be worn by the basic doll for children to swap and change as desired. There are also patterns for a poodle, a unicorn dressing up, a fox, a teddy bear, rabbit and a range of outfits to suit any occasion.

The patterns are written in clear, manageable sections and there is also a very clear, easy to follow techniques section for knitting techniques. My only negative to this book is that although there are detailed written instructions for how to make up clothing and dolls there are no pictorial instructions. However, there are fantastic colour photographs of each finished doll which shows the dolls in all their finery. 

The dolls in this book all look great and would make great characters in a children's picture story book

Thank you to the publishers, Cico Books, for sending me the book in return for an honest review,