Fairy Tale Knits: 32 Projects to Knit Happily Ever After

I'm not a knitter. For some reason, I've never had a family member or friend who knitted. I am adept with other crafty type skills, especially beading and cross-stitch. I've got some fairy tale theme cross stitch patterns I will share someday. But knitting has never captured my immediate interest until the last few years after reading other blogs like that of Jane Brockett and others. Then there's the majority of free time spent on SurLaLune that keeps me from taking up new hobbies. My priorities always head back to this passion first. Still, there are times when the idea of picking up yarn and needles, playing with color and texture and having something to do with my hands while watching a tv or movie, well, that appeals to me. Then I see books and patterns like these and I'm tempted even more.

Fairy Tale Knits: 32 Projects to Knit Happily Ever After by A. Stewart-Guinee was released in August this year.

The book is available on Amazon where two of the patterns for the designs pictured below are currently available for free. I think they are two of the best designs in the book, but all of them are great. There are also patterns for boys' items, like pirates. And the crown is unisex despite being labeled as a princess crown.

Here's the publisher's description:

32 whimsical patterns for children twelve months to eight years.

Two timeless traditions-fairy tales and knitting-come together magically in the season's most original knitting book. You'll get patterns to knit pieces that are reminiscent of the world's most beloved fabled characters, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Robin Hood, Hansel and Gretel, knights, pirates, and many more. From a fanciful capelet and muff to a playful baby jumper and hat, these are the children's knitting patterns dreams are made of.

Richly wrapped in the look and feel of a real storybook, Fairy Tale Knits is saturated with lush photography and a beautiful full-color design. Whether you're a beginner or experienced knitter, these 32 imaginative projects truly make for knitting happily ever after. You'll get

32 patterns for innovative projects kids will love to wear
Designs that are wearable for everyday school and play
A full-color design featuring lush photography
Fairy Tale Knits is a sophisticated and enchanting knitting book you and your children will turn to again and again.

The author, Alison, has a blog and a Flickr album picturing several more completed projects. There is a Little Red Riding Hood cape and a Cinderella dress, for example. I love the chain mail sweater. Be sure too see the Ladybug jacket, not in the book, but a new design for fall by the author. I love the Ladybug jacket for which the pattern is also provided for free.

All of these wonderful gifts of patterns. Do buy the book if you have someone in your life to coax into making and someone else to wear these fun things. Folks who generously share their talents have to make a little money, too.


Snowflake Queen Sweater Coat Pattern


Princess Crown

And maybe someday I will learn how to knit. I won't have the time to develop this level of exquisite skill, but I am rather determined to have a fun pair of hand-knit striped socks made by me or someone else...