Knitted Birds

Twitching to knit? Get off to a flying start with this book, which contains all the instructions you need to bring a flock of characterful birds to life. With full, clear patterns for both quick and more involved projects, you will find a little flying friend inside. Great for gifts or perching as decorations, these quirky birds are fantastic fun to make and display, whatever your knitting experience. The book also includes step by step photographs and instructions for techniques such as sewing up, stuffing, and creating legs that will let your birds stand, perch or even cling to your finger!

Knit yourself a whole aviary of birds! From robins to ravens there are thirty feathered friends in here, all of which would make impressive conversation pieces for your home or imaginative gifts. Not for children as the warning sensibly reminds us at the front; they have wired poseable legs and glass eyes as well as easily chewed felt beaks. Also non-UK knitters note that these are all birds that are found in Britain. Many of them are found elsewhere of course, but primarily this is a book of British birds. This is a book of projects for intermediate and up knitters. At the front is a guide to the yarns and needles used as well as a section detailing elements of the making up process. There are staged instructions for making felt beaks, different tails, wired legs etc, which are essential reading before tackling any of the models. Each project has several photographs of the final bird together with written instructions, a list of what you need, size, tension, beak pattern and a brief note about the bird. There is a good selection of these, from garden favourites like blackbird, robin, blue tit etc, to birds of prey like owls and even Monty the Dyfi osprey. Waterfowl are represented by the mute swan, herring gull and others, and there is an exotic hoopoe. Some of the smaller models make ideal Christmas tree decorations while the larger ones are shown fixed to bases and looking very impressive. At the back are patterns for eggs and nests, and many of the birds have chicks as well. If you love birds and are up for a knitting challenge then this is a good book to get., August 2015 Feathered friends that will never leave your side. I love the Oystercatcher, Avocet, Seagull, Barn Owl, Song Thrush and the Puffin best, but Nicky has created no less than 29 birds and you will find all your favourites are included. There is even a nest with eggs. All the designs are clearly shown on the contents page and then techniques are given with step-by-step photos. Some bird body parts are in felt, such as beaks and templates are given for these. It's a sweet book and I think everyone will have a favourite bird or three. http://www.yarnsandfabrics.co.uk, A parliament of owls, a gaggle of geese, an unkindness of ravens and riot of robins. Nicky Fijalkowska has captured the unique characters of each of these groups of bird perfectly, and more besides. The Sussex-based designer is a keen bird-watcher. Her love of our feathered friends shows in the detail in each pattern. These aren't toys. Rather, they're ornaments for the house, decorations for birdfeeders and gardens and can be adapted into christmas decorations. A variety of skills are needed to complete the projects. Crochet, bead work and some intricate stitching. But the book explains everything with clear photos and text that's easy to follow and jargon free

Nicky Fijalkowska is a knitting and cross-stitch designer, and self-confessed vintage pattern addict. She lives in Worthing, UK and has recently taken part in the Creative Waves Bird Art Trail, in which local artists displayed a series of unique bird sculptures in and around Worthing's town centre. Nicky is active on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, sells on Etsy, and has a website www.knitforvictory.co.uk Her knitting designs are unique and full of character – she designs and hand knits dolls as well as birds and other knitted creatures, and also makes one-off custom dolls based on real people or book characters – the quirkier the better!