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Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys: Magical Two-in-One Reversible Projects
Susan B. Anderson's fifth book--her most enchanting yet--turns the spotlight on "reversibles": knitted projects that are two toys in one. This collection of a dozen delightful toys features a dog in a doghouse, a chrysalis with a fluttery surprise inside, a tiny hidden fairy, a vintage toy with a fabled theme to boot, pigs in a blanket, and much more. The adorable photographic sequences and the playful and energetic line drawings show how each finished reversible can be turned inside out to reveal its companion toy. Projects are arranged in order from simplest (fine for a beginner) to the most challenging. Finally, the book features tutorials from the author (a great knitting teacher), explaining special techniques: how to apply any applique, how to do the stem stitch, how to embroider "eyes" on the Bunny and Lamb, and 14 more. It all adds up to the best knitting book of the season.
144 pages, Spiral-bound
First published April 2, 2013
25 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 15, 2013
I’ve never read a Susan B. Anderson book, but I’ve seen her patterns online and always thought they looked cute. This book takes that cuteness to a whole new level. She has 11 patterns for adorable tiny knitted children’s toys and I kinda want to knit all of them.
But I do have a 4 month old at home, so I know it’s not gonna happen. But even if I’m not knitting the patterns in this book it’d be great to have just as a reference because it has awesomely photographed instructions for things like grafting, picking up stitches, and the duplicate stitch.
Some of the patterns I really loved in the book were the Chrysalis to Monarch - fun and educational, Flower Fairy in a Tulip - cute fairy with a tulip dress, and Snowman and Tree - the way to make the tree is just so clever.
My absolute favorite pattern and pretty much the reason I will buy this book is the Top-down Seamless Petticoat Dolls pattern. The toy she mentions in the intro (red-riding-hood to grandma to wolf) I had when I was a kid and I LOVED that doll so much, and this is a great knitted take on it. Plus, it’s super customizable so you can make one that looks like you and your daughter, or her best friends, grandmas, whatever. Best pattern in the book in my opinion. Now I just have to figure out how to carve out knitting time…
*Disclaimer* I received a free ARC of the book from NetGalley.
But I do have a 4 month old at home, so I know it’s not gonna happen. But even if I’m not knitting the patterns in this book it’d be great to have just as a reference because it has awesomely photographed instructions for things like grafting, picking up stitches, and the duplicate stitch.
Some of the patterns I really loved in the book were the Chrysalis to Monarch - fun and educational, Flower Fairy in a Tulip - cute fairy with a tulip dress, and Snowman and Tree - the way to make the tree is just so clever.
My absolute favorite pattern and pretty much the reason I will buy this book is the Top-down Seamless Petticoat Dolls pattern. The toy she mentions in the intro (red-riding-hood to grandma to wolf) I had when I was a kid and I LOVED that doll so much, and this is a great knitted take on it. Plus, it’s super customizable so you can make one that looks like you and your daughter, or her best friends, grandmas, whatever. Best pattern in the book in my opinion. Now I just have to figure out how to carve out knitting time…
*Disclaimer* I received a free ARC of the book from NetGalley.
June 11, 2017
Got this a couple of years ago but so far have only made 2 projects. I made a snowman/Xmas tree that was very easy and a dragon/egg (sure, it was supposed to be an alligator/egg, but my kid likes dragons so I just used blue yarn instead of green). I will eventually try some of the other projects. The instructions are easy to follow and they toys are fun.
October 13, 2013
Some very cute and clever ideas are presented. They would make great gifts for young children. Too bad I don't know how to knit:) Lots of detailed instructions are included.
May 4, 2024
My library has one book by this author, which I've looked at before. I didn't really like the way most of the toys in that other book looked, although I can't particularly say why. Despite my opinion of the first book, I requested this title on NetGalley, and I liked most of these patterns significantly better. I made "Egg to Alligator" and I made it in one afternoon*. I think the pattern could use some improvement: I don't particularly like the eyes, and the body is a bit too wide for an alligator; adapting it to some kind of herbivore dinosaur would be good. The ridge along the back was also problematic; I tried it a few times as written and it didn't seem to work. I don't know if it's written poorly or I was just doing it wrong, so I made up my own thing for the ridge.
The other truly inside-out toys listed in the book are "Egg to Penguin" and "Chrysalis to Monarch." The other patterns all looked like items that flip or even just turn over or turn around. I do want to try the "Snowman & Tree" flipper.
There were some serious issues with the eGalley that I hope are not a representation of a final print or final e- product. This was largely limited to page order and page completeness problems. I shared the alligator with my knitting coworkers and our library knitting program group and many people were so taken with it that I have ordered the book for work already.
*actually, I made the legs wrong and had to redo them the next day, but someone a little more experienced would have been able to do it just fine. And to be specific, that was a didn't-leave-the-house-all-day kind of afternoon, so it really took me from 1 to 6 pm, sprinkled with other household chores.
The other truly inside-out toys listed in the book are "Egg to Penguin" and "Chrysalis to Monarch." The other patterns all looked like items that flip or even just turn over or turn around. I do want to try the "Snowman & Tree" flipper.
There were some serious issues with the eGalley that I hope are not a representation of a final print or final e- product. This was largely limited to page order and page completeness problems. I shared the alligator with my knitting coworkers and our library knitting program group and many people were so taken with it that I have ordered the book for work already.
*actually, I made the legs wrong and had to redo them the next day, but someone a little more experienced would have been able to do it just fine. And to be specific, that was a didn't-leave-the-house-all-day kind of afternoon, so it really took me from 1 to 6 pm, sprinkled with other household chores.
June 25, 2020
Fun book, with an interesting twist, particularly if you want to make some knitted gifts for little ones. Great for stash busting! Some projects are, of course, cuter and more successful than others. I really wanted the Monarch butterfly unfurl into that recognizable orange and black patterning! You need to have a bit of experience before embarking on these, though.
July 2, 2019
So sweet! I can’t wait to knit a few of these!
June 27, 2022
Fun idea.
March 27, 2013
Projects in this book are as follows: Happy Mouse, Sad Mouse, Egg to Penguin, Egg to Alligator, Chrysalis to Monarch, Pigs in a Blanket, Flower Fairy in A tulip, Bunny & Lamb, Snowman & Tree, The Fox & the Hen, Dog in the Doghouse, Squirrel & the Hedgehog, Top-Down Seamless Petticoat Dolls (aka a classic Topsy-Turvy doll).
While this book states that beginners can tackle some projects, as a beginner I’m going to say that you probably want to get some projects under your belt before you attempt these. Even the easiest project (Happy / Sad Mouse) requires some nimble talented knitting fingers when starting the project and while doing things like adding on the ears. That said, I don’t think you need to be a pro knitter either. As long as you’ve worked yourself into a status of being comfortable with knitting concepts you’re ready to use this book. There are not many tips and tricks here, so please do get some practice in before diving into this book, I am. Otherwise Happy Mouse, Sad Mouse might simply make you sad sad sad (the author even warns you that you should visit YouTube or some knitting websites if you do not have basics down).
There are no duds here though some will wow you more than others. Some of these I can see getting a lot of play from kids and adults alike while others probably won’t be turned all topsy-turvy quite as often (who wants to see an egg when you have a cute penguin waiting for you on the other side?). Still, every single project here makes me want to practice knitting so that I am pro enough to be able to knit these all in my sleep and give them to everyone I know, they're all just too cute!
* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like so as not to waste my time.
While this book states that beginners can tackle some projects, as a beginner I’m going to say that you probably want to get some projects under your belt before you attempt these. Even the easiest project (Happy / Sad Mouse) requires some nimble talented knitting fingers when starting the project and while doing things like adding on the ears. That said, I don’t think you need to be a pro knitter either. As long as you’ve worked yourself into a status of being comfortable with knitting concepts you’re ready to use this book. There are not many tips and tricks here, so please do get some practice in before diving into this book, I am. Otherwise Happy Mouse, Sad Mouse might simply make you sad sad sad (the author even warns you that you should visit YouTube or some knitting websites if you do not have basics down).
There are no duds here though some will wow you more than others. Some of these I can see getting a lot of play from kids and adults alike while others probably won’t be turned all topsy-turvy quite as often (who wants to see an egg when you have a cute penguin waiting for you on the other side?). Still, every single project here makes me want to practice knitting so that I am pro enough to be able to knit these all in my sleep and give them to everyone I know, they're all just too cute!
* Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost in order to review it. I offered no guarantee of a positive review, though I only request books I think I'll like so as not to waste my time.
June 6, 2013
I had the opportunity to review this book thanks to NetGalley. As part of the review it made sense to actually make something from the book. It was a spur of the moment decision and the first pattern, "Happy Mouse Sad Mouse" was not only the easiest but the most accommodating for random yarn colors. I had loads of fun working on this toy. Especially when my daughter kept asking me about it as I was knitting away, trying to get me to hurry up. I had already told her it was going to be a toy and , yes, she could have it. So the easiest part was knitting the bulk of the body. The interesting part was picking up stitches for he arms/legs and the hands. The difficult part was knitting the piece for the nose and attaching it. The tedious part was weaving in all the loose ends and embroidering the faces on. I definitely plan on making something else from this book. It was fun (I know I said that already but it it really was)!
Here is the finished mouse...
Here is the finished mouse...
February 19, 2013
Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys Magical Two-in-One Reversible Projects by Susan B. Anderson
Such a cute and useful idea. This book gives you the details and instructions on how to make a stuffed animal with a surprise.
My favorite is the egg that turns into a penguin.
Easy to understand knit directions that explain how to sew the item together so one side will show one face expression and the other side with different arm/leg colors show a different face expression.
Stitch abbreviations are also explained.
Shows some of the more difficult techniques with step by step detailed sections.
12 projects, another favorite would be the snowman that turns into a Christmas tree, then again I like the dog in the doghouse and the butterfly one...
Such a cute and useful idea. This book gives you the details and instructions on how to make a stuffed animal with a surprise.
My favorite is the egg that turns into a penguin.
Easy to understand knit directions that explain how to sew the item together so one side will show one face expression and the other side with different arm/leg colors show a different face expression.
Stitch abbreviations are also explained.
Shows some of the more difficult techniques with step by step detailed sections.
12 projects, another favorite would be the snowman that turns into a Christmas tree, then again I like the dog in the doghouse and the butterfly one...
January 17, 2013
OH MY GOODNESS! It's been a while since I've seen a knitting book where I want to make every single thing in it. This is one of those. The designs are pleasing and clever. The instructions seem accessible and the book design is great--looks wonderful in the Bluefire reader for iPad. I hesitate to get these in digital format as I feel the Kindle version is a gamble. I'll definitely pick up the print version when it comes out on March 19th.
Let's see if my resolution to knit this year pans out and turns into some projects from this book.
Let's see if my resolution to knit this year pans out and turns into some projects from this book.
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October 1, 2013these toys are super adorable: stuffed toys that reverse inside out to be another toy. the idea of giving them is fun and making them to match the recipient is even better.
December 25, 2013
This is an incredible book of amazing and clever toy ideas. Clear instructions. Highly recommend!
December 12, 2014
Adorable patterns
I'm so glad that I ran across this book just in time for some last minute Christmas knitting! All the patterns are super cute. I want to make all of them.
I'm so glad that I ran across this book just in time for some last minute Christmas knitting! All the patterns are super cute. I want to make all of them.
June 23, 2015
Cute patterns, lots of great gift ideas!
April 20, 2017
I want to make the Christmas tree into Snowman, and the Happy Mouse/Sad Mouse, and maybe the Chrysalis to Monarch. Lots of interesting projects that don't seem too difficult to execute.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews