What do you think?
Rate this book
Knit a Square, Create a Cuddly Creature: From Flat to Fabulous - A Step-by-Step Guide
Wise owls, feisty fighting fish, and delightful turtles are just a few of the 25 cute critters that knitters will enjoy constructing from this collection of addictive projects. Using Epstein’s fresh approach to crafting stuffed animals, and her simple step-by-step instructions, knitters need only make a square (often with color work or quirky techniques), sew it into the designated shape, and stuff it! The results are adorable, and fun embellishments add rich detail and character to each creature.
144 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2016
45 people want to read
About the author
Nicky Epstein
58 books36 followersNicky Epstein is a knitting designer and author of numerous books on knitting. She is known for her creative combinations of knitting stitches, and for the colorful patterns often found in her sweaters, especially involving applique of separately knitted motifs.[1] In 2005, she was given a prestigious award by the National NeedleArts Association. In 2006, her work was featured in a retrospective fashion show at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Since the (winter) Holiday 2005 issue, Epstein has written a regular column in Vogue Knitting called simply "Nicky Epstein".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 1, 2017
Disclosure up front: I'm not always the biggest Nicky Epstein fan. She does some really cute patterns, and I love her Knitting On/Beyond/Over The Edge series. However, she has a huge love affair with bobbles, which I honestly hate, and in one piece I read, she even goes so far as recommend knitting them separately and then sewing them onto the piece. Really?? As someone who hates the sewing and end-weaving portion of finishing my knitting, there are much better uses of my time than individually knitting a couple dozen bobbles for the scarf I'm working on.
So now you know where I'm coming from.
This book, however, is pretty restrained for a Nicky Epstein. It's not a total Beginner project book, as some Knit A Square books are. Several of the projects have legs and ears and other body parts to knit separately and attach (and yes, the frog does have a dozen of the afore-mentioned individual bobbles). But for the most part, it's a pretty good toy book. They all do begin with the titular square, and then are gathered and decorated to create a bunch of different animals. Some are very cleverly folded too! The fish are a great example of those. The cats are a great example of the difference that textures make to the finished project - same design, but different patterns to give each cat a different look. Some great inspiration patterns.
My favorite projects? The penguins from the cover (yes, that's why I picked up the book in the first place), the fish, and the dragon. I also liked the armadillo, and triceratops, though I'm less likely to actually make those.
Overall: Three stars, because I liked it and there was some good inspiration, as mentioned, but there weren't tons of projects I'd personally make. A good advanced beginner toy book, I think.
So now you know where I'm coming from.
This book, however, is pretty restrained for a Nicky Epstein. It's not a total Beginner project book, as some Knit A Square books are. Several of the projects have legs and ears and other body parts to knit separately and attach (and yes, the frog does have a dozen of the afore-mentioned individual bobbles). But for the most part, it's a pretty good toy book. They all do begin with the titular square, and then are gathered and decorated to create a bunch of different animals. Some are very cleverly folded too! The fish are a great example of those. The cats are a great example of the difference that textures make to the finished project - same design, but different patterns to give each cat a different look. Some great inspiration patterns.
My favorite projects? The penguins from the cover (yes, that's why I picked up the book in the first place), the fish, and the dragon. I also liked the armadillo, and triceratops, though I'm less likely to actually make those.
Overall: Three stars, because I liked it and there was some good inspiration, as mentioned, but there weren't tons of projects I'd personally make. A good advanced beginner toy book, I think.
January 17, 2020
I so wanted this technique to work. Some of the animals are darling. I tried two different ones and trying to shape them was a nightmare. I’m an experienced knitter so knitting all the individual body parts with shaping and assembly would have been so much less stressful. Sorry.
March 31, 2018
great
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2019
Very interesting concept; my favorite one was Sheldon, the Shark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2021
A fantastic book
December 31, 2022
Ended up buying it after I first saw it from the library. So clever!
November 13, 2016
I started this book with a negative attitude. While Nicky Epstein is a legend, I find it hard to understand how her designing can be so prolific! I usually find little animals too fiddly and time consuming. And my preferred little animal designer is Susan B. Anderson.
But these designs start with a simple square that is folded and sewn to create an animal! Not very intimidating at all. I think I'd be tempted to knit some of these. Particularly Paloma the flying pig, & armando the armadillo! Lesson Learned: Keep an open mind!
But these designs start with a simple square that is folded and sewn to create an animal! Not very intimidating at all. I think I'd be tempted to knit some of these. Particularly Paloma the flying pig, & armando the armadillo! Lesson Learned: Keep an open mind!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews