Monday, September 30, 2013

Book Review and Giveaway: Topsy- Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys

IMG_6710 copy 
I am not sure who was more excited when a copy of  Topsy-Turvy Inside-Out Knit Toys by Susan B Anderson arrived on my doorstep, me or my 5 year old daughter. My daughter and I are both big fans of Susan's books. When I attended TNNA in June, I got to see and touch the actual samples from the book during Susan's book signings. I knew that my daughter would go crazy over the toys from the book. 
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The cover is one of her favorite parts of the book. When you pull the tab, you can see that the toy changes into another toy. The knitted projects in the whole book are reversible. You get two toys in one. There are a total of 12 projects with beautiful photos of the projects. Plus, it has photo tutorials of any special techniques you may need to know or special details that may need further visual aids.

After flipping through the book, she had me write down a list of all the toys she wanted me to knit for her. Her picks: Happy Mouse, Egg to Penguin, Chrysalis to Monarch, Flower Fairy in a Tulip, Snowman & Tree, Top-Down Seamless Petticoat Dolls. She wanted me to knit the Happy Mouse first and it has to be in pink.  

The following review is her opinion of every single project in this book. 5 year olds are pretty honest and very opinionated. It's always so funny to hear their initial reaction to something.
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"I want a Happy Mouse because she is so cute. I only want Happy and not Sad because it's just too sad. I don't want the mouse to cry boohoo. Can you make me a Happy Mouse first and I want it in pink."

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"I like the Penguin because it is super super cute! I have always love penguins even when I was a little baby. You can flip this into an egg and egg begins with the letter E."

Egg to Alligator, "I don't like the crocodile so much. It's for boys and it's too crocodile-ly."

IMG_6755 copy 
"I love that the butterfly can turn into a cocoon. And then it can fly around like a real butterfly."

Pigs in a Blanket, "The piggies are so cute rolling around in a blanket. And then it is inside a tent."

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"Pull it down and there is a fairy. Pop it up and it's a flower. My two favorite things are fairies and flowers."
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"The Bunny & Lamb is so cute and cuddly. I don't like the blue and gray one. I only like the pink one."
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"I love the Snowman & Tree! I can flip the snowman into a Christmas Tree. I like Christmas because Santa brings you gifts."

The Fox & the Hen, "I only like the chicken a little bit. I don't want to turn the chicken into a fox because the fox scares me."

IMG_6778 copy 
"I like this because I like dogs. The door is not open, but if you flip it, the dog is asleep inside. He is always sleepy."

Squirrel & Hedgehog, "The squirrel is kinda cute. It loves acorns. I don't like the Hedgehog because if you touch it, you will scream and bleed. Too spikey!"
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"I like these dolls. You can dance around with it. It flips over and you get a different one with yellow hair. I love it so much and it's super cute."

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This morning I surprised her with the Happy Mouse that she wanted. She squealed with  glee. I apparently got the smile just right on mouse. She is very detailed oriented like me and had specified the smile that she wanted. I aim to please. :-)

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This was easy to knit and everything was knit seamlessly. The photo tutorials were clear and very helpful. I can't wait to make the other projects on my daughter's list.

The Giveaway!
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The very generous people at Artisan Books has offered to give one of you lucky readers a copy of the book. Please leave me a comment telling me which one is your favorite project from the book. The winner will be picked by a random number generator. Last day to comment is Oct 13, 2013. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you, either Ravelry name, blog link, or email address.

97 comments:

melonkelli said...

I love the cute penguin/egg!

Deb said...

I love the fairy/flower. I have a bunch of grand nieces who would love just about everything in the book!

Evelyn said...

The petticoat dolls are so sweet ~ I would love to knit a few of those!

projectstashEL on Ravelry

Michelle said...

I saw the doll over the weekend in a yarn shop so I'd probably knit that. Or the alligator for my nephew because he's a boy and Melody would approve.

AtPlayWithFiber said...

I LOVE the snowman & tree one. :D

Knitschmidt Kate said...

Well, I agree with your daughter on most points, but I LOVE the hedgehog!! Tell her their spikes are really kind of soft, and their faces are so so cute!! And I would make a pink hedgehog, of course.

knitschmidt on rav

suzi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
suzi said...

Love the puppy and doghouse - I have a granddaughter who plays puppies (she plays the puppy!) who would love this!!!
suzismf on Ravelry

CelticCastOn said...

I just took a class with Susan and got to see some of the samples from the book too. They are so cute. I think I.... I mean T needs the hedgehog/squirrel combo :)

Shannon said...

This book looks like so much fun! Thanks for the giveaway!!

Dez said...

I have been eyeing this book! I would love to make the penguin project. The photos have me wanting to make all of them, though!

bethielouwho said...

It's so hard to choose! I thought my favorite was the snowman to Christmas tree because I just love snowmen, but after seeing your happy mouse...I don't know, she's awfully cute!

Bethielouwho (on Ravelry)

Maureen said...

So many wonderful ones...so little time! I love them all, but especially love the petticoat dolls for my granddaughter! She would love one, and would give it lots of love and a very good home!

Cathy said...

Out of the mouths of babes! I can just hear my 5 year old granddaughter saying this. The flower & fairy are my favorite right now, but that's subject to change the more I look at the pictures.

pghcathy on Rav

ajz said...

Loving the bunny and lamb!
annejz on Ravelry

Ruth Colville said...

I have a five year old granddaughter who would love the dolls...and pink must be there somewhere, too.
muttiruth on Ravelry

Greg said...

I've been stalking this book every since I heard about it! I love Susan's designs and have knit up several: Ribbit toy, Rabbit toy, Go Team! hat, Tiny Pullover Sweater. I've got the Spud & Chloe book and enough yarn to knit several of the projects in it, but they haven't jumped on my needles yet. Feel free to check out my Ravelry projects (I'm drmellow) to see some of the projects I've done from Susan's patterns.

In this book, I think my favorite is the bunny/lamb combo. My daughter loves Rabbit, and I bet she's really enjoy having another bunny in her toy bucket.

-greg, drmellow on Ravelry

These are the Stamps of Our Lives said...

Would love...
~Shelley~
(TeensyToesNB on Ravelry)

knitterlydesigns said...

Books like this just bring out the kid in me. I love the pigs inthe blanket. It isso clever!

Knitterlydesigns on ravelry

Sharon said...

I love the crocodile...and the Christmas tree...and the doll...everytning in the book is just so darn cute. Please enter me in the drawing.
Rav ID craftysbs

Lila B said...

They are all so cute

Mary said...

I love the Petticoat Dolls!!! I love Susie!!!


maryspetals@rogers.com

Anonymous said...

The Petticoat Dolls are my favorite. I want one to play with myself!

Sandra said...

Thanks for the chance to win this fabulous book. I think I would like to make the dog/doghouse first.
istitchfast on Ravelry

Anne said...

I love them all, but I would have to start with the penguin. My grandson loves them! rav id annealden

Tricia said...

I just love all of them, but so want to knit the dolls!
triciau on Ravelry. Thank you!

Jessica said...

I like the snowman/Christmas tree. I am a sucker for Christmas!

Janebg1923 on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

The dolls would have to be my favourite and your daughter is just adorable.

rav id. mommytofive

ypsiknitti said...

I agree with your daughter. The happy mouse is my favorite.
Pat

Rav id ypsiknitter

www.ravelry.com/people/nmujillybean said...

I'm sure my 4-year-old daughter will give a similar commentary whenever I get my copy. Thanks for the fun read.
Rav ID: nmujillybean

NanaJen said...

The entire book is amazing! My 4 year old granddaughter is quite fond of Susan's designs, and in this particular book she has informed me that I will "have to" knit all of the toys for her and her 15 month old sister...beginning with the fairy, the petticoat doll & the penguin (in that order).
She thinks I am quite a fast knitter an expects I can finish them all by "next week"...lol :)
Ravelry ID - jaydawnrn

linda in chicagoland said...

My list is almost as long as your daughter's but I think I would start with the dog and his house. Or maybe snowman and tree. Only 70 some days until Christmas!

Rav pawsandknit

Melanie said...

I'm with your daughter. The pink mouse is adorable and my favorite one.

Esther said...

I find each one of them to be so adorable and captivating. I would love to make all of them, but would probably make the dog/doghouse first. It's just so sweet. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.
RavID: emrubin

Suzanne said...

You just wrote a winning review of the book. What I love most is the way you incorporated your daughter's voice in it. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love the penguin--it's so cute!!
(rav rspeckha)

steph said...

penguin---it's got to be the penguin!!! :) thank you for the great giveaway (and wonderful review!)

soyknits on rav

Debbie1085 said...

I have to agree with your daughter... she is correct there are a lot of cute stuff in the book and it's hard to choose from. I personally love the dog to the doghouse. Your daughter is also very cute!

Debbie1085 on Rav

Anonymous said...

I think they are all very cute. However, I like the dog and her house the best!
Rav id -love2knit4u

Betti

Sandy Woodley said...

They are all darling but I love the petticoat dolls. Think my granddaughters would really like them.

Anonymous said...

Love this book and all Susans books
skispinner on ravelry

chris said...

I love Susan Anderson, she is an amazing designer and her patterns are wonderfully written. Her blog is on my daily list. I do not have this book and would love to knit these for gifts.

Marcye said...

I love the petticoat dolls!! Good luck everyone :-)

Anonymous said...

I would like to knit the petticoat dolls but I think my three sons would outvote me! They would love the penguin/egg or dog/doghouse toys. I am snowdropmoon on Ravelry.

Janice said...

I love all of these but I would have to start with the squirrel/hedgehog combo because one of my daughters loves squirrels and the other loves hedgehogs. Rav id sockmonkey628

Marilou said...

I've knit several of Susan's toys and would love to own this book. I would probably knit the snowman and tree first, but eventually might knit them all!

I'm grammiknit on Ravelry.

Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Marilou

Kathy said...

It's all about Christmas for me--the snowman/tree is so cute!

susanpotts@hotmail.com said...

I love the petticoat dolls! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of the book!

spotts824 (ravid)

Unknown said...

oh my gosh i love the petticoat dolls!!

susieqhammer said...

the Christmas tree/snowman had me at hello!

grahamcrackerzz said...

I love the dog that sleeps in his doghouse. I'm making it for my new granddaughter! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love the petticoat doll!
asteride on Ravelry

Vicki said...

All the toys are really cute! I think the first one I'd make would be for me - the snowman/Christmas tree.

knuts2knit on ravelry

Ellisen said...

Love the Fairy/Flower! So sweet and she's safe in her flower in a child's pocket. Thanks. Fun review.

Maureen said...

For some reason pigs in a blanket is calling to me. Teachermom on rav

Amy said...

These are fantastic. The penguin would definitely be a big hit in my household (the biggest question would be whether to make it for the husband or for the baby)

al52182 on ravelry

Nancy said...

I so love this book and with lots of grandchildren it would be so fun. So many favorites...penguin and egg, snowman and tree. Wow! Thanks for a chance to win it.

nanheiner@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Your little girl is tooo cute. I would be a better knitter if I had an audience like her. Thank you for sharing.
-Kristin
Ravelry: kodea

Anonymous said...

This is such a sweet book. I want to make the dog to doghouse and I also love the egg to animal toys.

nigellafoxy at gmail dot com

sandrarumsey said...

I would love to knit the dog and doghouse. Beautiful daughter!

Whatzitknitz said...

I love that your daughter reviewed all the patterns. She definitely knows what she likes - doesn't she. But I would make the alligator first because my daughter loves alligators.

Anonymous said...

I love your beautiful daughter's review! Aren't these toys just the greatest? Thanks for a chance to win Susan's book. Personally, I love the hedgehog.

Bordergirl on Ravelry

Karen said...

I think the penguin/egg is my favorite - and it just so happens my nephew loves penguins!

kjramstack said...

What cute comments from your daughter!

Kelly
Rav: wolfcreeker

LindaR said...

The penguin is my favourite. So cute!
lindarumsey on Ravelry

L said...

I can't choose a favorite, I love them all!!

Rav: HollyBerries

Unknown said...

I like the snowman/tree. It is
so very cute.

Linda

Rav ID LAdriatico2010

mvink said...

My fav is penguin/egg. I'd love to knit it up for my nephew. Thank you for the chance!

Ravelry id: mvink

Melissa f said...

All of the toys are adorable, but I would make the dog/doghouse first.
Rav id: pik2nit

Anonymous said...

What fun! We have just begun welcoming grand babies....a great toy for each!
Johalley on Rav

swakins said...

Oh it has to be that Monarch Butterfly. Susan's patterns are so clever.

Mks said...

I love your daughter's book review! My favorite project is the dog in the doghouse.
Margie
Rav ID: smithmks

Anonymous said...

I love Susan's patterns and would love this book. With 3 small grandchildren under the age of 5 to knit for, I can see many toys in the future.
Thanks gabyj on Rav

Mimi F said...

I love all of them, but especially the egg to crocodile (alligator?). Your daughter is very cute!

Kristebee said...

What a wonderful review. I love your daughters comments on each pattern. She is adorable! I really love the squirrel/hedgehog one. I haven't made it yet but I hope to soon! Thanks! Kriste. (Kristebee on rav)

Anonymous said...

I'd so love to have a copy of this book. My grandkids would love these toys!
fiberpassionluv on ravelry

cookier293 said...

I love your daughters comments and the Happy Mouse is adorable. I'm thinking about going out and buy a copy right now!

Sheila said...

I love the penguin to egg toy.

Cara said...

I love the flower that turns into a princess. That is just the cutest!!

Unknown said...

Super Cute. Can't wait to try out some of the patterns in this book

Pauly Heller said...

Tough decision ... but I have to say the dog in the doghouse, maybe because I made a felt Snoopy's-doghouse-with-Woodstock-on-top Christmas ornament for my granddaughter last year.

Joan E. said...

I am not usually a toy knitter but these designs will make a convert out of me! I especially like the dog and his house.

Noreen said...

The butterfly/coccoon is my fav. Great book! Rav ID Noreen1009

Jaime P said...

Susan's patterns are the most fun to knit. The butterfly/cocoon is fantastic!

Momma-mac said...

I like the bunny/lamb design. keamac on Ravelry

Anonymous said...

Love butterflies and bunnies also the pigs in a blanket. Thank you for the giveaway.

deblyn153 on RAV

Unknown said...

Hi - I just can't decide which is cutest! Thanks for the give-a-way. Happy Knitting ~ Sandra
a.k.a. haveyarnwillfly on Ravelry

Connie said...

I fell in love with the petticoat dolls when Susan had a show and tell at a class I took. Thanks for the book giveaway.
Connie
tyme2play@yahoo.com

MissingRib2 said...

The Petticoat doll would be my first knitting project, if I won this book. My Ravelry name is MissingRib2.

Anonymous said...

What's not to love! Of course, bunnies, fairies and snowmen are always some of my faves. Love Susan's designs.. I'm knitting the giraffe from Itty Bitty Toys now! Thank you for doing a give-away!

Anonymous said...

Oops! The comment starting with what's not to love is me.
My rav id is cmlsparks!

Anonymous said...

I can't decide between the penguin/egg and the squirrel/hedgehog!

aliceblankenship@hotmail.com

Carmen N said...

I love Susan's designs. My favorite from the book are the dolls. You could always make a happy/sleeping mouse instead of a sad one. (asimplehomestd on Rav)

Anonymous said...

Tree and snowman
Ravelry KNITALITTLEBIT

Dorothy Noreen Hunter-Talbot said...

the dog and the doghouse would be a must do, my 5 year old grand daughter would be very happy to add it to her collection of stuffed toys

Ravelry: Noreen

Lauren Kowalczewski said...

Oh, that is darling!! I have so many little cousin babies who would love to have any one of those.
My email is knitsocksx@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I really like the petticoat dolls!