Book Review: 75 Birds, Butterflies, & little beasts to knit and crochet

75 Birds, Butterflies, & little beasts to knit and crochet by Lesley Stanfield, pub. St. Martin's Griffin, 2011.


This charming book is mainly a pattern book, with some tips at the beginning and project ideas at the back.  The tips are wise but simply put, and the project ideas are clever and adorable.  But the heart of the book is the varied collection of animals and their habitats.

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The knit patterns are separated from the crochet pieces.  Many of the crochet patterns are accompanied by delightful charts.  I have not worked much in crochet, but I chose a simple pattern and had no problem working it from the chart.  I'm looking forward to the more challenging pieces!

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The assorted creatures are arranged in tableaux by category (Spring Things, Hedgerow Flowers, Leaf Fall, Bugs and Beasties, Butterflies, Rock Pool, Fruit Bowl, Vegetable Basket, Woodland Walk, and Midwinter) and include some very creative choices.  

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Diagrams are offered for precise direction as to leg or wing placement, and templates are given when necessary.  Stanfield addresses all the details before we think to ask.  

I recommend this book for anyone in need of a quick project, anyone who wants to hone embellishing skills, anyone in need of a cute fix, or anyone who has been saying for ages that she (me) should learn to crochet.  Need I say more?

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Disclosure:  St. Martin's Griffin sent Kangath a free copy of 75 Birds, Butterflies, & little beasts to knit and crochet for review.  Kangath was not compensated for the preceding review.  All opinions expressed in the review are the blog author's and are not necessarily the opinions of Lesley Stanfield or St. Martin's Griffin.