If I had to describe KNITTED ANIMAL FRIENDS by Louise Crowther in just two words they would be gorgeous heirlooms. KNITTED ANIMAL FRIENDS is a meticulously well thought out construction book on how to knit the most beautiful friendly animals. It includes detailed well written knitting instructions for thirteen assorted animals. In 130 pages Louise Crowther crams in quite a lot of information and instruction for almost any level of knitter. In deciding whether or not to purchase a craft-based book, I go by my first impression of how many items I would actually want to make. Quite a different story with KNITTED ANIMAL FRIENDS, which presents an instant dilemma trying to choose which to do first. At a price of less than $2 per animal pattern completely dressed, this book should be on all knitters and crafter's bookshelves.

Louise Crowther supplies a basic pattern for all the animals bodies, arms and legs and then details for contrasting foot pads and special coloring for chests. From there, we move onto the animals whose faces are divine and classic with discrimination between various types of ears, noses, snouts and eyes. And Louise Crowther's patterns for the clothes rival anything I've seen for dolls or children's wear. Now the hard part to decide on when using this book, is which is my favorite and which to make first. George the Dog - in jeans, pullover and scarf - is beyond cute, well-constructed, and it immediately stopped me in my tracks but, as a reviewer, I had to move along. You know the expression "the clothes make the man"? Well, substitute mouse for man and you are describing Dorothy the Mouse with her ruffled sweater, picot edged shrug, capri pants and Maryjane shoes. Wait till you meet Harry the Ram -- love at first sight! With the articulated texture for his body, head, and horns it is almost a shame to dress him, but he is plenty dapper in his sailor pullover with cargo shorts and shoes.

In KNITTED ANIMAL FRIENDS, Louise Crowther includes a dedicated section on shoes, shorts, and finishing techniques for making the parts of the animals. She even includes instructions on various casting on methods, shaping and seams. All in all, KNITTED ANIMAL FRIENDS is a comprehensive text on how to make some marvelous stuffed animal friends for any age.