The Knitted Teddy Bear: Make Your Own Heirloom Toys with Dozens of Patterns for Unique Clothing and Accessories

Polley's top-notch guide teaches readers how to knit adorable miniature teddy bears that can be completed in a few nights' time. The knitting isn't difficult, but the directions must be followed carefully in order to shape the bears properly. (The author provides a concise guide to the basics of doll-making, including forming ears, thread-jointing limbs and adding eyes, and all her projects are illustrated with full color photos.) A simple Beginner's Bear is the best place to start-each is made from five rectangles and easily dressed up with a little bow around the neck. Then knitters can move on to Polley's more whimsical, and dressy, creations, such as: Thomas, a sweet bear wearing a jacket, ""shawl neck"" sweater, wooly hat and scarf, or Sleepy Sam, whose long arms can tuck under his head when he drifts off for the night. Other bears include Rosie, who's dressed up in pink overalls, and Jack, a black bear modeled after the ones made for the survivors of the Titanic in 1912. Each bear resembles the others-most have longish faces and demure expressions-but Polley has given them enough individual personality to make sure readers will be drawn to one or two in particular. Readers will have to adjust the occasional UK/English instructions to American English, but otherwise, a skein of yarn, a few small needles and this book will set them well on their way to making beautiful toys.