Dec 5 Book Review and Give-Away

 

 This year I have been making sock animals for Christmas Presents.  If you can't tell, this is a picture of a lion, giraffe, rabbit, and dog sock animal.  I have made about 25 of them now--cats, dogs, horses, zebras, giraffes, lions, tigers, and frogs. They have been really fun to make, didn't take much time or money to create, and kids seem to love them.  I do have to admit they are really cute and quite cuddly.

When I decided to make them I did the obligatory internet search for free patterns.  I found three distinct ways of combining socks to make different types of animals.  This is my favorite kitty pattern.  And here is the dog. Well, I actually used this dog pattern but it is the same as the other pattern and the first one has better directions.  And here is the bunny. Of course I made some adjustments and customizations. Don't we all? I also bought a couple of books.  After taking many "inside peeks" on Amazon, I chose two books by  Brenna Maloney, Sock Appeal and Sockology.  I have chosen to write my book review of her two books.

I like her books.  I could have made the animals just from the free patterns but Brenna's book gave some finishing techniques or embellishments that gave the animals personality.  The books were an inexpensive investment--I always look at the price of books, don't you?  I absolutely think the inspiration they gave me was worth more than I spent on them.  And they will have more than paid for themselves by the time I finish making Christmas presents for the grandchildren. 

I especially like Brenna's sense of humor.  She laughs at herself and with you. In the middle of one of her directions she asks you not to get mad at her about how hard this next step is. Then after you do the step, she says oh, the was not so hard and perhaps it is the next part that was hard. And neither step is hard but the point I am making is that she talks to you and not just tells you what to do.  It is not easy to make a book of patterns and sewing directions feel personal but Brenna did.

Most of the patterns in these two books are pretty simple. She does have some patterns that have you cut up socks into strange pieces to make sock animal body parts.  I didn't try any of those.  I believe that sock animals should look like they are made from socks. Or tights.  Like this horse.

He is my give away for my book review.  He is about 30 inches tall from the top of his head to the tip of his hind hoofs.

He is a cuddly horse.

How could you say no to that face?

If you would like this cuddly toy just leave a comment on my blog post.  I'll pick a winner on Dec 12 and send him off to whatever address you give me. Should get there in time for Christmas.

Judith