Thursday, September 11, 2014

Faux Taxidermy Knits :: A Review + Giveaway

Hey there! Today I'm excited to share a very fun book with you. "Faux Taxidermy?!" you might be saying. "That sounds creepy!!" you might be saying. But bear with me...these are some clever and adorable knits.


When I first saw the cover of Louise Walker's Faux Taxidermy Knits, I'll be honest -- the fox stole on the cover reminded me a whole lot of a design by my pal Tiny Owl Knits. But upon closer inspection, I realized that not only were the designs completely different, but these two designers have aesthetics all their own. Absolutely no ripoffs here.

So, Faux Taxidermy Knits. This book is a riot and each design had me smiling. The pieces in the book are definitely modeled after, well, dead animals, but what's so not-creepy is that they're so cute! They're all knitted in such a way that they don't look like dead animals. They look like happy animals thrilled to be accessorizing your outfit or decorating your home.

The book is split into two sections: Wearables (hats, stoles, slippers, and the like) and Habitat (mounted animal heads, a door stop, pheasants to hang in your kitchen, that kind of thing), and each design is more charming than the last. Here are a few of my favorites:

Raccoon Hat (I dare you not to smile when you see this)...

Photography © F&W Media International Ltd

Wolf Headdress (this is really beautiful, IMO)...

Photography © F&W Media International Ltd

Moose Head (seriously. adorable.)...

Photography © F&W Media International Ltd

and Bear Coasters (LOVE)...

Photography © F&W Media International Ltd

In addition to the pretty photos, each pattern includes charts or line-by-line instructions, clear diagrams for assembly, dimensions -- everything you'd need. Though I haven't made any of them (yet!), the patterns seem extremely thorough, which is nice for unconventionally constructed pieces such as these. And there's a thorough technique section in the back diagramming any knitting maneuvers one might not be familiar with, as well as a write-up on measuring gauge. Fantastic!

All in all: I love this book. LOVE IT. The designs are quirky and fun, and it's beautiful to look at while you're planning which project you're going to make next.

You can check out more about Faux Taxidermy Knits, here and see more lovely knitting book offerings on the Stitch Craft Create books page.

OR, if you'd like to win your very own copy of Faux Taxidermy Knits, leave me a comment here telling me a) which type of knitted animal you'd be most likely to wear and b) a place to contact you (RavID, email address, etc.). You have until 11:59pm Pacific time next Tuesday, 16 September, and I'll draw a winner on Wednesday morning.

And be sure to check out the Blog Hop Schedule - there have been and will be several more looks inside Faux Taxidermy Knits and chances to win in the next couple of weeks.

Good luck, and happy knitting!

http://ideas.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk/faux-taxidermy-knits-blog-hop/




40 comments:

Rachel said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lisaknits said...

I'm liking the wolf headdress
Rav: lasknit2

Emily Ringelman said...

Oh my gosh, those bear coasters are hilarious. I can see knitting a bunch to put in Christmas stockings!

Hind DP said...

This is adorable! I love the fox scarf, and who could resist those bear coasters?

mamamustknit on Rav

LindaR said...

I love the bear coasters - not sure I'd wear the fox?
lindarumsey on Ravelry

Jess said...

I'd wear a rabbit, because those ears! thecraftyroach[at]gmail[dot]com

Tiffany C said...

I love the bear coasters - so cute! I'd probably make the moose head for my son first though. tiffypyke{at}hotmail{dot}com

Unknown said...

I would wear a fox scarf- for sure. My Rav ID is tokyocitygirl

Josiphine said...

I don't even like animals...and that fox scarf is one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

reynoldsgirl13@hotmail.com

Kate said...

Wow - gorgeous! I'm torn between the fox and the bear coasters. Both would be fab to knit for my nieces. And maybe me, too.

Kate - chalimar16 on Ravelry

Anna said...

I've been eyeing that wolf headdress - it makes me want to dress up for Halloween, not something I usually get excited about! I'd love to make it.

I'm dyeingcolours on ravelry :)

VĂ©ro said...

The fox scarf is really nice and the bear coasters so cute. Thanks for the chance !

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

I would knit the fox scarf for some funny looks! The bear coasters are too cute too. Thanks for the chance.
Rav i.d. - SanRum

Rachelle said...

I'd wear a purple fox; orange isn't a good colour on me but I love the fox!

Unknown said...

Wow! Fun! I love the bear coasters, and I think I would wear the fox mittens. Rav i.d.- Candlefun

kathy h said...

First I would make the bear coasters to use during tea time with my grandchildren and then I would make the fox stole to wear when I am helping out with the kids at church.

HB, The Impulsive Minimalist said...

I'd probably wear the fox scarf the most, but I'm dying to make my mother-in-law a pheasant for Christmas (she decorates with primitive stuff and already has a "goose" hanging in her dining room) and the bear coasters for my dad and step-mom (who have a lodge themed home). SO much fun! rav id: crafteegirl or hsb525 [at] gmail [dot] com

Thanks for the opportunity!

Tracey said...

Everything is cute, but I think I seriously need a Moose head for my house.
Rav Id: hutch

lmecoll on Ravlery said...

My favorite thing is the bear coasters. I love them.
Lmecoll on Ravelry

Lalaroo said...

I'd love to win the book! The bear coasters are adorable, but I would definitely wear the fox scarf.

Rav id: Lalaroo

Unknown said...

Adorable and FUN!
First thing I knit is the moose head...after all I am from Moose Jaw
Ravelry name:nflux888

Diane S said...

I would so wear that fox scarf, and I would hang the moose head in my living room!
Yowela@hotmail.com

Jamie said...

I would immediately cast on the fox scarf. My daughter LOVES foxes right now.

RavID: wittknitter2011

martha said...

My grown daughter would love all of them. But I must say, the bear coasters are my favorite of those shown. Can't wait to see the rest of the patterns

RavID: llamaleader

josephine said...

I'm with the others- love the bear coasters. I'd make the fox scarf for me and the moose head for my daughter's apartment!

RavID: jamf

Ali said...

Um kittens of course, or whatever was making my husband giggle at the time. Mostly I'd try to encourage the knitters I know to make me random stuff!

I can be contacted most easily at gibbylet (at) gmail (.com)

Rachel said...

I commented earlier with wrong email. I deleted and am re commenting! Email is rachelbrock24@yahoo.com :)

Sheila said...

I adore that wolf headdress, but I'm not sure I'd actually wear it. Now the racoon cap I might wear on a cold day. I actually had one as a child (Daniel Boone TV show, anyone?)

Gloria said...

Yes, yes, I must have this book. (I have the Tiny Owl book, and have knitted Mr. Fox for my daughter, who claims the fox as her totem animal.) I rather like the hedgehog slippers--I'd wear those. The chicken hat is pretty cool too.

Thanks for sharing. Hope I win: my email is gloria.alvarez@mac.com

skeindalous said...

The fox and the wolf are marvelous, but I would be most likely to make the bear coasters. They just give me a smile!

isobaricohio said...

Those bear coasters are TOO cute and I love the moose -- I would put it in my living room as a little ode to my home state (Maine). :)

isobaricohio (at) gmail (dot) com

Unknown said...

I'm pretty sure those bear coasters are the cutest things I've ever seen! And my husband claims his spirit animal is the red fox! This book is just too cute! (And uber unique!)
Mowry.andrea@gmail.com or ravelry id dreareneeknits

Caitlyn said...

I instantly fell for the Moose Head. When I proposed hanging it in our bedroom over the bed, my husband insisted that it go in my craft room instead, on the grounds that more people would be able to see it. I think it's a ploy to avoid having knitting on walls he has to look at regularly, but it's not a "no," so I'll take it. You all are my witnesses.

CarolynEll said...

That moose head is SO CUTE!

Rav: carolynell

MrsZuvers said...

I don't know which I want more: the moose head or the bearskin rug coasters.

Rav: Mrszuvers

Unknown said...

I've always thought animals hanging on the wall was creepy, but a knit moose would be pretty cool!
-Erin, sostocke on rav

Julie said...

Those bear coasters made me laugh right out loud. I adore them! If I win a copy, that will be my first project.

-Julie, reedsandstrings on Rav

yoli said...

I don't know if it's in the book, but a knitted sloth cowl would be perfect to wear (and probably less smelly/deadly than the real thing). On the other hand, that moose head is brilliant!

Ravelry: yoli

J.B. said...

I'm really loving the red fox stole on the cover. I'm thinking it would also look great in a silver grey! Can't wait to see more! - J.B. @ TealDiva on Rav