JenLa

Hey, thanks! Who knew a knitted farm would be such a hit? I emailed some of this to a few people in response to comments, but I realized I should definitely pass along a few links to everyone. I probably should have done it in the post about the knitted farm, but better late than never, right? Plus, we’re both on vacation this week and La took up some slack and is only making me post two entries ahead, but I still wondered what song and dance number I was gonna do for you.

The very first knitted object in this vein that I ever saw and nearly died over was the Knitted Shaun of the Dead by Cakeyvoice. [if you haven't seen them, you have to go look.] Shaun of the Dead is one of my all time favorite movies, and I was floored. Well, after that I was in love with any sort of knitted diorama. To look at, you understand. Not KNIT, you freaks. The farm mat I was working on was just a funny toy, that’s all. Then someone whispered “Jan Messent” in my ear. I don’t remember who it was, but I’m thinking it was either Chris or Imbrium. Whoever it was, as Lee Ann told me when I introduced her last week, I don’t know whether to thank you or thunk you. A quick google search rocked my world.

For the most part, her books aren’t readily available here in the US-they seem to be out of print-you can look inside them if you go to Amazon UK, though. Knitted Gardens is amazing.

Wool n’ Magic looks like it would be worth having just for the sheep motifs, and Knit a Fantasy Story is to swoon if you were ever a little girl who liked to play with dolls. I mean really, a knitted castle with princesses, a unicorn, knits in shining armor AND a witch?? Plus, this one happens to be available from Elann.

I don’t have any of these books, but I want them all with a deep and scary desire. Now, in the course of knitting the farm, I did buy The Knitted Farmyard, by Hannelore Wernhard and Jan Messent. which is being made available again in the US [I bought ifrom a UK ebay seller, though], And there is a lot of inspiration from that book in my little farm.

If you’ve ever had a hankering to knit Historical Figures or The Christmas Story nativity, Jan Messent has a book for you, too. She also had a Knitted Gnomes and Fairies book.

But who else makes really cool knitted toys? Jess Hutchison of Robot fame. Get a look at her flickr set of toys. I missed out on getting her book, I really hope she reprints it. If you like those, check out Jezzeblog. Or Aussie Jean’s knitted spaceship and aliens. Anja does tiny little knitted dolls. Sci-fi lovers [you people freak me out!] might like these yarn buddies. Or perhaps Shigella’s Dalek. Have you seen the Dollhouses of Death? Not technically knitted toys, they’re miniature CSI dioramas, made to investigate the real thing, with “lovingly hand knit clothing”. Sue Osborne also lovingly hand knits miniature doll clothing.

And next time you’re pissed at your lace project, go to Insane Knitting and check out the microscopic Orenburg Lace Shawl.