100 flowers to knit & crochet

By Lesley Stanfield, published in 2009

Available on Amazon

The crochet and knitting patterns are pretty much divided 50/50. The first half of the book is knitting and the second half is crochet. Terms are British English, and the crochet patterns are presented both in writing and with charts. However, sometimes the written instructions do not correspond with the charts, so be sure to check both and compare with the picture... The book contains a flower directory where all the flowers are sorted by color (knitted & crocheted together) for easy reference:

There is also patterns for a few bugs and butterflies, and some fruits and vegetables:

My favorite patterns are all the leaves:

Grunnbok i strikking

"How to knit"

By Debbie Bliss, first published in 1999

Available (used) on Amazon

This is a Norwegian translation, and for some reason the publisher split the original into two separate books. Unfortunately I only have the second book, bought on sale a few years ago. I don't know if the first book is available in Norwegian anymore...

Since this is the second book, the patterns and knitting techniques are somewhat complicated and probably best suited for an advanced knitter. I think I need the first book before I can use this one... There are lots of explanations and illustrations for the knitting techniques, and there are also charts for color patterns and a few patterns for actual projects like sweaters and afghans.

Dickensian Mice

Pattern by Alan Dart, published by SIRDAR

Available here

This booklet has only four pages of patterns, because all the mice are made up of two types of basic body, and then the clothes are what makes the mice different from each other. There are directions for 12 mice, but you can easily make up even more.

Strikkede leker

"Knitted Toys"

By Fiona McTague, published in 2004

Available on Amazon

The patterns in this book are sorted by difficulty, starting with level 1 and ending with 3. There are patterns for finger puppets, cushions, dolls and teddybears with clothes, simple knitted animals and a huge door-stopper dog.

My favorite patterns are these finger puppets:

Irresistible gifts to knit

Edited by Debora Bradley, published in 2008

No longer available

All patterns by British toy designer Alan Dart. This is a collection of 12 patterns originally designed for the magazine Simply Knitting. Since the book is no longer available, the individual patterns will be posted on Alan Dart's website. The book has patterns both for single character projects, like the mother hen with chicks, a hedgehog with a hot-water bottle ready for hibernation, and a pirate with a parrot. There are also larger sets, such as the Noah's Ark, lots of farmyard animals and a nativity set. 

My favorite pattern is the Noah's Ark:

Amigurumi Knits

By Hansi Singh, published in 2009

Available on Amazon

My first book of knitted amigurumi. Before I got this I had already bought several of the patterns from the author's Etsy shop (Hansigurumi), but buying the book was still totally worth it :) 

It contains 20 patterns for different animals, some mythical creatures, and a selection of knitted fruits and vegetables. Each pattern is presented along with a paragraph of fun facts. The book also has an extensive stitch guide with lots of pictures, plus techniques for sewing knitted pieces together.

I'll have to pick two favorites from this book, the garlic and the anglerfish: