Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison launched their Arne & Carlos knitwear line in 2007, gaining notice with their witty re-workings of classic Scandinavian motifs – for example, intricately patterned sweaters festooned with space invaders rather than reindeer. Their brand hit big when Rei Kawakubo of cult fashion house Commes des Garçon commissioned a mini collection in 2008, followed by a line of garments for US-based Urban Outfitters in 2009, as well as Dale of Norway. Arne & Carlos were motivated to empower others to recreate their fabulous designs, so they have back-burnered their ready-to-wear lines and instead travel internationally, teaching knitting classes and promoting their five books, which show knitting-lovers how to recreate Arne & Carlos’ unique knitwear patterns with step-by-step instructions.
Their books are now published in fourteen languages and have
sold almost half-a-million
copies worldwide. Arne & Carlos have starred in features in
numerous online and print publications, as well as appeared on
television morning and talk shows in Scandinavia and Europe.
They are charming, personable, quirky, and sophisticated
– superb conversationalists and the utmost professionals.
They are the authors of the international bestselling books 55 Christmas Balls to Knit; Easter Knits; Knitted Dolls; Knit-and-Crochet Garden, Norwegian Knits with a Twist, 30 Slippers to Knit and Felt, and Make Your Own Ideabook with Arne & Carlos, also available from Trafalgar Square Books. Their creative base is in the Valdres region of Norway, north of Oslo.
I am not an experienced knitter but found the instructions clear
and easy to follow. I anticipate many hours emptying my stash to
make lots of birds.
*Customer Review*
What's not to love about another Arne & Carlos pattern book? This
one's is especially charming, and offers beautiful and interesting
patterns to knit super sweet birds with lots of character, and
heaps of clever embellishment ideas. I have already knit a couple
of birds which will be given to friends and family as Xmas
decorations/gifts. This is not a beginner's book, however the
instructions are clear and concise, and if you are confident, easy
to get the hang of. Adorable book, and an excellent addition to
your collection.
*Customer Review*
This book is beautiful, not just for the knitting patterns but for
the gorgeous pictures and the little expressions on the birdies
faces once they're knitted up! It's a funny and kitsch book, with
little projects the whole way through to make you smile. Some nice
simple patterns for beginners with well-known birds and then more
fancy exotic sparkly designs later on. Each bird can easily be
personalised and these projects are fantastic for using up yarn
odds and ends.
I would personally make slightly different feet for my birds as the
ones in the book are a little too chunky if I was making a more
delicate bird but that's just me. They make a feature of theirs
which look very artistic. A great selection of mini accessories too
for your new knitted feathered friends, and as always with Arne and
Carlos' books very detailed and clear instructions.
*Customer Review*
My initial impressions on this book, were that it looked great -
brilliant colourful pictures that looked fun. I found the actual
patterns a bit tricky at first - I would class myself as an
intermediate knitter, the patterns are very well written and very
clear, it just took a bit of getting my head round. For this reason
I would say this book was most suitable for intermediate to
advanced knitters, beginners might struggle a bit. There is a wide
range of birds, the majority all based around the same basis
pattern - my favourite has to be the bird wearing glasses! Overall
a nicely written and very colourful book, perfect for those wishing
to knit a feathered friend of their own.
*Customer Review*
Love love love this book. Very colourful and easy and quick to
knit! Lots of beautiful pictures
*Customer Review*
This book is beautiful and a joy to look at. It's much bigger than
I expected and filled with detailed photography. There are many
different patterns to try from realistic to the more imaginative
and I will enjoy making some for gifts. I like that it includes how
to make stands out of wire to look like the birds legs as they
really do add something to the finished design. They instructions
are very detailed and easy to understand. I'm looking forward to
making the projects.
*Customer Review*
Those knitting maestros are at it again, this time with
birds. Knit yourself an aviary of fun, colorful feathered
friends from all over the world and use them to decorate your home
year round, or adorn your Christmas tree. You can expect a
more beautiful than average book when you buy an Arne and Carlos
one. This is no exception, with not only lots of gorgeous
birds but also shots of the duo’s home and stash of wonderful,
inspiring objects. For an unusual twist flip open the first
two pages and see thumbnail (actually larger than that) images of
all the birds making it easy to select one. Do the same with
the final two pages and see a basic blank chart and written
instructions so you can design your own bird, or make anything in
the book. There is more about this in the first chapter where
you can discover how to make up the basic bird and what materials
you need to buy. You won’t have to try and source
Scandinavian yarns either as the birds can be made up using a
variety of different ones. This is not a book for beginners
and you need to be able to read charts but as long as you know how
to knit these small projects won’t be too taxing. There are
many different patterns in here from birds based on the authors
complete with wire glasses to birds with embroidery inspired by
traditional Mexican patterns or Scandinavian sweaters, European
garden birds and exotic birds of paradise. Some birds look
extra festive as they are adorned with real feathers, beads and
sequins while others sport hats or have their patterns incorporated
into them as they are knitted. This is an excellent way of
decorating your home in an attractive and unusual way and using up
lots of oddments of yarn. Beautiful and a lot of fun.
*myshelf.com*
Issue 111 Design duo Arne and Carlos are known for their playful
approach to knitting, creating decorative, whimsical patterns for
the home. For their latest project, they have turned their
attention to birds, and their book contains more than 40 designs.
These include species found in their garden in Norway - the robin,
blue tit, wagtail, bunting and bullfinch, among others. More exotic
birds of paradise are included, adorned with feathers and sequins
to present their gorgeous plumage. Arne & Carlos then indulge their
love of colourwork with a chapter of more fanciful birds, decorated
with traditional Norwegian patterns and Mexican-inspired
embroidery. A basic bird pattern is provided, which can be adapted
in many different ways. This is also provided as a handy fold-out
at the back of the book, so you can refer to it while following the
specific charts for the bird you're making. Instructions are given
on how to display your birds.
*The Knitter*
A book to make anyone smile, knitter or not. These imaginative
little birds are fun to look at and knit. Inspired by real-life
birds, but these birds are not replicas of the real thing and are
not attempting to be, they are flights of imagination and fantasy.
The birds are embellished, some with Norwegian and Mexican motifs,
some are embroidered, others are decorated with 'feathers' and
sequins. They have even invented a stand with legs, twig branches
or a curiosity cabinet to show your birds off. I defy anyone to
choose just one favourite, they are all so adorable, you will want
to knit them again and again and again. Introduce new yarns,
colours and keep on knitting. You'll feel chirpy in no time. Clear
instructions, diagrams and great photography from the duo with so
much creative imagination.
*yarnsandfabrics.co.uk*
If you love birds and love knitting, you'll love this book, it
really is delightful and inspirational.
Packed full of the loveliest, cutest knitted and embellished bird
projects I've ever seen - once I'd shown this book to my children
and grandchildren, they were all putting in their orders for their
favourites - woodpeckers, bullfinches,wagtails , birds of paradise
and many more, all beautifuly embellished and embroidered with
sequins and feathers, little hats and jumpers etc
There are lovely pictures, clearly written instructions and charts
for each project suitable for Intermediate and Advanced knitters to
get on with straightaway - but beginners could start making the
actual birds using plain or self -striping wool until they get used
to the more complicated traditional Norwegian style patterns.
Projects includea bird tea cosy, and mobiles as well as the
freestanding decoarative birds - instructions on making wire stands
are included too.
Once you have mastered the basic techniques it would be easy to
experiement with different coloured wools and embellishments to
make variations on the birds included in the book.
I can't wait to get started.
*Customer Review*
Oh what a joy! I was delighted to win this book from Search Press
in return for a review. Well it is my pleasure to review. It is a
gem - so beautifully illustrated and the pattern instructions are
so easy to follow - would appeal equally to experienced knitters
and novices alike. I spent the first few days just browsing the
book and getting super excited as to which little bird I would
choose to knit first. The instructions even cover hats, decorations
and even stands to display the finished birds. This book would make
a wonderful present especially as it allows you to use leftover
oddments of wool and is forever giving as you could knit the birds
over and over in different colours. An absolute treasure trove. I
can't wait to see what Arne and Carlos come up with next. This is
the best book I have rceived for a long long time - love it
*Customer Review*
Birds and knitting. But not birds knitting, sadly.
The photography alone within the pages of this endearing book is
more than enough to draw in the reader. Details formed with
sequins, feathers, and beads provide sparkle, movement, and shine
to the huge number of birds that Arne and Carlos have imagined and
realised in yarn form.
Having not used double-pointed needles before trying one of these
birds, I made a couple of attempts to figure out how to knit
properly with them. Once I had, though, and understood the pattern,
the bird quickly grew as I was superbly guided throughout by the
clear and friendly pattern instructions.
One feature which I think is particularly user-friendly is the fold
out page at the back of the book. On it is the basic pattern for
all the birds, so that you don’t have to keep flip-flopping back
and forth through the pages to follow the next steps if you’re
making a more ornate bird.
Whether you make one of the European garden birds, the mesmerising
Birds of Paradise, or those with enchanting markings inspired by
Mexican embroidery, it’ll surely be loved and treasured. I know
that I shall definitely be making more after my test piece.
As a first introduction to Arne and Carlos, I’m not sure I could’ve
hoped for a more enjoyable, charming, and fascinating book. It’s
beautifully-presented, and is a perfect size, so it shows the
creations in the photographs in excellent detail. This is already
one of my favourite knitting books, even just to look at.
*Customer Review*
This lovely book would suit intermediate and experienced knitters
although once you have mastered the basic pattern a beginner could
manage this..
I started with a plain white bird just so I could see what I was
knitting, but it was quite easy to follow, and I made the legs
using a coloured pipe cleaner.
The book gives you some lovely ideas of how what you can use your
little birds for and even provides the patterns for other ideas
such as a tea cosy with a little robin on top – perfect gift for
someone at Christmas!
There is a delightful section on garden birds which shows all our
English birds especially the lovely blackbird-which was the next
bird I made -with its yellow beak. Easy instructions to make a
stand for your bird are given to put your birds on display.
I am moving onto the blue tit and the bullfinch next to give to my
neighbour for the birdboxes he makes for charity and then onto the
robin for Christmas decorations.
There is a section to make rare birds of paradise with instructions
or ideas on how to decorate them with sequins and feathers but to
be honest the good old English garden birds are just as cute they
don’t need any extra! If you want there are patterns so you can
make little hats and scarves for the winter birds!!!!
The joy of this book is you can finally find something useful to
knit with all those tiny odds and ends of wool. One basic patterns
covers all birds and it doesn’t matter what type of wool you use.
Once you have knitted one little bird you want to go on and make
another and although the book provides the chart for which colours
to use – it motiv
*Customer Review*
I was sent a free copy of this book to review, as a prize. It's
just lovely, such a pretty book.
I have made one bird (without the feet/stand), which my daughter
proclaimed to be "super cute!" and immediately claimed for her room
- it is now hanging from the top of her mirror. She wants us to
make some of the sequinned and feathered ones, and the ones with
little glasses and hats together for the little Christmas tree in
her room later in the year, which is really lovely because she's 16
and generally doesn't really want to make stuff with her mum any
more!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys making
things, and can knit even a little bit. It looks wonderful, and
contains simple, easy to follow step-by-step instructions, even for
someone like me that has not been knitting for very long
*Customer Review*
I absolutely love this book. It is huge, and crammed full of
exciting projects. It is done like a field guide, but instead of
just reading, and looking at the pictures, you get to make the
birds.
It tells you all you need, including materials to buy, with clear
and easy to follow patterns.
Best of all, in my opinion, is the clever layout and format of the
book. Chapters like "Birds in Traditional Sweaters" and "Rare Birds
of Paradise" have me drooling at the prospect of getting my
knitting needles clacking.
Do buy this book. You won't be disappointed. It would also make a
great gift for anyone into knitting.
Well done Arne & Carlos. I can't wait to see what you come up with
next
*Customer Review*
Firstly I would say if your not a fan of working in DPN's (double
pointed needles) then this isn't the book for you as all the birds
are created mostly in the round ..with just a small section
worked in rows back and forth, but if you have no issues with DNP's
then this book is a must! Arne & Carlos have really let there
imaginations run wild again with some fantastic birds from magpies
to my favourite the I DO I DO I DO.
Not only are the patterns written and presented in a clear format
but further instructions on the construction and finishing touches
are given clearly with photos to support. Finishing touches
include sequins, feathers, and beads to really jazz up the
birds!
This book really is a must for any knitter looking for some
quick, fun, and quirky projects, and another great thing is they
are great stash busters with only small amounts of yarn needed for
each bird. I love the idea of creating a selection of birds and
hiding them around the garden. They will make great eye catching
decorations and when my daughter gets a bit older we can go on an
adventure around the garden bird spotting! Full review and images:
http://owlinstitches.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/field-guide-to-knitted-birds-book-review.html
*Owl in stitches*
I run a small craft group and we all have our own speciality
skills, but we all like to knit. I love this book and I know my
members will too. We have been intending to knit birds for a while
and I can’t wait to show the girls this new book by Arne and Carlos
(the authors) whose work we are all familiar with. The content
consists of bird knitting patterns and how to make them 3D
including leg and claw modelling frameworks which you attach to the
birds to complete. The patterns are geometric shapes; the kind you
see on traditional sweaters. The suggested yarns to use are luxury,
natural fibres by the company Schachenmayr The authors also have a
strong online presence and produce videos that visually instruct
and explain all that is detailed in their books. Like the videos,
the book itself, gives clear instructions, and includes helpful
diagrams and full-colour photographs. The book is a beautifully
presented.
*TSS Reviews*
This book has lovely bright illustrations.
The birds are all based on the same basic structure and then each
one has a different pattern to produce the different designs.
The back cover has a fold out section which has the basic structure
on. This is really useful as you can refer back to this without
having to turn the pages back in the book.
As the patterns are knitted in the round with double pointed
needles I would say that they are ideal for a knitter with more
experience rather than a beginner.
Lovely range of designs from those that look like real birds to
those that have imaginative designs and colours
*Customer Review*
If you are a fan of our feathered friends, you need to get your
hands on a copy of Knitted Birds. Created by LK favourite Nicky
Fijalkowska, this book contains patterns and instructions for over
20 types of birds, along with information on the materials, tools
and techniques required to let your projects take flight. The sky
really is the limit with this inspirational read!
*Lets Knit*
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