KNITTED NURSERY RHYMES

"How to make a Tuffet" is the headline to page 88 of this charming knitting book, and surely every reader will respond by saying it's what they've always longed to do. Little Miss Muffet's Tuffet is a neat green hemisphere, made up in garter stitch using an attractive mix of moss green and apple green yarn. Full instructions are given, and the final step is "stuff with plenty of stuffing". Miss Muffet herself has a red dress with frilly sleeves and a knitted spoon and bowl, while the big black spider is not as complicated as it looks. The book covers 15 nursery rhyme projects in all. Humpty Dumpty is a traditional egg-shaped doll with a red bow tie, and his Wall features some rather impressive brickwork, while the two King's soldiers have busbies with straps embroidered on to the chin in chain stitch. Mary, Mary Quite Contrary comes with a watering can and a garden of flowers with stems stiffened by drinking straws. Hickory Dickory Dock features a grandfather clock and a mouse with a long pink tail. "Hey Diddle Diddle, the Cat and the Fiddle, The Cow Jumped Over the Moon" presents a challenge not so much of knitting as logistics, and the problem is solved by suspending the cow on a cord with the moon below it, while at ground level a handsome black and white striped cat is sawing away at a two-tone instrument. Other nursery rhymes include favourites such as Five Little Ducks, Little Boy Blue, and Old Mother Hubbard. There is a final useful chapter on knitting techniques. 142pp, softback, colour photos, abbreviations and conversions.