Edward’s Menagerie – Birds: Book Review

This book review is written by me on behalf of Interweave/F+W. I was given a complimentary copy of this book to complete my review but was not financially compensated. All opinions expressed are my own.

Title: Edward’s Menagerie – Birds: Over 40 Soft Toy Patterns for Crochet Birds
Author: Kerry Lord
Published by: David & Charles/F+W
ISBN: 978-1-4463-0602-4

Edward’s Menagerie-Birds: Over 40 Soft Toy Patterns for Crochet Birds by Kerry Lord, published by Interweave/F+W, has some of the most adorable toy birds that I have ever seen! There are 40 different types of birds, each with their own personality! The author put a tremendous amount of detail into each bird pattern, which makes them all adorable in their own way.Edward’s Menagerie-Birds is broken down into 3 levels. Level 1 patterns are great for beginners and use basic stitches with basic color change techniques. Level 2 patterns are a little more technical. They require the use if more advanced stitches but use basic stitches as well. The patterns in Level 3 are more complex than the previous patterns. They require more complex color changes and more complex crochet techniques and stitches. The great thing about the way this book is set up is that you can begin with the patterns from Level 1 and build up your techniques as you go along. Here are the different patterns for each level:

• Level 1:
  • Celine the Dove, p24
  • Dora the Wood Pigeon, p26
  • Ernest the Canary, p28
  • Henry the Raven, p 30
  • Vince the Blue-footed Booby, p32
  • Alan the Magpie, p34
  • Ina the Stork, p36
  • Duke the Mallard, p38
  • Ethel the Kiwi, p40
  • Dave the Seagull, p42
  • Sophia the Flamingo, p44
  • Huck the Pelican, p46
• Level 2:
  • Hazel the Hen, p50
  • Barney the Owl, p52
  • Elizabeth the Dodo, p54
  • Mateo the Cock of the Rock, p56
  • Emily the Vulture, p58
  • Florian the Ostrich, p60
  • Ross the Turkey, p62
  • Kevin the Cassowary, p64
  • Tricia the Silky Chicken, p66
  • Abraham the Bald Eagle, p68
  • Kit the Rooster, p70
  • Margot the Swan, p72
• Level 3: 
  • Elvis the Cockatoo, p76
  • Scott the Woodpecker, p78
  • Gianni the Lovebird, p80
  • Meghan the Toucan, p82
  • Robin the Robin, p84
  • Gareth the Puffin, p86
  • Rohit the Peacock, p88
  • Caeser the Emporer Penguin, p90
  • Enid the Long-eared Owl, p92
  • Jack the Macaw, p94
  • Petra the Rockhopper Penguin, p96
  • Ben the Kingfisher, p98
  • Anik the Snowy Owl, p100
  • Gilbert the Pheasant, p102
  • Oscar the Penguin, p104
  • Jorge the Hay, p106

Here’s a little peek of my favorite birds from Edward’s Menagerie-Birds:

Sophia the Flamingo, p44
This adorable flamingo is one of the easier patterns from Level 1. I love her realistic features!

Ross the Turkey, p62
You can find Ross in the Level 2 patterns. I love his feathers and wings! He would be perfect to make this time of year!

Jack the Macaw, p94
Jack is a Level 3 pattern and is definitely my most favorite. I love his intricate color changes and all of his detailed characteristics.

In addition to the patterns, the author of Edward’s Menagerie-Birds has also provided some great tips and resources. She tells you how to use the book, gives a list of the materials that will be needed, provides sizing information, and gives standard forms for different body parts. There is also a fabulous section called “Technicals” that give the most amazing tools for a beginner to create the menagerie of animals. She provides some very useful information and techniques to help you complete these projects successfully.

Edward’s Menagerie-Birds: Over 40 Soft Toy Patterns for Crochet Birds by Kerry Lord from the Interweave Store for just $22.99

Already own it? Let me know what you think! Also, if you’ve made one of these beautiful creations, share it on your social media sites using #edsanimals! The author would love to see what you’ve made!