Ugh!!! Something NEW to learn! Do you know about KNOOKING?

I'm a member of several groups on Ravelry and I do participate when the topic is of interest to me.  Otherwise I tend to lurk and move on.  There has been talk of "Knooking" lately but that word doesn't mean anything to me so I moved on. Well, it continues to pop up and today Leisure Arts offered a Free Amigurumi Piggy pattern so I clicked.  Amigurumi is, for anyone who doesn't know, small knitted toys/dolls of Japanese origin.  They are often crocheted and done so in the round.  Recently there have been many patterns created for knitting them instead.

 Knooking is Knitting using Crochet Hooks!  WHAT?  Take a look, now there's something new I NEED to learn and I just have to have that KIT!!! 

If you’ve been wanting to knit but always felt awkward holding those big
long needles, now you can conquer knitting with a special crochet hook called
The Knook. These bamboo hooks look like regular crochet hooks on one end but
have a hole in the other end for connecting a silky cord to hold your stitches.
Everything you need for learning is in a beginner kit that comes with Knooks in
three sizes (G-4 mm, H-5 mm and I-5.5 mm), three 36-inch cords, and a pocketsize
instruction book with 4 beginner projects. LeisureArts.com has free how-to
videos (with general instructions both for left-handers and right-handers) and
additional patterns.
 
Here is the Freebie Pig pattern that you can get from the Leisure Arts Blog.  Isn't this the CUTEST stinkin' Piggy?  Gah!
 

Click for the pattern! HERE

and here is what the KIT looks like.  Says it's available at Wal-nart (Dang, I don't even have to wait for it....)

Phoebe's Sweater and Freddie's Blanket - Knitting Children's Books

I just ran across these beautiful children's books from a pop up ad on Ravelry.com.  They are beautifully illustrated by the author's husband. 

Phoebe's Sweater is a unique children's storybook written by Joanna Johnson and illustrated by her husband, Eric Johnson. Phoebe's Sweater is a full-color illustrated children's storybook which includes a series of knitting patterns which accompany the story. The book is published by Joanna's independent press, Slate Falls Press, and includes knitting patterns for a girl's sweater, doll, and matching doll sweater. The doll sweater fits the knitted toy from the book as well as most 16" -18" dolls.

Freddie's Blanket is a unique children's storybook written by Joanna Johnson and illustrated by her husband, Eric Johnson. Freddie's Blanket is a full-color illustrated children's storybook which includes a series of five knitting patterns to accompany the story. The book is published by Joanna's independent press, Slate Falls Press, and includes knitting patterns for a child's colorwork blanket, boy platypus doll and clothes, girl platypus doll and clothes, toddler coveralls with toy hammer, and infant swaddling blanket.

So, if you have kiddos to knit for and read to, these are perfect!  Also, you can get signed copies on Etsy.com.  Seller is slatefallsknits.