The title says it all—you can knit a whole roomful of 18" (45cm) dolls, all with distinct personalities, and then make up some of your own. Never be stuck for ideas for lovable gifts and sales of work again!

There are five basic dolls in here, as well as five variations and lots of ideas for customizing them further. They all have the same basic body, but in the chapters devoted to each doll, there are plenty of garments and accessories to alter and adapt by using different yarn colors. This is not a book on how to knit, but a book of patterns for a knitter of intermediate or higher experience who knows a decent repertoire of stitches and other knitting know-how.

Two things stand out for me that I particularly like about this book. One is the fact that virtually everything is knitted with ubiquitous double knit/light worsted yarns, and the other is the way each doll has a personality. The author describes them and what they like to do and wear, so it is easy to think of them as individuals even before you start to make them. The book is illustrated with lots of large format photographs of dressed dolls and each item that goes with them, although, again, you won’t find making up diagrams or staged projects with step-by-step pictures.

If I have a favorite doll, it has to be either Father Christmas or the pirate who bears a close resemblance to a certain cinema pirate. Hours of happy knitting await!