Mini Knitted Ocean

Beautiful book with lovely creatures of the sea to create. I am quite new to knitting and wish to knit more than beginners pattern scarves. This book has patterns of various difficulty including beginner. Descriptions are easy to understand and follow. Great photos throughout. Techniques described well. I feel it's a book I'll go back to time and again as my knitting abilities improve and advance.

* Heather Grahame *

I had seen this book online a couple of times, and was always tempted, but thought the patterns would be too complicated. I am only a beginner and to me, the finished items looked like they would be far too much for me! Thankfully, someone else bought me a copy of it! And I was very surprised to find that most of the patterns are labelled beginner, and are actually beginner level! The start of the book has very clear instructions with helpful photographs for some of the more tricky parts. The part that most concerned me was that some of the fins are crochet. I have never tried crochet before! Thankfully, once again, there were very clear instructions with photographs. In all, I am very happy with this book and will be adding the rest of these books to my wish list!

* Eleanor Killey *

A lovely book full of some lovely fish and figure patterns. The book has very clear instructions with helpful photographs for some of the more tricky parts and even for a beginner they are easy to follow. The grandchilden love playing with the marine scenes and it's much less trouble than a fishtank!

* Sue Harrison *

Ishii is known for her knitted miniatures, and readers may recognize her style from her other books of
small-scale knitting patterns. Here, inspired by her lifelong love of ocean and beach, she offers 25 patterns
for fish and other sea creatures, mermaids, sailors, even a yellow submarine. These creations are meant to
be fun characters rather than to-scale accurate representations, and the reader is encouraged to use
whatever yarn they have stashed, regardless of fiber content or weight. Each of the items is knitted, some
have crochet elements (mostly fish fins), and only a few specific knitting techniques and basic crochet
instructions are outlined. All the patterns are written only, with the exception of the Blue Tang, which also
includes a chart. As all patterns in the book were created with U.S. size 2 (2.75mm) knitting needles,
needle size is not listed in the patterns themselves, and there is no reference to gauge. This book is a good
fit for knitters comfortable working without rigid parameters.

http://www.booklistonline.com/Mini-Knitted-Ocean-Woolly-Whales-Dolphins-and-Other-Nautical-Knits-Sachiyo-Ishii/pid=8474363

-- Anne Heidemann * Booklist *

I’m a fairly novice knitter, most of my accomplishments come in the form of scarves, so it was really nice to have a go at something different with this book. I love the quality of the book, the various projects within and the quirky theme of the ocean.
Whenever I start knitting I always forget how to cast on, so I’d hope I’d find simple instructions inside the book (because the projects are aimed at beginner, intermediate and advanced) but there were none so I headed over to youtube for a quick tutorial.
I’d opted for a beginner project, the ‘clown fish’, but I wanted to make it spooky (because it’s Halloween!) so I opted for red, black and green wool. Once I’d cast on it didn’t take long for me to gather momentum for the project! I have never really followed a detailed set of knitting instructions before, so it was great to have a reference at the front of the book for all the different abbreviations.
It took me probably six to eight hours in total to complete the fish, I’m sure it would be a much quicker project for the more advanced knitter, but as I say, I’ve never made anything quite so technical. I love how many different ideas are contained within the book as well as how Sachiyo Ishii has kept things very simple, from materials to techniques.
I really loved the tone of the book, very engaging and user friendly. I definitely think the images helped me gauge how well I was doing and give you an idea of the different stages as I worked through them.
I really enjoyed making our Halloween Clown Fish, and I agree that it’s perfect for a beginner. I think this book will become quite addictive now I’ve achieved one project, and I can’t wait to start the next one!

https://tssreviews.com/2016/10/18/craft-book-review-mini-knitted-ocean-by-author-sachiyo-ishii/

* TSS Reviews *

This book is an absolute must have for both novices and expert knitters alike. It contains easy to follow, clear instructed patterns with beautiful photos to help too. As always Sachiyo Ishii has come up with some amazing ideas, I adore the sea lions (super cute!) and the mermaids were a hit with my teenage daughters. A must have book for all knitters, and would definitely make a perfect Christmas/ birthday present for any knitter.

* Becca Townsend *

I love Sachiyo's books they are such good fun. She takes nature and makes them into beautiful knits. Mini Knitted Ocean is a fantastic book that uses the art of knitting to bring it alive. The designs are brilliant and you can easy identify what each project is. All of the pieces are knitted flat and then sewed into shape. This means that they are easier to make and so every level of knitter can make them. I am completely amazed by the amount of different projects that are packed into this book. You can create your own mini ocean.
They are such fun and would make brilliant gifts for friends and family or create your own ocean scene. If you love the sea and the ocean then you are just going to love this book.

http://www.crochetaddictuk.com/2016/10/mini-knitted-ocean-search-press-book.html

* Crochet Addict UK *

I was delighted to receive this book, and my two little boys doubly so! They have requested that I knit "the whole of underwater," so it looks like I'll be busy for a while! The patterns are well written and very inventive, and the designs are just genius! I will definitely be looking to get more fo the similar books by this author. The woodland one is calling my name...

* Elizabeth Staunton Acheson *

Another wonderful book by Sachiyo Ishii full of easy to follow patterns and beautiful illustrations. The step by step guides are very clear and easy to follow. I have already knitted a 'Nemo' and a 'Dory' and plan to knit a whole bunch of fishy friends to make a children's ocean themed mobile. I would recommend this book to knitters of all skill levels.

* Angela Pagan *

The fourth title in the Mini Knitted series by Sachiyo Ishii does not disappoint. The step by step instructions are clear and so easy to follow it feels like she's there with you helping you along. The handy size of the book is ideal for your project bag too. The photographs are beautiful and the patterns are inspirational. I going to adapt the mermaid pattern into fairies for my Christmas Tree.

* Marion Dickins *

This is the third book of Sachiyo Ishii's that I own (I also have Mini Knitted Safari and Mini Knitted Woodland), and it's a lovely book just like her previous ones.

There are a variety of patterns including a dolphin, hammerhead shark, orca, sea lion and walrus, along with various fish (including clownfish and blue tang, stripey fish and some deep sea fish such as anglerfish), and some smaller creatures such as a seagull, mini crab, octopus, squid and ray. Plus there are some people such as deep sea divers, scuba divers, fishermen and mermaids. I'm a little disappointed that some of the projects require crochet - as it's a knitted ocean book I would expect them all to be knitted. I don't crochet so to be able to do some of the projects I'll have to learn. I also would have loved to see some of her other patterns (seahorse and seal, in particular) included in the book.

The book is of a similar great standard to her previous ones, with clear patterns, not to mention beautiful photos with lovely backgrounds. I've happily spent some time just browsing through the book and enjoying looking at the photos. If you're a fan of Sachiyo then you will definitely enjoy knitting some of these little projects.

* Joanna Cholewa *

Sachiyo Ishii never fails to amaze me with her wonderful creations. This book is jam packed with a huge variety of sea creatures. The little fisherman figures and the boats are a delight. instructions are easy to understand and include photographs showing how to actually make a project. It is a great buy and I look forward to collecting all her other books.

* Ann Meades *

Very cute subject. Fun to knit. Clear instructions. I like the fact you don't have to buy specific, awkward-to-find yarns. The only slight criticism I would make is that I prefer all needles to be listed on every pattern rather than having to refer back to the instructions at the beginning for the basic tools.

* Heather Haig *

Superb book, beautifully illustrated. Cuteness overload! Lots of tips and detailed instructions with pictures. So many wonderful projects you are likely to want to make every single one! The only problem is, which one to make first! Highly recommend this book and I will be buying every book Sachiyo has written.

* Di Rowland *

Such a cute book- lovely woolly whales, dolphins and other nautical knits I cannot wait to get the whole set. Lovely bright colours and easy to follow patterns.

* Carly Muguld