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Birds on Beanies - Knitting Pattern Book
Now you can knit a beanie yourself!
Kay Milton's beanies first appeared in our shop in the 1990s, they have proven very popular and after many requests for her knitting patterns she created this book in 2022.
Birds on Beanies contains instructions for knitting the basic beanie, plus a chart and additional tips for each of the designs from the simplest (Kiwi) to the most complex (Pīwakawaka). It is illustrated with full colour photographs of the beanies and also some great shots of the birds in their natural habitats.
The patterns featured are 14 of the most popular designs created before 2022:
- Kiwi
- Tōrea Pango/variable oystercatcher*
- Kōkako
- Tīeke/north island saddleback
- Takahē
- Kākāriki/red-crowned parakeet*
- Pūkeko
- Kererū/NZ pigeon*
- Pūtangitangi/paradise shelduck*
- Kākāpō*
- Kororā/little penguin*
- Kōtare/sacred kingfisher
- Kakī/black stilt*
- Pīwakawaka/NZ fantail*
*8 of these designs are unique to Birds on Beanies first edition and do not appear in the newly released Birds on Beanies 2. The other designs differ slightly to those in BOB2 where they have been re-worked.
View Birds on Beanies 2 here
View special deal for both knitting pattern books here
“It has been a huge team effort,” says Kay, “involving photographers, models, knitters, and experts in software and book design. It has taken more than three years to produce, mainly because those involved, who have given their services free of charge, have had many other commitments. I am deeply grateful to all of them.”
Kay and her team of knitting volunteers donate their yarn, time, experience & enthusiasm to keep the Tiritiri Matangi Island Shop supplied with beanies and to fufil the many orders that we receive. All of the proceeds from the sale of the beanies go towards work on the Island and every beanie worn helps to raise awareness of ngā manu o Aotearoa (the birds of New Zealand).