The Bottom Line
Lesley Manieri sells miniature knitting needles and yarns, patterns, kits and completed miniature knitting for 1:12 and 1:24 scale dolls through her online store, on Ebay, and via selected dolls house shows in Australia and the UK. Her knitting needles are similar to standard needles, but single ended sizes are marked with colored beads to make the various sizes easy to identify. Her knitting patterns are easy to follow, with complete instructions and she has them ranked for beginner, intermediate and advanced knitters on various cd rom pattern collections. Her patterns are also available separately in print.
Pros
- Well made needles with softly rounded tips
- Clear patterns with complete details.
- Good range of patterns for adults, children, toddlers and infants.
Cons
- Once you realize you can do it, you need more patterns!
Description
- Clear easy to follow patterns with good tips and a photo of the finished outfit.
- Good range of patterns across infants, toddlers, children, adults and household linens.
- Well selected kits of yarn, patterns and needles, or yarn and patterns, or groups of patterns on cd or dvd rom.
- Some patterns available in 1:24 scale.
Guide Review - Miniature Knitting Supplies
I started miniature knitting with one of Lesley's patterns for mini bear outfits, which includes a nightshirt and cap, a dress, pants and a scarf. Lesley suggests that this is ideal for beginners and the three patterns certainly knit up easily and finish well.
Lesley's instructions are clear and her website tells you what each of her samples has been knit with, making it easier to choose patterns for your purposes. The patterns come with a clear materials list and stitch instructions, and Lesley also supplies them in various kits with the appropriate yarn and needles if you require them. She also stocks Heidi Ott dolls which can be purchased in the correct size for the knitting project.
Lesley is a great source of helpful hints and tips, and is happy to respond by email to knitters who need a little extra help. She has also combined her expertise and patterns into various cd and dvd formats for those who learn best by observation.
I also own several pairs of her knitting needles which I have found to be surprisingly resistant to bending, and very similar to full size knitting needles, even in the smaller sizes. She has needles in sizes 6/0, 5/0, 4/0, .75mm, 1.0mm, 1.25 mm and 2.00 mm (UK sizes 21, 19, 18 and 15) Most of her beginners patterns are knit on a size 5/0 (1.0mm) (19) needles with single strand wool or 100 DMC cotton. For finer projects she suggests Venne silk.
