Arne & Carlos' Field Guide to Knitted Birds ― Over 40 Handmade Projects to Liven Up Your Roost

Let Arne & Carlos guide you on a journey into the colorful and imaginative bird kingdom! Inspired by nature both at home and abroad—from their garden in Tonsåsen come the characteristic bullfinch, chickadee, and wagtail, to name a few, but the fun doesn't stop there. Knit cold-weather birds with Norwegian traditional patterns, and keep them warm with bird-sized wool caps and scarves; make brilliant birds-of-paradise decorated with embroidery, sequins, and feathers; or spread your wings a little further with birds featuring vintage Mexican embroidery motifs. These delightful birds can be used as decorations year-round, but they may tend to migrate towards the Christmas tree when the time approaches. With clear instructions, helpful diagrams, and full-color photographs, it’s time for every knitter’s imagination to take flight.

Arne Nerjordet and Carlos Zachrison launched their Arne & Carlos knitwear line in 2007, gaining notice with their witty reworkings of classic Scandinavian motifs?for example, intricately patterned sweaters festooned with space invaders rather than reindeer. Their brand hit big when Rei Kawakubo of cult fashion house Commes des Gar?on commissioned a mini collection in 2008, followed by a line of garments for US-based Urban Outfitters in 2009, as well as Dale of Norway. Arne & Carlos were motivated to empower others to recreate their fabulous designs, so they have backburnered their ready-to-wear lines and instead travel internationally, teaching knitting classes and promoting their five books, which show knitting-lovers how to recreate Arne & Carlos’ unique knitwear patterns with step-by-step instructions.

Their books are now published in fourteen languages and have sold almost half-a-million copies worldwide. Arne & Carlos have starred in features in numerous online and print publications, as well as appeared on television morning and talk shows in Scandinavia and Europe. They are charming, personable, quirky, and sophisticated?superb conversationalists and the utmost professionals.

They are the authors of the international best-selling books 55 Christmas Balls to Knit; Easter Knits; Knitted Dolls; Knit-and-Crochet Garden, Norwegian Knits with a Twist, 30 Slippers to Knit and Felt, and Make Your Own Ideabook with Arne & Carlos, also available from Trafalgar Square Books. Their creative base is in the Valdres region of Norway, north of Oslo.