When a cartoon, television show, or movie becomes popular it is quickly accompanied by a wave of merchandise. This is often in the form of action figures or video games, perhaps some T-shirts, or maybe even a mug or a baseball cap.
When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles became popular in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, anything that could be merchandised, was merchandised. This included tooth brushes, confectionary items, temporary tattoos, trading cards, and… erm… a knitting pattern book.
No, I’m not kidding. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand was that successful, someone had the idea of selling fans on the concept of home made knitwear!
Published in 1990 by Schoolastic Publications Ltd, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Knitting Book offered young knitters (and their nans) the opportunity to make Turtle-themed knitwear. The book – written by Joy Gammon – included a range of projects all featuring the Turtles and their pals, from a Splinter sweater to some cowabunga cushions, and a Turtle-y awesome Turtle hat and scarf.
Priced at a budget-friendly (and totally affordable) £2.95, the book featured nine different knitting patterns, beginning with the all-important ‘Basic Jumper Pattern’ and progressing from there. Each pattern was accompanied by a small descriptive blurb, as well as a list of all the key colours required to bring the design to life!
Were the patterns difficult to complete? Honestly? I have no idea – I couldn’t knit a jumper if my life depended on it. But for those who could, I am quietly confident they wouldn’t have encountered too many problems.
While the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Knitting Book might not have been the first piece of merchandise that every young Turtles fan gravitated toward, it was no doubt a useful one. Having a book like this in the house, where a family member could knit a jumper (if they knew how), would have been very useful.
Plus, who wouldn’t want a Splinter sweater?!
Am I tempted to learn how to knit and give some of this Turtles knitwear a go? Sadly, not.
I find this book a great little slice of the past, and if I could rewind the clock (and I wish I could) then I would certainly beg my nan for a Raph or Donnie jumper. Sadly I can’t.
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Turtles patterns to knit like a ninja
For all the keen knitters out there, the patterns included in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Knitting Book were as follows:
- TMNT Basic Jumper Pattern
- Running Turtle Jumper – Raphael
- Resting Turtle Jumper – Michelangelo
- Standing Turtle Jumper – Donatello
- Cheering Turtle Jumper – Leonardo
- Splinter Jumper
- Lettering Jumper
- Turtle Hat & Scarf Set
- Turtle Cushions
Oh, and if you are wondering why I keep referring to this book as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Knitting Book, when it clearly says Hero Turtles on the cover, is because this copy was printed in the UK. Back during the ‘90s in the UK, Ninja Turtles were referred to as ‘Hero’ Turtles, however, Ninja is the proper title.
I believe this same book was also printed in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, where it would have carried the ‘Ninja’ title. No doubt it inspired some marvellous knitwear overseas too!
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Knitting Book on It’s A Stampede!. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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