The big question we must all ask ourselves is – do nerds knit? Is it possible that Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory is a secret knitter, clacking away on a big pair of needles and weaving some exotic creation out of wool into the wee small hours? Well, he would be if he got his hands on Knitting for Nerds by master knitwit Joan of Dark, also known as Toni Carr.

When she isn’t being a part time roller derby girl, blogger and nerd, Toni Carr is creating amazing knitting patterns for lovers of science fiction and fantasy. Her designs, and those of guest designers in her book, are inspired by exactly the things we love to watch - Firefly, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Dr Who, Star Wars – but these designs don’t just appeal on the nerd level, they look great too.

It would be worth learning to knit just to be able to make the cutest little knitted robot I have ever seen, or a smashing pair of dragon rider gloves in blood red wool inspired by Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series. The whole fantasy section is mouth watering. There’s a lovely lacy blue shawl based on Melissa Marr’s book Wicked Lovely, in which the heroine Aislinn pits herself against the Winter Queen, and the cutest pair of hairy slippers inspired by Hobbit feet.

The divine Light of Earendil shrug, so white and lacy that it might have been worn by Cate Blanchett as Galadriel herself, and the dashing green fedora worn by Mr Nancy in Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys, are so wearable they look like high fashion, while Hermione Grainger’s Secret Beaded Bag from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One could go anywhere, even if it couldn’t hold a tent and camping equipment.

The patterns in the Science Fiction section are even more desirable. Jayne Cobb’s hat in Firefly, which pattern you can get all over the Internet, have inspired brightly striped socks and scarf, and if it is a hat you want, why not whip up the princess Leia hat complete with ear warming buns, or her Cloud City plait? If it’s fashion you want, Padme’s battle cape will take you out in style. Designed by Carr’s mother, it’s a very simple design that looks gorgeous.

Star Trek inspires a Next Generation sweater – black with a red yoke – and a uniform mini dress like Uhura. But today’s science fiction is so much more stylish, as evidenced by the ‘brown coat’ from Firefly. That looks so darned good you could wear it anywhere. The Manga and comic section includes supercute leg warmers, Tank Girl socks, and the most gorgeous Mystique sweater, as shapely and sexy as the Marvel character who inspired it.

Then there are handy nerdy accessories, boy and girl sweaters from Big Bang Theory, and of course, that robot – largely inspired by the cyborgs in Doctor Who, he is much cuter! I will either have to learn how to knit, find someone who can, or try and translate the pattern into crochet – shouldn’t be too hard, no? But I must have one!

Knits for Nerds will be released in February 2012, and is available on pre-order from Amazon. Take advantage of the Look Inside This Book feature – you’ll be amazed at Carr and co’s fabulous creations!

My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.