Reviews

I purchased this as a gift for my sister in law. A couple of weeks ago i recieved a sample for my new baby and it is adorable. She likes the book, she said many of the projects are hard but she has not had any troubles so far. Other reviews mentioned mistakes in the patterns but she has made 3 different projects ( hippo, giraffe and elephant i think) with no problems

I love this book. I have made the santa and bag. I plan on making the mouse next. My 9 yr old grand daughter loves the santa and he will sit on a shelf of honor in the family room all year. I am not so good at multi-needle patterns. The instructions were simply straight-forward and I had no problems with making Santa. I do enough knitting on a budget that I don't opt for the expensive yarns. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarn purchased at the local Wal-Mart and size 4 needles purchased at a flea market with excellent results. I used round beads for the eyes and pulled the threads taut for a little (needle sculpting) different look. My biggest complaint about any knitting instruction pattern is the loyalty to a certain type or brand of yarn. I always try to adapt the patterns to use the yarn I prefer or have access to. This book adapts well. I am pleased to see so many reviews on this book. Some of the patterns seem very simple, maybe too simple. But I also enjoy this approach because I can take any pattern and add my own touch to create something by my own hand and vision. I have already found a little golden book containing the story of The Princess and the Pea and will make this simple little doll. Many children enjoy a simple toy and again, I can fancy it up a little. The simplicity allows me a spring board of sorts for my own creativity. The baby doll is the cutest I have ever seen in knit. I will have to make that for the fair project of the year. I plan on attacking the bird/egg/nest set for Easter baskets. Those are a bit more challenging and more than cute. I love all the sock yarns but don't make socks (as of yet anyway). So I welcome the idea of making a monkey or bear out of the stuff. Lastly I would like to applaud the size and design of the book overall. The book is easy to hold in my lap and opens flat due to the spiral binding. It is easy to stuff in my rather small to go knitting bag. I actually covered the book in a school book cover to protect the pretty cover and hide my current obsession.

I love, love, love this book! Super easy to follow with so many cute, fun patterns and the bonus for me is many are unisex.

I have to admit to being a lazy knitter. On numerous occasions I've started a project without finishing it, either because I get bored or become frustrated by confusing instructions. But even so, I love this book. I just finished two koala bears, and I can't wait to start on a bunny. The bears were so cute as they came together that I couldn't put my needles down. (And, I'd never used double-pointed needles before, but the instructions are very clear.) The other thing I like is that so many of the projects are appealing. I rarely buy knitting books b/c usually I only like one or two of the patterns, but I can imagine trying about 75% of the toys in this book.

I just love all Susan B. Andersons knitting instruction books. The directions are clearly written, the illustrations or pictures make following the directions so easy. And, the toys are adorable - just the right size for little hands, all of which lend them to the development of imaginative play.

Reviews

What adorable critters you can crochet with the help of this enchanting book. I'm more a knitter than crocheter, but I find these patterns so easy to follow, and so fun to complete that I'm really enjoying crochet more than I ever have. These cute creatures are great gifts for all ages: teenagers like them just as much as babies do.

I ordered the book, and it was supposed to arrive on the 31st of the month. I called on this day, and the order had reached my city, but had failed to be delivered. After 2 more days of not getting the book, I contacted them again, and it was finally shipped and arrived at my home.

Ana Paula Rimoli is the best ami author out there. You will be spoiled as she tells you exactly when to stop to work on the faces and other details that will make your crocheting a fun experience.

I bought this book for my 10 year old, a beginner in crochet. She made the bunny all by herself in less than 3 days! The instructions are clear and easy to follow. There are lots of cool designs to choose from. Now, she's hooked and eyeing book 2.

This book is what started my amigurumi obsession. These patterns are SO cute and the instructions are terrific. Prior to picking this up, I hadn't crocheted in oh, a million years. Both of my daughters and their friends are constantly going thru the book and 'putting their orders in'. Yeah, I'll be making these things till I'm 110. That's okay. Puts a smile on everyone's face!!

Reviews

This is a great book with great projects! I've already completed three of them and I am a newbie to crochet. it has rally inspired me to complete a variety of other types of projects.

I'm not a avid crocheter, but I've been crocheting since I was a child. The directions weren't the easiest to understand. That being said, once I figured out what I was supposed to be doing I really enjoyed the book. I've made several of the featured creatures and a few of my own design. They are adorable and fun. I've been giving them to everyone. They make nice cat/dog toys too, just becareful of the embelishments.

I remember seeing this book mentioned a few months back in a newsletter that I received, and the thought of picking up a copy has been lodged in my brain ever since. The only reason I didn't get it then? I don't know how to crochet! Well, as of last Monday, I gave in and picked a copy of this up, then headed to my local large discount grocery/department store to get myself some crochet needles, and my local arts & crafts store for the yarn. This book has been the total inspiration for me to try my hand at crochet (after doing very basic chain stitch work as a young child). A few years back, I decided to try my hand at knitting. That lasted for about three days (Mom said she'd already seen that coming). With my new Creepy Cute Amigurumi obsession, though, I've been at it, and DETERMINED to figure out how to make these! I'm halfway through my Cthulhu (his bottom's done), and now I'm taking a brief pause to completely get down the stitch and crochet techniques that I'll need to know to continue with the rest of the patterns in this book. As another reviewer (and the author herself), clearly stated, if you're a total and complete novice at crochet (as I am), it would be best for you to acclimate yourself with the basic stitches and techniques before trying to tackle the patterns in this book. I actually just Googled "crochet stitch" and "how to crochet", and was shown the lion's share of websites, blogs, and YouTube pages that offer instructions, advice, tips, illustrations, photos, and videos on how to crochet. Then I bought myself a copy of Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet (Leisure Arts #15906) (Donna Kooler's Series), which I'd seen in my local arts & crafts store, and HAD to have (but at a FAR better price here, as you'll see on the product page). So, now I'm all ready to teach myself to crochet, AND have ADORABLE little toys to give to my friends and keep on my desks at work and at home. This book started as, and continues to be, the inspiration for my desire to learn to crochet. I can't WAIT to have my crew of adorable beasties and monsters crocheted and ready to go! SUCH a clever little book! If you're considering it, go for it! It's a must-have!

I bought this book because I was hoping to make a bunch of them to pass out at Halloween with candy. I didn't quite make it that far, but I did use the book to make my wedding cake topper! My husband is a huge fan of Nightmare Before Christmas and zombie type things. Its not really my style, but this book allowed a merger of our two worlds. (haha) I made the zombie bride and groom for our wedding and we put them atop our wedding cake. I have to say they were adorable! We will always have them to cherish with our wedding memories now and they made for a great story. They were super easy to make, as well. The book was written very well and the pictures were great!

I was excited to make these cute/creepy little characters, but when I started reading the book was dismayed to see that a lot of the accents used "sculpy" or similar modeling clay...which I'd never done before. However, the author put in detailed directions/pictures for how to make the cool eyes, scythes for the Grim Reapers, spears for the Amazons, etc. tip: decided which characters you might want to make, and model the "accents" first, so that you can make and bake them all together. For example: make a bunch different styles/sizes of eyes. This worked out very well, for as I completed each project, I already had an array of eyes/weapons to pick from for embellishment (which I just hot-glued on). Made some great gifts and have received many compliments. Great book!