A review by sarahfindsmorethanbooks
Amigurumi Critters: 25 Easy and Imaginative Crochet Designs by Amy Ting

informative medium-paced

4.0

 

Amigurumi Critters is a great book for crochet enthusiasts of any level.  The pictures are bright, colorful and accurate to the projects.  The first section of the book creates space for beginners who are learning or advanced crocheters who just need a refresher and it is written in an easily understandable and accessible way, explaining everything you will need to know to follow the patterns.  I loved that Amy Ting made sure to acount for both metric and US sizes on the hooks and explains the different sorts of “grips” that can successfully be used, not a lot of books, including beginner crochet guides go over this type of information.  Amy also notes in the introduction of the book her own preferences, which is important to note, because the patterns will come out better if able to really understand how they were created.  The same is then done when it comes to the discussion of yarn (and I found the preferred brand was really good quality for a really affordable price). 

As you delve into the book, the explanations are written with the beginner in mind, easy to understand with pictures to show what is being explained, but it is written in a way that even an intermediate (or advanced) crocheter can appreciate without feeling the need to skip ahead to the patterns.  I normally skip over this section in these books because they do not offer any good tips or insights into the patterns or the way they were written and created.  Amy changed that landscape here, making it so that as you read through, you immediately take note of things that make you think, “ok, that is good to know for when I get started.” 

Each of the patterns holds a unique space and build on the techniques of the previous pattern.  For instance, Gertrude gives you an overall basics of how to and assembly, and then the next pattern references the Gertrude pattern for ceritan completion aspects.  This was an intriguing way to not be repetitive, but for a beginner, it could become cumbersome to flip back and forth.  The patterns had clear image guides as well, which made seeing the finished step and how to assemble in a concise way. I really enjoyed the formating of the patterns as it made completing each step easy and straightforward.  The instructions are written in a way that is easy to comeback to and not lose what row you are on, and the way the pattern is written allows you to continuously crochet without much thought (which is nice for someone who has trouble keeping count). Each pattern is also equipped with a difficulty level so you know going in if it is a more advanced pattern. 

While working the pattern for Gertrude, my numbers seemed to be short two stitches consecutively for several rounds, but then they just met up, so I’m not sure if it was counting error on my part or mathmatical error in the publication, but it seemed to work out so I didn’t put much thought into it past that.  The only other thing that I didn’t like is that all the pieces are sewn on after the main body was complete.  I find when adding limbs or pieces to an Amigurumi piece that crocheting them in as you go often times is easier, especially for those whose sewing skills are subpar. 

Overall, I found the text to be helpful and easy to understand, the patterns easy to follow and well written and the critters absolutely adorable.  Amigurumi Critters is the perfect addition for any summer arts and crafts project or for a crocheter at any level to create something new and fun.  Thank you to Netgalley and Cider Mill Press for the chance to review Amigurumi Critters for the Camp Netgalley event, it brought our the summer camp vibes with the arts and crafts aesthetic.