Crochet is not just about ponchos and scarves anymore: it’s about amigurumi, a hip new craft trend! These Japanese-inspired dolls have motivated crocheters everywhere to grab their hooks and create collections of irresistibly funky-cute creatures. Elisabeth Doherty, one of today’s hottest amigurumi designers, is here to show readers how they, too, can get in on the fun. She explains basic and advanced stitches; shows how to make the critters’ forms by crocheting in the round; gives advice on yarns and stuffing; and offers tips on embroidering facial features and embellishments. Start with an easy cupcake, move on to a palm-sized mouse, and work up to the more challenging and spectacular projects, like a punk rock bunny or a beatnik kitty—complete with black turtleneck, beret, and goatee.
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About the Author
Elisabeth Doherty received her B.A. In Fine Art from Columbia College and has been at the forefront of developing amigurumi into a fine art form. Her dolls and soft sculptures have been featured in CRAFT magazine and numerous art shows across the United States.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Amigurumi, the Japanese art of making cute crochet animals, has been popular in Asian countries for years and in the past, it has amazed me that there weren't more books containing this style of crochet available in English. However, it seems that the Western countries have finally caught on to this craze and "Amigurumi!" is one of the books on this topic. In fact, "Amigurumi!" is, without a doubt, my favourite of the amigurumi books that have surfaced in the last year or so.
"Amigurumi!" contains 14 patterns divided into three sections: crocheted food (including a hamburger, cupcakes, cookies and a fish bone), crocheted animals (including a weiner dog, a fawn, a piglet and a mouse), and those four humanoid animals that you can see on the cover of the book. Unlike some of the other amigurumi books that I have seen, where the patterns are incredibly amateurish, made up of a series of balls sewn together, the patterns in this book are well thought-out works of art which would hold their own in a boutique toy store.
Although, I would not recommend that a beginner make one of the humanoid animals as a first project, many of the patterns in this book would be appropriate for beginners (especially the food patterns) and all of the basic stitch techniques are explained in detail at the front of the book. The patterns are all designed to be made with the brightly colored acrylic yarn, which is cheaper than wool and which I have never had any difficulties in obtaining (I buy mine from my local department store).
To use the cliche, if you only buy one amigurumi book, this is the one to buy.
"Amigurumi!" contains 14 patterns divided into three sections: crocheted food (including a hamburger, cupcakes, cookies and a fish bone), crocheted animals (including a weiner dog, a fawn, a piglet and a mouse), and those four humanoid animals that you can see on the cover of the book. Unlike some of the other amigurumi books that I have seen, where the patterns are incredibly amateurish, made up of a series of balls sewn together, the patterns in this book are well thought-out works of art which would hold their own in a boutique toy store.
Although, I would not recommend that a beginner make one of the humanoid animals as a first project, many of the patterns in this book would be appropriate for beginners (especially the food patterns) and all of the basic stitch techniques are explained in detail at the front of the book. The patterns are all designed to be made with the brightly colored acrylic yarn, which is cheaper than wool and which I have never had any difficulties in obtaining (I buy mine from my local department store).
To use the cliche, if you only buy one amigurumi book, this is the one to buy.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Rhonda White
Format:Paperback
I got this book for my 14 year old daughter who has already made lots of amigurumi from Japanese books. She found it too simplified for HER (oh the teenagerness of it all!) but to ME it is perfect! The only thing we cringed over is the originality of a crochet cheeseburger - as we have seen it done many times in the Japanese books, as purses and tawashi and yes, stuffed toys! This book does a great job of enlightening people about this fantastic craft - new to many, but not to the Japanese!
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have a few Japanese Amigurumi books and was hoping this book will help me decipher those but it is written only in words and not in the Japanese style of a chart with long list of rows with number of stitches. But as a crochet doll book, it is a winner and probably a lot easier to use too. I'm not excited about doing carrots
and not even the cookies thrill me, but the 8 animals and humanoid dolls are terrific. Since I'm doing this for a little child, I have to change certain things like the eyes. Personally, I prefer crocheting dolls to knitting them and there are a lot less crochet toy books than knitting ones. The difference is that knitting makes a flat piece you have to sew up but with this crochet you work around and get body forms and this type of crochet is meant to make oval shapes which can be easily joined to each other. I'm very happy with this book and plan on making several and then hopefully figuring out my own Amigurumi dolls.
and not even the cookies thrill me, but the 8 animals and humanoid dolls are terrific. Since I'm doing this for a little child, I have to change certain things like the eyes. Personally, I prefer crocheting dolls to knitting them and there are a lot less crochet toy books than knitting ones. The difference is that knitting makes a flat piece you have to sew up but with this crochet you work around and get body forms and this type of crochet is meant to make oval shapes which can be easily joined to each other. I'm very happy with this book and plan on making several and then hopefully figuring out my own Amigurumi dolls.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
I was excited to get this book as I usually make my amis from free patterns on the internet. I thought if I bought this book it would contain even better patterns. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Paula Patterson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Super Cool Amigurumi Dolls!
This is a well written pattern book for the cutest Amigurumi characters I have ever made.
Not for the novice as portions of the patterns need to be calculated as you go. Read more
Not for the novice as portions of the patterns need to be calculated as you go. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sharon B. Luce
4.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book
I am a beginner crocheter( only a few years) I found this at my local library. I made the Hep Cat and then a girl Hep Cat. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Sheryl White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun!!!
Elisabeth Doherty is a terrific soft sculpture artist, and in this book she lets us in on some of her secrets for creating these adorable creatures. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Joshua S. Grey
1.0 out of 5 stars
No cute patterns
The only pattern that was even close to cute, was the pig. Most of the patterns were of cartoon like animals, which I find ugly. Read more
Published on April 14, 2011 by B. Friend
3.0 out of 5 stars
Ever get that feeling...
that someone has become so advanced or absorbed into something that they are no longer able to teach it? Read more
Published on January 31, 2011 by S. Shaw
4.0 out of 5 stars
It grew on me
I was disappointed when I first received this book. My husband bought the wrong 'gurumi book. While the long legs look cool, it was obvious the author didn't grasp the Japanese... Read more
Published on October 17, 2010 by Gretchen
5.0 out of 5 stars
WARNING: NOT FOR BEGINNERS
While I love this book dearly, I would not recommend it for anyone below advanced. You are left on your own to increase or decrease and some of the directions are confusing. Read more
Published on September 8, 2010 by Carl Vannostrand Sr.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Be Prepared for Math!
I checked this book out of the local library. I wasn't impressed with many of the patterns, they're pretty average for an ami book, or even the free patterns you can find online. Read more
Published on May 25, 2010 by Misti Thibert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amigurumi Fun
I love this book. I purchased it for the fish bone pattern but I have fallen in love with all the wonderful creations I learned from this book.
Published on April 17, 2010 by Maritza Ayde Morales
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