Learning to crochet + amigurumi
January 30th, 2009 | Published in Amigurumi, Crafts, Crochet | 6 Comments
I’ve been itching to learn how to crochet, so this weekend I headed to the bookstore to find a good book to help me learn. I was disappointed in most of the “Learn to Crochet” books there, but then I remembered that Klutz had a crochet book. I headed over to the children’s section and picked up Crochet: Learn to Crochet Six Great Projects by Klutz. The book is great!! I highly recommend it for anyone looking to learn. Plus it comes with a crochet hook, a yarn needle, stitch markers, and some yarn to get you started.
While in the regular craft section, though, I happened upon Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Friends to Make and Enjoy. Now this “amigurumi” word I had just heard for the first time the day before by a friend who said to me “You’ve never heard of amigurumi?? How have you been in the online craft circle and not seen it? It’s huge online!” Apparently I have been under a rock. I bought the book even though I thought it would take me a few months before I could master crocheting enough to make a doll.
But it was actually incredibly easy!! The day after I learned to crochet, I made this adorable octopus. Then last night I finished up the little pig. Mainly you just have to figure out how to read the patterns and know how to do a single crochet. I started with the single color ones that looked fairly simple, but next I think I’m going to try a fox or a lemur or something.
You can also get tons of free patterns online. Here are a few sites I found that have collected patterns from around the tubes:
http://www.squidoo.com/crocheteddolls
And here’s a great youtube video that helped me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hKBeu2BlhU&feature=related
Hooray for a new craft! Sometimes I feel like the Jack of all crafts, Master of none.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:56 am (#)
I’ve been wanting to do that for such a long time! I am so glad you let me know it was easy and that the Klutz book is good. I love Klutz! I actually tried to create something a year ago with not instruction at all (that’s how I make my purses).
I love your octopus and pig. It was just in the last few months that I discovered Amigurumi and how popular it is.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:58 am (#)
I hate when I leave a comment and then discover a typo. “no instruction” not “not instruction.” : p
January 30th, 2009 at 10:50 am (#)
Ummm….you learned how to do that in 24 hours!? Wow! So cute! Off to the bookstore…
January 30th, 2009 at 11:19 am (#)
Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either! For most of the dolls, all that you need to know is the single crochet and just a few little tricks. The directions look like Greek when you first see them, but once you dive in they start to make sense. I also found this youtube video really helpful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hKBeu2BlhU&feature=related
Good luck! Let me know when you make one!
August 5th, 2009 at 12:36 pm (#)
I just picked up that same book from the library. So much fun! I made the owl first. I used a varigated yarn for the wings. It turned out sooo cute. My 5 and 7 year olds have devoured the book like the Sears Christmas catalog. I may have to pay to have it replaced.
I will try and post a few pics this evening once the kiddos are in bed.
March 31st, 2010 at 6:24 pm (#)
I too just learned to crochet! Took a class and all it did was confuse me but, between the I Can’t Believe I’m Crocheting dvd (I think it was called) and the Klutz book (that book is AMAZING!) I’ve been able to learn. All the while my goal has been to to amigurumi, so it’s so good to hear you’ve learned the same way I have and you are making such good looking amigurumi! Yay!