Discovering Amigurumi Crochet
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| Amigurumi Two! by Ana Paula Rimoli |
I love handmade crafts, particularly in the field of fiber arts. Throughout my crafting years I've been familiar with patterns for stuffed teddy bears and cute crocheted cats and fun frogs. Then, as I visited and admired the crocheted creations in other Etsy Shops, I began to see some strange dolls and animals. They called them 'Amigurumi'. I thought they were rather silly looking with big heads and skinny bodies, arms & legs and sometimes with quirky or funny faces on non-animal things like toy hammers or a baseball bat & ball. I thought they were very weird.
The more I looked around, the more I noticed that these strange creations appeared to be very popular. Finally, I had to find out what it was all about. I discovered that Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crochet (and knitting) small stuffed animals & dolls. The technique is also used to give 'personality' to inanimate objects!
And then I fell in love with Amigurumi!
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| Amigurumi Bunny Girl in Blue (c) Elf |
Bunny Girl in Amigurumi Crochet
Bunny Girl in Blue is the first Amigurumi animal I created ~ and the one that made me fall in love with the Amigurumi Style of Crochet. I found the pattern originally on the Lion Brand Website.
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| Golden Bunny Girl Amigurumi Crochet Doll |
This is my latest version of an Amigurumi Bunny Girl. Cuteness Indeed!
New to my Crafting Library
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| Crochet Toys for Me and You and Baby Too. |
Needless to say, my crafting library has now been expanded to include a number of patterns and books of Amigurumi. The one featured here, Amigurumi Two! by Ana Paula Rimoli, is filled with over 25 fun, adorable designs to crochet for babies and toddlers. The author designs her own patterns and has two small daughters who are her inspiration for her toy designs - and are also her quality control kids! Ana also has a shop on Etsy and a website where many of her designs and pattern books are featured.
About "Amigurumi Two!"
I have had more fun crocheting cute Amigurumi toys from this book. When I'm not crocheting, it's just a fun crochet pattern book to read. The author (and pattern creator) Ana Paula Rimoli prefaces each pattern with personal notes on why she created this pattern based on a childhood memory or something her little girls like or wanted. This book is more than a crochet pattern book; it's as if a fellow crochet crafter was sitting with you discussing the art of Amigurumi crochet and the fun we have with crochet.
Examples of Patterns from the Book 'Amigurumi Two'
One example from the 'Amigurumi Two' book is called Little Fish and her Daddy.
They are two cute colorful plush tropical fish you could create in the color combinations shown here or in your own color choices.
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| Amigurumi Tropical Fish available on Etsy |
The back of the Amigurumi Two craft book, showing more cuties to crochet including an adorable little plush bumble bee.
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| Baby Bumblebee in Plush |
Author Ana Paula Rimoli
The author of Amigurumi Two!, Ana Paula Rimoli, has written a number of craft books and all her creations are adorable. She currently resides in New Jersey, but is originally from Uruguay. She thanks her neighbor Marta in Montevideo, Uruguay for teaching her how to crochet when she was little, maybe 6 or 7. Ana says "I love love love crocheting and making toys."
A Few More of Ana Paula Rimoli's Amigurumi Crochet Books Available for your Craft Library
Do you crochet? What do you think of the Amigurumi style?
- For more book reviews, visit ReviewThisBooks.com.
- Find more crafts at ReviewThisCrafts.com.
© 2013 Wednesday-Elf
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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I love this style! The cuteness factor drew me in immediately. Of course I love the bunnies, and the bumblebee is super cute, but those little fish have to be my new favorites. They look like they belong in a tropical fish tank!
ReplyDeleteIt's the 'cuteness factor' that finally grabbed my attention, Susan. Those tropical fish do look cute, I agree.
DeleteOh, I love you Amigurumi animals, Elf! They are absolutely adorable. Of course, I love the bunnies, but surprisingly, I love the fish too. That little bumblebee is just delightful! I do crochet, but have never made an animal in any style. At this point in my life, I think I would rather just buy yours. They are so cute!
ReplyDeletePlush animals are such fun to crochet, Mouse and this Amigurumi style has really captured my imagination. You are welcome to visit my Etsy Shop filled with my cute 'critters' any time you want. :)
DeleteThese are so cute! Love their traditional appeal the most. Handmade items add something extra special to a room's decor as well. Personally chosen items made with love. These are the best gifts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Barbara. I agree that there is something special about handmade items.
DeleteSo so cute. Miss Elf, where do you find the time to do all this? Do you sleep? Ever? These are really lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Grammie O. I just love to crochet, especially plush animals and have been doing it for over 40 years. I was delighted a few years ago to find an online outlet (Etsy) for my crocheted 'critters' so I could share my creations with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this style before, since I have no children and have never really done any crafts. The Amigurumi animals are cute, and I could see myself making them if I did that sort of thing.
ReplyDelete