Funny Amigurumi – A Crochet Craft Pattern Book Review

16 Creatures & Their Accessories to Crochet by Emilie Penou

Amigurumi is the Japanese craft of crocheting small stuffed animals and toys.

Funny Amigurumi Craft Book

This crochet craft book has 16 quirky creatures to create.  Each one has a cute accessory.

These characters are portable, collectible and very giftable.  They average about 4.5 inches tall, depending upon the yarn and the size crochet hook you choose to use. The author recommends a cotton yarn that is a sock/super fine weight 1 yarn used with a D hook  I prefer to work in a worsted weight 4 acrylic yarn and almost always use an F hook.

Therefore, my version of the hedgehog, for instance, turned out to be 8 inches tall, about twice what the pattern in the book states. Crochet crafters will understand what I mean by preference. :)

The List of Characters in Funny Amigurumi include:

1. Mini Bunny and Carrot
2. Mini Bug and Aphid
3. Mini Tiger and Bow tie
4. Mini Fox and Mask
5. Mini Chicken and Cape
6. Dragon and Surfboard
7. Unicorn and Cloud
8. Owl and Witch Hat
9. Reindeer and Scarf
10. Frog and Crown
11. Hedgehog and Hairbrush
12. Donkey and Hat
13. Wolf and Broccoli
14. Penguin and Floatie
15. Sheep and Fox Blankie
16. Squid and Book

These patterns are fairly quick to crochet and most are good for beginners with easy-to-follow instructions. Most can be made in a day or a weekend. They are small enough to be portable for creating on the go! 

Several of the characters/animals in this book are done in a similar style, with the body being sort of pear-shaped, such as the wolf and the unicorn. 

There are several pages of crochet lessons at the beginning of the book. I found the lessons well worth reading and very helpful. In fact, I learned something I'd never known, even after crocheting for over 40 years.

I also really liked the fact that the individual patterns each give you specific instructions on exactly where to place the arms, legs, ears and features. Having followed many a pattern over the years, I have to tell you that having the pattern author tell you to, for instance, insert the eyes between row 18 and 19, with 15 stitches in between is invaluable. Many times I have had to look at a picture and try and figure out how many rows down the eyes or ears are placed, which naturally can be time-consuming and frustrating. 

My Recent Creations from Funny Amigurumi

I loved the Hedgehog, one of my favorite animals to crochet.  I got a big kick out of the Hedgehog accessory. He comes with a hairbrush, which makes sense as he will need one to comb out his 'quills'.  

The quills are easy to make, but are a bit time-consuming as you cut strands of yarn, then insert the hook under a stitch, grab the middle of the yarn with the hook and pull it through the stitch. Then you grab the two tail strands of yarn and pull them through the loop on the hook. In my version, it took over 100 strands to create the quill look I wanted across the head and all the way down the back. Turned out really cute, though. :)

The Wolf was fun to make and turned out so nice. The picture in the pattern book looks like he is done in tan, but the pattern calls for gray yarn, which is what I used, since wolves are normally gray in color. The nose on the pattern appears to be embroidered in black yarn, but I have always had problems getting the embroidery to come out neatly when working on a yarn piece. Therefore, this time I came up with another idea. I simply crocheted a 6 stitch circle and sewed it onto the tip of the nose. Came out very neat, instead of the sloppy look my embroidery always gives me. LOL. 

The Bunny was such a delightful plush toy to create. He reminds me of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. 

And I love the crochet carrot they included in the bunny rabbit pattern.

Such a cute accessory for a plush bunny! 

Summary

So, if you are looking for a cute collection of 'funny' and fun creatures to crochet, Funny Amigurumi is a good book to have in your craft library. 

Quick Links to More Craft Book Reviews:

• A Review of the Craft Book "Amigurumi Two"
• Easy Crochet Critters Craft Book Review
• Modern Amigurumi for the Home Craft Book Review
• Crobots - An Amigurumi Robots Crochet Craft Book Review

Note:

If you liked the crafty critters I have featured here, but do not crochet, the Hedgehog, the Wolf, and the Bunny & his carrot shown in this review are currently available for purchase in my Etsy Store, Coastal Crochet Crafts. More will be along soon as I am busy with my crochet hook! 

*Review of the Crochet Craft Book Funny Amigurumi was written by

~Wednesday Elf

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Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie Review for Children

One Great Halloween Movie

I have always loved Winnie the Pooh, plus I have always loved Halloween, so it naturally follows that I would enjoy a Winnie the Pooh Halloween movie.  Throw in a purple elephant, and you are guaranteed a smash hit.

Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie is an absolutely adorable video featuring our favorite Pooh characters.  They sing, dance and delight us throughout this cute little tale about Halloween night.  My children love this movie!  They can sing the songs for you and to this day, we all look into the mirror and sing "I scare myself".

Everyone should join Pooh, Rabbit, Piglet, Eeyore, Roo, Lumpy and Tigger, too, for their Halloween adventure, but I should warn you in advance,  children are likely to want to watch this movie on occasions other than just Halloween.  You may also find yourself watching it when they are in school.

Halloween Night

Just a teaser ~ I won't tell the entire story

When Roo shares his knowledge of trick or treating with Heffalump, affectionately known as Lumpy, they both get excited about the prospect of gathering treats together on their first Halloween.

Under the instruction of Rabbit, Halloween night is meticulously organized.  While Pooh eats all the Halloween candy, everyone else is distracted by Tigger who is busy scaring Lumpy with tales of the Gobloon and Spookables.  Upon discovery that all the candy is gone, Lumpy and Roo go in search of the Gobloon in hopes of getting their wish for more candy to be granted.

The challenge to overcome fear is almost too much for Lumpy.  The challenge to keep a frightened Lumpy on course is almost too much for Roo.

Now, I am not going to tell you what happens from this point on. You will have to journey with Heffalump and Roo to find out if they find the Gobloon and get their wish of more candy for Trick-or-Treat.

However, I will share the Youtube video of Tigger singing, dancing and entertaining the group.

 

Cover Story 

Copied from the back of the DVD cover for easy reading

It's a hilariously haunting Halloween in the 100 Acre Wood.  Roo's best new pal, Lumpy, is excited to trick-or-treat for the first time...until Tigger warns them about the dreaded Gobloon who'll turn you into a Jaggedy Lantern if he catches you.  But if they catch the Gobloon before it catches them, they get to make a wish!

With Roo by his side, Lumpy knows he can face anything.  So when Pooh eats all the Halloween candy, Lumpy and Roo decide to be "brave together, brave forever" and catch the Gobloon so they can wish for more.  When the two friends become separated, however, Roo decides to wish for something even more important.

Filled with adventure, unconditional friendship and lots of laughter, Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie is a sweet treat for the whole family.

Bonus Features on the DVD

Bonus features include:
Games & Activities ~ Trick or Re-treat, Pass the Pumpkin, Pooh's Boo Bingo, and Heffalump Halloween Party Planner:  Recipes, Printable Party Invitations, & Decorate Your Own Jaggedy Lantern.

I am also featuring the Heffalump plush below.   My children always snuggled with a plush animal while watching their favorite videos. 

 Pooh's Heffalump Halloween
MovieCheck Price Heffalump Lumpy & Roo Plush Toy - Elephant Kangaroo Stuffed AnimalCheck Price

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Reading, The Gift that Keeps on Giving in So Many Ways

Reading is a gift, a renewable, ever changing, gift that covers all ages and stages of life.

There is no doubt that many of the writers here at Review This Reviews love to read!  You just need to take a quick look at all the Book Reviews to know that there are many readers with varied tastes in subjects to read about.  There are even some authors on our Review This Reviews pages too!

What I am most interested in sharing with you today is  some timely ideas to help youngsters become avid readers.  

Why?  Well it is well known that reading is the basic building block for a lifetime of learning.  No truer words were ever written, and it bears repeating!  

READING IS THE BASIC BUILDING BLOCK FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING!

What's the best way to start a child on this road to learning?

That's an easy one to answer!  There is no time like the present to begin a child on a path to explore and learn new things.  Children are magnets for learning and giving them the tools can't start too early.  One of the best gifts you can ever give any child, is books.  You night not expect that books would be a great Baby Shower Gift, but I'm here to tell you differently.  So many times the new parents are inundated with cute outfits, booties and all the paraphanalia needed for their babies.  Give them a gift that will stand out!  Books, Classic Books that will become favorites for their children as they years go by.  Books that can be read by the parents and grandparents.  Books that will fuel their creativity and at the same time become the basis for their language skills.

Here is a list of Classic Books that will be a great start to any child's library:

1. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
2. A Bear Called Paddington
3. Little Golden Books
4. The Velveteen Rabbit
5. A Treasury of Curious George
6. Elmo's Big Book of Friends
7. My Favorite Berenstain Bears Collection
8. Classic Storybook Fables
9. On the Night You Were Born
10. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

The last two books on this list are "modern" classics.  The other 8 suggestions are stories that have been around since you were a child.  They are the "Classics" that really should be in every child's library.  They have withstood the test of time and are still found to be entertaining and full of great life lessons. 

How to keep your child entertained while reading:

Our goal as parents and grandparents is to keep our children motivated to enjoy the story we are telling them.  At the end of a long day, make time for reading.  Set the children's bed time for a half hour earlier than when you actually want them to close their eyes.  This time is set apart for reading!  Unless they are sick, make sure that you do this on a regular basis.  If not every day, then maybe 3 days a week.  Make the reading time not just a page turning experience, but be expressive in reading so that by your tone, they will know something exciting is going to happen.    Using the pictures in the story to keep our children's imaginations fueled will go a long way in them wanting you to turn more pages.  

What happens when they have a favorite book and they just don't want you to read another?

First of all don't worry, that is perfectly normal.  Certain books just have that quality that makes children want to hear the story again and again.  This is actually a great time to teach them to sight read certain words, because they already know the story off by heart.  Pointing to the words and showing them how the word sounds out, will help them to recognize that word in other stories too.  When our children would ask for the same story over and over and over again, we got creative in telling the story so that we would not be bored to tears.  I can remember one night in particular, when it was Dad's turn to read, he was so tired of reading story the way it was written, that he took the book and read it backwards.  Starting at the last page, he worked his way to the front and the children laughed and laughed so hard, that I needed to get up and see what in heaven's name was going on.  Well, needless to say from that point onwards, the children wanted the book read forwards and backwards.  Bedtime or reading time was just increased another 15 minutes to accommodate the extra reading.  What a great way to make them enjoy their stories in a whole new way.

Other Great Ways to Get Children Started on Reading!  

Reading starts with children grabbing a book and turning the pages.  As I said earlier, you can't start this habit too early.  So get your babies/children books that are make especially for them.  There are soft books made of fabric, that can be put into cribs or playpens.  They are usually filled with colorful pages and pictures.  Even babies love to turn pages that have something special on them.  Books with flaps that lift, tabs to pull and bits and pieces of sensory friendly fabrics are a must have for little hands.  Tactile fabrics, squeakers  or buttons that you can push are extras that little hands just love to play with.

So much fun in a book for little hands and growing minds.

 For Parent's Who Love to Tell Stories

For Parent's who are natural story tellers, there are also some really great picture books that will help you tell stories and get your child to interact at the same time.  Our children loved the "Where's Waldo" books.  They would sit for long periods of time looking at all the different pictures and looking for Waldo, who, you knew, was hiding in the pages somewhere.  What made these fun and interactive was the places and situations that Waldo would find himself in.

Richard Scarry books are also great for young readers.  They can learn about trucks and trains, planes and places.  His wonderfully illustrated books make it easy for parents to tell the story and sometimes segue into stories of their own.  Your imagination and the help of these books will fuel your child's world and widen their perspectives on everyday things around them.

We are our children's first educators and we teach them by spending quality time with them in a number of activities.  Reading is one of the most important activities.  It's the start of a life long love of books, that will see your children expand their horizons and will help educate them too.

It all starts with ABC and it will take them anywhere their minds can imagine and more.  Avid readers are the start of a life long love of learning new things.  They will develop a critical mindset that will help them in their everyday lives as they grow and mature.  Reading will never ever go out of style or popularity either.  Books will remain part of their lives from now until they are reading to their children too!

Will your favorites as a child, become your children's favorites too?

It could happen, but they might also find a story that is their own favorite and that is okay too!  There isn't one book that is "better" than another.  Everyone needs to find their own favorites and expand from that point on!  Books will give your child more than a 30 second sound bite of information.  Let's encourage our children to make good choices in how they spend their leisure time by having some great books for them at all stages of their reading skills.

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Disney Zootopia Movie Review

Disney Zootopia is a really cute animated movie that features all animals.  As you can see in the photo on the right, the main characters are Judy Hopps, a rabbit, and Nick Wilde, a fox.  In addition to Judy and Nick, there were several other animal characters in this movie that I loved.

I really like the story line and the message that "you can be anything you wanna be".   The movie doesn't make light of the reality though that it often takes hard work and real commitment to achieve your goals.  It also touches on how preconceived opinions or past experiences can influence your thoughts when you first meet someone.  I really liked the way each character faced and dealt with their prejudices and negative attitudes to overcome them.

The characters are adorable and the animation is fantastic!  I also enjoyed the music.  Overall, it was a great way to spend 108 minutes.

The DVD cover quotes Germain Lussier, "The Best Film Disney Animation Has Made in 20 Years", and I would agree.

The Plot of Zootopia

 Zootopia (Plus Bonus Features)Check PriceJudy Hopps, the leading bunny, wants to be a police officer when she grows up.  That is not really a job most would believe is appropriate for a  bunny rabbit.  Even her parents try to dissuade Judy.  However, Judy is determined.  After she gets through the police academy, she is sent to Zootopia, which is appropriately named.  It is an animal utopia.  Predators and prey coexist without the natural desires to hunt or the natural fear of being the prey.

Judy finds herself surrounded by fabulous large beasts who are her fellow police officers.  On her first day, assignments are handed out.  There are a dozen missing animals that don't seem to have any obvious commonalities.  However, Judy is not assigned to find any of the missing animals.  She is assigned to parking duty to hand out tickets.  It seems like a safe place for a bunny officer.  Of course, that assignment does not make Judy happy at all.  However, she strives to make the best of it.

While writing parking tickets on her very first day, Judy sees a fox (Nick) and his "child" enter an ice cream shop owned by an elephant.  Nick wishes to buy a treat for his "son", but the owner refuses to serve a fox.  That is, until Judy comes to their defense.  Later that day, she finds that she was duped by the sly fox.  However, it turns out that the fox is just who she needs to help her find Mr. Otterton.  

As you have probably already guessed, Mr. Otterton is an otter that is missing, but he isn't one of the individuals the police are most worried about finding.  But, Judy willingly takes the case!  And that is when the real action begins.

My Recommendation of Zootopia

As an adult and animal enthusiasts, I really enjoyed the movie.  I especially loved the scene that included the sloths, who work for the DMV.  

The movie is rated PG and for good reason.  I do recommend that parents watch the movie first to determine if it is suitable for your own children.  Most notably, there are a few crude words that a parent may not want their very young children hearing and definitely not repeating.  Otherwise, I would say Zootopia is a fun movie to watch for both children and adults.

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Disney Zootopia Movie Review Written by:

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Reviewing the Viral Green Gut Glow Drink

Green Gut Glow Set

Every day I enjoy taking my Green Gut Glow drink and I absolutely love how it makes me feel, have you tried it yet? You can buy the ingredients in a set from Arbonne and it has really gone viral on Tik Tok in recent times, especially after a review by a beauty editor in the UK.

The Green Gut Glow is actually made up of 3 different supplements that combine together in a drink that offers smart nutrition support, reduced bloating and glowing skin. The three supplements are the BeWell Superfood Greens (the Green) which I have previously reviewed here; the Gut Health Digestion & Microbiome Support (the Gut) which is a synbiotic aka it contains both pre and pro-biotics; the Skin Elixir Collagen Builder (the Glow) which is formulated with Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and biotin to support collagen production for radiant skin, hair and nails. 

Why Do I Recommend the Green Gut Glow Drink

There are a number of reasons why I take this supplement and recommend it, but I should mention that I used to take something called the Green Ogre Drink and some people may find that this is better for them. I compare the two of them in this post.

Let's Talk Greens

The first reason for taking the Green Gut Glow drink is the Greens. I personally feel it's important for most people to have some form of greens drink as it really helps to increase your fruit and veg intake during the day. As I mentioned in my post, Do You Eat Enough Fruit & Veg Every Day? I usually take my green gut glow drink first thing in the morning which counts as my first serve of fruit and veg for the day.

Whatever your diet is like I have never heard of anyone having a problem from consuming too much fruit and veg!  The Superfood Greens contains a blend of 36 fruits and vegetables in every serving including the superfoods Spirulina, Chlorella, Wheatgrass and Barley Grass. The other freeze-dried fruit and vegetables included ensuring that you get all the benefits of eating the full colour spectrum of fruits and vegetables. As it's a whole food blend it means that you're also getting all of the fibre, antioxidants and phytonutrients that ensure this is an amazing nutritional boost for you. 

I mentioned in my review that when I stopped having a greens drink (with this powder) for a few days I really noticed how tired I was which re-affirmed to me that this is a non-negotiable everyday supplement for me.

Let's Talk Gut Health

A key difference between the Green Ogre Drink and the Green Gut Glow Drink is that the Gut Health Digestion & Microbiome Support supplement wasn't a part of the Green Ogre Drink, however, I used to take it on its own in a little water. I'm not going to lie, the gut health in water is not a pleasant taste, but in the Green Gut Glow drink I don't taste it.

I believe that it's important to look after our gut health and I think this supplement is a very important step towards it, but to get the full effect of improved gut health you need to also make changes to your diet and lifestyle. This is definitely a  great first step.

The benefits I have personally noticed are less bloating and also less indigestion, both of which have been welcomed. I do credit my improved gut health in general for helping with the symptoms of both my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Menopause, but I'm not a medical professional so I suggest you do your own research. 

Let's Talk The Glow

When the Skin Elixir Collagen Builder supplement was first released I decided to try a box, but I wasn't sure I would take it every day as I had thought it was just for helping to keep your skin looking younger and I figured that wrinkles were basically the battle scars of my life - why try to hide them?

I added it to my Green Ogre Drink for a couple of weeks and then read a post in one of my Facebook groups about collagen that sent me down an absolute rabbit hole of information. I have continued to take it every day since!

The post was about collagen and joint health, as I ventured down the rabbit hole (and again I am not a medical expert) I read about how it was also good for heart health and decided that as someone with both RA and serious heart issues on both my maternal and paternal sides then I should take this.

What have I actually noticed while taking this supplement? My hairdresser was the first person to comment on my hair as she mentioned it had gotten thicker - I'm in my fifties so normally I would be expecting it to start thinning! I have definitely noticed that my skin looks a lot better, but I have been using the Arbonne skin products so it's probably a combination of the two.

Before I started using the Skin Elixir Collagen Builder I was going to the nail salon once a month as a treat and getting my nails painted. I'm not sure how long it took but I found that my nails were growing faster and I needed to go more than once a month. I decided I didn't need to do that so I've left my nails au naturel or I paint them myself or on occasion I've used some nail wraps.

How I Take My Green Gut Glow

Personally, I will usually add a fizz stick to my Green Gut Glow to add some caffeine as I no longer drink caffeinated tea and coffee on a daily basis. I also take the supplements in 600-700ml of water which is a bit more than some people, but I love how it's also helping my hydration levels that way.

When I first started taking this drink I would just shake the ingredients together and enjoy it, but it would sometimes be a little bitty. Since January 2023 I have been using a frother when I make my drink and it has made a huge difference and I do prefer to drink it this way.

Questions?

If you have any questions about my health drink or my health journey in general don't hesitate to reach out. You can find me in my Healthy Tips Facebook Group or on Instagram.  

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How to Make a Very Easy Afghan with Loop Yarn

Almost anyone can make a loop yarn afghan!   

Even someone with arthritis who can no longer grip a crochet hook or knitting needles can make a loop yarn afghan that is beautiful.  This would also be the perfect afghan project for those who don't know how to knit or crochet.

Loop yarn is not a normal string of yarn, it is made with loops.  Most of the patterns either say knit or crochet, but you really are not doing either.  No needles or hooks are required.  You only use your fingers to weave the yarn.

When I first spotted Yarnspirations loop yarn, I knew I wanted to make something with it.  Normally, I would find a pattern and want to make a specific item.  However, in this case, it was the yarn that called to me.  I bought the yarn, then went on a search for a pattern.  I knew exactly what I would make when I discovered this afghan pattern that resembles a cable stitch. 

The Bernat Alize loop yarn is the softest yarn I have ever touched.  When my son first touched my afghan while I was making it, he said if felt like a chinchilla.  He is absolutely right!  I had been saying it felt like petting a baby rabbit, but it really is softer than a bunny.  This yarn truly is a joy to work with and to touch.

Loop Yarn Easy Afghan Pattern

I discovered this fabulous video that taught me how to make the pattern I love.  Instead of trying to write out instructions, I'll share the video.  It is very easy to follow and makes a lovely design.  

I do have a few tips to share before you begin.  

1. Have a pair of small scissors available.  You start the project by cutting a few of the loops open.  You will also need them each time you start a new skein of yarn.
2.  Decide how wide you want your afghan before you start.  I opted for a throw size afghan (100 loops - 60" wide), which is approximately half the size of a standard throw. 
3. I originally purchased 10 skeins of yarn, but that was not quite enough for my desired length.  I actually needed 12 skeins.
4. After you have completed the first few rows, the pattern design is easy to see, which makes continuing each row very easy.
5. Instead of sitting at a table, I use a lap desk that sits on the arms of my recliner.  That allows me to watch a movie while making my afghan.

As you can see in my photos, I used a variegated denim blue & white colored yarn.  This yarn is available in 10 - 12 different colors (see below).  I highly recommend using the Yarnspirations Bernat Alize Loop Yarn.

 

My Lap Desk

In case you are interested, you can purchase a lap desk similar to mine on Etsy.  Clearly, you can use the lap desk for a lot of other things as well as crafts.  It even has a groove on each side for pens, pencils, markers, craft tools, etc.   

Click my image below to see where I purchased mine. You can choose one that fits your own needs. 

Yarnspirations Bernat Alize Loop Yarn Available on Amazon

 Bernat Alize EZ Blanket Yarn Bundle 100% Polyester 4 -Pack Slate Grays Plus 4 PatternsCheck Price Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Yarn, ThistleCheck Price Alize Bernat EZ Blanket Yarn Bundle 100% Polyester (Bright Purple, 4-Pack)Check Price Bernat Alize Blanket-EZ Yarn, Denim BluesCheck Price

 

 

To See Several Colors Available, Click Here!

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How to Make a Very Easy Afghan with Loop Yarn by:

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Review of The Vegimals, Members of the Fisher-Price Octonauts

Fisher-Price Octonauts - The Vegimals Set

My grandson, David, was approaching his sixth birthday.  While checking with his parents as to what toys might be on his birthday wish list, I was told about a recent favorite of the kindergarten set – the Octonauts!

The Octonauts

Being a grandmother with my children all grown and my five grandsons living far away, I'm out of the habit of knowing what toys are popular with today's children. Therefore, I needed to do some research into this latest craze... and thus this review for other grandparents and parents who might not be aware of these adorable toys.

It seems the Octonauts are an underwater exploring crew of eight little anthropomorphic animals who live under the sea in their Octopod and have undersea adventures using a fleet of aquatic vehicles.

Animated Series

Octonauts Wall Hanging available on Amazon

The Octonauts began in 2010 as a British TV series on BBC based on American-Canadian children's books written by Vicki Wong and Michael C. Murphy.  It's an animated series which appeals to children ages 4-12. 

The Octonauts encounter real marine animals in their natural habitats while having adventures. It's rather a bit like a combination of 'Star Trek and the Thunderbirds meet Jacques Cousteau!'

Octonauts Characters

Octo-Crew of 8 Octonauts

The eight main Octonaut characters include the Captain, Barnacles the Polar Bear, along with Kwazii the Cat, Peso the Penguin, Inkling the Octopus, Shellington the Sea Otter, Tweak the Rabbit, Dashi the Dog, and Tunip the Vegimal.

The Vegimals

 

The Vegimals Set I Got David for his Birthday

Which brings us to the set I purchased and mailed to David for his birthday – The Vegimals!  David has already begun collecting all the main Octonauts characters, so I have added to his collection with this set of five characters which are really cute.  They are soft and squishy and measure about 1.5 inches tall.

Vegimals are part animal and part vegetable and are a special breed of underwater critters who love making tasty kelp cakes and helping out around the Octopod! They include Barrot the carrot, Grouber the ginger, Tominnow the tomato, Codish the radish, and Tunip the Turnip. Tunip is also the Ship's Cook and Gardener and a regular member of the regular 8-character team.

Toys by Fisher-Price 

The Octonauts and Vegimals figures, along with their Octopod and vehicle playsets, are products of Fisher-Price, which is a name I've trusted in toys for children for nearly 50 years.

Gup Speeder Gup-O with Kwazii the Cat

By the way, along with the Vegimals set, my birthday package included a Mini Gup (vehicle) with Kwazii the Cat, which I learned is David's favorite Octonaut. There are a whole line of these vehicles and playsets, which make nice additions to your child's collection as time goes on.

This birthday request became my first-ever introduction to the Octonauts and their friendly Vegimals and I find them adorable.  I have to say I am delighted to make their acquaintance and I see a whole bunch of birthday and Christmas Octonauts in my grandsons' future! 

David, Age 6

Happy Octonauts Birthday, David!

*Review written by Wednesday Elf on 5/2/15

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Baby Crochet Pattern Book Review

Baby Crochet available on Etsy and Amazon

When you create a handmade gift for a baby shower, or to welcome a new arrival in the family, your gift becomes extra special. A 'Made with Love' gift.

For those who love to crochet, this pattern booklet by Lois Daykin called 'Baby Crochet' is filled with 20 wonderful designs for newborns and little toddlers. 

The collection includes garments such as booties, a wrap cardigan, and practical & pretty bibs and bottle warmers.  There are also patterns for soft toys and nursery decor, along with a crochet cushion and blanket set.

Teddy Bear Scarf and Hat

The teddy scarf and hat for a toddler is adorable. The scarf has pockets for tots to carry around little stuffed animals. This pattern is very easy to crochet if you do the simplest form (as seen in the image on the left).  

There is an alternative version that has little teddy decorations that are crocheted and stitched on after the scarf and hat are finished (image on right). The little teddy bear motifs take a bit more crochet skill, but are not all that difficult and add a really cute finish, along with the bear ears with tassels, making the set truly TEDDY!

Nursery Decor

This pattern book also has cool accessories for decorating the nursery, such as a little rabbit diaper holder and a mobile of crochet hearts.  

Soft Plush Toys

Soft plush toys for toddlers are also included in this baby crochet book.  Choose a cat, a curly snake or some big soft crochet building blocks!  Use simple bright primary colors for these soft toys, to catch baby's eye, or choose soft baby pastels.  Any color yarn makes crocheting for babies fun to do. 

Baby Crochet

Many of the projects in this book can be done in a few hours and the instructions are easy enough for even novices to make successfully.  

The book was published in 2007.  It is a soft cover book with 120 pages and is nicely illustrated with color photographs.

Author Lois Daykin

Lois Daykin is a very successful knitwear designer whose designs are regularly featured in the prestigious Rowan magazine. She is the author of some of their best-selling pattern booklets, including Little Treasures. 

Baby Crochet, along with Baby Knits, is her first book to be published in the United States. She lives in Derbyshire, England with her husband and their three small children.

Little Treasures and Baby Knits

 

Little Treasures on Abe Books & Baby Knits on Amazon

Baby Crochet Front & Back Covers

Quick Links:

• Baby Crochet on Amazon
• Baby Crochet on Etsy
• Little Treasures on Abe Books
• Baby Knits on Amazon

(c) Wednesday Elf 10/28/2017


*Images shown in this article were photographed by or compiled from stock photos by (c) 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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Reviewing Knitting Handbooks

Learning To Knit: Will I master the needles?

I have been looking at Knitting Handbooks lately, because I have decided that 2016 will be the "year of the needles" for me. I want to learn to knit or at least become better with what little (very little) skills I have in this hobby. I can do the basic knit stitch and the basic purl stitch but I'm very slow and awkward with the needles and yarn. So, I plan to ask my family for a couple of books that can help me in this journey.

I know from my many years of crocheting that you need to practice, practice, practice in order become proficient in the craft. I am in no way a master in crochet but can hook my way around just about any pattern. In order to get started, I am working on a scarf using the knitting needles and some blue yarn. If it turns out looking good, it will be a Christmas present for my husband; if it turns out looking like a 5 year old did it I can always use it as a dusting cloth. I figure that I won't learn unless I just dive in and work on something. A scarf seems like a good project to start with and I liked this pretty simple waffle stitch since it will give me practice with both the knitting stitch and the purl stitch, counting and working with the needles and yarn. It won't be much different than crocheting a scarf in that you follow the pattern and remember when to do the knit stitch and when to do the purl stitch. I am finding it is a little harder to determine which row you are on unlike crochet where it seems more obvious but that may be a matter of training my eyes to look for certain stitches so that I will know. 

What books should I start with?

I am thinking that the best place to start is with a book or two that covers the basics along with moving on to more advanced knitting techniques. Sure, I could just ask for a book with patterns but until I understand the basics, I know I will just get frustrated. In my search for the right book, this one caught my eye. I liked the title but then I think the book would be very helpful, too.

Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitters Handbook

Not only does the author cover the basics but she goes further in explaining more advanced knitting techniques and she does it with humor which I think I would enjoy. She also tells the reader how to fix mistakes (I'm sure I will make many) and that will be really helpful for my beginner skill level. I think I may be able to join the "chicks with sticks" (knitting needles) in the quest to make some fun and funky along with some traditional knitted items following Debbie Stoller's instructions.

I know when I was first learning to crochet, the terminology sometimes confused the daylights out of me. I might see something like FPDC and think what the devil does that mean? Well, now I know it means to do a front post double crochet stitch and I also know how to do that with my yarn and hook. I am guessing that knitting will be no different. There are going to be directions in a pattern that will at first glance make no sense to me at all. So, this book looks like a wise choice for a beginning knitter like myself.

Knitting in Plain English: The Only Book Any Knitter Will Ever Need

What I like about this knitting handbook is that it promises to teach in plain English and not in terms that I am going to have to go to a glossary to figure out. I like that idea! Learning the way to use my needles and yarn to make something neat without having a thesaurus next to me to determine just what she is telling me to do. The basics in basic terminology, that sounds pretty darned helpful.

It remains to be seen if I will learn to knit with the same confidence that I have for crocheting. I am determined, though. In the past the using of two needles instead of one hook just seemed to be beyond my capabilities but that was a mental block, I think. So, maybe I have passed the first hurdle...I CAN do this. It will take persistence and practice and I am willing to put in the hours to really learn to knit.

I have some time left before Christmas morning to find out if my family paid attention and got me at least one of these books. So, in the meantime I am working on my little scarf that may be under the tree for my hubby or it might be in the rag drawer, only time will tell. By the way, the color I chose will look good on my husband and it is the team color for the Indianapolis Colts which is his favorite football team. I figure he might actually wear it, at least on game day, if it doesn't look too amateurish. Here is what I have so far. It is working up very slowly but I don't mind being the turtle in the race, after all that rabbit never wins anyway! I will continue to work with the yarn and needles and keep a piece of paper next to me to mark down which one of the rows I am doing in the repeat of the pattern to make the waffle look and hopefully it will turn out to be something my husband will be proud to wear.

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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