Amigurumi Crazy (and Giveaway update!)

I have gone amigurumi crazy!  My good friend, Jo, has lent me an amigurumi book that is just full of the cutest patterns that are so easy and quick to make.

For those of you new to  amigurumi, it originates from Japan and is the art of knitting and crocheting little small creatures or objects as stuffed toys.  There are hundreds of books out there talking you through how to make mini animals and some more obscure objects (including a hamburger and some crochet tombstones!). 

The book I have been lent (see above) is defintley one of the more sensible ones, with patterns for a ballerina bunny, snail, monkey, aeroplane and a whole host of other gorgeous animals.  The only problem I had was which one to start with!  

So far I have made the ballerina bunny for me, a cupcake bear and a snail for Mr Gingerbread Bunny.  I started with the cupcake bear as it was a very simple pattern and very quick.  It is adorable and I am going to use it as a pin cushion.

 

Ballerina Bunny was my second project from the book and took a little longer as she has more bits to her.  But she is just so cute.  She gave me lots of practise at working in several colours at the same time and joining all the parts together.  

The snail was quick and easy to make.  You make the shell in 2 pieces and my 2 pieces where different sizes (oops!  Well it was about 8pm when I started him!) With some stretching whilst stitching it worked out.  

Finishing off the animals requires a bit of embroidery skill for noses and mouths and I purchased some 6mm safety eyes from eBay for a very reasonable price (if you are planning on giving these to small children then safety eyes are a must).  

The patterns are predominantley worked in the round, which is easy, but you definitley need to use stitch markers at the start of each round, a tip not given in the book, or you just cannot work out where the round begins and ends.

For those of you not lucky enough to have a friend with a book, there are plenty of free patterns available online on Ravelry, Lion Brand Yarns and by searching for amigurumi patterns.

Happy Crocheting!

GIVEAWAY UPDATE!

There is still plenty of time to enter my giveaway from my last post!  All you need to do is leave a comment on my last post, Pretty Presentation and Great Giveaway, or one the link to this blog post on The Gingerbread Bunny Facebook page, before 12pm GMT Wednesday for a chance to win a funky feather clip or a beautiful book pouch! 

As you may have noticed, I am now taking comments on the Facebook page as a few fans of the Bunny weren't able to comment on the blog.  Please feel free to pass on the details of this giveaway to your friends.