Kyuuto! Japanese crafts: Amigurumi

By Tomoko Takamori, published in 2006

Available on Amazon

The crochet terms in the book are American, but each round is also explained with symbols and numbers indicating stitches and repetitions. There are lots of drawings to show how the pieces are assembled. At a glance it can seem like a lot of the patterns are very similar, because they are mostly built up like generic bears and bunnies (round heads, small bodies, four limbs), but there are elephants, dolls, frogs and seals that differ from this basic shape.

Favorite patterns are the little bears on the front cover these creatures, which the book calls donkeys, but I think they look more like llamas:

50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws

Edited by Bobbie Matela, published in 2007

Available on Amazon

I bought this book solely because of the afghan on the front cover, and it really is a gorgeous pattern. Unfortunately it's very difficult to get through, because it is badly written and has a few mistakes. Otherwise the book looks good, there are several other afghans I'd like to try, though there are a few that look very similar. 

My favorite pattern is of course the Stained Glass Window:

Creepy Cute Crochet

By Christen Haden, published in 2008

Available on Amazon

I ordered my copy direcly from the author (NeedleNoodles on Etsy), so she signed it for me! I just love that little fluffy monster on the top :)

All the critters are made up by a basic body and/or a basic head, with different attributes and color changes. That makes the little creatures very addictive, and once you've made a couple you can easily start making up your own variations. The crochet terms are American, and the patterns are presented both in writing and symbol charts.

On the back of the book it says that it contains 20 patterns, but there are actually just 19. The Viking is missing, but not to worry, the pattern has now been posted here. The author has also poster other expansions on her blog, including a Pirate captain, a Witch and a Valkyrie.

My favorite pattern is of course the Cthulhu:

Virka Amigurumi

By Mia Bengtsson, published in 2009

Available from Panduro

There has been talk about translating this book to English, but as far as I know it's still only available in Swedish. You can find more info on the book HERE on Mia Bengtsson's blog. I ordered my copy directly from her, so she signed it for me! :)

The book being in Swedish is not a problem for me, but it should be understandable for other foreigners as well, even though there are no charts. It's not a big book, but it is full of cute and pretty amigurumis. You start out with an easy pattern and progress to a few difficult ones at the end of the book, which is great if you are a beginner at amigurumi. The projects also vary in size, from a small keychain mascot to a large plushie-style bunny.

My favorite pattern is the turtle:

Amigurumi Knits

By Hansi Singh, published in 2009

Available on Amazon

My first book of knitted amigurumi. Before I got this I had already bought several of the patterns from the author's Etsy shop (Hansigurumi), but buying the book was still totally worth it :) 

It contains 20 patterns for different animals, some mythical creatures, and a selection of knitted fruits and vegetables. Each pattern is presented along with a paragraph of fun facts. The book also has an extensive stitch guide with lots of pictures, plus techniques for sewing knitted pieces together.

I'll have to pick two favorites from this book, the garlic and the anglerfish:

Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful

By Narumi Ogawa, published in 2007

Available on Amazon

One of the first amigurumi books I bought, right after I learned to crochet. The crochet terms are American, and the patterns are presented both in writing and charts with symbols. Judging by the cover, this is an amigurumi book, but in fact about half the book consists of hats, scarves and a few other accessories. Some of the hats seem very similar to each other, the difference is mostly the yarn that's used... The amigurumis are also pretty basic, like bunnies and bears in different sizes.

My favorite pattern:

100 kleine Häkelfiguren

"100 small crocheted figures"
By Andrea Biegel, first published in 2008

Available on Amazon

My first crochet book in German. I don't really read German, but the pattern layout is basically the same as in English, and the abbreviations are pretty much identical to the Norwegian terms, so it's not a problem at all :)

The patterns are sorted into five themes: animals in the wild, winter world, water world, home & farm, fantasy world. The patterns are mostly amigurumi animals, but there are also fingerpuppets, keychain animals and some Christmas ornaments.

My favorite pattern is this mole:

Lovable Beaded Creatures

"Lovable Beaded Creatures"

By Anja Freese, German original published in 2001

Available on Amazon

This is the 17th beading book I've bought, but the first one in English :) The book has patterns both for beaded animals and some jewelry, like brooches and woven bracelets, though that last section is by far the smallest part. One thing that puzzles me a little is that there is a pattern for a lizard brooch, but there is no picture of the finished item...

The pattern and the picure of the finished animal are shown together on the same page(s), so you don't have to look back and forth in the book. A genious thing about the patterns in this book, that I can't believe no one else has done, is to put a number next to each row that indicates the number of beads in that row. That means you don't have to count the beads, which is especially practical when the pattern is all one color.

All the animals are three-dimensional, and all the patterns are colored. Some of the patterns are:

Bear with honey pot

Owl

Weasel

Fox

Mole

Baby seal

Poison arrow frogs

Octopus

Killer whale

Angelfish

King penguin & chick

Swan

Hummingbird

Anteater

Kangaroo

Butterflies

Cobra

Guinea pig