Amigurumi animals

By Annie Obaachan, published in 2008

Available on Amazon

There are 15 patterns in this book, presented both in writing and charts. Crochet terms are American. There is also a course of amigurumi-making, about shaping the parts and putting them together, which is very helpful if you are a beginner at designing your own amigurumis.

My favorite pattern is the sleepy cat:

I actually have two copies of this book, one in English and one in German. I bought the German version by mistake, because I seriously thought it was a different book. I was in a hurry and didn't look at the author's name.

The figures on the German cover are not even designed or crocheted by the author, but by another artist who is actually featured in the back of the book. I wonder if that is even legal. Not to be cruel or anything, but I think the quality of the "borrowed" amis are better than the ones in the book.

Super cute: 25 amigurumi animals

By Annie Obaachan, published in 2009

Available on Amazon

This is the second book by this author. The crochet terms are American, and the patterns are also presented with charts. I think this book is bettern than the first one, the animals are a bit more developed and the stitches more even. Still, I find it a little strange that some  of the animals, or even just parts of them, are crocheted "inside out", it gives the animals a more messy look.

My favorite pattern is the little hamster:

Amigurumi Nativity

By Carolyn Christmas, published by Gourmet Crochet (2007)

Available here

Crochet terms are American. The only color picture is the one on the front cover, the rest of the booklet is in black and white. There are additional photos by each of the patterns. The human figures are made up by a basic body and head, with different attributes and clothes.

Cute little animals

Patterns by Amy Gaines, published by Leisure Arts (2008)

Available on Amazon

This booklet contains 8 patterns for amigurumi animals. Crochet terms are American. Most of the animals are quite large (20cm or bigger) and would probably be suitable as cuddly toys for children if made child-proof (i.e. with securely attached limbs and embroidered details). The author also has an Etsy shop which is worth checking out :)

My favorite pattern is the smallest critter in the book, the cat:

Tiny yarn animals

By Tamie Snow, published in 2008

Available on Amazon

The crochet terms are American. The book contains 20 patterns for cute little animals. Some of them are made with the same basic body and head, but with different details, like a koala, a lamb, hippo, elephant and a dog. Other patterns are all different, including a fish, a fox and a turtle.

My favorite pattern is the lamb:

Amigurumi Two! Crocheted toys for me and you and baby too

By Ana Paula Rimoli, published in 2009

Available on Amazon

The second amigurumi book from this author. She also has an Etsy shop that is worth checking out :) This book has more toy patterns than the last one, which I think is because it was made while one of the author's children was a baby. There are stroller mobiles, a doll with clothes, counting toys, and a sea turtle with eggs and tiny hatclings. The eggs and turtle babies can be stored inside the mother turtle, how clever is that :) Plus there are also a lot of regular amigurumi animals and play food.

My favorite pattern is this family of sea turtles:

Amigurumi world - seriously cute crochet

By Ana Paula Rimoli, published in 2008

Available on Amazon

Crochet terms are American. The patterns in the book vary in size from a set of tiny animals only two or three inches tall, to some bigger cuddly toys. There are mostly animals, with several family sets with parent and baby animal, but also some food items such as a cup of coffee and a carton of cute eggs.

My favorite pattern is the very cute hedgehog family:

Amigurumi! Super Happy Crochet Cute

By Elisabeth Doherty, published in 2007

Available on Amazon

Crochet terms are American. In the beginning of the book there is a section with tips about yarn, hooks and stuffing, and everything you need to know about making amigurumi. The book has patterns for everything from food items such as cookies and hamburgers, to cute animals and the humanoid creatures shown on the front cover. 

For some reason I waited for a long time before I bought this book, because I thought it was all humanoids and dolls and stuff. When I finally got it, though, I found the humanoids the most fun to make. They are quite large and take a lot of time to make, but they are worth it. They are also easily adapted to other creatures with different clothes.

My favorite patterns are the humanoids and this very dead fish:

 

Toys to crochet

By Claire Garland, published in 2007

Available on Amazon

Crochet terms are american. The book cointains patterns for crocheted animals, dolls with clothes, hand- and fingerpuppets, and a few accessories. Some of the animals in the book look a bit floppy, but crocheted more firmly they will look more like amigurumi animals.

My favorite pattern is Waldorf the walrus:

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:

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: