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Don't you adore the amigurumi featured in the
Crochet Me 2012
Amigurumi Calender? I asked the designers to share with us a little bit about
why they crochet amigurumi as well as a few tips on crocheting these
fantastical crocheted creations.
What is your favorite thing about
amigurumi?
Jenny Boully: I love the cuteness factor.
Amigurumi just ooze cuteness . . . I also like the fact that they bring joy to
both adults and children. With only a few simple tools, you can make an
expressive and lovable toy.
MK Lee: My favorite thing about doing
amigurumi is the creative process when designing a new creature. I like trying
to create what I've conceptualized in my mind and enjoy the problem solving to
construct the form. There are times when it seems impossible to get your
amigurumi to take the shape you want, but when it does go right, it's a great
feeling!
Mamta Motiyani: Reality does not mean a thing
in the realm of amigurumi, and fantasy takes over, making it into tangible
objects that can be touched and loved. That's why I love amigurumi, because I
still get to live the innocence of childhood whenever I want and can create the
impossible whenever I want.
Brenda K. B. Anderson: I love that you can
really let your imagination run wild. It is so fun to create these big
personalities with such a small amount of materials!
What inspired you to design/create
amigurumi?
Stacey Trock: I've always loved stuffed
animals, and zany ones at that. Even though I started with the standard teddy
bear as a child, my faves were a bat and a hippo as a teenager. I eventually
acquired a stuffed ostrich and snail collection . . . and now I get to crochet
whatever animal I want!
Laura Gibbons: I had always wanted to do
crochet because my Great-Grandma Filing used to do it all the time . . . I
didn't end up learning until about three years ago. I was broke, but wanted to
give everyone something for Christmas . . . so I decided to try my hand at them
[amigurumi]. Ever since, I have been crocheting like mad.
Deb Richey: I had made a stuffed ugly
duckling doll for a friend's new baby. It was an afterthought to the
time-consuming baby blanket I had made her. She pushed aside the blanket and
just gushed over the ugly duckling. . . . People are just amazed when you
create a 3-D object, and I love making them. . . . Having only boys in my
household (even my poodle is a boy), I started to design things they would
like-monsters, snakes, etc.
What tips would you give others who
want to crochet amigurumi?
Laura Gibbons: Don't give up! I think many
people look at the patterns and their brain just starts to hurt because they
don't understand it. Take the pattern line by line, piece by piece.
Stacey Trock: Amigurumi should be fun, not
frustrating. Don't get too caught up about positioning the ears "just
right" . . . whatever looks cute to you is right!
Gina Reneé Padilla: Don't be afraid of
crocheting amigurumi, if you know the basic stitches of crochet, then you will
have no problem crocheting amigurumis. Take your time, draw a picture, even
search online for something that will inspire you.
Allison Hoffman: Keep those stitches tight
and stuff til you can't stuff'em any more! Sketch the face out first
(embroidery, eye placement, etc.), and it makes it a lot easier to transfer your
idea onto the toy. Experiment with different kinds of yarn for texture.
Nancy Anderson: Use smaller hooks in order to
crochet tight fabric with no stuffing show-through but rest your hands
regularly, as this tight gauge makes your hands hurt. Have fun and don't be
afraid to be creative and whimsical with colors, embellishments and feature
placements. It's okay to go a bit wild and crazy, it's just a toy. Best of all,
have fun as that's what it's all about.
You can join in the whimsical fun of
crocheted amigurumi. Order the Crochet Me 2012 Amigurumi Calendar
and amigurumi projects eBook today and share the joy of
amigurumi with your friends and family.
Best wishes,
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