My first entry is going to be dedicated to amigurumi. Why? Because this is my latest love, joy and something I am still getting into. I never thought I could actually make my own toy, one that looks great and is a pleasure to create. Yet as it turned out, amigurumi – crochet toys – is something available to make even for beginners, and there are plenty of great patterns (free and paid) available online.

Perhaps I’d never have found out amigurumi, if not for my cats. My younger cat, Ciri, is crazy about small mice toys. I buy them all the time, and they keep disappearing in some secret places where neither I, nor my cats can find them. So it was only natural to start wondering – hey, what about making a few of these myself?

Now, there are many patterns and tutorials available online. But a mouse toy is pretty basic, there is not much philosophy in it, so I just made my own without keeping any kind of stitch count, just starting with six single crochets worked into magic circle (pretty common in amigurumi patterns), and increasing and decreasing when necessary. When I made a few of them, I decided to look for some nicer mouse patterns and that’s how I discovered the world of crocheted stuffed animals and other toys.

My first discovery was the fantastic website by Sharon Ojala, Amigurumi To Go. Sharon creates beautiful, elegant and simple patterns, and shares them totally free online. She also has a youtube chanel where she explains everything with great patience. Her small Teddy Bear and Little Big Foot Giraffe and Monkey were my first “real” amigurumis. To my surprise, they turned out pretty great!

Continue reading “How I got introduced to amigurumi” →