Children love to play dress-up, almost as much as they love dressing up their toys! The Cute Crocheted Animals Collection includes patterns to make 10 adorable crocheted animals, each with their own stylish outfit. Since the amigurumi animals are all the same size you can mix and match their outfits to create a look which fits their stuffed animals’ personality.
I received a copy of this book to review from GMC Books. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. If you purchase this book after you click on one of my affiliate links in the post, I will receive a small commission for referring you, at no additional cost to you.
10 Adorable Crocheted Toys with Interchangeable Outfits
Cute Crocheted Animals
Make some new friends for your little one, with these cute crochet animal patterns.
The patterns include five different animal shapes – rabbits, mice, cats, foxes and bears.
Create a stuffed animal with it’s own unique personality and a wonderful collection of clothing for it to wear.
The clothes patterns are designed to fit all of the animals, so you can mix and match to create a variety of outfits. Your little one will have lots of fun dressing them up!
The book includes beautiful step-by-step photos and written instructions for making the animals and their clothes, plus a detailed techniques section.
Each of the animals is crocheted with Sport Weight / Fine Weight Yarn [2] except the Bears which are crocheted with DK Weight / Light Weight Yarn [3].
Each of the crocheted animals is 12 inches tall when assembled.
Most of the garments are crocheted with different Sport Weight / Fine Weight Yarn [2].
Bernard’s Aran Jumper, Nancy’s Cardigan, Nancy’s Poncho, Nancy’s Handbag, and Evie’s Cardigan were crocheted with DK Weight / Light Weight Yarn [3].
Since no gauge is provided for the animals or for the outfits it is imperative that you use the same yarn weight type and hook for each of the projects.
If you are not using the exact yarn and hook as is listed, I suggest that you try the garments on your finished toys for size as you go to be certain they are fitting as you would expect.
Emma Varnam has included personalities for each of the crocheted animals. You will find introductions for the animals in each pattern section. Here is Emily, the Rabbit’s introduction.
Emily
Emily likes wearing her bright red wellies to jump in puddles at the park. Her favourite food is cake, and lots of it!
The wardrobe include patterns for each animal type. You will find interchangeable garments in the following categories:
Tops
Trousers and shorts
Extra layers
Dresses and skirts
Accessories
The Rabbit Wardrobe
Jack’s bobble hat, t-shirt, trousers, and hooded coat
Emily’s bobble hat, boots, dress and coat
The Mice Wardrobe
Fred’s rugby shirt, shorts, trainers and rugby ball
Lucy’s dress, headband, ballet shoes and bunting
The Bear Wardrobe
Bernard’s Aran jumper, dungarees, scarf, and rucksack
Nancy’s cardigan, dress, poncho and handbag
The Cat Wardrobe
Katy’s pinafore dress, jacket, collar, bow, Mary Jane shoes
Stanley’s tank top, jacket, collar, tie, shorts and scarf
The Fox Wardrobe
Evie’s cardigan, skirt and shoes
Ben’s pirate hat, stripy t-shirt and trousers
The Basics
All of the projects are written in UK crochet terms.
If you are used to following US crochet patterns, don’t let the fact that these are written in UK terms hold you back!
If you forget though, each stitch is explained in the Crochet Techniques section (pages 100-123), with helpful diagrams, so it is easy to double check what stitch is being made.
Getting Started
This section includes specifics about the crochet hooks, yarn, stuffing, needles and plastic safety eyes. It also includes diagrams and written instructions to explain how to hold your crochet hook, your yarn and how to make a slip knot.
The conversions chart is located on page 101 and includes UK crochet terms and US crochet term equivilents. The abbreviations are listed on page 103.
Crochet Stitches
Step-by-step written instructions and diagrams are provided for the following stitches:
Chain Stitch (ch)
Slit stitch (sl st)
Double Crochet (dc)
Half treble (htr)
Working in the back loop of the stitch
Treble crochet (tr)
Double treble (dtr)
Working in rows
Working in rounds
Joining a ring
Magic ring
Changing colours in the middle of a row
Changing colours to make stripes
Increasing
Decreasing
Crab stitch
Raised treble front (RtrF)
Making a shell
Finishing Touches
Finishing your crocheted toys and outfits is just as important as crocheting the individual parts. The finishing touches section includes written instructions, diagrams and tips to make your project look like the toys in the book. You will find the following techniques:
whip stitch
slip stitch seam
double crochet seams
weaving in ends
making a pom pom with a fork
slip stitch surface decoration
Embroidery Stitches
Different embroidery stitches are used to create personality add features like eyelashes and to give clothing extra detail. The stitches used and explained are:
Back stitch
Chain stitch
Cross stitch
Satin stitch
Daisy stitch
Stem stitch
Blanket stitch
Blocking
While the crocheted animals do not need to be blocked, the clothing will benefit from blocking. When you block your projects the fibers can relax and the stitches can look more even. Blocking on a blocking board with pins and spraying with tepid water is recommended. Let the work dry completely (ideally for 2 to 3 days).
The Yarn
The yarns used to make the Cute Crocheted Animals:
Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere). 137 yds / 125 m per 50 g ball. Sport Weight / Fine Weight Yarn [2] was used for all the Cute Crocheted Animals except the Bears. This yarn was also used for all the clothing, except Bernard’s Aran Jumper, Nancy’s Cardigan, Nancy’s Poncho, Nancy’s Handbag, and Evie’s Cardigan.
Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK (80% bamboo, 20% wool). 104 yds / 95 m per 50 g ball. DK Weight / Light Weight Yarn [3] was used for the Bears.
Debbie Bliss Rialto 4ply, 100% extra fine merino. 197 yds / 180 m per 50 g ball. Fingering / Super Fine Weight Yarn [1] was used for Bernard’s Aran Jumper, Nancy’s Cardigan, Nancy’s Poncho, Nancy’s Handbag, and Evie’s Cardigan.
Which Cute Crocheted Animal is your favorite?
My favorite Cute Crocheted Animals are:
Emily and Jack – the rabbits
Katy and Stanley – the cats
If you were not the winner of the giveaway and you would still like to have your own copy of Cute Crocheted Animals, you can purchase your book at Amazon:
I would like to thank GMC Books for the review and giveaway copies of Cute Crocheted Animals.
For more information about GMC Books and to browse all their fantastic books, visit their Website, Instagram, or Twitter.
Say hello to your new cuddly friends! 🧸🎈 Unlock endless fun with Cute Crocheted Animals. Offering you 10 adorable patterns to crochet your own stuffed animals – each with mix-and-match outfits. Bring a little more cute into the world one stitch at a time! #CrochetCreatures #DIYPlushies
Get ready to mix, match and make memories with our Cute Crocheted Animals Collection! 🐰👗 Your little ones will love dressing up these 10 adorable amigurumi friends. Each one comes with a stylish outfit perfect for every pretend play date.
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These patterns are so cute, I would make every one!
I like Nancy with her granny poncho and purse. My granddaughter’s name is Nancy.
I am just learning amigurumi and this book like it will be fun to try all the animals.
such a cute book i would start with making nancy and bernard, but would probabley end up making them all!!! thank you for the giveaway
I love the little tie! What a fun little detail