I remember, years ago, watching my
mother and aunt crochet the infamous “Ripple Afghan.” My mother’s was a range
of dark purple and magenta colors. I was fascinated, watching it unfold. She would watch her “stories” after finishing
her housework for the morning and then crochet. I was about 8 or 9 and was
always interested in all things crafty. I had made “Jeannie in a Bottle” using
a Palmolive bottle and a miniature doll after having seen one at my neighbor’s house. I collected my sister’s and brother’s old
baby socks to use as “stuffing” for my sock pets, which were more tied than
sewed. Seeing my interest, Mum patiently
took some of her scrap yarn and a G hook and taught me how to crochet. I was,
as the saying goes, hooked!
Thanks to my mother, I have a passion
for teaching others this craft. I have been co-teaching Learn to Crochet
classes at the library for the last year; having met many people at a variety
of skill levels, I am always on the lookout for simple projects that can be
worked up quickly but also be interesting enough for more advanced
crocheters. At our last class we learned
how to make a “Super-Simple Potholder.”
It was just a basic single crochet stitch, but could really be adapted
to any pattern that matched the stitcher’s abilities and interests.
I am amazed at the overwhelming
response we have had to the Learn to Crochet program at the library. We have been offering it on the first
Thursday every other month, but because the response has been so positive we
are adding some extra classes (check our website for details). In addition, the
library offers Stitch Therapy (6:30 pm-8:30 pm on the third Tuesday of each month) which
serves stitchers of all types and also provides the services of a Stitch
Doctor for private appointments (book through our website). Thus, our newbie
crocheters can gather with others and continue their learning.
While looking for a new idea to bring
to the class, I came across Literary
Yarns, an adorable how-to book for crocheting mini literary characters.
They are created in what is known as the “amigurumi style.” Amigurumi Today describes amigurimi as “the Japanese word which describes small knitted or
crocheted stuffed toys, often in the shape of characters, animals, mini foods,
household objects and scenery. It comes from the two root words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, which means stuffed doll” (https://amigurumi.today/what-is-amigurumi/). This particular book, Literary Yarns, included such characters as Anne of Green Gables,
Jay Gatsby and Daisy, and Dorothy (complete with tiny Toto in a teeny basket). Books
and crochet….does it get any better than that?
I have, of course, seen many
items of amigurumi. One of my coworkers is an avid crocheter and usually brings
a “critter” a week in for us to see. She has stitched tiny mice, bears, cactus,
dolls, really hundreds of projects. We are all following her progress as she
makes an entire coral reef using crocheted sea creatures.
There are hundreds and hundreds
of designs and all begin with the simple single crochet. If you can make a
chain and a single crochet, then you can make amigurumi! One of the most
delightful amigurumi books the library has is called Whimsical Stitches. There is everything in there from donuts to
jellyfish! Many of the projects can be
done in one sitting, often using just scraps of yarn, so they are
cost-effective also--what we in the “biz” call “stashbuster” projects. Another
book I can recommend is Mini Crochet
Creatures. This book gives you 30 adorable mini animal patterns. Fun! I
also found a very helpful video on YouTube that shows how to crochet in
detail: Duck Amigurumi Tutorial (Crochet for Beginners)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-MBJ-8_lf4.
Of course, if you have never crocheted and need the very basics, the library
offers the book How to Crochet. This
gives simple, illustrated instructions and goes well with any
teach-yourself-to-crochet video you might find.
After all of this research I
ordered some yarn and other supplies. Most of these amigurumi characters have
eyes, which in any medium can be daunting (that darn French knot!), but I have
found that they sell child-safe beaded eyes that you can attach, just as you
would an earring, going from the outside to the inside of your work. The effect
is adorable…a large head with black beaded eyes…who could resist? I quickly stitched up Anne of Green Gables (a
personal favorite) and am thinking about how I can adapt the pattern to make
Laura Ingalls Wilder. Really, the possibilities are endless!
I look forward to many enjoyable
hours creating these projects, and, hopefully, teaching others too.
