Crocheted Softies: 18 Adorable Animals from around the World

Patterns were easy to read and follow. Items were cute. Materials were available at my small town craft shops. All together a great purchase.

This is so far one the best crocheted animal books that I have purchased. not that I haven't liked most of the others but this one has been such fun.I have crocheted the crab, the Alian, and am currently finishing up the Moose.There is just something fluid about the shapes and i have found myself posing the animals in various positios, sometimes two together on a miniture rocking chair." Attack of the Giant Crab verses the Alian". Ok. It may be a grade B movie but it still makes me smile. I especially love putting on some times, ahat and scarfs for another look ...i purchased. another book with Ms Piggy and another with the smirking dog. I say smirking because I cannot embroider. Still somehow mistakes work. It is a good idea, to keep looking at the pictures for placement of parts and to follow the insturctions closely.I had to stand on my head allmost to do the Alian skirt. Next time I will stand the Alian on it's head.:) So these animals are just fun to do. I also like that the author is introducing me to new kinds of yarn. I am using up my stock of stored yarn right now. But I love that she explains to me what these new yarns are like and how I can use them in a project. Beginners ,as long as you know the stitches and can follow the instructions , and are patient,will find a wonderfull work of artisie fun at the end. Someone wanted to buy one at a craft Bazzar but I had just finished him and I said sorry no can do.Insturctions are clear. Placement of eyes and parts think before you do. I hope this crafter will come up with some more interesting cute animal books as I surely will purchase.

The book is very nice. It was a bit of a challenge at the beginning since I have never crocheted before myself and had to learn and teach my 8-year-old daughter at the same time. Had some rough time understanding the codes and flipping back and forth between the pages. As a result, pages started falling out :( I decided to make some copies of pages that are being used for most figures and it went much smoother. We finished an owl.. finally :) Looks rough. My daughter needs my help when she does it, and since I don't have a lot of free time, we are on hold making more figures. I think she is not old enough to do this on her own, but great tool to keep kids busy and away from computers. It also teaches head and hands coordination and almost like a meditation, ones you get through the initial learning stage. It is addictive :)

I appreciate this book because after working tiny and small animals, it is refreshing to work on larger projects. I have made the crab and crocodile and the instructions are spot on and easy to follow. For some reason, the author has you working back stitches only for all the projects. I ignored that because I find it clumsy and time-consuming to do back or front stitching unless necessary for the design. Some of the projects need special stitches like loop and bubbles. I recommend going to YouTube and following live instructions if you do not know how to do these stitches. The bubble stitch shown in the book is different from the one I use but a bubble is a bubble! There are very simple projects and some are a bit more complicated but I think even a beginner could find good projects in here. This book also has one of the cutest penguin patterns I have seen. I have an extensive library of animal crochet books and am always reluctant to buy anything that repeats what I already have but this one is definitely different.Mrs. Phyllis VanNostrand

I loved how easy the directions were. The pictures helped alot too.

I have not yet made a softies from this book, but I have read through the book. Stacey Trock is very comprehensive in her explanations, making sure that she is talking to more than just intermediate/advanced crocheters. If you are a beginner, she helps with stitches and techniques. I love that she has a section about the various types of yarn that can be used and the positives and negatives related to them. I didn't know there was a yarn that was made from milk proteins! Great information for those of us stuck in the acrylic and wool world ;) Her patterns are very cute and clever and seem to be easy to make, allowing for customizations.

This is the second book I have purchased by Stacey Trock. Her books are so clear and contain all the information one needs to make these cute animals. I have made quite a few from her first book and look forward to continuing making more from this one. I have sent her pics of my finished products and she has acknowledged them on her blog!I suggest interested people checkout her website - information is in the book. She is quite talented and knows how to put her books together! Keep these cute animals in mind for charities that cater to sick kids. That's what I did with my animal friends!!

I've took an online class (from Craftsy.com) with Stacy Trock instructing on how to make Amigurumi monsters in crochet and loved it. I then decided that I needed to buy her book. She's a wonderful designer and her instructions and designs are wonderful. I'm normally a crocheter that prefers stitch diagrams over written instructions, but with these designs, the instructions are clear enough for even me to follow. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to try out crocheted Amigurumi figures.

I've wanted to try amigurumi before, and have collected a good number of free patterns and a selection of lower cost (mostly kindle) books on the subject, but this is the first time I've come across a book that can not only make me smile the way the author/designer's sense of humour shines through with the characters created, the way the images are laid out, and the way she talks about the characters of her ammunition designs.Furthermore, this is the first book that has given me the confidence to actually pick up my hook and have a go at some of the kind of ammunition creations I have been longing to make fore quite a while.The reason for this is that I can't possibly imagine needing and additional advice or instruction in order to make any or all of the creations in this book! It is so well laid out and clearly written, with lots of very clear images for each stitch required in the patterns.In addition, though the designer has used some higher cost yarns, there is quite good information, and indeed encouragement, to try using whatever yarns you choose, with explanations as to how to substitute yarns yet still end up with great amigurumi creations.This is the first book I've come across by this author/designer, but hers is a name I will not only remember, but will actively seek out any of her work from this point on.Thank you, Stacey, for creating a book of patterns to treasure and use over and over again, for both child and adult alike, and for making it affordable for people like myself who are on extremely low incomes - in my case due to illness and disability.

Having crocheted only small amigurumi lately, it was so much fun to tackle a larger project! I just finished the crocodile pattern - it is absolutely adorable and the size is large enough for them to be huggable. The included animals are those in the official item pictures, but apart from the patterns there are pages on general techniques, using alternative types of yarn, gauging, etc. There are generic patterns of head, body, arms and legs which are used for some, but not all of the patterns. There are clear instructions on where and how to attach extremities, eyes and other details, making it very comprehensible for even a beginner like me.Talking about details, this book definitely pays attention to them - the crocodile has a patterned back and eyelids - LOVE! The author recommends crocheting only in back stitches, but i ignored that and might give it a chance next time.I wholeheartedly recommend this book, I can't wait to make more cuddly softies.

I knew when I received this book that I would be unable to put it down. I scambled around in my vast yarn bag to find the right tension (size) of wool and I was off. So far I have crocheted the snall, the crab and the fish. As soon as the New Year starts I will be off again with the giraffe and perhaps the crocodile. Visitors seems drawn to the toys so they will all be going to raise funds for the local scout cub troop. They are really fun to make. Well done Stacey Trock!

Would recommend this product to any level of crocheter. It is easy to follow, you can substitute wools easily and the photos are beautiful and clear. Well written, concise and gorgeous toys with something for everyone.

I love Stacey Trock designs, she is a young enthusiastic author and designer. Her designs are fresh and bright and very cute. This book is simple to follow, I am new to crochet and made the alien in a day! This was for my neighbour's poorly 4yr old in hospital and he thought it was fab and wouldn't go to bed without it!! These are good patterns for beginners and so cute that I'm sure the more experienced will love them too!