The Yarnival of the Animals

A quick project in between bigger ones. Sometimes when I'm designing amigurumi and it's taking really long I like to do an easy project in between. I didn't like the yarn very much (acrylic DK), but it came from a cheap crochet kit I picked up at the pharmacy, so can't complain really! In DK yarn with a 3.00 mm hook.

This cute sloth was made after a pattern by Critterbeans (I bought it here , but it's also on Ravelry). This particular kind of sloth (the three-toed sloth) is my favourite, because it has this adorable little bandit mask.  Doobie was made from lovely cuddly merino wool by Katia Basic using a 3mm. hook.  Body: 37 Light Brown Face and digits: 71 Ochre Details: 2 Black Eyes: 6mm. black safety eyes

Many years ago, my husband had these slippers in the shape of Tiger I tanks (he's a big history buff). They were crocheted according to a pattern by the wonderfully named designer Miligurumis and they were adorable, but slightly lethal when walking up stairs. Especially the floppy gun was a menace (we lived in a house with a winding staircase at the time).  They have long since worn out and recently he asked me if I could adapt the pattern into an amigurumi. The short answer is that I clearly couldn't, because although the pattern is very clear and not especially difficult, using a finer yarn and covering up the parts where the foot is supposed to go threw the whole pattern out of wack. So in the end, I only used Miligurumis' pattern for the wheels    It is weirdly cute, though, as cute as a weapon of war can be anyway. And I'm sure, like the slippers it would make an excellent present for a modern history enthusiast.  

    This cute little octopus was made according to a free pattern from SewDesuNe on DeviantArt . The original pattern includes templates for felt appliques like a monocle, villain moustache and mouth, but I prefer mine simple.  Do check out her profile, as she makes the most amazing and cute plushies, both sewn and crocheted. The pattern for this octopus was also one of the easiest to follow I've ever used! Sometimes the simpler the better, and this octopus really couldn't be more perfect <3

One of the very first amigurumi I ever made, and as you can see by the amount of dust he's collected, it's been awhile! He's made from a pattern by Tessa van Riet in her brilliant series of monster amigurumi.  At the time, I couldn't get the type of yarn she recommended for the head and hands and I remember spending a long day in Amsterdam trying different craft shops to find something suitable. In the end, I bought some hideously expensive Texan hand-dyed merino wool as it was the only thing I could find in the right sickly colour! And I only needed a couple of strands...

One of my first amigurumi projects and still for some reason one of my husband's favourites. Looking back on it, I'm surprised I needed a pattern for it, as this beaver is basically just a fat cone with some teeth sewn on. Come to think of it, that might be why it's his favourite... He's made of some brown SMC Catania cotton yarn with a 2.5mm hook, 8mm safety eyes and some scraps of felt for the tail and teeth. I bet I could make a better version with more detail now. Just need to find the time for it...