Due to the fact that I am in charge of the craft section I have acquired a very respectable craft book collection. I wrote a blog not long ago about the craft book that has started this very welcome epidemic in my life. Well the new book of my obsession is called Knitting Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec. This book teaches you how to knit amigurumi. And if you don’t know what that is, let me provide you with a definition:

Amigurumi (編みぐるみ, lit. knitted stuffed toy) is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll. Amigurumi are typically animals, but can include artistic renderings or inanimate objects endowed with anthropomorphic features.

So seriously these little knitted animals are the cutest things ever. I just finished my first toy the other night and I was over the moon about how cute the little guy was. In the book he is called a “Bite-free Bedbug”, and yes he has a little sleeping cap with embroidered stars on it.

For years I have been a knitter of just straight scarves, but upon seeing this book I knew I was ready to up the ante and teach myself how to knit on three needles. So one night I sat down on my couch surrounded by my dogs, who were very eager to take off with my ball of yarn, and taught myself how to knit in the round. It took about two hours to get it right, but watching how-to videos on knittinghelp.com really helped me. So now I feel like a total knitting all-star.

These little creatures would be amazing gifts for anyone who likes to come dangerously close to overdosing on cuteness. Nothing is more special than something that you make with your own hands with someone particular in mind. -Ellen

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