My New Year Resolution - Crocheting cute animals out of Edwards' Menagerie Patterns by Kerry Lord

My New Year Resolution - Crocheting cute animals out of Edwards' Menagerie Patterns by Kerry Lord

My New Year Resolution for 2016 is to increase my crafting productivity, as well as continue with my passion for American Girl dolls!

I decided to start the year by concentrating on just one project, and one type of craft, rather than spreading myself thin and doing lots of different ones. And when I say just one project, I mean all crochet animals from Edward's Menagerie book by Kerry Lord / TOFT UK. And when I mean all, I mean as much as I can - some are harder and some are easier (I've done the bunnies and elephants before) - but I am definitely planning to attempt all of them, in the bid to improve my amigurumi skills.

My first make, Bridget the Elephant is now completed:

You can join me on my second YouTube channel, CraftsAdore Crafts, as I vlog about my crafting journey this year, and show you the progress. I am also on Ravelry and on Instagram @craftsadore2

And so that our main YouTube channel is more clear as to what it's all about, it has been renamed to CraftsAdore's American Girl Dolls Channel :) where my kids and I plan lots of AG dolls videos so please make sure to subscribe! I predict a very busy & fun 2016 year!

Crochet Amigurumi Bunny Soft Toy

Crochet Amigurumi Bunny Soft Toy

This crochet bunny amigurumi soft toy has been a long time in making - I've made the body and the limbs two months ago, but never got round to finishing the head. I wanted to make it into some other toy, as I've had enough of bunnies for this year already, but the kids love the bunnies (and let's face it - me to, there's just something so cute about those long ears...). In the end, I pulled myself together and finished it just in time to give it to my second daughter as a good luck charm for her going away on a school trip.

He (she?) is much bigger then the bunnies I have crocheted before, because I held the yarn double. I love the changing colour on this cotton yarn, and I think even though it's soft blue and lilac, it's girly enough to be a "she" bunny after all...

I know I will be loved...

..and cuddled...

...a lot!

Little Chirpy Chicks Amigurumi Soft Toy

Little Chirpy Chicks Amigurumi Soft Toy

I fancied making a little toy to represent each of my children, to display every year as an Easter decoration. I found this free Ravelry pattern for little chirpy chicks, which was just perfect.

I chose different colours for the "skirts" (yarn is from Dolly Mix in baby soft pastels range). They easy enough to make, but since I have to make five, I've had quite enough after the last one.. so they never made into the little chirpy chicks after all - they are still waiting to hatch. I quite like them as the little eggs, and in spite of the superstition, I did put them all in one basket :)

Crochet Spring Bunny Amigurumi Soft Toy

Crochet Spring Bunny

I used this free Ravelry pattern to crochet a quick bunny for my youngest daughter. I'm a bit of an amigurumi addict now, having done a few bunnies this year.

This was a very quick make, the instructions are very clear so highly recommended for an amigurumi crochet beginner, and the finished bunny looks adorable with the safety eyes in, rather than embroidered. Even though I've used worsted baby soft yarn, it still looks tiny. I suppose that's how tiny amigurumi is, but having seen a few larger toys that I have made for other kids, she was a bit disappointed :( Never mind, I'll knit her a larger toy for her birthday. She's still happy with it though and always asks for it at bedtime to snuggle with (she's only 3).

Tiny but adorable

A Crochet Bunny Soft Toy is Not Just for Easter

A Crochet Bunny Soft Toy is Not Just for Easter

I admit I have developed a bit of a bunny addiction - it is my favourite soft toy to make. But after spending a week knitting Sirdar Bunny soft toy, I was ready for something quicker.

These two adorable bunnies were crocheted by me for new babies in my family to help them celebrate their first Easter. I think you can guess one is a boy and one is a girl :).

We are so cute and cuddly

Ahh, give me a cuddle

Check out our cute tails!

These bunnies are from no particular single pattern - I've made it up by following web tutorials on amigurumi shaping (I strongly recommend Planet June video tutorials on YouTube as she's the best!!!), and some Crochet Bunnies, which can be found on Ravelry. These were made in baby soft Aran value yarn.

I loved making them so much, I was having trouble parting with them. And who's to say that a bunny is just for Easter? In fact, I'm making another one right now for us to keep.

Adorable Lil' Baby Unicorn Crochet Amigurumi

Adorable Lil' Baby Unicorn Crochet Amigurumi

This is my attempt at making Lil' Baby Unicorn by Rachel Hoe. This free pattern can be found on Ravelry and it's easy enough follow, even by a complete beginner. 

Isn't he adorable?

Tail and mane view

I just want to be loved

The yarn used was from a "my first knitting kit" that I bought in a toy store for my daughter to learn to knit. She got bored after about 100 rows of knitting a bag, so I frogged it and turned it into this cute and adorable unicorn - she enjoys it so much better than the would-be bag!