Book review and Giveaway: Ami Ami Dogs 2 by Mitsuki Hoshi
Today, I’m teaching at the Finger Lakes Fiber Arts Festival in Hemlock, NY. I scheduled this review of Ami Ami Dogs 2: More Seriously Cute Crochet
. I’m also hosting a giveaway for one copy of the book, which I received courtesy of Harper Design!
Book Review
Some of you may already be familiar with Mitsuki Hoshi’s work from her website. According to the Visitor counter, which is about the only thing on her website I can actually read, most of her visitors (over 35,000) are from Japan (not surprisingly), but she also has about 1,400 visitors from the U.S. Her books have been translated from Japanese into several languages, including English, Dutch, and French. Mitsuki Hoshi’s work has appeared in pet magazines as well as craft books, and she also teaches amigurumi classes.
Ami Ami Dogs 2
Ami Ami Dogs 2 is a great little book. As the name suggests, it is focused entirely on dog related patterns. There are “full size” (a strange word to use for amigurumi, I know!) versions of 11 different breeds (Bernese Mountain Dog, Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier, Chihuahua, Dalmation, Hokkaido, Jack Russell Terrier, Japanese Shiba, Papillon, Shih Tzu, and Toy Poodle), and patterns for magnets and cell phone accessory projects to make with the same breeds.
The first section of the book is a two-page photo gallery of each pattern, which includes variations of each dog or project in multiple colors and poses. Most of the “full size” dogs would be between 2-1/2 and 4 inches tall (depending on whether they are seated or standing), and the accessories and magnets would measure about 1-1/2 to 2-1/4 inches.
This section is followed by a fourteen page technique guide. The technique guide includes numerous step-by-step color photographs, and demonstrates working in the round, changing colors, proper stuffing, and assembly. This guide would definitely be clear enough for most crocheters new to amigurumi, and might even be enough for some complete beginners who learn well from still images.
The remainder of the book is the pattern section. There are several things I really like about it.
- Each pattern is shown through international stitch symbols.
- Each pattern includes step-by-step written directions explaining the progression of tasks (e.g., “Crochet each body part. Stuff cotton inside the head, body, and legs. Attach the eyes to the head.”).
- Patterns include illustrations of variations (e.g., dog sitting, standing, or reclining; various ear poses, etc.).
- The stitch symbols are annotated to indicate eye placement and other important assembly guidelines.
There are a few things about the book that could be improved.
- There are no pattern abbreviations, so if you are uncomfortable using stitch symbols, this book may be hard for you to follow.
- The supplies have not been well adapted for the American market. For example, when a pattern indicates that you need 0.64 ounces of white thread, should you use crochet cotton, sewing thread, embroidery floss, or a light weight yarn? Similarly, I haven’t seen mohair thread readily available in the U.S. Obviously, you can adjust the materials but that might turn off some beginners.
Overall, I think Ami Ami Dogs 2 is a really cute amigurumi book. It has a really fun photo gallery that will inspire you to pick up your hook and make a little puppy of your own. If you are an absolute beginner to crochet, you will probably need an adventurous spirit to tackle the patterns. But if you have crocheted for a while, are familiar with stitch symbols, and/or have made amigurumi before, you will be able to make the necessary modifications and get started on a pattern right away.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Overall, it is a visually stimulating amigurumi book. Even though all of the patterns are of dogs, the skills covered are applicable to any type of amigurumi.
Giveaway
Here’s your chance to win a copy of Ami Ami Dogs 2: More Seriously Cute Crochet, courtesy of Harper Design
You will have 10 days to enter this giveaway. I will announce the winner on Tuesday, September 27 (the same day the book is released).
To enter,
- Leave a comment on this post by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 26, 2011. Be sure to include your email address (which won’t be displayed) so I can contact you if you win. (Please note that my comments are moderated, so if you are a new visitor, it will not appear immediately.)
- For another chance to win, like the Underground Crafter Facebook page. Then you can either post a comment on Facebook or here again so I will give you another entry. (If you already like my Facebook page, just post a comment for another chance to win.)
- For another chance to win, join my Ravelry group. Then you can either post a comment on my Ravelry group or here again so I will give you another entry. (If you already are in my Ravelry group, just post a comment for another chance to win.)
- For another chance to win, share the link to this giveaway via Twitter, Facebook, or your blog. Then post a comment here with the link to your Tweet or blog post, or leave a comment on my Facebook page so I will give you another entry.
Good luck!
Wow Marie, you just can’t get enough of all those giveaways, can you ?! The dogs on the book cover look so lovely, that I do want to get going with crocheting, despite my comments before on other contests! Is that the pattern we can win?
I would make them in an eye catching blue and leave them somewhere in the wide open world for someone else to stumble upon them as a Blue Mark (for more information visit my website above).
Have a nice weekend, all! Ciao, Fleur (Fleurtje-Eliza on Ravelry – already a group member)
Love crocheting toys! Can’t wait to check out the book.
I love dogs so very much and would be delighted to be able to crochet some. I wish that she would do a golden doodle
What a fun giveaway! The photo gallery is something that I wish every pattern book featured.
I’m a Facebook fan
(Kathryn Vercillo)
And Tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/CrochetBlogger/status/115126389325312000
Thanks for sharing the link FLeur. Your project is really interesting (I love public art and group/contributing art projects). I think any one of the dogs in the book would make a great Blue Mark for M.E.
The dogs look like fun! It’s been many years since I crocheted any toys…maybe this would prompt me to do so again.
Renee, this book would definitely inspire you to make toys!
@ Julie, Rose, and Kathryn: Thanks for stopping by. The dogs in this book are definitely super cute!
I absolutely loved AmiAmiDogs and made quite a few of them for friends. I can’t wait till AmiAmiDogs2 comes out.. I have it preordered on Amazon and have been waiting oh so patiently for it to arrive..
Welcome Helen and Tonya! The dogs in this book are super cute, and I’m sure you’ll have fun making them.
My daughter LOVES dogs. She would absolutely love it if I made her some of these, or better yet, if she could help me make some
I have recently started making lots of amigarumi’s and these are too cute!
Simone, these are definitely cute and would be super fun to make.
Stumbled upon your page when looking up what knooking was all about. Love amigurumi patterns and crocheting. Looking forward to tackling a knook pattern as well.
Welcome CrochetBarb! I hope to get better with knooking and offer a tutorial and some patterns soon.
Marie,
That looks like a good book filled with some awesome patterns. Thanks for the review!!
Nice to see you here Samantha! Thanks for stopping by.
Please enter me in the draw for this gorgeous looking book. I’m a real dog lover and don’t have any doggie patterns so this would be a wonderful addition to my crochet pattern collection. Thank you.
Dorothy, the dog patterns in this book will definitely be fun to work up!
I just bought the first Ami Ami Dog book and would LOVE to have a copy of the second! Adorable dogs! Thanks for the contest.
Welcome Nicki. I’m glad you enjoyed the first book.
Ami Ami Dogs 1 is on my wish list, so it would be neat to win the book and start with book 2. These would be great for my niece and future nephew.
Cool, I’m glad you are interested in the book Donna B!
This book looks so cute! I haven’t had a chance to try any crochet animals, but I would love to and this book would definitely help! Thanks for the opportunity!
Welcome Teresa! I think this book would motivate you to make some animals.
I also liked your Facebook page.
I joined your Ravelry group.
I’m part of your Ravelry group…but just couldn’t resist the dogs! I love these! I did some reindeer and witches…but the dogs are so cute!!!!
These are so cute, aren’t they Beth W? I think if I had a dog in one of these breeds, I would probably make about ten little versions of them.
Oh wow, what a cute book!!! I would love to give those doggies a whirl!! Thanks for much for another fantabulous give-a-way Marie!!!
Welcome Emma! If you are a fairly visual person (and your blog suggests that you are), I think that you will probably be able to grasp stitch symbols – especially since there are only 2 or 3 stitches used in each pattern.
Thanks for stopping by MissH. I will have another giveaway later this week (hint, hint).
I would love this book, though I’m not sure how I’d manage with the stitch symbols since I’ve only just started crocheting. I could give it a go though. And that’s a really well written review! Made me understand the book really well. Email is emmalittlehales@hotmail.com