I’m sharing my review of an amigurumi crochet book by Allison Hoffman from Crafty Is Cool, along with an excerpted pattern for a cute little amigurumi pig.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. A free review copy of AmiguruME Pets: Make Cute Crochet Animals by Allison Hoffman was provided to me by Lark Crafts. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Book Review
AmiguruME Pets: Make Cute Crochet Animals by Allison Hoffman is the sequel to AmiguruME: Make Cute Crochet People. It begins with an introduction where Allison explains that the pets patterns in this book are sized to scale with the people in her first book. Of course, you can change the size by using larger (or smaller) hooks and thicker (or thinner) yarn.
The 17-page Getting Started section includes tips for choosing the usual crochet tools (as well as a slicker brush to create the appearance of fur) and materials, as well as detailed written instructions with photo tutorials for holding the hook and handling yarn, basic crochet stitches, and special stitches. There are also amigurumi tips for stuffing, construction, and embroidery details.
The book then moves onto the patterns. The Dogs chapter includes patterns for 6 head types, 6 ear types, 6 body types, 6 leg types, and 5 tail types, along with a breed chart for 31 breeds which identifies the appropriate parts as well as the type of yarn (e.g., curly, smooth, furry) to use. The Cats chapter includes patterns for 3 head types, ears, and 3 body and leg types, along with a breed chart for 6 breed types. The Small Pets chapter includes patterns for a rabbit, guinea pig, mouse, hamster, parakeet, parrot, snake, turtle, fish, and pig (see below for excerpted pattern). The Fantasy Pets chapter includes patterns for a penguin, sloth, fox, bear, monkey, pony/unicorn, dragon, and dinosaur. The Accessories chapter includes patterns or craft instructions for a bone, 2 styles of pet bed, small and large bowls, a ball, collars, a leash, and a fish bowl.
All of the patterns in AmiguruME Pets: Make Cute Crochet Animals are at the intermediate level, though they use basic stitches. Each pattern includes a supply list with yarn listed by weight and color (not brand) and a list of stitches used with reference back to the appropriate tutorial page. A patient beginner could definitely make these projects, but fine motor skills are needed for the assembly and decoration. The mix-and-match parts make it possible for a creative crocheter to put together her own version of almost any quadruped that isn’t included in this book. If you love amigurumi, or are looking for cute and portable projects, then this book should definitely be on your wish list.
Pig
Crochet Pattern by Allison Hoffman
Published in AmiguruME Pets: Make Cute Crochet Animals.
Text © 2017 Allison Hoffman. Photos and illustration © 2017 Sterling Publishing Co. Shared with permission from Lark Crafts.
Whether pot-bellied or mini, pet pigs are growing in popularity and are extremely adorable! This one is all pink, but add spots anywhere for the particular look you’d like. Pot-bellied pigs can be crocheted in dark gray. Don’t forget to add some extra stuffing in the body!
Note from Underground Crafter: This pattern uses standard U.S. crochet pattern abbreviations. You can find a master list of abbreviations here.
Skill Level:
- Intermediate.
Materials and Tools:
- Lightweight yarn in the color of your choice
- Crochet hook: 2.75 mm (size C-2 U.S.)
- 5-mm safety eyes
- Stitch marker
- Yarn needle
- Embroidery needle
- Black embroidery floss
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Stitches and Techniques Used:
- Adjustable ring, page 8
- Chain (ch), page 6
- Single crochet (sc), page 7
- Invisible decrease (invdec), page 12
- Slip stitch (sl st), page 7
- Half double crochet (hdc), page 9
- Double crochet (dc), page 10
Instructions:
Head/Body:
- Rnd 1: Starting at back of body, make an adjustable ring, ch 1, sc 6 into ring. Pull tail to close hole—6 sts.
- Rnd 2: *2 sc in each st—12 sts.
- Rnd 3: *2 sc in first st, sc in next st—18 sts.
- Rnds 4–11: Sc in each st.
- Rnd 12: Invdec 3 times, sc in 12 sts—15 sts.
- Rnd 13: Work 3 sc into next 3 sts, sc in next 12 sts—21 sts.
- Rnd 14: Sc in 9 sts, *invdec, sc in next 2 sts; rep from * to end of rnd—18 sts.
- Rnd 15: Sc in each st.
- Rnd 16: *Invdec, sc in next 4 sts; rep from * to end of rnd—15 sts.
- Rnd 17: *Invdec, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * to end of rnd—12 sts.
- Rnd 18: Invdec 3 times, sc in next 6 sts—9 sts.
- Hold your place with a stitch marker, and insert safety eyes between Rnds 15 and 16, 6 sts apart. The top of the head is where the 3 invdec are positioned. Stuff body and head.
- Rnd 19: Sc in next 6 sts, invdec, sc in next st—8 sts.
- Rnd 20: Invdec, sc in next 6 sts—7 sts.
- Fasten off and leave a long tail. With a yarn needle stitch the last round closed, creating the pig snout. Weave in ends.
Legs (Make 4):
- Rnd 1: Starting at the top of the leg, make an adjustable ring, ch 1, sc 5 into ring. Pull tail to close hole—5 sts.
- Rnds 2–6: Sc into each st.
- Fasten off and leave a long tail. Insert stuffing if desired, and sew each leg to the body. Weave in ends.
- Repeat for remaining three legs.
Ears (Make 2):
- Row 1: Ch 6. Sl st into 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 2 chs, ch 3, sl st into last ch.
- Fasten off and sew the ear to the side of the head.
- Repeat for the second ear.
Tail:
- Row 1: Ch 6.
- Fasten off. Weave in starting yarn through ch.
- Sew tail to back end with yarn needle. Weave in ends.
Finishing:
- With black embroidery floss and embroidery needle, stitch two tiny stitches for nostrils, and one or two long stitches under the snout for the smile.
