I’m sharing a book review of a collection of woodland crochet animal patterns and a giveaway with the chance to win my review copy. The free excerpted pattern for Humphrey Hedgehog was available through March 21, 2026.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. GMC Publications Ltd provided me with a free review copy of Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Emma Varnam. 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: Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures
Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Emma Varnam is a collection of 10 huggable patterns for woodland-inspired crochet animals. I’ve previously reviewed several other books by Emma including:
- Crocheted Succulents, including the Moulded Wax Agave pattern (reviewed here),
- Cute Crocheted Animals, including the Evie and Ben Foxes patterns (reviewed here),
- Granny Square Weekend, including the Panda Comforter (lovey) pattern (reviewed here), and
- Granny Squares Home, including Cuddly Lion and Panda patterns (reviewed here).
Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures opens with a table of contents, followed by a two-page thumbnail photo gallery of all the animals in the book. In the Introduction, Emma shares her childhood joy and love of the animals in Beatrix Potter books, and her wish that her crochet creatures will be ones you enjoy making and that your children love to be friends with. The book continues with a photo gallery including a full-page image of each animal against a white background with storytelling notes on the animal’s personality, clothing, and accessories. At the bottom of each gallery photo is a note indicating the page you can find the pattern for that character. A 10-page collection of “action” photos follows, including each crochet animal posed to highlight its accessories and outfits to bring the characters to life.
The next section is the patterns. Each pattern includes a full page photo of the animal along with multiple photos of details and accessories throughout the pattern. Each pattern starts with an introduction to the character and a list of what you will need to make the animal (including yarn, hooks, stuffing, and notions like tapestry/yarn needles and safety eyes), and the finished size. A detailed pattern follows, including the body parts and assembly instructions, along with clothing and woodland accessories such as leaves, fruit, flowers, and toadstools. The animals range in size from 9” to 17” (23cm to 43cm) and include the characters listed below:
- Benji Bear (15”/38cm),
- Matilda Mouse (14”/36cm),
- Freda Fox (14”/36cm),
- Finn Frog (16”/41cm),
- Matt Mole (9”/23cm),
- Danny Dear (17”/43cm),
- Humphrey Hedgehog (14”/36cm),
- Susie Squirrel (14”/36cm),
- Olivia Owl (10”/26cm), and
- Ruby Rabbit (15”/38cm).
The patterns are written with UK pattern abbreviations with the animal body being made with #3 (light/DK/double knitting) weight yarn. Most use 12mm safety eyes.
After the patterns, there is a Getting Started section where Emma encourages you to customize your versions. She provides a key to the differences between UK and US crochet terminology, explains how to select yarn for the animals in the book, provides tips for stuffing, and discusses safety eyes. There are illustrated and written instructions for holding a hook, holding yarn, making a slip knot, and several crochet stitches and techniques (chain stitch, slip stitch, half treble, treble crochet, double treble, working in rows and rounds, joining a ring and using the magic ring, changing colors, increasing and decreasing, shell stitch, crocheting into the back loop, crab stitch, and bobble stitch). There is also a key to pattern abbreviations. In Finishing Touches, there are written and illustrated instructions for assembly and seaming with the whip stitch, surface slip stitch, weaving in ends, making pompoms with a pompom maker, creating tassels, embellishing with embroidery (chain, back, and satin stitches), embellishing or “adding character” to the faces, and blocking. The book includes a Resources page with UK and US websites to purchase supplies, along with several inspirational websites including blogs, Instagram, and Pinterest. The book closes out with Acknowledgments, an Index, and an About the Author note.
The frequent use of photographs makes this a great book to share with the kiddos in your life to get their feedback on which animal(s) they would like you to make for them. Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures is a paperback but includes front and back flaps so it is easy to hold your place while you are crocheting. The larger size makes these crochet animals compatible with other dolls or plushies in a child’s collection, and also makes them great for hugging and imaginary play. All have arms that make them perfect for toting on adventures. The clothing and accessories give each crochet animal character, but also allow for children to play with them by changing clothes and mixing and matching accessories. If you have basic crochet skills and like to crochet for kids, enjoy making dolls, or are looking for great projects to donate to local charities, you will likely love Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon). Read on to enter the giveaway.
Giveaway
After reading my review of Cute Crocheted Woodland Creatures by Emma Varnam and trying out the Humphrey Hedgehog pattern, you’re probably ready to get your hands on this book! You can buy it now through independent booksellers or on Amazon, or enter the giveaway below by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, March 23, 2025 for your chance to win my review copy. While my copy of the book was provided by GMC Publications Ltd., the giveaway is organized by Underground Crafter. Enter using any of the options on the Rafflecopter widget below. One winner will be chosen from the entries at random to win my review copy of the book. Winner will be contacted approximately 1 week after the entries close. Winner will have 3 days to claim the prize. If winner does not respond within 3 days, prize will be awarded to an alternate. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to share your contact information with Rafflecopter and/or Underground Crafter. You can read the Rafflecopter Privacy Policy and the Underground Crafter Privacy Policy here to understand how this information is used. This giveaway is open worldwide, except where prohibited by law. Good luck!