Amigurumi World and Panda Crochet Along

I've been away in amigurumi-land again. Making these little crocheted animals is addictive. I just cannot get enough. I have wanted to make every critter in Ana Paula Rimoli's book Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet.

I have a pretty good start, too. These guys are easy, quick, and I think the cutest out there. There are instructions for large amis, but I like the little guys. This book is well worth checking out.

Also, I've joined a Crochet Along. This is a new experience for me. I know how to crochet, so I was not sure if I would get anything good out of crocheting with other people, but I could not resist the ami. It is a fuzzy panda. The yarn is brushed to make it look like fur. I figured that joining the Crochet Along is worth it, just to learn the brushing technique. If you hate working with those special fuzzy yarns, then this is the perfect alternative.

Check out the first lesson. There are several YouTube videos to demonstrate special techniques for the Fuzzy Panda. The best tip is to give your yarn an extra little tug at the end of completing a single crochet. This makes your stitches tighter so the stuffing does not show through.

Here are some tips that are not mentioned in the lesson videos for brushing your crocheted amis:

1. I found it easiest to collapse the piece so that it was a double thickness. This helped to protect my fingers from the brush and it did not pull the piece out of shape.
2. Be careful when brushing near the edge. Those stitches pull easily.
3. Start with a gentle brush stroke until you get the feel of the yarn's resistence. It is easier to brush more to get the desired look than it is to try and hide pulled stitches.