Creepy Crawly Crochet: 17 Creatures That Go Bump in the Night (Dover Crafts: Crochet) - Softcover

Kreiner, Megan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0486810798 ISBN 13: 9780486810799

Publisher: Dover Publications, 2016

Synopsis

They're creepy but they're cute and cuddly, too! Inspired by classic literature, film, and folklore, these 17 crochet monsters will delight everyone with a taste for old-fashioned thrillers and modern tales of horror. Detailed instructions include assembly diagrams for ease of construction along with full-color photos. The patterns are suitable for beginners, but advanced crocheters will find them irresistible as well.

These fetching fiends include Boo Boo the Voodoo Doll; Jack, the Headless Horseman, and his horse, Nightmare; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Carl of the Dead and Daisy, his Zombie Dog; and other sinister characters. In addition to their value as handmade keepsake treasures, these characters also make great gifts for fans of horror and science fiction.

"The moment I saw the Cthulhu on the cover of this, I knew I had to have it! And it did not disappoint!" -- Musing of Madjy

"It doesn't matter what time of the year it is, if you crochet toys or dolls, this is the book for you. I can't wait to make my favorites." -- writeknit

About this title

About the Author

Megan Kreiner is an experienced knit and crochet designer. She is the author of several books, and her designs have appeared in various magazines and crafting sites. The Long Island native currently lives in Altadena, California, where she is an animator with DreamWorks.

Review

This is a remarkably well thought out pattern book.  Since I've been blogging about craft books in my Yarning series, I've been able to get a handle on what makes a craft book actually usable and what doesn't, and this book has a number of features that set it apart as a book that you will actually USE to create the finished product.
 The finished products here look like they've been made from patterns that have been thoroughly tested, with all the kinks ironed out.  While this may mean that, at first glance, you might think "I couldn't make that!!", the thoroughness with which the patterns and instructions are set out means you can be confident that you won't be left flailing about trying to figure out what goes where and how to get from (Round) A to (Round) B.  Kreiner has used a whole range of unusual needlecraft techniques that add plenty of character to her..characters and the patterns include illustrated diagrams showing how to create the features on the characters' faces and bodies, so that readers can authentically replicate the finished product, rather than just get an approximation. 
I would heartily recommend this to those experienced in the art of crocheting amigurumi plushies who like to dabble in the dark side...mwahahahahahaaaaa!

- Yarning with Mad Martha from thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress.com

The moment I saw the Cthulhu on the cover of this, I knew I had to have it! And it did not disappoint! 

I've been crocheting for almost 8 years now and consider myself to be fairly advanced and to have seen my fair share of books and patterns. So when I say that this book has some well-written and obviously well-tested patterns, I mean it! That said, this is a book that is probably best suited for someone who is at least moderately skilled at making amigurumi, considering some of the stitches and techniques used.

The photos in this were also pretty darn fantastic and were accurate representations of what the creatures would look like when finished! (Nothing worse than an AmigurumiFail! right? ;) ). The variety in this was also nice, with a good sprinkling of "creepy" creatures, most of which weren't overly "cute" and would be nice gifts for older kids (or, y'know, "kids" ;) ).
- Musings of Madjy from musingsofmadjy.blogspot.com/

About this edition

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0486810798
• ISBN 13: 9780486810799
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112