Thank you to Cider Mill Press, the author and NetGalley for a DRC in return for an honest review

As a relative newbie to Crocheting, I was glad that I managed to bag an advanced copy of this cute book. I have had a good look through and I genuinely think that this will be a great introduction to crocheting Amigurumi. I'm thankful to the author, Amy Ting, for publishing a book that is easy to follow for beginners. I'm also impressed by the lovely photos that accompany the instructions. Having actual photographs of all the projects is not just a nice touch - in my opinion it is a crucial addition to any instructional book. Can't wait to get started!

#AmigurumiCritters #NetGalley

I have been loving crochet and amigurumi for about 2 years now. I am beyond grateful to NetGalley, Amy Ting, and Cider Mill Press for the advanced copy to review! This book is perfect for anybody at any level of skill in crochet and amigurumi. There are great pictures and vibrant colors to help explain the patterns and show the results.

I am not sure if it is due to the digital version I got but there were parts I could not read as the text was white on pale colored boxes that almost fid the text completely. I had to lean very close to the computer to be able to read any of the text boxes that were colored. (again this could just be my computer and the fact I put everything in dark mode to help my eyes filter more blue light out).

Amigurumi Critters is a tutorial instruction guide with patterns for 25 amigurumi soft toys written by Amy Ting. Due out 17th June 2025 from Cider Mill Press, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

The book is logically laid out and accessible. The graphics are appealing and clear. The book is lavishly illustrated and the closeness and detail of the photography is a definite plus. The book has a short introduction including the history of amigurumi along with a short pep talk about why the author started crocheting soft toys. Her writing style throughout is informal, upbeat, and encouraging. She comes across as very friendly, kind, and fun.

The first section includes a fairly thorough intro to crochet and tools and supplies. There's also a handy chart with metric/US size and gauge measurements. The author presupposes no previous knowledge of crochet and the instruction is upbeat and positive (and reassuring). There's enough info here to start crocheting for both visual and hands-on learners. She also covers other supplies, like yarn and stuffing, embroidery thread, needle choices, etc. She doesn't cover safety eyes specifically, but that info is online. (PSA don't use safety eyes for toys which will be loved by babies/toddlers, as they can be a choking hazard).

The intro is followed by the 25 tutorials. Each tutorial contains multiple photos (mostly finished project photos), tools and supplies, and well written (not charted) instructions. There are few construction instructions or photos, although those -are- covered in the intro / general tutorial on how-to crochet.

The book includes a number of QR codes which link to supplementary online info. Very helpful and especially a huge plus for visual learners.

Well done and a nice selection of patterns which are fundamentally different from one another, giving the reader a broad platform for creating alternative amigurumi and for customization.

Four and a half stars. Well worth a read for crochet interested readers. The dolls are cute, and most are small and quick to finish.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Lots of wonderful patterns! Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

So, still defeated by crochet but I am a fan of reading through the books and dreaming that, one day, I'll sit back down with my Woobles kit and truly persevere and finish not just the one kit but all the kits I bought or was gifted in a fit of I will crochet madness. Which means that I went into this book comparing it to the other amigurumi and cute stuff crochet books that I have thumbed through, bought (yes, I have books in hopes that I would graduate form Woobles) and borrowed from the library.

Even though the book starts by saying that it will not be explaining crochet as it is not intended for beginners, the introductory pages still do a pretty decent job of explaining the techniques and the language of crochet. This is actually the first book that I can recall that shows the difference between yarn over and yarn under in terms of how the stitches look when finished, which for me was a refreshing addition as I have a tendency to always do the yarn under even when I try to consciously yarn over. Maybe it goes back to my days of doing straight crochet strings that went on for hours as a child sitting at my grandmothers during the summer holidays.

In terms of the actual patterns: there were some I thought were super cute and then a few that were meh and some that I just didn't really like or see myself making. But I can see how that would appeal to different amigurumi crocheters. The book builds (for the most part) from the patterns that are easier to the ones that are more complicated, so if you progress through each critter, you will develop and hone your skills. Nothing was impossible. Nothing was so easy as to be basic. And that seems to be fine. The patterns themselves are accompanied by photos with clear explanation and instructions.

All in all, a good book for someone who is taking their crochet beyond the beginner to more intermediate and advanced patterns.

A great book full of cute little critters to make and love. I like the variety of skill levels and animals explored in this book

Absolutely stunning patterns, super easy to follow and the illustrations are amazing. Every step is clearly described and there is a wide variety of different animals to crochet. What I liked most is that it doesn't have a 'classical theme' like many other crochet books like for example only birds or only cats etc. but has like I already mentioned a good variety of different kinds of animals. I can recommend this book to everyone who wants to crochet amigurumis, no matter what skill level you are currenty at because there's something for everyone in it!

Very well written and informative. Super cute patterns and I know I will whipping some of these up!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

An excellent book for crochet addicts like me, or any level of expertise. The patterns are fun and very easy to follow. Amy Ting has given us a great way to use those partial skeins left after a large project while making toys that are welcomed by children and adults. This is a great addition to a pattern library or a gift to those learning the craft.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Amigurumi Critters is a bright, colourful, and absolutely adorable book of 25 animal crochet designs for different levels of ability. The book begins with the usual introduction and lists of tools, yarns, and equipment needed to create the animals within the book. It then goes on to teach and show the stitches used within the book and even shows the correct way to hold a crochet hook.
The instructions for each project are easy to follow with simple steps and clear, easy to understand photographs throughout the book. The book builds up from beginner to more advanced as you go through it, and the animals are all so cute!

In "Amigurumi Critters" crochet enthusiasts will find great instructions and tips for crocheting beautiful animals. The level of difficulty is given for each pattern. There is something for everyone. Whether farm animals or sea creatures, the works of art inspire with their cuteness.
The patterns offer a quick and easy way to crochet a cute gift or a beautiful decoration.
Have fun!

Amigurumi Critters by Amy Ting of @curiouspapaya is a great crochet book! The instructions are easy for beginners and the critters are so cute! I really enjoyed making the mallard duck and cannot wait to make more (that fox is adorable!)

The book provided a large amount of basic information for beginner crocheters. The QR codes were also a nice touch. The variety of animals included was a good mix as was the varying degrees of difficulty. Overall this is a good crochet pattern book.

Love Love Love this book!!! I loved that at the beginning it gave a step by step picture tutorial on how to do certain stitches. The patterns were super easy to follow and the plushies came out so cute! If you are looking for a pattern that’s quick and cute then this is definitely the pattern book for you :)

First of all—these critters are adorable! I can already see myself making multiples for friends and family. The patterns are incredibly cute and inviting, but what truly sets this book apart is how beginner-friendly and thorough it is.

I really appreciated that it includes both U.S. and U.K. terminology for hooks and measurements. As someone who’s had to manually convert patterns before, this thoughtful detail made the process so much easier and more enjoyable.

The instructions are clear, well-structured, and anticipate the kinds of questions an intermediate beginner might have. I also loved the added bonus of linking to YouTube tutorials—sometimes a visual walkthrough makes all the difference.

Overall, this is a well-rounded, approachable, and charming guide to amigurumi. Highly recommend it to anyone interested in getting started but feeling unsure, or to those who want a collection of irresistibly cute projects to work on.

I thoroughly enjoyed this text and am looking forward to making some of these little friends on my own. The designs depicted here are the perfect size for small gifts and are easily adaptable for different hook sizes and color combinations, if desired. Amy Ting's writing has a welcoming, jaunty tone to it; her backstory of how she began crocheting and creating her blog and reassurances for those who may be unsure add to the book's appeal. (Shout out to my fellow knife hold enthusiasts!) There's an excellent ratio of pictures to instructions, and she includes them for each step of the process, from the body to the extremities to the details, which makes it easier for the reader to construct the final design. The text brackets throughout the design which show the number of stitches at the end of each round are also helpful for both beginners and experienced readers, as they help keep track of one's progress. The addition of video tutorials are also helpful. Ting took the time to ensure that all types of learners could find something useful in this book, and it shows.

As a side note, I'd love to know where the author gets her miniatures from! They add character to the amigurumi and enhance their backstories, and she's matched them all up perfectly. I would definitely purchase this for myself and for others, both those who are experienced in making amigurumi and those who are growing in their skills.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Cider Mill Press, for this DRC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is filled with adorable amigurumi critters each with their own personality that really shines through. The designs are fun and approachable with clear instructions and additional photos for trickier steps as well as QR codes linking to video tutorials. Basic crochet knowledge is required to complete the projects in this book. The projects themselves are ordered by difficulty making the book easy to navigate for crocheters of different skill levels. Overall this book would make a fun and inspiring addition to your crochet book collection.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars-I have been a fan of the author as Curious Papyaya for about a year now. I purchased her lion pattern and it is now a favorite crochet in my classroom. I was excited to see a whole book of her patterns. She is a very detailed pattern writer and offers lots of pics to help you complete the steps. I can’t wait to make some of these patterns, especially the capybara.

I LOVE this book! The characters are adorable, and there's something for everyone. There's also different levels, so you can use these patterns if you are a beginner to intermediate. The patterns are easy to follow and the pictures support them. This is a MUST have if you like to crochet cute little animals. I think I'm going to try to sloths first!

Thank you Netgalley and Cider Mill Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

I love the variation of animals available to crochet in this book. They are all adorable! The patterns are clear, concise and often feature a QR code for a more in depth explanation for things beginners might need more help with as well as a vast array of pictures to show you what to do if you're lost.

I consider myself to be quite good at crochet after 10+ years so I tried one of the more "intermediate" patterns for a sea turtle. It was extremely easy to follow along with that if you know your stitches I think you could easily complete any pattern in this book which is a testament to the author and their clear instructions.