Edward's Menagerie: Over 40 soft and snuggly toy animal crochet patterns

by Kerry Lord

Get ready to spend some time with a suave high-flying rhino, a lovesick elephant who knows her way around a kitchen and a seriously chivalrous tiger...

With just two weeks to go before baby Edward's due date, yarn enthusiast Kerry Lord picked up a crochet hook for the first time and a new obsession began. Over the next 12 months the collection of crochet animals expanded week on week until Edward's Menagerie was complete with 40 unique patterns.

These cute animals with larger-than-life personalities are made using simple crochet techniques and the step-by-step instructions enable a complete beginner to get hooking straight away. Each animal also has a universal pattern where you can change your hook and yarn to create four different sizes, making 160 different possibilities.

Be warned that these unlikely characters made using a supersoft yarn in a sumptuous natural colour palette will become your new best friends as you hook your way through the whole menagerie!

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Reference, Nonfiction, Animals, Knitting

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a publishers discount on this craft e-book from EReaderCafe, Kerry Lord, and publisher David & Charles. This is an excellent resource book for crocheters. Kerry Lord presents patterns that are simply read, and size changes are accomplished by changing yarn weight and hook size. Patterns are presented in gradients to account for skill level - most patterns are basic, skill level would only be required when requiring a loop stitch or changing colors of yarn frequently. If you don't understand how to change colors, this book will teach you. If you don't want to learn, just pick those animals requiring only one or two colors - tho the sheep and alpaca needing a loop stitch are adorable. I love that all of the critters are pictured in natural yarns and that the instructions tell you how to choose different types of yarn - synthetic, cotton-based, animal-based and the plus and minus of each type on this project. This is a book for newbie crocheters or us old-timey crafters.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this one from the library and after flipping it through it once, I knew I was going to have to buy this one. Adorable, simple patterns. I want to make all of them. What I love the most is the fact that out of dozens of crochet/amigurumi books out there, this one actually demonstrates some new and unique techniques that I haven't seen a thousand times already. For instance a way to make a shaggy fur without too much fuss. The directions are very clear and so far I have not come across any typos or incorrect patterns. I also like the idea of weighting the critters down with the poly pellets. For whatever reason, I had never thought of that.
One thing to note is that this is a UK print so when it says double crochet, it means single in the US. It does give the crafter a heads up in the beginning about that.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful craft book, not just instructions and pictures but with a really personal sense behind it's inception. Kerry Lord has not just created a menagerie, she ahs created a small world that is delightful. I love the variety of patterns,that most of themare developed from the saem simpel idea, and that they were all created for her son. You can make these in her specialist yarn, Toft Alapca, or other yarns which are available. The only trouble you'd have is deciding where to start...and also where to stop! Suitable for beginner to intermediate crochet enthusiasts.

[fatهmh alkhalifa · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book is lovely and the step so clearly but I'd not like the style so much and it is different a little the reality from the picture

[Victoria Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of the Kerry Lord series of amigurumi books. This one is my first on Kindle and did not disappoint!!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't crocheted in a couple years, and even when I was regularly crocheting I never used written patterns (sometimes visual patterns, but I never learned how to read written ones). I recently went back to it and was determined to make some stuffed animals. This book really helped; I finished my first ever stuffy today! The patterns are really simple and easy to read, even for a novice, and I really like how most of the pieces have the same base, so it's easy to remember what to do even without constantly checking the book.

[Jeffrey Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of all of the Toft crochet books. This book provides excellent detail for beginning crocheters, and offers lots of fun and exciting patterns. Kerry Lord does a wonderful job of making things easy to visualize, and offers additional videos on the Toft Youtube channel. I have recommended this to so many people at my local knititng group. Each and everyone of them that tried patterns from this book absolutely loved it. I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone looking for a new crochet pattern book.

[Victoria Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I've made multiple animals from this book & each one has turned out great with minimal skill on my part! The instructions are easy to follow & each pattern is well explained.
Great for a beginner at amigarumi, each pattern is made up reasonably quickly, even by a beginner; and I like that as each body part is stitched separately, it's a great project for making when you have a bit of spare time here or there.
Highly recommend. This Is my favourite crochet book.

[Emily]

I’ve been crocheting for about a year and am looking forward to trying some of these animals. Some (the Highland cow!) are a little more distinctive than a few that don’t have much contrast in the facial colors. Terms are British crochet abbreviations. A section at the front has four size options that apply to all patterns and detail what yarn weight, hook size, yarn quantity, and tension go with each size.

[beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited!

This book is very easy to follow. The animals are just adorable. I'm excited to get started and make all the lovely creatures.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book with one pattern that is used to create a multitude of different animals with just a few simple changes and embellishments.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've made the bunny from this book twice. Easy to follow and great results.

Make note that the stitching is European so read what the American equivalent is.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these little creatures! I've made at least a dozen by this point. Patterns incredibly well done and easy to understand.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful patterns and entertaining too!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books in Crocheting. Many Snuggly animals have been made and my nephew has loved them.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute - can't wait to try these!

[LazySundayReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought as a gift and the recipient said it is brilliant! Having seen the results I’d have to agree!

[boksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Så himla bra om man vill lära sig att virka!!😊

[Hilde Helseth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the short bios of the different animals.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like this serieshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...#

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun way to meet a reading challenge!! 🐰

[Ivy Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute and not too difficult. I like it better when translated to American crochet, which just means single crochet instead of saying double crochet. That gets a bit confusing.

[Donnie Candi Strout · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Great

Very helpful and informative I plan to do all the adorable little animals for every person I know thank you

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read on KU.

British crochet terminology.

[Limamuto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Los diseños son simples

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kindle unlimited is a quick way to check out craft books I'm interested in beforepurchasingphysical copies. Not as impressed with one.

[Renee Boucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made several of these cute dolls. Good stuff.

[MCS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! There is something really magical about making toys, and these animals are all adorable. There is a small story that accompanies each animal, which is wonderful for children (and adults!)

The first patterns are fairly easy, even for a beginner; they progress to more advanced and challenging techniques such as color changes and more complicated shapes. If you take the time to work through all 40 patterns in the book, you would become an extremely proficient crocheter.

Kerry Lord, the designer, includes sections which address the stuffing, assembly and facial embroidering.

I look forward to Ms. Lord's next book, which I've heard will be bird patterns. My crochet hooks anxiously await!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great crochet book that is perfect for using some of your left over yarn. The pictures are well done and illustrate the patterns perfectly. The instructions are easy to read and are good for beginner and experienced crafters. You will delight the children that receive your finished product. Over 40 patterns that have variations that can produce 4 different sized animals. First published in 2014 this book will never get old and each new generation of crochet buffs will be delighted to add this to their library.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute animals to crochet for your favorite baby or child. Cats, dogs, giraffes, cows, lions, tigers and bears... you get the idea, there are 40 super cute patterns with easy to follow directions and diagrams. They range from easy to make to challenging, so crocheters at any skill level will enjoy this book.