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La banda de Pica Pau #1
Animal Friends of Pica Pau: Gather All 20 Colorful Amigurumi Animal Characters
Meet Pica Pau and her amigurumi friends! They're charming, cheerful and cute, and once you get to know them, they'll never leave your heart. The gentle rhino, the energetic otter, the chatty crocodile, the dreamy donkey and many each and every one is a happy member of the Pica Pau band. Toy maker, character designer and crochet knitter Yan Schenkel has gathered many colorful amigurumi around her. In this book, she shares her love and knowledge of amigurumi crochet in 20 new designs, and she also gives away the secret ingredients that go into every single project. All patterns contain detailed instructions and are accompanied by step-by-step pictures and explanations of all techniques used, so both beginners and advanced crocheters can easily get acquainted with her amigurumi companions. Immerse yourself in the wonderful world and marvelous magic of Pica Pau and friends.
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 26, 2018
Oh! My! God!
Animals in little clothes! This is one of the cutest crochet books I have ever seen! I love the larger size of these critters, the softer colors . . . oh, basically everything about the designs.
So far, I've made this alligator wearing a striped sweater and a hat, because . . . well, he's an alligator wearing a striped sweater and a hat, and who WOULDN'T want one of those?
The directions were easy to follow, and the project took way less time than I had anticipated. Now I'm faced with the question when it comes to my free time . . . read, or crochet? It's really starting to become a dilemma for me.
Animals in little clothes! This is one of the cutest crochet books I have ever seen! I love the larger size of these critters, the softer colors . . . oh, basically everything about the designs.
So far, I've made this alligator wearing a striped sweater and a hat, because . . . well, he's an alligator wearing a striped sweater and a hat, and who WOULDN'T want one of those?
The directions were easy to follow, and the project took way less time than I had anticipated. Now I'm faced with the question when it comes to my free time . . . read, or crochet? It's really starting to become a dilemma for me.
November 7, 2019
Purchased for my personal collection because after flipping through a library copy, I want to make them ALL.
April 29, 2021
I absolutely love the patterns in this book and how easygoing the author is. All of her advice encourages the crafter to create in a style that makes them happy, and her explanations of stitches and techniques are very easy to follow. So far, I have made Victor Frog and Hans Grizzly Bear and both patterns were excellent with no confusion. I highly recommend this book if you are wanting to make adorable stuffed animals with endearing backstories!
February 8, 2020
Des modèles adorables avec chacun une histoire de leur personnage ! J'ai envie de tous les faire !
February 20, 2025
I learned to crochet a little over a year ago, focusing on amigurumi, and am now at probably an intermediate level. I’ve seen a lot of crocheters on YouTube rave about the Pica Pau books and how much they learned from them. So I borrowed this from the library and made Pedro the Pig, which is on the easier end of the spectrum of patterns—that is, maybe advanced beginner level. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. I can’t say I was as in love with the style of the patterns when I looked at the photos as the YouTubers seemed to be, but I am really pleased with how my pig turned out and after making one I see what the fuss is about and I’d like to make more.
The publisher, Meteoor books, specializes in amigurumi books and has several great ones featuring patterns by different designers. One feature of these books I really love is the inclusion of a QR code to a website that leads to www.amigurumi.com where crocheters can post photos of their creations based on specific patterns. For Animal Friends of Pica Pau, there is a separate code for each pattern. This is a great feature for inspiration as you can see creative color choices and pattern tweaks made by others. For example, Pedro the Pig wears in pattern wears just blue and white striped shorts (Schenkel notes in the book she is fond of stripes). But I liked one creator’s idea of adding a shirt, and another’s choice of aqua in place of blue stripes. I did a pale yellow shirt just by changing color, then added chain stitches for shoulder straps. On the row just before the shorts, I did back loop only, then double crocheted around the remaining front loops to give the shirt an edge that hangs over the shorts. I then used the embroidered palm trees from the rhino pattern. On the feet, I did back loop only in the last row before the decreases started. I’ve learned from other patterns this makes the feet flat (rather than round), so, happily, my little pig will stand on her own (with a little balancing).
I look forward to making more patterns in this book. Perhaps the bear next. I was a bit hesitant because I didn’t like the winter attire on top but thrn bo pants, but I’m realizing I can just give him some jeans.
The publisher, Meteoor books, specializes in amigurumi books and has several great ones featuring patterns by different designers. One feature of these books I really love is the inclusion of a QR code to a website that leads to www.amigurumi.com where crocheters can post photos of their creations based on specific patterns. For Animal Friends of Pica Pau, there is a separate code for each pattern. This is a great feature for inspiration as you can see creative color choices and pattern tweaks made by others. For example, Pedro the Pig wears in pattern wears just blue and white striped shorts (Schenkel notes in the book she is fond of stripes). But I liked one creator’s idea of adding a shirt, and another’s choice of aqua in place of blue stripes. I did a pale yellow shirt just by changing color, then added chain stitches for shoulder straps. On the row just before the shorts, I did back loop only, then double crocheted around the remaining front loops to give the shirt an edge that hangs over the shorts. I then used the embroidered palm trees from the rhino pattern. On the feet, I did back loop only in the last row before the decreases started. I’ve learned from other patterns this makes the feet flat (rather than round), so, happily, my little pig will stand on her own (with a little balancing).
I look forward to making more patterns in this book. Perhaps the bear next. I was a bit hesitant because I didn’t like the winter attire on top but thrn bo pants, but I’m realizing I can just give him some jeans.
October 5, 2025
W Polsce w końcu pojawiła się przetłumaczona wersja Animal Friends of Pica Pau (polskie: Szydełkowi przyjaciele Pica Pau), zawierająca aż 20 wzorów na urocze zwierzątka! 🧶
Ponad 1/3 książki to podstawy szydełkowanie, każdy ruch opisany jest krok po kroku, a to wzbogacone jest jeszcze dzięki zdjęciom. I z czystym sumieniem mogę powiedzieć, że można się z tego nauczyć szydełkowania! Jestem tego najlepszym przykładem, bo kilka lat temu właśnie z tej książki zaczynałam swoją przygodę z włóczką i szydełkiem (ps. granatowy nietoperz w prawym dolnym rogu to moja pierwsza prawdziwa maskotka!) 🧶
Każda maskotka jest rozpisana z dbałością o każdy szczegół. Na początku każdej mamy któtką historię zwierzaka, a następnie poziom trudności oraz materiały potrzebne do wykonania danego projektu (między innymi proponowane kolory)
Wzór jest rozpisany okrążenie po okrążeniu, więc ryzyko zgubienia się jest malutkie. Oprócz samego zwierzątka, dostajemy też wzory na akcesoria na przykład muszkę, czapeczkę czy elementy stroju (część z nich możecie łączyć z innymi maskotkami) 🧶
Każda maskotka jest zaplanowana tak, aby ilość zszywanych elementów była jak najmniejsza np. głowę, tułów i nogi szydełkujemy razem (zszywanie to moja najmniej ulubiona część każdej robótki, więc bardzo to doceniam) 🧶
Jeśli kiedyś chcieliście szydełkować maskotki, ale nie wiedzieliście jak i od czego zacząć, to z całego serca polecam właśnie Szydełkowych przyjaciół Pica Pau! 🧶
Mam nadzieję, że dacie szansę szydełku, włóczce i tej książce, a ja uciekam szydełkować dziobaka! 🧶
Ponad 1/3 książki to podstawy szydełkowanie, każdy ruch opisany jest krok po kroku, a to wzbogacone jest jeszcze dzięki zdjęciom. I z czystym sumieniem mogę powiedzieć, że można się z tego nauczyć szydełkowania! Jestem tego najlepszym przykładem, bo kilka lat temu właśnie z tej książki zaczynałam swoją przygodę z włóczką i szydełkiem (ps. granatowy nietoperz w prawym dolnym rogu to moja pierwsza prawdziwa maskotka!) 🧶
Każda maskotka jest rozpisana z dbałością o każdy szczegół. Na początku każdej mamy któtką historię zwierzaka, a następnie poziom trudności oraz materiały potrzebne do wykonania danego projektu (między innymi proponowane kolory)
Wzór jest rozpisany okrążenie po okrążeniu, więc ryzyko zgubienia się jest malutkie. Oprócz samego zwierzątka, dostajemy też wzory na akcesoria na przykład muszkę, czapeczkę czy elementy stroju (część z nich możecie łączyć z innymi maskotkami) 🧶
Każda maskotka jest zaplanowana tak, aby ilość zszywanych elementów była jak najmniejsza np. głowę, tułów i nogi szydełkujemy razem (zszywanie to moja najmniej ulubiona część każdej robótki, więc bardzo to doceniam) 🧶
Jeśli kiedyś chcieliście szydełkować maskotki, ale nie wiedzieliście jak i od czego zacząć, to z całego serca polecam właśnie Szydełkowych przyjaciół Pica Pau! 🧶
Mam nadzieję, że dacie szansę szydełku, włóczce i tej książce, a ja uciekam szydełkować dziobaka! 🧶
September 16, 2020
Nah ini salah satu buku rajut kesayanganku. Kenapa? Karena projectnya 80 persen aku suka semua. Biarpun harga bukunya lumayan, tapi kerasa banget worth it. Salah satu buku crochet yang designnya orisinil. Karakternya khas PicaPau banget. Trus aku juga seneng baca bagian dia cerita awal mula kenal merajut.
Salah satu point yang berkesan itu pas bagian dia cerita selama beberapa tahun awal karir, dia cuma pake hook tua warisan omanya. Jadi inget gimanaaaa kita sering manja banget musti beli ini itu, pny ini itu baru mau belajar.
5/5
Salah satu point yang berkesan itu pas bagian dia cerita selama beberapa tahun awal karir, dia cuma pake hook tua warisan omanya. Jadi inget gimanaaaa kita sering manja banget musti beli ini itu, pny ini itu baru mau belajar.
5/5
June 5, 2023
All of the animals are absolutely adorable! I personally made three out of the book so far (frog, alligator, and puffin).I’m a completely beginner at crochet and the patterns were very clear and straightforward to follow along. Only critique I have is what page certain tutorials are on (for example continuing the legs from the body) since I jumped around to do the patterns I wanted to do. Other than that it’s a fantastic book and highly recommend it.
July 18, 2026
I’ve wanted this book for a long time. My sister in law gave it to me for Christmas and then I lost my cro-jo. I finally picked it back up to make a birthday gift for my niece. It’s such a good quality book. The patterns are all written well and the guides in the front are easy to follow. I’m excited to start working on something new.
October 30, 2020
Very well written and super cute designs. Unfortunately, the designs come out quite big. Plus, I found the animals with the bigger heads really hard to properly balance. They all just kinda doze off..
April 10, 2018
Want to crochet all the things! Adorable, with superb instructions and (bonus!) little bios and the design sketches too.
May 31, 2018
Now I want to create them all!
August 1, 2020
One of the best Amigurumi books. Together with #2 friends of Pica Pau easily the best. All animals are just amazing and full of character. Absolutely recommend!!
September 1, 2020
Fun well written patterns. The added information on techniques are also beneficial and well done.
July 16, 2021
Beautiful book. The designer has exquisite taste and the patterns are easy to follow.
December 9, 2021
Amazing book. Adorable animals. Easy to follow instructions. I made all of them.
November 28, 2022
My wife is teaching herself to crochet and I loved going through this one to pick her next projects!
September 13, 2023
Cute. Very detailed instructions.
May 3, 2025
Love the patterns. Easy to understand directions.
October 28, 2025
These books taught me how to make amigurumi! The animal friends are adorable and thoughtfully designed, the instructions are clear and concise, and the design of the book is beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews