The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi

by June Gilbank

Amigurumi (pronounced ah-mee-goo-roo-mee) is Japanese for "crochet (or knit) stuffed toy." Although the concept originated in Japan, the amigurumi craze is taking over the world in waves of crocheted cuteness! From adorable fuzzy critters, to sweet-looking fruits and vegetables, to quirky comic book and cartoon characters--if you can imagine it, you can crochet it!
Whether you're an experienced crocheter or have never taken hook to yarn, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi shows you everything you need to know to hook your own delightful amigurumi. This helpful guide

Genres: Crochet, Crafts, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Reference

212 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

June Gilbank is an accomplished crochet pattern designer, writer, blogger, and multi-crafter. June taught herself to crochet when she moved from the United Kingdom to Canada in 2003, and she has since designed and published hundreds of unique nature-inspired crochet patterns online at PlanetJune (www.planetjune.com). Her specialties are cute and realistic animal, plant, and seasonal amigurumi designs as well as elegant accessories that showcase the beauty and variety of crochet.

June studied science and math at university and has worked as a technical writer. She uses these skills on a daily basis to bring clarity and precision to her crochet patterns and tutorials.

June is the author of "The Essential Guide to Amigurumi" (2023), "Everyday Crochet" (2022), "Idiot's Guides: Crochet" (2014), "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi" (2010) and "Paper Chains & Garlands" (2009), and occasionally contributes articles and patterns to other books and magazines.

When she isn't crocheting, June enjoys exploring wildlife and nature, trying new crafts, and cozying up at home in Ontario, Canada with her husband Dave and their dog Maggie.

Reviews

[Emily]

Much more basic than I was expecting. Yes, it's part of the Complete Idiot's series so it's by nature basic, but I expected the step-by-step to be focused on Amigurumi, not focused on crocheting (which this was). The text proceeds through materials needed for crocheting, how to cast on, how to make a row, etc., leaving only a small portion of the book to focus on the Amigurumi. However, this portion is so small as to be unusable. There were very few photos of the actual products, the patterns were, quite frankly, boring, and some of the basic steps were missing as well.

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer]

As other reviewers have pointed out, this was a bit simplistic and spent too much time covering basic crochet techniques. In the sections on basic crochet techniques, I did find some useful information specifically for crocheting amigurumi, like the invisible decrease. Thus I recommend skimming that section even if you have crochet experience.

While I had hoped for more depth on designing one's own amigurumi, especially on how to go about coming up with ideas for unique, fantastical creatures, I was satisfied with the overal content. There were suggestions in the book I hadn't thought of or come across before. This book definitely has improved my amigurumi crocheting. The first project I did after this book used some of the techniques suggested and I would say it's my best project yet. I want to ask for all my previous amigurumis back so I can use these techniques to make them super adorable!

Do note that there are few patterns and they aren't for the best or cutest amigurumi I've seen. However, they are incredibly well done in that they show how to use the basic technique she teaches, like using standard shapes, to make simple to complex amigurumi. If you approach the patterns as a teaching tool on how to use her techniques, then they are incredibly helpful. I did not make any of the patterns, but skimming through them (I had to return it to the library and wasn't able to do as careful of an analysis as I would have liked), I found them to be a wonderful teaching tool and a smart way to put theory into practice in a medium (a written book) where that can be challenging to do.

I do recommend this book as a solid base for anyone interested in creating a lot of amigurumi and I do recommend reading it from beginning to end regardless of crochet ability or interest in completing the patterns.

[Aynura Aliyeva]

Picked this book to make sure i'm not crocheting toys in some difficult over complicated manner. I liked the structure and it's written in an easy manner, for the begonners indeed. I personally found useful the chapters about yarn and equipment. The patterns in the end of the book don't look very appealing though, maybe because of a few photos. If you are new to crochet then it's a good starting point! If you like me are familiar with the subject it might organize your knowledge and validate it as well haha.

[Gale Penton]

Cute patterns. Good info.

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

The B&W pics aren't very clear. Only a couple of patterns. The rest of the items in the color picture section are all items author made using the techniques in the book. What kind of teaching book does that? I expected more than two projects to learn the techniques especially one, the doll, is complicated and not what comes to mind when you think of Amigurumi. The other, a hamster, is ugly and ultra simple. There is nothing in between. This covers a lot of territory but I don't think it does it well enough for an absolute beginner with no knitting experience either. It was okay for me but it just didn't provide what I wanted it to provide.

[Emma]

I picked this book up in the library just because there was nothing else I hadn't already read on crochet. Though not a beginner crocheter, I was non the less impressed with it and even picked up some ideas I hadn't thought of or had forgotten about.
While this book is not one to get some interesting patterns from and the black and white photos might put some people off, I could find no fault with the instructions, they were clear and understandable.
Yeah, some would have liked to have seen actual patterns for the llama, bear and dogs etc, but June Gilbank encourages originality and gives ideas on how to design your very own amigurumi creature.

[Elyshia Schafer]

This was my first introduction to amigurumi, and I thought it was a pretty good one for a beginner. There are parts that were a little redundant for me because of how much I already knew about crocheting and a few parts where I felt as if I could have used a little more instruction, but overall I thought it was a good one for beginners. I wish there had been more patterns included!!

[Mary Ann]

This book was interesting because it had sections on how to create your own patterns to make amigurumi. It had a couple of patterns, but was geared more to making your own patterns.

[Shonica]

It would have been better if there were patterns for all the pictured projects.

[P]

Amigurumi 🧶

This book by June Gilbank is absolutely the perfect guide to start making dolls, soft toys, plants etc.
June has a way of wording things to make it easy to understand and follow along when making the projects in the book.
June also gives you instructions and many options, tips to get you started on your journey of making Amigurumi.
I recommend this book to anyone from the beginner to the advanced. You will get something from this guide book.
Thank you June for an amazing book 📖

[Nadina]

Not bad if you have never crocheted before and plan on starting with amigurumi, but I feel it would have benefitted from color pictures.
I honestly mainly got this for the patterns, and once you get to the patterns there were no pictures at all.
I did like the tips about embellishments.
Not bad in general, but over all just average.

[Noella]

Have been crocheting using patterns for a while now. This resource is good for understanding the basics such as shapes and provides ideas for amigurumi projects. I got a few tips I will use for my next creation!

[MD]

Maybe other editions are better, but the edition I have is all but unusable due to the paper choice. I can't believe it! It's some kind of cheap newsprint or something that makes the text on the page difficult to read and makes the pages somehow awkward to turn. I never would have thought I would give a bad review to a book because of the paper it was printed on, but in this case I've found that it really makes me not want to read or use the book, regardless of the quality of the content. This is so disappointing! So maybe the book is great, but I'd definitely recommend buying it where you can physically check it out and NOT buy it online.

[Kim Hetherington]

I do not like the title of this book, and almost didn't check it out because of it. Since there is not much in the way of amigurumi at my library, I got it anyway. I am very glad I did. I am new to crochet and amigurumi, and wanted to jump in and start with some patterns I found online. This book has been invaluable to me. It has clearly explained techniques and methods used in amigurumi patterns - and it does start with basic crochet. Since I already had the basics, I skipped over this and went straight to specifics in my patterns. I have successfully completed 2 different patterns.

Now for the negatives, which are insignificant in my opinion. Number one, bad choice for a title - I would have much preferred, "How to Amigurumi." Two, definitely a lackluster presentation. Most photos are black and white, and the cover definitely leaves something to be desired. Three, there are 4 amigurumi patterns and only one of them appeals to me.

This is a great how to book that would help anyone new to amigurumi finish projects, either with purchased patterns or creating your own originals.

[Marie Segares]

This book is part of my must-have beginner crochet books list.

These days, you can't talk about crochet without mentioning amigurumi. I consider The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi by June Gilbank (a.k.a. Planet June) to be the definitive amigurumi guide. It isn't as attractive to look at as some of the full color books, but June clearly talks you through all of the techniques and details that make the difference between a great-looking project and, well, a not-so-great-looking project. I generally avoid any book with Idiot or Dummy in the title, but this one is solid. Although the book is mostly in black and white, the idea gallery includes color pictures of many projects.

[Juicy_Groot]

I was disappointed in this book because it's more about crochet that amigurumi.Yeah it has everything you need to know about amigurumi like what kind of yarn and stuffing to use and how to attach the eyes,but there are only about three or four different patterns in this book (and most of them are hamster patterns) most of the pictures were dedicated to two very creepy looking amigurumi dolls and stuff you can make that isn't in the book.

[Jenni]

If it weren't for this book, I'd still be buying patterns and be disappointed with the result. I made my first amigurumi before I'd even finished, and the pride I felt is indescribable; it gave me the confidence to design other things--not just simple blankets and scarves but anything I want! And my business is better for it because now I can offer amigurumi and original patterns!

[Fangirl]

PlanetJune is the designer of many lovely crochet animals and I just love her patterns. So of course I had to get her book!
It includes cute patterns, but especially many how-to tipps and tricks to crochet lovely toys!

[Else]

I've learned a lot about making amigurumi (and crocheting in general!) from this book. I highly recommend it, and don't miss planetjune.com for lots of June's amazing patterns that are wonderful to read and make! She's a great pattern writer and her designs come out perfectly!

[Rift Vegan]

Great book and great beginners guide. I haven't tried any of the patterns yet, but June seems to cover all the angles in this book and I'm sure my first crocheted critter will be easy as pie! :)

[Kira]

Extremely helpful, well illustrated, and clear directions. I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to learn how to make amigurumis.