Amigurumi Style Crochet

This little slip of a book from crochet designer Medus will delight crafters. Using the Japanese style of amigurumi, which involves "working in a spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch," Medus presents plans for creating two dolls, Betty, a "1950s housewife, stylish to a tee" and her cat, Bert, along with accessories for both. Crocheters should have intermediate to advanced skills and experience with amigurumi before tackling either project. Bert, in particular, requires considerable coordination and crafting-savvy. His accessories couldn't be cuter, or at times, more daunting to source --to make his collar, for instance, crocheters will have to secure jump rings from a jewelry supplier and a miniature toy bell, among other supplies. Medus provides shortcuts that make creating Betty somewhat easier. Betty can don one everlasting hairstyle instead of several removable ones, and crocheters can choose to make Betty's undergarments removable (more difficult), or just switch colors and crochet the bra and panty set directly onto Betty's form. It's this attention to detail that makes the book enjoyable.-- "Publishers Weekly"