Anderson - Beastly crochet: 23 critters to wear and love

Theres something magical about taking a piece of string and one simple hook and creating something that has a personality. Sometimes, this means making a sweater or hat with just the right combination of stitch pattern and yarn that evokes a certain feel. For this book, however, I took it a step further. I wanted to create projects that made me want to hug them as I finished them. I realized that if I made a whole book of fuzzy ducklings, puppies, and babies I would probably die of cuteness overload, so I opted to steer clear of the mainstream. Instead, I set my sights on a world of evil robots, angry plants, and fanged bunnies. (They need hugs, too!)

Inside youll find a menagerie of amigurumi softies, critter-themed accessories, and unusual gifts for creature-lovers of all ages.

The next time you look at a skein of yarn, I hope that you see the monster trapped inside, waiting for you to let it out.

Why do we love (or love to hate) these monsters so much? Is it because we can identify with them in some way? Maybe its because they get to wander around aimlessly and never worry about how to pay their bills. Whatever the reason, they certainly have widespread appeal. Make these projects to proclaim your love for the classics!

One year, my brother Mark and his girlfriend, Melissa, showed up to our Halloween party dressed as one of the most famous couples in monster history. I could read between the lines: they were in it for the long haul. You dont commit to matching costumes unless you mean business, right? Mark and Melissa are now happily married, proving my hunch to be true.

With CC1 and larger hook, make an adjustable loop.

RND 1: 6 sc into loop6 sts. Pull on beginning yarn tail to close ring. Place st marker to mark beg of rnd, moving marker up after each rnd.

RND 2: 2 sc into each st around12 sts.

RND 3: [1 sc into next st, 2 sc into the following st] 6 times18 sts.

RND 4: [1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc into the following st] 6 times24 sts.

RND 5: [1 sc into next st, 2 sc into the following st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts] 6 times30 sts.

RND 6: [1 sc into each of the next 4 sts, 2 sc into the next st] 6 times36 sts.

RND 7: [1 sc blo, ch 3, sl st into the 3rd chain from the hook, 1 sc blo into the next st] 7 times (this creates Monster Marks bangs), 1 sc blo into each of the next 22 sts, ch 4, turn.

Work in turned rows for remainder of hair.

ROW 8: Sl st into the 3rd ch from hook, skip the first st, 1 sc into each of the next 21 sts, ch 4, turn.

ROW 9: Sl st into the 3rd ch from hook, skip the first st, 1 sc into each of the next 19 sts, ch 4, turn.

ROW 10: Sl st into the third ch from hook, skip the first st, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts, [ch 3, sl st into the bottom of the third chain from hook, 1 sc into each of the next 2 sts] 7 times, ch 3, sl st into the bottom of the third chain from hook, 1 sl st into the next st.

Fasten off with a long tail. Later, you can use this ending tail to stitch the hair to his head.

With green embroidery floss and steel hook, ch 6.

ROW 1: 1 sc into the bottom of the 2nd ch from the hook, [1 hdc and 1 dc] into the next ch, 1 dc into the next ch, [1 dc and 1 hdc] into the next ch, 1 sl st into the last ch7 sts.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

With MC and larger hook, ch 3.

ROW 1: [1 hdc, ch 1, 1 hdc, 1 sl st] into third ch from hook.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

With CC2 and larger hook, ch 23. Turn to work into the bottom of chain.

ROW 1: 1 Sl st into the 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc into the next st, 1 hdc into the next st, [1 dc, ch 2, sl st] into next st, [sl st, ch 4, sl st into bottom of the third ch from the hook, 1 dc] into next st, [1 hdc into each of the next 2 sts, 2 hdc into the following st] 3 times, 1 hdc into each of the next 2 sts, [1 dc, ch 3, sl st into third ch from hook, ch 1, 1 sl st] into next st, [1 sl st, ch 2, 1 dc] into next st, 1 hdc into next st, 1 sc into the next st, 1 sl st into each of the last 2 sts. Fasten off.