Thuy Duong - Crochet Mini Animals: 12 Tiny Projects for Animal Lovers

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Thunder Bay Press

Publisher: Peter Norton

Associate Publisher: Ana Parker

Senior Developmental Editor: April Graham Farr

Editor: Stephanie Romero Gamboa

Senior Product Manager: Kathryn C. Dalby

Production Team: Jonathan Lopes, Rusty von Dyl

Developed by The Book Shop, Ltd., www.thebookshopltd.com

Project designs: Thuy Duong

Note: Illustration credits correspond to pages in the printed book.

Illustrations: Meryl Henderson (pgs )

Package and book design: Kimberly Shake

Editor: Karen Manthey

Photography: Carlos Chiossone

eBook ISBN: 978-1-64517-189-8

eBook Edition: February 2020

When it comes to yarn for making more of these miniature animals, you must think in terms of small gauge, such as lightweight cotton. Look for high-quality cotton that is sturdy and will maintain its sheen for years to come. Twenty yards of your animals main color and 10 yards of the secondary color should be enough to cover each pattern.

Available in most craft stores, polyester fiberfill stuffing will maintain its loft over time, and it's easy to clean and care for.

Crochet hooks come in a variety of materials, sizes, and handle styles. Its ideal if you can try a hook or two out before purchasing a set. For the most accurate sizing, refer to the millimeter measurements when selecting a hook for your project. The projects in this book are all made with a steel crochet hook, size 12 (1mm). If you find that your stitches are not tight enough, or the stuffing shows through your work, try going down to a size 13 (.85mm). If your stitches seem too tight, go up to a size 10 (1.3mm).

A good pair of scissors will make for clean cuts and quick snips.

A quality metal tapestry needle will make sewing your work together a snap. Avoid plastic needles, as they are too large when working with lightweight cotton and sometimes bend when going through multiple layers of crochet.

These toys call for two seed beads to be sewn on for the eyes, which are great for toys intended for children ages three and older. However, for children younger than three years of age, it is recommended you apply a pair of French knots for the eyes instead of using beads.

A black permanent marking pen will be required for some of these projects to draw eye patches.

Standard white glue is needed for stiffening the whiskers, beaks, horns, and claws.

A pair of tweezers may be very helpful for stuffing these tiny creatures.

Wire cutters will come in handy for the projects that use small pieces of wire.

A wire brush will help to fluff up the furry critters, such as the poodle, lamb, and llama.

Black acrylic paint is used in several projects to blacken the tips of horns or the end of a tail.

Grey nail polish can be used to paint the legs and feet of the Blackbird.

Here is a list of a few more goodies to add to your crochet supplies.

Stitch Counter: A row or stitch counter will help you keep track of where you are in your pattern.

Marking Pins: Super handy for helping to position pattern pieces before sewing everything together.

Split or Locking Rings: While some patterns will specifically call for place markers (pm) to help mark useful landmarks on your work, these rings can also help you track where your rounds begin, mark the corners of a square piece, or hold two edges of your work together for easier sewing.

Automatic Pencil and Sticky Notes: Great for jotting down notes and sticking them into your book as you work.

Project Bags: A small project bag (like a pencil case) is great for storing smaller tools and notions whereas a larger bag can hold everything you need for your current project. Reusable canvas shopping bags make great project bags!

Small Paintbrushes: Small paintbrushes will be needed for applying paint and spreading glue.

THIS SECTION WILL PROVIDE A complete overview of the stitches used in all 12 projects. A list of all abbreviations used in the crochet instructions can be found .

1. SLIPKNOT

Make a loop with a 6" tail. Overlap the loop on top of the yarn coming out of the skein.

2. SLIPKNOT

Insert your hook into the loop and under the yarn. Pull to tighten the loop around the hook.

YARN OVER

Yarn Over (YO)

Wrap the yarn over your hook from back to front.

Chain (ch)