Amigurumi?

[piemama]

Anyone crochet these cute toys? I saw a crochet totoro and I'm very motivated to learn. I've never used a crochet hook though. Can anyone recommend books and websites for beginners? Thanks

[xekomaya]

crochetme.com had a whole issue on it. Its really as simple or as complicated as you make it. I tried to make one recently but... well I made it too complicated and ended up frogging it

Its pretty easy to learn how. You only use a couple skills - single crochet (sc), crocheting in the round, a special "amigurumi double ring", increasing, and decreasing.

If you've got a hook handy, I'd follow a tutorial on chaining, single crochet and make a little swatch, then practice increasing and decreasing your rows. Once you've got that, check out the amigurumi tutorial on crochetme

I had a little fun with adding links there Hope they're helpful

[Kodachrome]

I love amigurumi!

While I can't recommend any books per se, I can recommend Owlishly's blog (she's a MDC Mama too), and another that's pretty helpful with tips, ideas and such is Planet June.

HTH

[mehndi mama]

Where did you see the Totoro?!?!?

[AprilDaisy]

Thank you for all the links! I saw a lovely angel pattern I'd like to buy and attempt, but haven't tried this. If I feel more confident about it after reading up, I'll try it.

[piemama]

Here's the totoro pattern:

http://heavens-hellcat.livejournal.com/420.html

I'm very very impressed by it!

[mehndi mama]

Holy cow! That is AWESOME!