I have always been insanely jealous of artsy, crafty types — mainly because I’ve always known I wasn’t cut out to walk in their hand-embroidered shoes.
In high school, I remember trading my home economics crochet projects with classmates who needed essays written, because I couldn’t for the life of me create a doily that looked like, well, a doily. But recently, I received a book in the mail that made me want to try my hand at crafting cuteness again.
Mitsuki Hoshi is known for her mastery of Amigurumi, the Japanese art of (…wait for it!) crocheting stuffed animals. (And let me take a moment here to say that the Japanese are amazing for elevating stuffed animal making to an art form.) Even better, she has taken it upon herself to create crochet patterns for a variety of different dog breeds.
Hoshi’s first book, Ami Ami Dogs, did so well that she’s recently released a second volume, Ami Ami Dogs 2. This second volume includes patterns and detailed directions for creating 12 kinds of dogs, including Dalmatians, Papillons, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, Jack Russell Terriers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. The book also includes how-tos for tiny dog magnets and cutesy cellphone accessories!
CONTEST TIME!
The nice folks at Harper Design, the book’s publisher, would like to give crafty Dogster readers the chance to win one of SIX copies of Ami Ami Dogs 2. To enter, leave a comment below telling us about a craft project you’re proud of, or why you suck at crafts but would like to give this a try.
We’ll pick our favorite comments on Wednesday, Oct. 26.
