Amineko (Crocheted Cat)

Kel here -- let me introduce someone who lives at my house. We call him 'the ambassador'.

I don't know when I first became aware of amigurumi - super cute crocheted animals in a Japanese style. I do know when I first made one though. When we went to Seattle in 2008, I went to one of my favourite places in the world - Kinokuniya, the big Japanese bookstore. I bought several of my favourite white journalling pens (another story for another day), some cute stationery and I couldn't resist a couple of Japanese craft books. I chose a felting book for the inspiration because I know enough about felting to follow the pictures without needing the written instructions. 

 

The second book I bought was not a sensible choice at all. I had no hope of following Japanese crochet instructions, but the pictures were just too cute to resist. Nekoyama (who has all copyrights for the pattern, the book and the images from the book), the author, gives all the instructions for crocheting and assembling these cute cats, but she has also filled the book with photos of the cats arranged in little scenarios (and yes, they are as posable as they look!)

 

Cats sharing an orange...

 
 Cats contemplating sushi...

 

Seeing them in all these adorable poses made me absolutely desperate to have one, if not twenty! In desperation, I worked out the instructions from the Japanese!!! If only I had known that the author has shared her instructions, including translation into English and diagrams too. She has asked that no-one link directly to them, so here is the index page, just look for "pattern of crocheted Cat with diagram (Amineko)" over on the right, near the top of the text.

If you fancy having a go at amigurumi, as well as this pattern, there are lots of great books around (and in English too, you'll be relieved to know. Here are some from the collections of my friends and I.

Enjoy!!!

Kel x

Comments

[Carmen]

How cute! I wouldn't have been able to resist either. Slowly learning crochet, I'll get there one day! :D

[Gez]

Ooooh your cat is gorgeous. :) I love to crochet & often think about making amigurumi animals for my children. It's always nice to have books recommended. Thanks.xx

[Caz]

Oh Kel, I remember that little critter from the craft weekend! He is so cute :)

[joy aitman]

I love him. So cute.

[mandy]

I love amigurumi too... your cat has loads of personality.. very cool!

[Anne]

They are sooooo cute :)
Anne xx