Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Book Review and Giveaway! Crocheted Softies!

** Thanks for all the entries! Out of 123 comments, the winner was #51, CuCuCreates, who wants to crochet a crocodile! I bet it will be awesome! Thanks for playing!





I'm sure I'm like most people that crochet. When I started, it was all about gifts. I gave away pretty much everything I made, either to my kids or other people's kids. I loved finding cute patterns for stuffed toys that  made great gifts. Gifts for kids, particularly stuffed animals, are so fun to make and usually take a lot less yarn and time than bigger projects (like afghans or sweaters!).

Win this! Keep Reading!

In Stacey Trock's new book, Crocheted Softies, you will find patterns for 18 adorable animals from around the world! These aren't just the typical teddy bears and bunnies, but awesome patterns with texture and detail that kids will love on for years. She starts off the book with a thorough introduction to crochet. You'll learn all the basics, plus special stitches Stacey uses for adding character to her crochet designs. I especially love the details she gave regarding making the toys child-safe (like crocheted eyes), and her diagrams for assembly are some of the best I've seen (and I've read LOTS of crochet books!).

She starts off with a basic animal shape, then elaborates with different animal patterns (her elephant is especially adorable) and goes all the way around the globe (continent by continent!) and then into outer space! Check out her hilarious alien! What little boy wouldn't think that was totally cool?

Zork the Alien! from Crocheted Softies

More after the jump!



Another thing about the book that is really cool is just the way Stacey crochets. See how her creations have little ridges all around? That's because she crochets into the back loop of all of her stitches. Her book says that it helps hide stuffing. By doing it this way she can crochet with a larger hook, and I'm guessing it makes her toys larger in the end too. Interesting! I like the texture it gives to her toys!

My absolute favorite pattern in the book is Salty the Crocodile! It reminds me so much of a vintage handmade crocodile toy a friend had. All those nubby crocheted bobbles in rows on his back and those cartoonish eyes just bring this little guy to life. Love him!

Salty the Crocodile from Crocheted Softies

Stacey has done a great job using natural fibers throughout this book. You'll be inspired to try out new textures and materials when you're crocheting, I'll bet. 

So now that you are all clamoring to get this book, who wants to win an autographed copy? I'm going to give away one copy of the book, which Stacey has signed, to one lucky winner. This would make a fantastic gift to anyone, since the projects are a great introduction to crocheting! 

All you have to do to enter is to comment with an animal you'd love to crochet! Make sure you also leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a random entry this THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15th, around 5 pm central time, and ship the book asap so you can wrap it up or keep it for yourself! (But you better get some yarn because you'll want to make one of these cuties for the holidays!)

EDIT: Here's a list of animals inside!
elephant
giraffe
orangutan
panda
crocodile
kiwi
owl
snail
penguin
walrus
moose
crab
alpaca
snake
fish
jellyfish
alien
macrobe
microbe



128 comments:

  1. I would love to make the Ork alien!!! Its so super cute!!
    loren24crane@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love to win this. I think grandson would love it more since he will get the stuff. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my, that moose is hilarious! I would love to crochet him! bethany.l.underwood@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the giraffe, so cute! I am so interested in trying back loop only for animals/amigurumi now. Never thought about it, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the review and giveaway!

    madaleysah at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Make sure you leave an email address! :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ohh the Moose, it's so Canadian eh!! sending the randomizer super pick me powers please!! Rebecca
    rkaldridge@yahoo.ca

    ReplyDelete
  7. My favorite is the Alien.
    sherkat5@yahoo.com. Love the toys.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I would love to crochet the crocodile but around here it would have to be an alligator for my kids school they are the Austin Alligators!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This looks like a great book. Is there a gorilla in there? My daughter is begging me for a baby gorilla. I really like the fish, he would be a perfect gift for a friend. jbbacher@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Not an animal but I'd like to make that little alien :) luciana-facturacion@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love Stacey's work and would love to win this!

    I would love to crochet her alien. Otherwise, an angler fish is high on my list, due to the tastes of a certain son of mine ;)

    Corinne
    corinnesknits@googlemail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ohh so cute! I'd have to make the alien from my friends son!

    merlinthecat at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Like many others I think the alien is SO adorable!
    If I don't win it, I'll put the book on my wishlist.

    s.e.middel(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the little crab :) I think I would make one in blue because I met and married my husband in Maryland, home of the blue crabs :D

    amybos1975@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the giraffe from the cover! But if I were to pick any animal, I'd have to pick a tiger. airika121@gmail.com Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm leaning toward the sea critters...the elephant seal is pretty adorable. But that Jelly Fish! Love it :) Alison@madigan.to

    ReplyDelete
  17. I would love to win this book and learn how to make the adorable moose! moniquealopez@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have a nephew that would love the giraffe! Thanks! annabell779@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. You totally sold me on the crocodile! SO cute! allyson@thesweatshopoflove.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ooh, I would love to crochet an orangutan! phroggio@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi!
    Thanks for the giveaway and the complete review!! I hope I can make some of these softies.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh gosh, my boys would love that alien! I myself would like to make the giraffe for our baby on the way. Thanks for the chance to win!! Me: kimi.weldon at gmail dot com. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'd love to win this and make the giraffe, sooo cute!! Thanks!
    sweetone25_1@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. If i don't win the giveaway, hehe, I hope this book is available locally! vera(@)verabear.net

    ReplyDelete
  25. My little boy (he is 3) loves crabs, so I know which pattern I'd go for first!
    Delil, delilaki@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ooooh - I would love to win & learn how to make the walrus!

    me = meow.monkey at gmail dot com :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to make the fish and the jellyfish first! Rebecca

    rebeccamwhite12 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. i love the aligator. summersomera@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. OH!! I would love to make the panda and then the walrus!!

    toGodmyconstantlight@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love to make the giraffe for my nephew. He'd love it!
    gerberca at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'd have to try my hand at the jellyfish given our ocean themed nursery and my daughters love to pull on things. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh man. I really love the clean lines of all those patterns. It's a hard choice, but I would have to say that since I'm originally from Alaska I have to go with the walrus. michelle.myers@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I think that the elephant would be great to make but I think all the animals listed would be fun to make. Thanks for having another wonderful giveaway!! :)
    csolar@somdnews.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have fallen in love with that little red crabby guy. My son would love to get a hold of him I think. Thanks and good luck to all who enter.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm tied between the crab and the moose =) I've never seen such a cute moose pattern in my life

    mmtruempy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hands down.... Zork the Alien. Zork was an awsome game!
    tfarrington70(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I would LOVE to make the Crab and Alien (as well as all the other ones listed too) ;) I am SO hoping to win this ~ I never seem to win anything! sierrasparents@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. That croc has also won my heart. Those little ridges make the difference between a green lizard and a fierce swamp creature!

    SparkFrenzy@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I've had my eye on this book for a while now! I would love to make the orangatan, alpalca or kiwi! I love the animals that arent as common. c:

    jmarisette@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. The Moose! My youngest son was born in a town called Moose Jaw up here in Canada. [noonchi@gmail.com]

    ReplyDelete
  41. Giraffe raquel robles de lujan

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would love to make the orangutan - those guys are so gorgeous! I keep trying to design one myself, but I just can't get it right... Aside from that, ALL OF THEM!They all look so gorgeous and cute and cuddly and involve my favourite thing ever: crochet! I think my Google account should link to my email address, but just in case it's craftgirl78@gmail.com. (I'm so excited I can barely contain myself. My husband thought I was having a fit or something while I was reading your book review!)

    ReplyDelete
  43. the alien for sure!!
    bsj.holmes@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I would love the alligator and giraffe for my grandsons . Thinking of incorporating them into a blanket for each of them

    ReplyDelete
  45. Gecko! I <3 geckos :)

    coastingrichly on gmail

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would love to make the crab or the jellyfish. They are so creative and I think my boys would have a lot of fun with them!
    micah (at) micahmakes (d0t) com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Awh, the crocodile, the crocodile!! Glenn loves 'alligators' right now, and I would love to make him one of these!!! thea at doodledoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I'm new to crochet, but I think the orangutan would be loads of fun. Not just the typical cute monkey you see so often. My son is loving all the little softies I am making for him and this book would greatly improve his collection!

    Briana.Middleton@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I would love to win this, my son is always asking me to crochet him different animals

    ReplyDelete
  50. I would love to try the croc!

    MikeCuCu at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'd love to crochet the alpaca, then the alien, then the rest of the animals in the book. They are lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Would love to crochet the giraffe. So cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Being a Canadian, I think I would like to make a Moose!

    m.moonmama@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. Oh I have to pick one eh?! It would be the moose to start then the alpaca and on and on. Very cool. I'm sure my son would make me make that crocodile first though. But really do they all have to be for him?~ Rebecca eyre.rj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. definitely a giraffe for my giraffe loving four year old - sarah
    homeofthebudds(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Just one??? Are you sure??? Seriously my boys would want me to make one of everything!
    But if I have to pick just one but youngest is right into elephants atm.
    Thanks for the opportunity to win
    beccisund(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)au

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hard to decide since they are all cute, but I think I love the crab the most.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Just one!?1!? Wow! I think it would be the elephant (or giraffe). I love elephants! My step-daughter is a fan of Giraffes, so I would crochet one for her. i also love the alien guy, too cute!

    Cora
    (craftygal1965@gmail.com)

    ReplyDelete
  59. I would like to make the elephant.
    Nikki Baker
    nikki-baker@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I have been looking for a unique ami crab! I'm a cancer and want to make one to sit on my desk.
    misscrochetsanantonio@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'd love to either do the alpaca or the giraffe but they are all so cute it's hard to choose.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Both of my boys have recently developed an obsession with penguins so I would love to crochet a penguin for each of them

    ReplyDelete
  63. The alien is definitely my favourite! However, I would love to crochet ALL of them! :-)
    Lynette
    maclyn.crafts@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. The moose, orangutan, and kiwi....or maybe the fish and walrus. Oh, I would probably make them all :-)
    verenajane@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I would definately want to make the Alpaca!!!!

    melissadp76@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I'd love to make the crocodile.

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I would love to make the owl!

    ywilliamson03 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'd love to make that fish! it's too cute :D

    titatj (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I want to snuggle up with a jellyfish.

    erinncarl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I would like to crochet the giraffe! It's really cute and we've kind of adopted giraffes as the symbol of compassionate communication because they have the largest heart of all land animals. I think their hearts weigh 26 lbs! My 2 year old and 4 year old would love a new lovey...especially if it reminds Mommy to be nice! :) Los.Flores@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I want to make a penguin!

    washi.inct@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. The Crab! Or Penguin! I'd probably end up making them all for my daughter and/or nephew!

    lleem2025@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I would love to crochet the moose!!! My boyfriend is called Rodolfo, so I have done a couple of stuffed reindeers for him... I don't think he is gonna say: "hey, that's a moose!!! Not a reindeer" so I think is perfect for my collection :)
    Catherinehume@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. From the book? The orangutang, so I could make my own DW Librarian! Animals all together? Maybe a armadillo that rolls up to a ball! That would be cool!
    shayi@telia.com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I would make the giraffe of course! I haven't found a giraffe pattern I like except the one from this book! (My nieces love giraffes) :) annie@anniegurumi(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  76. Ooh what a fantastic giveaway - thank you sooo very much. I would love to crochet the gorgeous fish, walrus, crab & jellyfish because my little boy who has an ASD just loves anything to do with the sea. Ok...he already has like a gazillion fish, but one more just makes the fishy family happier and the other creatures would just make his little face light up :D
    Thank you again for the opportunity to win this wonderful book.
    Mo x

    ReplyDelete
  77. I think I would like to make the alpaca just to celebrate the book, yarn and crochet :-) susand1408@googlemail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. What an awesome book... It has so much cuteness!!! I would love to make that cute girrafe!
    Jacklynhoward at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  79. So cute! I would love to make the fish because not only am I a Pieces, but my 5 month old son just loves watching his gold fish and always reaches out to the tank to try and touch them - so it would be lovely to give him a fish he can hold, and of course, chomp on!

    REFLECTA_lindsay@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. i would love to crochet a pug! i just think it would look so adorable with the cute lil "smashed" in face.


    tammyroney@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. I would love to crochet that alien! I like goofy stuff, and I have a friend whose son would get a kick out of it. book-donna at cox dot net

    ReplyDelete
  82. That moose looks adorable. I would love to make one of those.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Kiwi - there is so many choice of yarn that I could use to crochet the kiwi. chaidumpling@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE elephants!!! I would make a family of them!!!!
    gsbournias0311@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  85. oh my goodness!!! the panda, the panda, the panda!!! my ALL TIME favorite animal, I wish I could own one personally... but thats a whooole different story :)

    heartsandhooks@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. that giraffe is wayyy cuter than any other pattern i've found! my friends son would love it :)

    bzztbecky(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. My nieces are obsessed with pigs, so yeah, I'll probably make that one first. The alien sure is cute too. I'd love to see the patterns in the book I bet they're awesome! scjanderson@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Oh, I'm soooo a fan of the elephant! (Of course, after this sneak peek, I really want to make ALL of them!)

    Chris
    HaysHandcrafted@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. you inspire me - I just started crocheting last week and I am hooked ;)

    Thanks for encouraging creativity in all of us!

    Tiffany Cortright
    dtbcortright@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. I'd love this book because there's a PANDA!!
    and i've promised my 2 year old niece i'd make her a giraffe a pink one at that.

    swthnyb@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I would totally crochet the microbe/macrobe and send them to my friend who teaches Biology in Virginia. I crocheted her a beer coozie with a skull on it once but this would be *so* much better! Yay!

    Laurel
    Laurelivy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. So cute and I love the texture of the back loop crochet. I can't decide if the moose, walrus or alien would be my first project.

    Dawn
    swtblu@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  93. My daughter would love the crocodile! Jeniferrobertson(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  94. giraffes are my most favorite animal :-D sydney.cole at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  95. I would love to make a giraffe. A funny striped adorable giraffe!

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Id love to crochet the crab for my 3 yr old daughter....whos is always a crab!
    smmazz191@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  97. My mom has a thing for Moose so I would make one of those. Thanks for the review of the book.

    wendythornburg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  98. I think a giraffe or penguin would be fun. Actually, I would make them all! tgsdesigner(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  99. I would have to narrow it down to either the moose (I have a friend who loves them) or the crab. I know sooner or later I would make them all LOL

    nikki@sunlizardstudios.com

    ReplyDelete
  100. Definitely the walrus...or the moose :)
    sarahmcgill7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  101. I love all the projects that I have seen you do! They are awesome. If I had my choice I would love to make the moose! Seeing as I am from Maine! lol

    danic_of_maine@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  102. What a cute crab! Definitely the crab.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Panda!! I would love to make a panda!
    This book looks amazing!
    firstmate_christina@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. Ohh!!! I love the giraffe! And the alpaca!! I want so bad!!!!
    nefariousknitwit@gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  105. I love all of the animals, but I think the one I would crochet first is the crocodile and then the rest. marsha2742@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. oooh! I would love to crochet the alien! it would look awesome beside the baby monster amigurumi I made from your tutorial :)

    freya.chapman@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I want to crochet an elephant but I need help, jeje.
    matinsdediumenge@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  108. I would love to crochet a giraffe! And, I'm teaching a group of middle school kids how to crochet, and I know that some of them would love this book just as much as I probably will!!

    Since I'm a last minute entry, I probably won't win (I had grades to figure out for progress reports), but I appreciate the chance, and the preview of the book!

    msgould_ams (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  109. would love to make the penguin! jek091982@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  110. I would love to make the giraffe for my mother! :)

    cllovegood@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  111. I would love to crochet the walrus. Goo goo g' joob.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Omg a giraffe would be adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  113. Love, love, love to crochet the fish...I have a thing for goldfish and that one is beautiful!

    wyatt49333@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  114. I'd love to crochet the giraffe

    CaitlynTurner82@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  115. Favorite is the crocodile! Kind of like the 'gators of Louisiana, my favorite state.

    ReplyDelete
  116. The orangutan for my little boy. His room is done in monkeys. dbeavers72@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  117. Humm...so many great ones to choose from...probably the moose first, for my son. :)

    1jenniferhodges@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  118. brendasinder@yahoo.com I would love to make aliens for my kids and fun alien spotting friends. They all would just love them.

    ReplyDelete
  119. I just love them all. I am not pickey. I don't post much but your stuff is awesome

    ReplyDelete
  120. I'd love to crochet a giraffe! I love giraffes and would really enjoy crocheting one for my wee baby. catlondon [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  121. The giraffe and alien are my favs! stchaffee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  122. I would love to crochet the orangutan! They're just adorable animals and also because they're found in my country :)) I know my baby Soren would adore it :D

    carol.ujan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  123. I already posted earlier, but I just had to pop back on to say that I saw more photos from the book on another blog on the tour, and I absolutely LOVE the snail! If I could combine the snail with the crab to make a hermit crab, it'd be perfect...

    ReplyDelete
  124. Hola! Me llamo Andrea y soy de Argentina. Me encantó el libro y aquí es muy difícil conseguirlo... Serías tan amable de mandarme el patrón del pez?

    amigurumisenunclick.blogspot.com
    amis.andrea@gmail.com

    Gracias!

    Hello! My name is Andrea and I'm from Argentina. I loved the book and this is very difficult to do ... Would you please send me the pattern of fish?
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  125. hp laserjet 1200 windows 10, Full Feature Software and Driver Downloads for Microsoft Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems. HP LaserJet 1200 Printer Driver Downloads Available Drivers for Microsoft Windows Operating Systems.

    ReplyDelete
  126. Awesome blog!! Thank for providing excellent information. Actually quite helpful data accessible here. If you are looking for assignment help then you can visit our site....
    finance assignment help
    accounting assignment help
    psychology assignment help

    ReplyDelete
  127. Do you need an urgent loan of any kind? Loans to liquidate debts or need to loan to improve your business have you been rejected by any other banks and financial institutions? Do you need a loan or a mortgage? This is the place to look, we are here to solve all your financial problems. We borrow money for the public. Need financial help with a bad credit in need of money. To pay for a commercial investment at a reasonable rate of 3%, let me use this method to inform you that we are providing reliable and helpful assistance and we will be ready to lend you. Contact us today by email: daveloganloanfirm@gmail.com Call/Text: +1(501)800-0690 And whatsapp: +1 (501) 214‑1395

    NEED A LOAN?
    Ask Me.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...