Library Journal
Fans of amigurumi will be delighted by the projects in this book by expert crocheter Compotine. The volume offers a treasure trove of sweet, creative toys that would be a welcome addition to any nursery or the toyboxes of children who enjoy playing with dolls and stuffed animals. The projects range from tiny mice and little ladybugs to cuddly teddy bears and adorable dolls wearing strawberry berets, all between 7 and 12 inches high. This detail-oriented book even includes instructions for doll accessories like a flower-power purse and a sweet-as-pie fruit hat. While some of the options might seem fussy for readers accustomed to making stuffed animals, the little details give Compotine’s cuddly toys something extra. Readers will find that each creation has its own whimsical charm, and the patterns are laid out in such a way that they’re easy to follow and customize. For example, experienced crochet artists might choose to mix and match designs or adapt an existing pattern to create a special, one-of-a-kind character. VERDICT Compotine’s delightful designs for amigurumi toys are easy to personalize, which will make these dolls meaningful keepsakes.
Publishers Weekly
The quaint debut from Compotine, a pen name for crafter Sandra Muller, shows how to crochet small, seasonally themed dolls. The amigurumi-style figures are around eight inches tall and simple to make, largely worked in the round with minimalist faces consisting of black embroidered stitches for eyes and no noses or mouths. Each doll is outfitted in garments and accompanied by accessories corresponding to one of the seasons. For instance, Charlotte wears a spring dress and comes with a ladybug and basket of strawberries made with double crochet stitches, while Louis wears overalls for fall and is accompanied by an orange squirrel and kite comprised of chain stitches. The reliance on chain and double stitches provides a low barrier of entry for novices, and even the most advanced projects (one doll’s curly pigtails require a mix of treble, half treble, slip, and double stitches) are only moderately difficult. Compotine includes helpful tips, noting, for example, that readers can insert pipe cleaner in the dolls’ necks to give their heads more stability. The cute designs are hard to resist, and beginners will appreciate the detailed instructions on how to fasten off, weave in ends, change yarn colors, and execute other basic techniques. Crafters will be charmed.
Booklist (American Library Assoc)
French crocheter Compotine (a pseudonym for author Sandra Muller) presents dolls Charlotte, Caroline, Agatha, Arthur, Leonie, Louis, Celia, and Zoé, and their mostly interchangeable and gender-neutral accessories, like briefcases, watering cans, and cups for cocoa. Compotine fills amigurumi-makers’ dreams with these eminently playable, cuddly creations, all under a foot tall and dressed for four different seasons. Intricate color photographs, charts, and written directions accompanying every distinct doll segment, from heads and torsos to legs and arms, clothing details, and the additional accessories (these latter items are usually more complicated than the dolls). Expect long hours, small hooks, and a great deal of pleasure in gifting these. The author provides a list of yarns used, some of which are U.S.-made, all of which are available for purchase online. — Barbara Jacobs
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