Congratulations to Toni "Wool Hoarder" Bing - winner of the "Amamani Puzzle Balls" giveaway! Thank you to Dedri Uys for sponsoring this giveaway, and thank you to all who entered! Purchase your own copy at these affiliate links:
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/Z4WyrF
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1pBoAWS
I am so super excited to have gotten my hands on this book - and one of the sweet creatures featured inside! And now I get to tell you all about it, share some thoughts from the fabulous author - and give away one free paperback copy of Amamani Puzzle Balls by Dedri Uys!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links.
Amamani is short for Amigurumi Amish Puzzle Animals - and it's a mouthful and a handful! These animals are so cute, and so fun! I got to play with the turtle - putting it together and taking it apart, and it put a smile on my face every time. I can't wait to make one for the next little ones to join the family!
And the book is really well done too. There are lots of full color step by step photos, and links to video tutorials as well. There are some basic shapes, and then it's all in the details and combinations. And the fun and challenge of putting them together! Annie's has put out a video showing just how they work:
One of the reasons Amamani Puzzle Balls is so exciting to me is that I've gotten to know the designer and author over the past year - her patterns are hard to miss! In fact, you've probably noticed her patterns here on Moogly in various roundups, and I've shared lots of them on the Moogly Facebook page as well. Dedri is a fantastic and generous designer with an amazing eye for color - be sure to check out her Ravelry page for a list of all her designs, as well as her blog, Look At What I Made!
So I had to use my "in" to ask Dedri a few questions! Here's our interview:
What do you love about making puzzle balls?
These patterns usually cause a roller-coaster of emotions.
There is often frustration - the wedges can be a tad boring. It's like eating your veggies before you are allowed your pudding.
There is an increasing sense of excitement when you realize that you have almost made all the required parts, coupled with confusion - "How will all these pieces ever come together???"
That is followed be a sense of achievement when the segments come together. And then perplexity - "Now how the Dickens am I meant to build this thing?"
And finally there is delight when the animal is built!
This delight is what I love most about making the puzzle balls. And it is not limited to the person actually making it. I love nothing better than taking one of these apart and then shoving it at someone, going: "Build it!" I love watching their faces as they go through the whole gamut of emotions again.
What inspired you to go from crocheter to crochet designer?
I started crocheting again when I was pregnant with my second son. I soon realize that I couldn't find that many crochet patterns aimed at boys, at least not toy patterns. So I decided to design some of my own. My first designs were rudimentary to say the least. They consisted of a crochet car, tractor, and digger-loader.
I find inspiration in everything and once I started designing things, it was a like a continuous flow. With every design I thought of three or four more. It was never a conscious choice. The ideas just don't seem to stop. And as long as I have ideas, I guess I will be designing.
I started crocheting again when I was pregnant with my second son. I soon realize that I couldn't find that many crochet patterns aimed at boys, at least not toy patterns. So I decided to design some of my own. My first designs were rudimentary to say the least. They consisted of a crochet car, tractor, and digger-loader.What do you love most about designing?
Definitely the joy other people get from making something I have designed, but also the opportunity to inspire and encourage others to pick up their crochet hooks. I don't, for a moment, thing that my designs are any more special than anyone else's, but different people find resonance with different designs. You never know what someone might find irresistible. And if one of my designs or tutorials is the push they need to start on the journey of becoming "hooked"... well, that is the best reward there can be!
What can we look forward to from you next?
I slowed down on designing quite a bit while I was working on the book, so there are plenty of puzzle animals and Little Zoo animals waiting to be released. I hope to get those patterns trickling out.
I also have been side-tracked a bit by Sophie's Garden and I am working on a pattern to turn Sophie's Garden into a full-sized blanket. But that is a project for next year.
Other than that, who knows what might catch my fancy next.
I slowed down on designing quite a bit while I was working on the book, so there are plenty of puzzle animals and Little Zoo animals waiting to be released. I hope to get those patterns trickling out.Ok, so are you excited yet? This crochet pattern book is too great for words! And you can win your own copy of Amamani Puzzle Balls by filling out the Rafflecopter entry below! Or if you don't want to take your chances, you can purchase it at the following links... and lemme tell ya, this book is a *bargain*!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/Z4WyrF
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1pBoAWS
Annie's: http://bit.ly/1rJAShv
Now for the GIVEAWAY! The Amamani Puzzle Balls giveaway is open WORLDWIDE. The giveaway ends 9/9/14 at noon, 12pm Central US time. The winner will be sent one paperback copy of Amamani Puzzle Balls by Dedri Uys. ONLY the email entry is mandatory - all other options are for bonus entries, and are NOT required to win. Comments are not considered entries, and the Rafflecopter form below can take a moment to load. If you cannot get it to load on your mobile device, please try a desktop/laptop. If you have trouble in one browser, please try another.
Good luck everyone! Get more Moogly goodness on Facebook, Twitter, G+, Pinterest, Tumblr, and sign up for the free Newsletter so you don’t miss a thing! I received a free copy of this book for review, but all opinions are my own and I was not otherwise compensated.
Lynda Prucha
Love that book makes great donations for sick children!
Kenya
PLEASE.... let me know when you create the pattern that changes the single square into a massive blanket.
I love beautiful squares but I hate making them and connecting them into a blanket.
Diane
So cute. Thank you for a fab giveaway. I think I"d make the dragon.
Diane
The turtle! See, I changed my my already. They are all so cute.
ivonne
I hope i win. I have 4 nephew's and i constantly run out of ideas to make.
Sophy
For my son, i would make them all!
Rachael Figueroa
I love this! They are so cute and my 1 year old would love them!!
Susan
I would love to win! I just got twin grandsons and a foster daughter that would to play with these animals!
Kathryn
When i saw the book originally, I thought "Cute, but not for me". Now that I've seen the turtle?!?! MUST HAVE!!
Terri Saunders
I have never made Amamani but I think it's time. I have two lovely granddaughters that would treasure these.
Ruth D
Thanks so much for this giveaway. Dedri's designs are so amazing. I especially love the dinosaur.
Jennifer
My great grandmother used to make the simple puzzle balls and I have always wanted to add something a little extra to them. I'd probably start with the turtle.
julie trezise
I would make them all, but I would start with the dragon first. ( my fingers are crossed)
Patty
Omgosh these are just sooo very cute. A friend of mine made one and it turned out too adorable it made me want to make some.
Love all of your lil cuties! Great job!
martina king
I would love to receive this book, I have a friend whose little girl would love this , she is special !!1
Kelly
I love love love the dinosaur.
karen berry
Lovely idea for children
Therese Schwartz
This is AMAZING! Have got to make the turtle ( mascot of our town) and the dinosaur ( just won my heart)
Ingrid G
Amazing and Lovely!!
Like it very much!!
Ingrid
brenda
i would make the turtle..what a fantastic idea...i would love to make them and give them for charity
christine dewing
I have been picturing all of the wonderful projects I could make with this book. Most of what I make goes to charity, these would be such fun! I've made regular puzzle balls, and had to laugh at the "it's like eating your veggies" comment, so true, but they work up fast and are easy to tote. Thanks for the chance to win this, Tamara!
If that beautiful square ever becomes a blanket, I'm all in.
Jane Ritz
I know winning this is a long shot, but I've started crocheting headbands and hats for children with cancer. Right now I'm working on a headband & hat for a 5 yr. old with a brain tumor. I'd love to be able to take a puzzle ball to her. I think these would bring a lot of joy to kids that need it. Thanks for the chance.
Sally Korneychuk
I love these.....I've made the ball for a baby but the animals are amazing......I really would love to win this book!!!!!!!
Elisa
Mi piacerebbe Tantissimo potere imparare e fare conoscere letueMERAVIGLIOSE PALLEPUZZLE anche qua in Italia!!!
Per fare contenti tantissimi bimbi!!!
BRAVISSIMA GRANDE IDEA!!!
UN BACIONE!!!
Sarah Cannon
Absolutely beautiful! I would love to have a go at making these 🙂
Cindy McElwee
I would definitely make the adorable turtle ♥ in every green color possible ♥
Thelma
My great niece would love these. I've also been looking for something for the local children's hospital. This would be perfect1
Jennifer Gutiérrez
Hola, me gustaría ganar el libro, tengo una hija de 6 meses y me gustaría hacerle esas cosas preciosas. Saludos desde Chile.
Tamara Kelly
Followed you back! 😀 Thanks Jennifer!
Patty
I love these patterns! I've made a ball and turtle and everyone loved putting the puzzle together!
Val Pownall
Wow these are fantastic! I'd make the dinosaur first, then all the others for my two little granddaughters. They'd love them too!
Darlene
I have been eyeing this book since it was featured in an email I received from Annie's catalog- as a matter of fact, I looked at it again today after I linked to it from Dedri's site. If I don't win, it will be a definite purchase! In the meantime. I am going to work on her star ball. Lovely patterns, lots of imagination went into these.
Regina
these are adorable and would make great shower gifts as well
letty
MY GRANDSON JUST LOVES DINOSAURS. WHAT A GREAT PRESENT FOR HIS 1ST BIRTHDAY ON SEPT 19
Zasu Kasmiskie
So adorable!!
Heather Knotts
I'd love to make the elephant
Jenny terrill
Just love the giraffe.
Jenny terrill
Love the giraffe.
Romina Grondona
Quiero ese fabuloso libro!
Annamarie Riddiford
I just had to comment to say what a genius idea guys!! brilliant little things. I love crafting but have never seen or heard of anything like this!!
Marsha Maroha
Would live to make these for our little miracle that will be born in December ♥
Sarah Olson
I hope I win this for my little ones!
ELIZABETH DOODY
Lovely gift!
Kerry Lethbridge
Wow these look amazing
Vivienne gericke
Would love this book.
Sandra Lane
I'd love to make the cute little elephant