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A newsletter dedicated to amigurumi and the creators who make them.
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The latest post on my blog is all about colour changes in amigurumi.  If you are ready to take your amigurumi to the next level and include colour changes, this post is for you.  Or, if you know the basics already, you may still want to have a look - you may learn something new! Learn not only how to make a colour change cleanly, even during a decrease, but also what goes on behind the colour change and what to do with all those yarn ends. There is also a helpful video tutorial to see some of the techniques in action. 
The ultimate amigurumi crochet-along (CAL) and knit-along (KAL) of the summer is on now. Over 10 different amigurumi designers have gotten together on ravelry to run an 'Ami-Along' - a CAL/KAL that only includes amigurumi.  It all started early July and it continues right to the end of August, so it isn't too late to join in on the fun. There are loads of prizes, including free patterns and crochet notions. So many amis have already been created and are all being shown off in Ami-along ravelry group. Don't know what a CAL is? Learn more on my blog.
This is hookabee's first amigurumi newsletter! I am just learning to use MailChimp and how to organize and make an 'e-zine', so any feedback would be wonderful. If you enjoyed reading it, spread the word and invite others to subscribe

My latest pattern releases were Koko the Owl and Little Bobby the Bumble Bee. Koko has been a big hit in the ami-along - it is being overrun with owls! 

Hookabee's facebook page is slowly growing. With just over 90 likes, I am close to the 100 mile mark! Once I reach 100 likes there might be a coupon code for hookabee patterns for those that follow the page...hint hint :)
Just because it's fun:

Stephanie from the All About Ami blog has developed an entire collection of products based on her sheep amigurumi pattern, Lambert. O
n the Society6 website, you can purchase t-shirts, tanks, mugs, iphone cases and more with one of her two designs. So cute! The best part is all profit goes to charity. Learn more about the collection and the charity on the All About Ami blog.

Have you met the well travelled amigurumi Bert? He is a big orange bird (based on the pattern by Stacey Trock) that travels around the world and shares his adventures in pictures. You can follow him on facebook or twitter.  His latest project is a children's book, which he is currently trying to get crowdfunded.  

Ami designers:

I recently listened to an episode on the podcast 'Getting Loopy" by Mary Beth Temple because Mary interviewed the amigurumi designer June Gilbank. It is an old episode, but still enjoyable to hear. You don't need to start listening until the 5:12 mark, and then there is a section you can skip from 16:66 to 19:25.  I have to admit I didn't think much of the interviewer, Mary, and won't be listening to her podcast regularly, but June was super sweet!

Stacey Trock has a fun interview with the amigrumi designer cheezombie on her website FreshStitches. Cheezombie (a.k.a. Kahra) explains the origin of her name and how she got started in both knitting and crochet.

Tools, notions, and yarn:

It can be a challenge to find plastic safety eyes for amigurumi. One of my top sites for ordering eyes is GlassEyesOnline.com. They have the best prices I have seen, they have outstanding customer service, and their selection of eyes is crazy. The only thing I have an issue with is I am not a huge fan of the back washer they have for their small eyes, but they are still usable and a great value. You can find hookabee designs on the patterns page of their website!

Have you heard of Furls crochet hooks? They make high-end hooks that supposedly make your crocheting experience better (less hand pain and more even stitches). I have never personally tried one, but I am intrigued. They just released their latest, more affordable, hook called the Odyssey that they claim is the greatest hook ever made. I encourage you to watch the video at the top of the hook's webpage. It seems a bit dramatic in my opinion, and made me smile :)

Business side of things:

If you sell digital downloads of your amigurumi patterns, you are probably aware of all the crazyness that ensued when the VAT (Value Added Tax) regulations in Europe changed so that even those in North America have to collect taxes if they sell their digital products to someone in the EU. While ravelry was on the ball and has already been collecting the VAT for sellers, Etsy has finally caught up and is doing the same. Now ami designers (like me!) can sell their patterns on Etsy without worrying about the taxes for EU customers. Yay!

If you are growing your pattern business or just starting, I highly recommend you listen to the podcast Creative Yarn Entrepreneur. Learn more on my blog post (second half of post). A mini series all about self-publishing just aired and it was worth the listen.
 

To make a smaller version of an amigurumi than the original pattern, simply use a smaller hook and finer yarn.
Each newsletter I interview a fellow amigurumi maker. In this issue, meet Dominique!
Tell us a little about yourself! Anything you want to share :)
My name is Dominique, I’m a 24 year old student from Belgium. I started to crochet almost 6 years ago. Since that day I collected a huge collection of yarn (hihi) I also knit for almost 4 years now. 

Why did you start making amis? How did you find out about them?
Once upon a time I went to a fair and I saw a lady who sold small crocheted baby chickens in an egg. But for me at that time I couldn’t afford that. So I told my boyfriend I would make it myself!
When I was little I always tried to crochet with a hook, but only could make a chain with my finger. So after I saw the chicken I thought I should try it again, so I stole a crochet hook from my mom, took some yarn and searched for a tutorial on Youtube. I found a video for a small mouse. It took me a whole evening to make that mouse. I re-made the mouse recently, and it only took me maybe 15min!? And that’s how I got into the crochet business :p 
So when I searched more I learned more about Amigurumi. And since that day, I’m so addicted to it! So beware before you start to crochet amis, it’s fun but so addictive! There won’t pass a day that I don’t crochet (or knit :p)

Do you knit and/or crochet amis?
Yes, I both knit and crochet amis. I crochet them longer than I knit them. But both are fun to do. After 2 years of crocheting I started to get bored. So I learned to knit again (once tried it when I was little and failed badly). So now I can switch between knit and crochet :)

What is your favourite yarn to use for amigurumi and why?
So far my favorite yarn is yarn that I find in a local store. It’s a sport weight yarn, acrylic, but so soft. It’s called Zeeman super soft baby. It’s also yarn that fits in my expenses, haha.
What is your favourite hook to use for amigurumi and why?
My favorite hook is my 3,5mm silver hook, it’s the one I used when I started to learn to crochet, it’s also the one I stole from my mom, haha. And until today it’s still my favorite one to use.
Do you prefer crocheting through blo (back-loop only) or both loops when making amigurumi? Why?
This is difficult. I like both methods. If I should make something for a small child, I think I would use crocheting through both loops, to have a tense fabric. Using blo gives a soft texture to the ami. Although that’s my opinion.

Do you like making litte or big amigurumi? Why?
I like to make tiny amis. Because they are just tiny, and it makes them so cute. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t like the big ones. Big amis can be cute too! Love to cuddle big amis :)

Who do you give your amis to? Do you keep any for yourself? If so, where do they live?
I have my own fans, hihi. My family and friends love them. I gift them when it’s their birthday or as Christmas gift or just when I think they need a present. My best friend, my mom and even my mother in law have a collection of amis already. If I wouldn’t stop them, they would take every ami I make.
I do keep some for myself! I’ve amis I just don’t want to give away. Where they live? Well, some life everywhere, spread all over the place. And some are living in a box. The box is actually so they don’t get to dusty. If you would know how many amis I collected so far, you won’t be surprised I can’t place them everywhere, haha.

What do you like most about making amigurumi?
Creating something and making people happy with them. And an ami will always be unique, you’ll never have 2 who look the same. So I love it when I can gift somebody an ami and know that they are as unique as the person I give them to.

Are you crafty in other ways or do you prefer to just stick to crochet?
I’m a person who is crafty all the time. So besides crochet and knit I also sew (cross stitch thingies + using my sewing machine), drawing, painting (not that much anymore), making cards, making jewelry for me and for my amis, origami, … you name it and I probably doing it or done it before. Always been busy with my hands ☺ I just can’t sit in the couch and watch TV without doing something!

Come up with a witty, silly, or just plain fun caption for this photo and you will be entered for a chance to win a coupon for a hookabee pattern! Just comment on this page before 12:00pm EST, August 9th: caption contest 1.1

For more fun amigurumi pictures and pattern sneak peeks, follow me on Instragram
Hope you enjoyed the first issue of the amigurumi newsletter! I had a blast making it and hope to continue to make many more.  I enjoy researching about amigurumi and exploring the web for fun ami related stuff.

One of the things I love most about designing amigurumi is getting to meet and interact with fellow ami makers. This newsletter gives me an excuse to reach out and learn more about some of the many great ami creators out there. Thank you Dominique for being the first guinea pig!

Look out for the next newsletter in two weeks :)

Take care,


Fun fact about me: I am left handed but taught myself to crochet right handed.
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