Knitting Mochimochi: 20 Super-Cute Strange Designs for Knitted Amigurumi

by Anna Hrachovec

Toys, people! Who doesn't love toys? They make you smile, give you something to squeeze and hug, and can even sit on the couch and watch TV with you. But could the toy be a couch, or an old-fashioned television? Is that too weird? Not if the toy is mochimochi , the super-cute and strange knitted toys author Anna Hrachovec created after fallingi n love with the bizarre character designs that are popular in Japan.

A mochimochi can be anything, from fearsome baby gators to pigs with beehive hairdos, from the toe-nibbling monster slippers to an assortment of itty-bitty hamsters, micro mountains, and human beans complete with comb-overs!

And what knitter doesn't need a diversion from the usual socks, hats, and scarves? Many of these toys take less than an hour to make. Don't worry, even a beginner can learn to knit mochimochi . If your toy comes out a little lumpy, it'll only add to its personality!

Whether it's a bite-free bed bug, a smiling smokestack, or a grouchy couch--these 20 toys are quirkier than teddy bears but every bit as adorable.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Art

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[karen]

michelle is the winner!! and her winning has made me a winner!!!
photos at the end of the review.

i cannot knit.

i will never learn to knit. i seem to have more fingers than is useful.

it is very sad.

however, i can make cookies.


and if, say, someone on here with the proper amount of fingers would like to make me

1) the couch

2) a posse of bedbugs

or

3) the pocket protector


i would gladly accept them and make cookies for you and your family.


i will probably buy this book anyway, and place it alongside all my other knitting books to gaze at wistfully. for now, it will hang out at my desk and taunt me.

monster with pocket protector:

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close-up of little pocket protector:

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tiny bedbug:

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posse of bedbugs with their tiny, individual, removable hats:

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michelle!!! love love love
baked goods are coming your way....

there can be other winners, if anyone else has some knitting passion...
but right now, michelle owns my heart.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been wanting to pick this book up for some time, so I was super excited to finally get it. Like Anna’s other knitting books, this is full of a variety of adorable patterns that will be easy for beginners to make. This time around, there is a combination of tiny knits and larger patterns, such as slippers. As usual, the patterns are simple and easy to follow. Anything that might be difficult for new knitters has clear instructions that are easy to follow and accompanied by pictures.

One of the things I like about this book is that there’s a section on how to make your own patterns. I think that’s a great resource for new knitters, which I also didn’t expect to see here. If I had picked this book up a year after I learned to knit, I would’ve been all over that section since I found it harder to make my own patterns when I was a new knitter compared to making my own patterns as a new crocheter.

As always, I do think it’s weird that the knitting essentials chapter is at the end of the book when it should be at the front with the basic toy making techniques. It’s just such an odd placement. It doesn’t affect me since I’ve been knitting for around twelve years, but I do think it’s a strange choice especially because there’s tips for new knitters in the book.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book that I borrowed because it had some fun patterns in it that would be fun to give as gifts. Again, the beginning has the best instructions for joining the parts of the creatures listed in the book.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been having knitter's block for awhile now. I am tired of hats and scarves (the two things I can competently create). This book has completely brought me out of it. And not only has it brought me out of it, it has actually forced me to learn NEW knitting skills! I can now knit with the magic loop! And I'm going to attempt to actually stuff my knitting with stuffing and use a mattress stitch!

Now, I haven't technically read this book cover to cover, but I have used it in the way it was meant to be used. It is an excellent reference/instructional book -- there's a glossary of stitch abbreviations, there's photographic explanations of EVERY technique that needs to be used -- oh, and there's the patterns.

They are so bizarre and so cute, I want to make all of them. And give them to people. And knit myself a tiny family of odd Japanese-looking creatures (slippers with teeth? Pigs with wigs? Tiny knit couches?). I WANT THEM ALL!! For now I'll start with the squirrel on wheels. Yes, I'm knitting a squirrel. With wheels instead of legs. It's freaking awesome.

Part of me wants to book-talk this to all ages for the summer reading program. Even though it's an adult book, it is adorable and visually pleasing enough that I think kids will at least like to LOOK at it, even if they can't accomplish the actual knitting. Hm.

[Ines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the patterns are okay.. What you see on the front page is basically what you get in this book.

What blows my mind is page #85, the instruction for building miniature skyscrapers.. it says on the picture, "make us for urban aspirants and refugees". Really?

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally picked this up at random, intrigued by the goofy products while browsing a sea of teddy bears and cutesy rabbits. I mean, squirrels with wheels? Grumpy couch? TV guy? There's an entire section in this book titled "Impractical Wearables". What's not to like? It turns out that I stumbled upon one of my new favorite designers. She's extremely talented, and her designs are both fun to make and well-constructed. The book itself is well-done; the patterns are easy to read and follow, and there are strategically placed photos to help you along. Even the instructional parts of the book are good; I learned the magic loop method from this book! I look forward to knitting more from this book and getting more of Anna Hrachovec's designs.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, but the designs are mostly very odd and not very interesting. Quite a few tiny designs are usually suitable to be turned into tree ornaments or something, these are just...weird. The tiny blob "bedbugs", the non-descript skyscrapers, the polluting smokestack? Weird. I just don't see myself making anything from this book. I do enjoy many of this designer's patterns, especially the tiny animals, but this book wasn't for me.

[Dessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learn to use double pointed needle by reading this book. I only ever tried to make 2 or 3 pattern from this book (1 is not finished), and it is enough to learn the technique and then I can use the technique to make my own design. It is really recommended reference book if you want to learn making amigurumi by knitting.

[Nandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute stuff

[Jen Wehr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute critters. Bookmarked the Pencil to make some day.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got turned onto this designer when some of her patterns were published in Knitty. This is one of those books of toy patterns which either tickles your fancy, or you're looking at it like "huh?" Like a lot of truly kawaii designs, there are some weird objects made cute - couches, TVs, smokestacks... So, take a look - you know your own sense of humor best. I also liked that she included silly recommendations for each of the patterns' best target recipients - like the Pocket Protetor stuffie is best for "old school nerds and marsupial lovers."

Whether the patterns work for you or not, this is a good book for newer toy makers, though not for newer knitters. You should know the basics before tackling these patterns. She gives some good advice for assembly, working on the small needles, adding eyes, proper care, and so on. There's even a whole section on designing your own toys.

As for patterns I'd actually make:
Bite-Free Bed Bugs (I'd call them Cuddle Bugs, though)
Naughty & Nicey
Feet Eaters (my favorite!)
Petite Pencil (I'm a librarian, and as one might expect, have a lot of author, reader, and teacher friends)

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to my 17-year-old daughter, who has taught herself to knit and has created some adorable knitted dolls herself, I have recently picked up the knitting needles after many years, and I am finally teaching myself to knit more than just the basic knit stitch and I have completed some fun projects.

I got a hold of a copy of this one because my daughter wanted it, and I enjoyed reading about how Ms. Hrachovec started knitting toys and why she continues to do so (I can definitely see her point about how you only need so many scarves...especially living in Florida! ;) ). ...and then, of course, there are those adorable pattern - from fierce (yet friendly) creatures and random objects to impractical wearables and nano knits... Lots of fun gifts to make in here (and toys for yourself too)!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for several years and hadn’t made anything from it... until my kid rediscovered it and now the entire book is on the “please make me this” list. A couch and mini mountains later and I’ve got to say the patterns are clearly written and the explanations for finishing are helpful.
Most items are knitted in the round. I hugely appreciate this because it eliminates some of the endless seaming.
Very nice book definitely suggest it if knitting little fiddle toys is something you want to do.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

So freaking cute. The only thing that stopped me from giving it the fifth star was that I found some of the instructions a little difficult to follow, particularly with regard to the mattress stitch, which I clearly suck at. I'm a beginner, and though the instructions were fairly simple, I still had a few questions. I need a book that gives instructions as if the author is talking to a small child. Then again, that might mean it's me and not the book.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome knit toys. I am a beginning knitter, but find the instructions easy to follow and the patterns challenging, but not migraine-inducing. Everyone I know under 5 will be receiving a stuffed pig with an assortment of wigs for his/her next celebration. Anyone need a collection of stuffed bedbugs?

[Ybgenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knitting so small can be a challenge but oh the patterns in this book are worth the fight. <3

I gave it 4 stars because its worth looking at, the projects are satisfying, and like everything Mochimonchi its beyond adorable.
Now I only gave it 4 stars because its a bit tricky to knit on such small needles. But if you have issues make a few test ones on larger needles and work your way down.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the patterns are amazing--the couch, anyone?--but many of them have lots of pieces that don't always go together like one would hope. The concept is great, but it's not always easy to replicate the results. Still a solid knitting book about toys, though, and absolutely worth checking out.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't have bought this full price, honestly. I wanted it, but not that badly for all it is. But it was on clearance and I had a double discount day at work, so I did. Finally getting around to looking at it.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far I've made a pig with wigs and the pocket protectors. So cute, and the patterns were easy to follow.

I've learned new things from doing this, specifically how to perfect my finishing. That was a bit of a weakness before and will be SO helpful when I make other toys in the future.

[Gloriane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun, whimsical patterns. I checked it out from the library to see if I liked enough patterns to buy it, and it didn't take long to figure out I wanted my own copy.

[Cat Fithian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun patterns for creatures, monsters, etc. Amigurumi for knitters, basically. Best pattern: monster slippers that look like your foot is in the monster's open mouth (pictured on the cover).

[cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super-cute, surprisingly easy patterns. Gives detailed photos of unfamiliar stitches and techniques.

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last night, I won this book at a knitting event in Boston. How lucky! I've been dreaming of making tiny mountains, and now I've been awarded the opportunity. ;^)

[Sabrina Hildebrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it! Cannot wait till Anna's new book is out!

[Neda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patterns are clearly written, the designs included are playful and fun, and it even comes with tips on how to design your own! What more could an amigurumi admirer want?

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book - great basics!

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is so weird

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE! Cute patterns that are quick and easy to follow.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun and creative patterns! I especially love knitting grouchy couches!