Thinking about picking up Mini Amigurumi Woodland by Julia Chiang? Before you dive in, here’s what you need to know. I’ve gone through the entire book from cover to cover to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your crochet library. Whether you’re drawn to adorable amigurumi or looking for stash-busting mini projects, this honest and detailed review will walk you through what’s included and what to expect—so you can shop with confidence.
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Thanks to Search Press Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion. I do not guarantee a positive review of any product reviewed on my site. All opinions shared here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links at no cost to you.
About the Author
Julia Chiang is a Taiwanese-American designer best known for her kawaii-style amigurumi. If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you might recognize her name. She was part of my Featured Maker program, and you can still find her adorable Violet the Schoolgirl Doll pattern available for free on the blog. Mini Amigurumi Woodland is Julia’s debut book, and it’s packed with sweet woodland friends you’ll want to make right away.
What Patterns Are Included in Mini Amigurumi Woodland?
Inside this simple book, you’ll find a whole forest of adorable woodland creatures. 26 to be exact. From a squishable frog and a cheeky elephant to super-cute bunnies and flowers, there’s something in here for every animal lover. Here’s the full list:
- snail,
- owl,
- gnome,
- red panda,
- toadstool,
- oak leaves,
- frog,
- acorn,
- bee,
- strawberry,
- bunny,
- hedgehog,
- deer,
- capybara,
- koala,
- bear,
- crow,
- fox,
- peacock,
- flowers,
- ladybird,
- mouse,
- cardinal,
- panda,
- goldfinch,
- fairy.
While many of the patterns are easy to follow, the use of non-standard abbreviations can make things a bit bumpy. You may find yourself flipping back and forth to double-check meanings. There’s also an official errata sheet available here, with corrections for some errors for the Frog pattern.
Each of the tiny crochet creations uses only a handful of stitches and tiny amounts of yarn, making them great stash-busting amigurumi projects. But be prepared to do a little guesswork as there’s no size or gauge info, and no yarn brands or yardage amounts are listed. Almost all of those are standard inclusions for a crochet pattern so I’m stumped as to why this wasn’t included.
What Crochet Terminology Is Used in Mini Amigurumi Woodland?
All of the patterns in Mini Amigurumi Woodland use US crochet terminology. There’s a helpful conversion chart on page 9 that outlines US to UK terms, along with a glossary of abbreviations used throughout the book.
What Skill Levels are the Patterns?
Skill levels aren’t listed for any of the projects, but based on the size, techniques, and tools, I’d place the majority of the designs at an intermediate level. A few designs might be beginner-friendly, especially for those familiar with sewing plushies or already comfortable following amigurumi instructions without step-by-step hand-holding. I wouldn’t say these are particularly beginner-friendly designs, particularly given the resources included in the book.
What Supports are Included for Makers?
There’s a short illustrated techniques section at the beginning of the book (starting on page 8), which includes a basic overview of the necessary techniques and tools. It covers things like basic stitches, embroidery, and changing colors. The instructions are generally clear and the labeled illustrations help – but some of the instructions left me scratching my head.
Tools like sewing pins are mentioned in the techniques section but are missing from the main materials list, so it’s worth reading this section in full before you get started. Having a bit of experience under your belt with amigurumi will definitely help you make the most of this book.
What Supplies Are Needed To Make the Projects in this Book?
Here’s what you’ll need for the sweet furry friends in this book:
- 3.25 mm crochet hook <– I use these ergonomic crochet hooks
- Sport weight yarn (brand and colors not specified)
- Embroidery floss
- 5 mm and 6 mm safety eyes
- Toy stuffing <– my all-time favorite toy stuffing
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
Because these are mini amigurumi patterns, you’ll only need tiny amounts of yarn, making them perfect projects for using up leftover scraps. That being said, I wish yardage amounts and sizes were included.
Where to Buy Mini Amigurumi Woodland
You can grab your copy of Mini Amigurumi Woodland by Julia Chiang at these retailers:
Final Thoughts
Mini Amigurumi Woodland is a charming collection of adorable mini creatures. It’s best suited for experienced amigurumi makers who are confident enough to follow instructions with limited support and don’t mind improvising on sizing or colors.
While it may not be a beginner-friendly resource, if you’re looking for a collection of adorable animals with a crochet challenge this book by Julia Chiang might be a great addition to your bookshelf.
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