Zoomigurumi 4 Book Review ~ 15 Super Cute Amigurumis ~ Plus A Giveaway!!!

Zoomigurumi 4 by Joke Vermeiren is a compilation of 15 adorable animals by 13 talented crochet designers.
The first thing I noticed, and really loved about the book, is its clean, clear layout. The pictures are simple and highlight the creature being made.
Each animal, though made many times before as amigurumi, had a very unique and original take on it. They don’t look like a carbon copy of what’s been made before. They seem to have their own personalities and quirks that make them special in a world of endless ami (short for amigurumi) animals.
Plus, even though the amis were made by 13 different designers, the animals have a cohesion like they were all planned by the same person. I’ve seen compilation books in the past that look haphazard and thrown together without a clear sense of direction. Before I realized that there were 13 different designers for this book, I thought the patterns were all made by one person. That is how well they all work together.
Looking at the actual patterns I was pleased to see consistent terminology throughout. The tech editior ensured that even though there are 13 different voices writing the patterns, we get one consistent voice for the written instruction. Also, even though the book is not from the US (it’s from Belgium)., the book uses US terminology.
Another thing I found helpful, which is great if you are new to ami making, is the photo tutorials for each pattern.

They took the most difficult portion of each pattern and made short photo tutorials to help you in your construction.
Now for the actual animals. It is rare when I find an ami book where I liked so many of the designs. This book was cute pattern after cute pattern. Each page I turned I liked the next animal better than the last.
I will be completely honest and say I didn’t love all 15, there were one or two I probably would never make, but they were still cute in there own right, just not my style. However there were a few that I absolutely loved. The sheep and seahorse were favorites, but there were about another six that came in close second.

I love the little detail of the cartoon versions of the crocheted project. They are dead on.
There are skill levels listed for each pattern which range from easy to advanced, so all levels will love this book. Looking through the patterns even the advanced patterns don’t look too difficult if you have enough determination. As with most amigurumi, once you are used to increasing and decreasing in single crochet, you can make just about anything.
I am definitely a fan of the zoomigurumi and will be checking out the other first three in the series. You can see pictures of all the critters in this book here.
Do you have any of the zoomgiurumi series? Which one, and how do you like it?
Zoomigurumi Showdown and Giveaway Time
So I thought I would have a cuteness showdown for you to vote on as your official entry for this giveaway.


Sofi the Sheep vs. Sammy the Seahorse
What’s at stake?
This super cute yarn holder.

It’s actually a twine holder, but as soon as I saw it, it reminded me of a yarn spool holder.
You screw the bird off the top, put your spool or cake of yarn on the spindle, and now you have a ball of yarn that won’t roll around as you crochet.
How to Enter?
In the comments below, tell me who is your favorite for cutest amigurumi: Sofi or Sammy. If you’re not a fan of either, check out the other critters in the book here and tell us which is your favorite from the pictures (don’t worry about their name, you can just way which animal.)*
*US residents only please. Entries are accepted until April 30th, 2015, midnight Pacific time. Winner will be chosen and announced May 1st, 2015.





146 Comments
Sandy
My fave is Sammy the Seahorse. I am fascinated by seahorses!
Mary Monk
lLove the seahorse.
Terri
Sammy the Seahorse!
Sue Eley
Sammy is pretty cute
Michelle Brown
Sammy the Seahorse is the favorite of my boys 🙂
Karen George
Love them both but Sammy is my choice
Marlene
I love the turtle!!
Patricia Cash
There is no way to possibly choose one over the other! They are all so lovable, and so much fun.
Carolyn Crombie
Sammy, although both of them are very fun. Sammy just has extra cuteness about him.
Christine
If I were to pick from the 2 you are asking – I would have to say Sammy the Seahorse
Picking from any of the cutie patooties – guess I would go with the horse, as there aren’t as many horse ami’s as available.
Katie McCullough
Oh my goodness! Sammy the seahorse is so adorable, he’s my favorite. I even love the colors of yarn chosen and his big eyes.
Patrice
I didn’t realize that Sofi was a sheep until you pointed it out… between the two I would vote for Sammy. However, the kitty and bumblebee are so adorable, they really stand out among the collection.
Christine Lashley
Sofi, please. So is Kitty with those big eyes.
Mary Terry
Monkeys are my favorite and the eyelash yarn one scratching his head in this book is the BEST! But my daughter has the name Sofi, so what is a mother, crocheter to do???? (smile!)
meganshooks
Sammy is my favorite!
Sue Frey
Both are very cute. But Sammy the Seahorse gets my vote!
Hildie
It’s hard to choose – they are all so cute! But I really like the horse with the colorful saddle blanket!
Mary N
Sofi hands down!! I love, love, love sheep. I have them everywhere. At this point I’m not the crazy cat lady..I’m the crazy sheep lady ;).
suzi alexander
It is so hard to choose but i believe my favorite is the orangutan. The expression is wonderful and the faux fur that must be fun to work with.
Judy Ullmann
I love the lion best of all. Lions are told in so many stories ranging from the Bible to The Lion King to Narnia. Besides, this one reminds me of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh! Thank you for the chance to win the unique yarn holder. (Fingers crossed!)
Marilyn
Oh my, I like the monkey and the frog. So cute
Virginia Thompson
I like Sammy. Blue is one of my favorite colors and I like seahorses.
Jackie C.
I wanted to like Sofie more, but I think Sammy’s nose just gives him that much more cute!
michelle maxwell
I love Stanley the giraffe. The giraffe is my daughters favorite animal and I would love to make this amigurumi for her. I will be ordering the book.
Lula Barnes
I like the Monkey. It was also my father’s nickname for me
Christine
I have made Charlie the Kitty, and yes the patterns are written so well even a beginner can follow them.
Christine
Oh my goodness, such a hard choice, I have four of her books and they ALL are so cute!! Between these two I think I have to go with Sammy.
Jennifer
Sammy!
Although, Sofi is adorable too.
Cropperhopper
I love the monkey! He’s so cute and fuzzy!
Carol
I like Sammy the Seahorse the best
Debbie Jenter
Sammy Seahorse is soooo sweet….my favorite
Dee Robinson
I like Sammy the Seahorse.
Ann Marie P.
Help! I can’t decide. I love the giraffe,cat,lion,frog and monkey. And I know several people who would want me to make one for them. Guess I’ll have to buy this book. Thanks for the review and the contest.
Diane
Definitely Sammy is it for me!!! I have always had a soft spot for seahorses, so it is Sammy the Seahorse for me. He is just too irresistible. Love him.
lizzieb1
Sammy the Seahorse, of course!
Michelle B
I love Sammy the Seahorse! Definitely more unusual, but still adorable. What a great collection! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Patti
I love all the patterns,I already own the book. I love Sofia,I think she is adorable
mschwark
Love both but Sammy
Peggy Clyde
I like Sammy the seahorse.
Jeanne Coherd
I love the cute seahorse the best. I live near the Delaware resorts and collect “beachy” patterns.
Jeanne
knittingdancer
I like Sofi the Sheep.
Sandy
Sammy the Seahorse – a horse is a horse of course!
Carol
I like the elephant, she’s so cute!
Heather Neenhold Devantier
I love Sammy. Anything under the sea rules. Also love love love owls.
Sharon DeGrote
I like the deer, all are great but he’s my favorite
ladybugg111
I like Sofi better.
Melissa Smith
I think Sammy the Seahorse is simply too cute!
Angel Day
Such a hard choice…really would call it a tie! They are amazing, clever designs! Hats off to the designers! My final choice is: Sammy the Seahorse. He is adorable! The vibrant colors caught my eyes as well as the cartoon like look! He has so much character and just so sweet. I want to hug him!!!!
Darlene
Sofi! I love sheep . . . but . . . how did you narrow it down to just two?! So many cute little critters in that book!!!
annehaun
I love Sofi – so very cute.