I’ve been crocheting amigurumi for almost 3 years now and I really wish I had this reference book when I started – and super glad I have it now. I no longer consider myself a beginner, but the beginner section (Part 1) is excellent. Even if you’ve never held a crochet hook before, you’ll be making amigurumi in no time. There’s a lot to cover (about 1/3 of the book), but June has a way of explaining very technical things so that they not only make a lot of sense but also aren’t intimidating. It’s like having a good friend who is an expert in their field, and they are patiently teaching you all they know.

The intermediate/advanced/beyond sections (Parts 2 & 3) are similarly excellent. I’ve learned a bunch of things that I expect will take my amigurumi from, “Oh, that’s cute” to, “Wow! You made that?!”.

The whole book is well-organized, neatly laid out, with beautiful, full-color pictures showing lots of step-by-step instructions. In addition to explaining HOW to do things, she also explains WHY to do things one way over another or when to choose one technique over another. And even though it’s a reference book and not a pattern book, there are six awesome/adorable patterns included so you can test out all the cool new things you’ve learned.

If you’re looking to start a new hobby making cute crocheted stuffed toys or if you already make amigurumi and want to enhance and refine your skills, this book is a superb choice. And, if you have any left-handed friends/family/associates, they’re in luck – in a pioneering move, June has also published this book as a left-handed version (with all the appropriate language and correctly facing images)!