Crochet Taxidermy

September 15, 2016

Hart developed crochet taxidermy as a happy accident--she had crocheted an amigurumi fox head for a scarf, but it didn't look right, so she mounted it on a piece of wood and displayed it in her home. Her creations, animal heads affixed to wooden plaques, are similar to a hunter's trophy--only made from yarn. This works well for some of the items, such as the deer, but is a little odd with smaller animals, such as the flamingo. Hart provides thorough information on the techniques used to stuff and mount her critters, but basic crochet skills are assumed. VERDICT Though some of the projects seem like filler, these quirky, cruelty-free animal "trophies" make fun decor for children's bedrooms, and amigurumi fans will relish this different spin on cute crochet.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 18, 2016
Half of Hart’s book serves as a full-page portrait gallery of her crocheted critters; the other half provides ways to create them. Hart, who crochets for a living and writes about her crafts on the Nothing But a Pigeon blog, sorts each animal (somewhat inconsistently) by environment: woodland (deer, moose, bear), farm (pig, duck, fowl), Africa (elephant, hippo, lion), sea (squid, cuttlefish, jellyfish), and the catch-all zoo (crocodile, koala, toucan). She gives them cutesy, often alliterative names (Zippy Zebra, Meek Mouse), and she adds charming touches such as the sleepy octopus’s half-shut eyes. Hart well understands a beginner’s desires and skills, so her manual includes an appendix teaching how to crochet. Her patterns are relatively simple, and her directions for crocheting, joining with dowels, and mounting are clear and doable. Most patterns, except for the sea creatures’, vary the theme of “roundies.” Hart’s hints and warnings are well thought through (stain all the plaques at the same time; keep googly eyes out of children’s reach and attach securely). Her style is warm and intimate: she calls both the critters and the dowels “guys.”

August 1, 2016
Taxidermy has been having a bit of a renaissance lately, but there are many who would prefer to decorate their walls with something slightly less traditional, more colorful, and that they can affordably make themselves, using easily acquired materials. Crochet taxidermy fits all those criteria and, in this instructional book, is made easy, even for those new to the craft. Designer Hart includes a variety of types of creatures, including those commonly found in woodland, farm, zoo, safari, and undersea habitats. The patterns include basic crochet stitches as well as techniques for construction that will become a handy part of any crocheter's skill set. Hart's conversational tone invites the reader to feel comfortable with the learning process and to have fun creating these cute creatures. In addition to the patterns themselves, instructions are provided for all necessary crochet techniques, working with safety eyes, preparing mounting plaques, and mounting the crocheted creatures. With the addition of taxidermy-style mounting, these projects give a little more, beyond the typical amigurumi pattern. Sure to be fun for crafters.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)