If you love to crochet and are looking to make some great projects for a youngster or a young-at-heart animal lover, you’ll want to check out Ira Rott’s new book, Crochet Animal Rugs: Over 20 Crochet Patterns for Fun Floor Mats and Matching Accessories. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to receive a whimsical handmade rug with coordinating pieces like a pillow or placemat?
* Complimentary Book Received for Review. This post contains affiliate links.
Crochet Animal Rugs includes seven sets of patterns, each having a rug as the anchor piece with two accessories to go with it, and they can be customized with optional decorations like bows. The sets have endearing names like Jeffery the Elephant, Sassy the Kitty Cat, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Panda. The detailed instructions are broken into manageable steps and include charts illustrating how the different pieces are constructed. Most of the projects are at the moderate skill level, involving different stitches, color changes, counting stitches and rows to make repetitive patterns, and assembling multiple pieces.
Beyond the patterns, the author has included chapters defining the terms and abbreviations used, demonstrating how to make the stitches, and describing the crochet techniques needed to complete the projects (e.g., weaving in the yarn ends) as well as general techniques. One of the general techniques is how to attach a non-slip lining to a finished crochet rug, which I was glad to see from a safety perspective.
A dear friend of my mother’s taught me to crochet when I was a kid, and over the years I’ve crocheted my share of scarves and wrist warmers. With the guidance found in Crochet Animal Rugs, I’m planning to try some of the simpler patterns. In particular, I think a couple of Kitty Place Mats would be a great gift for my cat-crazy sister. If I’m able to follow the pattern and the place mats turn out well, I might try making her a Kitty Pillow, too. I love giving gifts I’ve made myself, and I know the cat-themed items would be a big hit with my sister.
I bet you’d find the perfect gift for someone in your life, too. Any kid would have fun with the Chip the Monkey rug, pillow, and toy bag. The Tops the Dinosaur rug, pillow, and book bag set would be great for a young science fan. Anyone who can’t get enough beach décor (like Shelly, maybe?!!?) would appreciate the Cranky the Crab rug, pillow, and security blanket set.
If you enjoy crafting, you’ll enjoy browsing the books and supplies from Crochet Animal Rugs’ publisher, Sew and So, an imprint of F&W Media International, Ltd. Visit them on Facebook, too, for inspiration (and if you’re feeling lucky, enter their Winning Wednesday giveaways).
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Disclaimer: A. Bailey received complimentary products for review purposes & feature on The Classy Chics blog. No monetary compensation was received. A. Bailey’s thoughts, opinions and words are 100% her own. Your thoughts may differ. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, we will receive a small commission which helps to support this site. Thanks!
My daughter would love me making so many items from this book. She’s such a big animal lover.
omg, these look soo adorable!! i really wish i knew how to crochet, I love all the cute stuff people make especially winter hats. I will have to share this book with my relatives that do know how to crochet
The rugs are very cute. I would love to learn to crochet them.
I love the rug and the pillow in the pictures above they are so adorable. I would love to learn how to make these they would make wonderful Christmas gifts.
Oh, my gosh, how cute. I love that elephant. I’ll have to see is there’s a pig in the book, ’cause I like pigs, lol.