Review: Hello Kitty Crochet by Mei Li Lee

29 October, 2014 Reviews 5 comments

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Hello Kitty Crochet by Mei Li LeeHello Kitty Crochet by Mei Li Lee
Series: Standalone
Published by Quirk Books on September 16th 2014
Pages: 96
Genres: Arts & Crafts
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Amazon Good BooksBook Depository
Goodreads
three-stars

Hello Kitty Crochet is all about cute: the whimsical world of Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends meets the Japanese art of amigurumi, or crocheted dolls. With easy-to-make patterns for adorable characters and accessories, Hello Kitty Crochet allows you to make all your favorites, new and old, from Badtz-Maru and My Melody to Pekkle, Purin, and Little Twin Stars. Whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or have never picked up a hook, you’ll find helpful tips and how-tos for creating kawaii crafts. It’s the perfect way for crafters and cuteness lovers alike to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Japan’s most famous kitty.

When I saw this book, I knew, hands down that I needed to have it. Crochet hello kitty amigurumi dolls by one of my favourite online amigurumi bloggers? Count me in.

The designs, as you can expect from Mei Li Lee, are impeccable and their construction is flawless. And if you have the skill level plus a healthy love of gorgeous hello kitty paraphernalia then this is your thing. The book’s biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. Yes, the designs are precious and I wanted to make all of them. But they’re also tiny and incredibly fiddly. A huge pain in the ass to construct like the photo and if you’re as clumsy and awkward as me, they’re damn near impossible.

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No, I couldn’t be bothered finishing the little fucker. 

The book turns from a fun past time to an exercise in shame and I have the beleaguered and mired creations to show for it.

Additionally, the book is billed as being for beginners to experts, thus accessible to all levels of crafters. But if I weren’t familiar with Mei Li Lee’s pattern style, I would have been lost. And the designs are so small and need to be made so specifically that I can’t see a beginner having too much luck with them.

However, the book is still utterly, utterly charming and obviously lovingly made. I just wished I weren’t so uncoordinated as to be ineffectual at recreating any of these beautiful artworks.

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Witness the face of true torment! That is one unhappy bunny!

Kat Kennedy

Kat Kennedy

Co-blogger at Cuddlebuggery
Kat Kennedy is a book reviewer and aspiring author in the Young Adult genre. She reviews critically but humorously and get super excited about great books. Find her on GoodReads.
Kat Kennedy

5 Responses to “Review: Hello Kitty Crochet by Mei Li Lee”

  1. Tabitha (Not Yet Read)

    You’re too hilarious. I know what you mean about some of the pattern instructions not being the greatest. I had reviewed it before I tried working more then like three patterns and i’ll have to update my score because for instance that Lala and Kiki hair doesn’t make sense to me at all when it gets to the hair bumps and it won’t turn out looking like the images at all. Its aggravating to me beyond belief cause I make tons of crochet toys and I just can’t make it work…wondering if there is an error or I’m just a goon! I’ll pretty much just use the base body pattern as a basis for making my own toys since I’m not a huge Hello Kitty fan anyway.

    Though I did buy it for my mom and she’s slowly working through the whole book. But then she asks me questions because some of it I have to translate from English for her so she can rewrite it in Korean and we are now constantly bumping heads on the “little accessories” like hair, hats, bows and little extra things that come with some of the toys.
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  2. Anya
    Twitter:

    Oo I didn’t know you crocheted 😀 I just started a month or so ago and am having quite a lot of fun making Halloween themed things from free patterns on Ravelry ;-). Since I somehow missed the Hello, Kitty phase and really hate finicky sewing patterns, me thinks this will not be the book for me. Do you find yourself generally liking patterns from books more than free online patterns?
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  3. Dana @ The Nerdy Journalist
    Twitter:

    I love crafting. I’ve known how to knit and crochet for a long time, but I usually avoid lengthy projects because I’m extremely impatient. Amigurumi is adorable, but I’m not sure if I want to try it myself.

    Sanrio was my life when I was little! I still have tons of Hello Kitty stuff in my room. I want my mom to buy a Hello Kitty with a cap and gown for my graduation instead of a bouquet of flowers 🙂
    Dana @ The Nerdy Journalist recently posted…Review | The Last Changeling by Chelsea PitcherMy Profile

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