Mabel Bunny & Co.

Claire Gelder used craft as therapy during periods of darkness. She teamed up with her sister Ali in 2016 and a year later won the support of two investors on the BBC's Dragon's Den, and her luxury crochet kits and soft merino yarn have won the hearts of many a crafter since. Claire's first book introduces some snuggly new crochet characters hooked up in gorgeous Cheeky Chunky yarn making for some really luxurious giant amigurumi. The softies include a beautiful dragon as well as farmyard friends and exotic animals. * Inside Crochet * Launched on September 1, 2019, Claire's first book, 'Mabel Bunny & Co.', boasts 15 loveable animals, including dragons, lambs and alpacas, to crochet with chunky yarn, plus a fabulous foreword by 'Dragons' Touker Suleyman and Tej Lalvani. -- Angela Sara West * Craft Business * I have such a lovely book to share with you today. Mabel Bunny & Co. is a truly delightful collection of crochet animals that are just waiting to become your friend. If you have any little people in your life (or just fancy having an extremely huggable crochet pal yourself) then this book is perfect for you. They are designed by Claire Gelder, who has created her own business, Wool Couture, and also got investment from two of BBC TV's Dragons' Den investors in order to pass on her passion for all things crafty to future generations. Claire has her own range of chunky yarn which you can use to create the animals, but of course you don't have to use that. I like the idea of using yarn of different thicknesses and adjusting the hook size to make a whole family of creatures. Claire actually does this with three of the patterns but there's no reason why you can't do it with all of them! The book includes lots of information on tools and materials as well as a comprehensive guide to techniques with some excellent photo tutorials. So even if you are a beginner crocheter, there's no reason why you can't have a go. There's also some really helpful advice on how to bring the animals to life. If you've made a soft toy before, you'll know how important it is to get the features looking 'just right'. Claire holds your hand through the making up process so you're guaranteed to be happy with the results. There are 15 different animals in the book, all designed to be soft and floppy, perfect for hugs and cuddles. There are three levels of difficulty in the book, indicated in a fun way with bunny symbols. It's very hard to pick a favourite, they are all so adorable and tactile. I just want to reach into the pages of the book and give them a hug. But here are a few that have caught my eye in particular... Once I get all my Christmas gift making out of the way, I'm going to be stash diving to make my own polar bear, she is just too irresistible! You are never too old for a hug in my view! Mabel Bunny & Co. is a really lovely book that would make the perfect gift for a crocheting friend, or for you to make your own collection of cuddly creatures. The book is written in US crochet terms (with UK terms in brackets) and is available at bookshops as well as all the usual online sellers. You can even buy kits to make some of the animals from the Wool Couture website. * The Exploits of Josie Kitten Blog * 15 loveable animals to crochet using chunky yarn Fall in love with these oversized toys, then crochet them all, including three mini versions. Who could resist these loveable toys and their babies? De-stress by snuggling up with Mabel Bunny and her friends oversized crocheted toys, perfect for giant cuddles and little hands. Not just for children, the soft, chunky yarn and floppy limbs will appeal to all, so make them for yourself or give as gifts (if you can bear to part with them). Mabel makes a great reading companion and at about 70cm tall from head to paws, the animals sit comfortably on a shelf or at the end of your bed. As well ad fifteen different animals to crochet and love, including a dragon, a polar bear, a red panda and a pig, you can also make a mini Mabel, octopus and koala, which are 30-40cm tall. The projects are pitched at beginners to improvers and are suitable for someone who has mastered the basics of crochet. So be inspired, choose a pattern to start and be prepared to fall in love with this collection of adorable toys. * Hot Brands, Cool Places * A very appealing book with extremely clear instructions for how to actually do all the necessary crochet stitches, how to crochet each animal, how to complete each animal and lovely little finishing touches to make each animal even more special. A perfect book for both beginners and those more experienced at crocheting. I was also intrigued with the connection with Dragons' Den. Certainly to be recommended. -- Wendy Harvey * Customer review * A truly stunning book with very clear directions and lots of photographs to guide you with the how to do. Which one of the animals to choose is virtually impossible as all 15 are so gorgeous, and all the patterns are clearly written with easy to understand terms. A real asset and inspiration to any one who loves to crochet and a book that is so well written and lovely to work with. Thank you I am tending toward working up a dragon, or maybe Mabel, which one to choose ? -- Alice Monique * Customer review * Love the book so much. In many ways the patterns are similar to other animal patterns but I made the dragon and had a lot of fun with the little twiddles that make the pattern unique. Following the instructions was easy (all written, not diagrams, in clear text, sensibly sized). I think following the patterns is great but am also going to enjoy adding my own twists! Love how the individual digits look! I recommend this book wholeheartedly! Also instructions are given in US and UK format (UK in brackets), so easy to follow if you struggle with the nomenclature! If you like the creatures get this book and play! -- Gill Colling * Customer review * This book is gorgeous - it is laid out with very clear instructions (set out clearly in both US and UK crocheting terminology) and has excellent photographic diagrams of how to make all of the stitches required to make Mabel and her family. I firmly believe that these animals could be made by someone who is very new to crochet right through to well established crocheters. Mabel & Co are made using a super chunky wool which produces some surprisingly large toys! I hadn't realised the size of them until I opened the book (probably a couple of foot in height if held up to let the legs dangle). I really think this is part of their charm, and stands them apart from other crochet toys, but I am sure that if a smaller wool was used, they would come up just as well (just smaller!). Also, the chunky wool and hook size will help less confident crocheters produce something lovely as it will be much easier to see the stitches you are creating as you go. Overall, this book looks great and I cannot wait to start making Mabel and her family! -- Lizzie Copeland * Customer review * This is a lovely book. The patterns are easy to read with the added bonus of being written in both UK and US terms which will be helpful for lots of crocheters. The animals are super cute and will be well loved by any child. I'm currently struggling to choose which one to make first! -- Penny Hassell * Customer review * Written by Claire Gelder, Mabel Bunny & Co features 15 crochet projects made from soft, chunky yard. Subjects include a dragon, polar bear, red panda and pig, as well as three mini-makes. The book is aimed at beginners and improvers, and retails at GBP12.99. * Craft Focus * One for all you multi-crafters, this super-cute crocheted oversized toy bible by Claire Gelder is a must for makes with the 'aww' factor Measuring 70cm from head to paw, Claire's book guides you through how to create each animal and the extra details such as the signature heart patch for each of the 15 adorable toys such as Teetee the dragon, Florence the red panda and Doris the sloth, all perfect gifts to yourself or a loved one any time of year. * Simply Cards and Papercraft * I am barely a crocheter, but I am wholly smitten with this book. This book answers the question, what happens if you crochet animals with big yarn? The answers is adorable, cuddle-sized, animals. The critters look like large scale amigurumi, happy, friendly friends. Using chunky yarn and a US 11 hook, you can make any one of the fifteen animals in a night or two. The book opens with a how to on he crochet stitches needed for the animals and techniques on how to assemble your parts. The animals, a bunny, lamb, dragon, octopus, puppy, and many others range between 25 -27 tall, a perfect armful. The bunny, octopus and koala all have babies that are about half the size, and use the same pattern with smaller yarn and a finer hook. The patterns are very straightforward, and are worked in pieces to be later sewn together. The photography helpfully shows any bits you might like to see up close before making, like toes, ears, tails, and any special stitches. Grab this book, yarn and hook and you'll soon have a flock of animal friends to keep or give away to anyone that needs a snuggle. -- Jillian Moreno * Knitty.com *