Guest post written by Dedri Uys from Look At What I Made.
Plus, scroll down to find out how you can enter to win a copy of Dedri’s crochet book, Amamani Puzzle Balls!
Hi,
My name is Dedri from Lookatwhatimade.net and I am the designer behind the crochet amish puzzle balls and animals.
In honour of this guest post, I have finally gotten around to writing out the pattern for the spiky puzzle ball (Star Ball) pictured right…but more about that in a minute.
The Amish Puzzle Ball has been around for donkey’s years and is “traditionally” made out of fabric. It consists of 12 wedges/cones that are attached or assembled in such a way that they form a ball. The wedges for this puzzle ball are worked in rows and then seamed (don’t worry, there is very minimal sewing involved in this project).
As the name implies, it is a puzzle, or at least it should be a puzzle. With that in mind, I designed the Crochet Amish Puzzle Ball.
It didn’t take long for me to start thinking about other ways in which I could adapt the pattern. My first “adaptation” was pretty simple: The Crochet Flower Ball.
Amamani is short for Amigurumi Amish Puzzle Animals. These animals also come apart into three segments (or rings) which have to be assembled to form the animal.
I have now published my very first book. It contains 5 of the Amamani patterns (6 if you count both variations of the lion). The rest of the patterns can still be bought individually in my Ravelry Store. The book is available in paperback and digital format from Annie’s and you can find it here: Amamani Puzzle Balls. It is also available for pre-order on Amazon
And if you are looking for a free Puzzle Animal pattern, you can always try your hand at Olive the Crochet Octopus Puzzle.
My latest puzzle ball is the Star Ball. It is a spiky version of the Amish Puzzle Ball. The Star Ball can be turned into a multi-faceted ball by folding the wedges/spikes flat once assembled. This yields a very solid ball. The wedges for the Star Ball are worked in a continuous spiral and can be used for any of the Amish Puzzle Balls instead of the seamed wedges.
You can find the pattern for the Star Ball here.
I hope that you feel inspired to make one of these balls and that you will love them as much as I do (although the wedges, in all fairness, can be quite tedious)!
Happy Hooking!
Dedri
PLUS: Enter to win a copy of Amamani Puzzle Balls by Dedri Uys. The deadline to enter is October 1, 2014 at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Enter for your chance to win right now!
Do you have a favorite puzzle ball pattern?
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These are so cool. I would love to win a copy of your book. Thank you for the chance and wonderful creativity.
These are so sweet for a toddler! I’d make them-starting with the giraffe!
I think the first one I’d make is the dinosaur.
Love all of them
Can these puzzle balls be purchased all already made ? thanks
I have your book on the puzzle animals. Have made them all. I loved the octopus. I have made quite a few in different colors. I purchased the fish. I lookind forward to making it. I have bee crocheting since I was 12
THks for your designs