Knitting Mochimochi – Anna Hrachovec
Posted By Laura on July 13, 2010
About an hour ago Knitting MochimochiKnitting Mochimochi arrived through my door. I had preordered it mid June and, even though the book has been out for a week or so, I only received my copy today. I never normally do book reviews, but feel I should start. And where better than an absolute corker!
For those of you unfamiliar, Anna Hrachovec is the wonderful designer and author responsible for Mochimochiland. She creates wonderfully quirky toys for both children and grown ups. Although I am only in the middle of my first Mochi Toy (my UhOhs) there are many toys that I would create if I had the time. I particularly love the Rain Cloud and the Bath Tub and the Cats and … hell, I like them all!
So, I am rather excited to receive Anna’s new book. And it hasn’t disappointed. Due to not being Stateside and the wonders of Ravelry I was able to see which patterns were in the book before I had it physically in my hands. And I was really impressed at the selection. On receiving the book I was not disappointed.
Anna own quirkiness is in this book and not just in the patterns. It is not just a ‘factual’ pattern book but Anna’s personality shines through completely. It is a fun book to read, even though I’ve only managed to read snippets. Her diagrams are extremely clear and I can’t wait to try out all her different seaming techniques. What has always put me off toys (bar the wonderful Ysolda‘s is the fact that I am not a very tidy sewer-upper. Seamless all the way for me! I have really even tension, normally, and can create a million different pieces, but come to putting them together to create a toy is something I am Not Good At. However, Anna has very detailed instructions on how to do this tidily showing many variations of the mattress stitch. She has wonderful photos and her diagrams are, IMO, spot on.
My favourite part about the book is at the end, though. Anna wants to share her passion. This is obvious throughout the book, and she has even written a good section on how you (and me!) can write our own toy patterns. I love this and it is something I definitely want to try, when inspiration hits me!
The patterns are great and, when I finish the million or so objects that I have to do for others, I shall partake in some selfish knitting and make myself the Feet Eaters. I may create something for Niamh, too. And David. If I can bear to part with anything from this book.
Brilliant stuff. Well done, Anna.
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