Customer Reviews for Amamani Puzzle Balls Crochet Pattern Book

I'm struggling with the elephant head. It keeps coming out crooked. I got to the part hdc and dc part. Are they supposed to be symmetrical on the head? Mine aren't and I could use help to figure out what I need to do to fix it. Thank you.

Annie's Customer Service

Laura - We are glad that our technical editor could help you through the elephant's head so that you could complete your project.

Happy with my purchase. However I couldn't find a hook size to work with so had to go to free puzzle ball pattern to know what size to use! I just can't find this info in the book. My apologies if I simply missed it.

Annie's Customer Service

Joanne - The hook size is listed in the "Materials" section of the pattern for each of the animals.

My first try was the elephant. I absolutely adore the finished toy, and so have my friends (even those who don't do fiber crafts). But I agree with others who said the patterns were difficult to follow. Flipping back to the basic instructions, and then having to re-do because for that specific animal there was a different option needed. I'm going to have to write all over the original pages to remind myself before I do another. (Thank goodness I can do that on the PDFs with Notability)

I did set myself up for some frustration by using a chenille yarn and a ball that I knew didn't have enough. Used a nice contrast color that had a different gauge, but when finished it was stunning. (Thank goodness the pile of the chenille covered the glitches in gauges)

As I said, the completed toy is outstanding, even via Skype, my grandson loved seeing it.

Thanks for posting the revisions, they'll be helpful.

Can't wait to do another.

I am making the dinosaur and have a problem with row 11 on the head part. According to the directions I am supposed to have 6sc and I keep coming up with 8 sc.

Annie's Customer Service

Cecilia - There are a couple revisions available for this book You can access and download those by clicking on "Pattern Services and Revisions" located under helpful information at the bottom of the home page. Then enter the name of the book into the search box and click on the download link under the book.

I am an experienced crocheter and had no problem with following the crochet instructions - the stitch count at the end of each row/round is a boon. However, although there are plenty of photographs, I could have done with a couple when working the 3rd segment as I had no idea whether or not I was doing it correctly - which luckily I was.
The other, minor moan I have is that the text part of the instructions often left out things such as:
- 'Stuff as you go' on one set of wedges.
- It was not clear whether or not one should put the 'feet' on the first set of legs.
- And on the 3rd segment you were left with a leg marker and no follow-up about joining it to the other leg. (Hopefully though, you remember a similar instruction for the first set of legs, and go back and search for the page it was on) although in one case you are told to leave a 6" tail, and the next time no such detail.

Having said that, I shall be starting the elephant next

Love these toys! I wish the book explained a little more in what order and which instructions to follow for each animal. I made extra parts I didn't need to because I didn't realize I should make the lids and legs (for example) without breaking yarn. But I will know the next time and it should be quicker for the next one :)