HELLO MY NAME IS Amineko Creative Publishing international First published in the United States of America in 2010 by Creative Publishing international, Inc., a member of Quayside Publishing Group 400 First Avenue North Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55401 1-800-328-3895 www.creativepub.com Visit www.Craftside.Typepad.com for a behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world! Originally published in Japanese language by SHUFU TO SEIKATSU SHA English language translation & production by World Book Media, LLC, [email protected] English translation rights arranged with SHUFU TO SEIKATSU SHA, Tokyo Through Timo Associates, Inc., Tokyo © 2005 Nekoyama All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyrights hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping of information on storage and retrieval systems—without the written permission of the original publisher Due to differing conditions, materials, and skill levels, the publisher and various manufacturers disclaim any liability for unsatisfactory results or injury due to improper use of tools, materials, or information in this publication. ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-571-7 ISBN-10:1-58923-571-1 10 987654321 Printed in China HELLO MY NAME IS Nekoyama 0 Creative Publishing international J INTRODUCTION/ The crocheted cats inside this book are a special breed. When I first made one, I had no idea what was about to happen. One day, I decided that I wanted to try and crochet a little cat that appeared to be asleep. It would need a sleepy expression on its face, flexible legs and a flexible tail to curl up in all sorts of ways for the perfect cat nap. Cats seem to sleep anywhere and have a knack for wedging themselves into the strangest spots. With all this in mind I began my crochet project and what resulted was a little cat that seemed to have a big personality—meet Amineko! Each crocheted Amineko will be a little different—no two are ever identical. It is amazing how one basic design can be altered in small ways to create a breadth of appearance and personality. Choosing different yarn weights, yarn colors, and facial expressions will contribute to each cat's unique look. Before I knew it, I had an entire Amineko family in my house, and you can too. Don't forget to name them and play with them—they love to pose for pictures! I hope you are as inspired as I have been by these whimsical new friends. This book is about having fun. hello my name i.s AM/K/EftO.' In Japanese "ami" means crochet and "neko" means cat C /TE^TS ON P /. ART AII About Amineko ... 8 Good Morning Amineko... IO Green Tea... IO Snooping Amineko ... 11 Sweeping Up ... 12 Perception ... 13 Play Time ...I H—Curiosity Killed the Cat... IHA Game of Cat & Mouse ... I 9-Rubber Band Ring Toss ... I S Hide & Sleep ... 1S Wanderlust... 16 Telephone Troubles ... 16 Lost in Translation ... 17 Sharing... 17 Everything is a Toy... 18 The Box ... 18 Magic Yarn... 19 Close Call... 20 Stinky Shoes ... 11 Big Eater... 11 Accounting Blues... 11 Missing Green ... 11 Nice Aromas... 23 Art Class... 23 Miso Soup ... 29— The Cake... 2 9— Inside the Cream Puff... 25" My Favorite Food ... IS Seiza... 26 Slouching Seiza... 27 Purrrfect Postures for Amineko... 18 Vegetarian ... 30 Double Take... 31 Tangerine Dreams ... 3 I Day Off ...32 Space Invaders... 3 9-Dozing Off... 3? Insomnia ... 39 Fish Pillow... 9-0 Best Ever Cat Nap Positions ... 3 6 Creature Comforts... 3 8 Napping in the Sun ... 9-2 Class Photo 1... Class Photo 2... 9-9-Dressing Up... 9* S' Watermelon Wear... 9-5 I V Pockets ... 9-6 Snuggle Bag... 9-7 Zen Kitty... 9-8 Hospitality... 9-9 Picnic Blues... 50 Here Comes the Sun ... 5I Amineko's Body Language... 5 2 The Birds & the Bees ... 5"9-The Kitty Corner... 59-Climbing Trees... ETfT Playing Outside... S6 Trains... 56 Handrail Sliding ... 56 Hanging Out... ?7 Felix... 5" 8 Part II. How To Make Amineko .. Why is My House Filled with Crocheted Cats?... 69-Crafty Cats... 69— Family Meeting... 66 Done Yet?... 67 Selecting Yarn ... 6 8 Yarn Weight & Texture... 71 Amineko Pattern ... 73 Constructing Your Amineko ... 7 9-Amineko Expressions... 18 Large Amineko ... 82 Prepare Your Materials ... 85 Design Your Own!... 87 Amineko Accessories... 88 Kitty Clothes... 92 Snuggle Bag... 96 Fish Pillow Pattern ... 98 Basic Crocheting... 100 PART /*• ALL ABOUT AM/^EKO 1 G Morn/zn'g Am/n/eko* OOD Green Tea 'Xmineko is hard to wake up... Green tea helps... ...but your Amineko may be finicky... ...and want juice instead. Snooping Amineko