Meet Chiara Cremon, the imaginative mind behind chiacrafts, as she spills the beans about her brand-new tiny winter animals collection. Five adorable, wintry amigurumi patterns are waiting for you! 💙❄️
Hello there, amigurumi aficionados and crochet connoisseurs! We're absolutely over the moon to feature the fabulously talented Chiara Cremon, the creative mind behind the Instagram handle @chiacrafts—with over 138,000 followers (and counting!) 👀
Known for her adorable and incredibly detailed amigurumi creations that make you go "Awww!" again and again, Chiara has teamed up with us to bring you the enchanting Tiny Winter Animals pattern collection. Trust us, you're going to fall head over heels for each and every one of these cute new friends! 🐭🐧🐻🦭🦊
Psst! Not an amigurumi expert? No worries! The new collection includes a beginner-friendly pattern as well as intermediate and expert level patterns. 💙
We just had to ask Chiara all about her love of amigurumi. So join us as we learn more about her creative process, and—of course—the five charming and oh-so-detailed creatures she's crafted just for you.
1. What is your favorite place to crochet?
“My kitchen table is my spot! It has a big window with a beautiful view of the Amsterdam IJ River and tons of natural light (a rare treasure around here!). Call me grumpy, but I’m over working on the couch: no more stitch markers lost in the cushions, no more sitting on my scissors, or watching skeins roll away and get tangled in cat hair. Keeping my materials neatly organized on the table has been a game-changer for my nerves!”
2. What do you like most about crocheting amigurumi?
“I’m a finisher and definitely a ‘project person’. I love setting my mind on a goal, working through the steps, tackling any challenges, and finally being able to step back and say: ‘Yes, I did it!’. Amigurumi is perfect for this—they’re bite-sized, adorable, and hard to mess up. Those little eyes make them irresistible no matter what! Finishing one is a confidence boost and a dopamine shot every time.
I also love how it clears my mind. With all the counting and deciphering instructions, I get totally absorbed, and it wipes away other worries. It’s seriously therapeutic for me!”
3. How would you describe your amigurumi style?
“I’d describe my amigurumi style as detailed and cleverly crafted. I love details because they keep me engaged—each one is like a little surprise, a tiny gift waiting to be discovered. So, I always add small touches that invite people to look closer and feel a bit of wonder. At the same time, I think details shouldn’t just look nice; they should be fun and intriguing to make. It makes me so happy when people are surprised and delighted by the unconventional ways things are constructed in my patterns!”
4. Can you walk us through your creative process?
“I usually start with a vague but exciting idea of a character or design. I might do a quick Google search for inspiration and then spend a few days thinking hard about what I want to create, until I can picture it perfectly in my mind. After that, I dive straight into crocheting to bring that mental image to life. I don’t usually prepare sketches unless I need to communicate a design idea to someone else. My ‘sketch’ is like a rotating 3D model in my head—way better than anything on paper!
The first prototype rarely turns out well. Sometimes, the prototype and I just stare at each other for days, both wondering why I don’t quite love it. I squish it, add parts, move things around, and question my abilities. Then, suddenly, the right thread falls into place, and a solution ‘clicks’. I’m filled with new energy and start crocheting again. I go through a few more prototypes, usually stripping down parts and making adjustments, until I get to the final one. It’s an iterative process, and often the result turns out even better than I first imagined!”
5. Can you tell us a bit more about the new patterns?
“These designs are all charm-sized—perfect for keychains or ornaments. Each is inspired by a winter animal and a cozy seasonal activity. I think they’d be fun to spot hidden in a Christmas tree, like little residents of a magical winter forest.
The patterns range in difficulty, with options for beginners, intermediates, and experts. I used Rainbow Cotton 8/4 and Friends Cotton 8/4 with a 2.0mm crochet hook, which creates a sturdy mesh and gives the characters well-defined shapes. Here’s a bit about each one!”
“Stanley the Bear – Stanley is a grumpy, serious, slightly uptight bear who knits meticulously by the fire. He doesn’t own a TV—he thinks it’s garbage. Stanley’s pattern is beginner-friendly and includes only a few basic techniques, each explained in detail.”
“Charlie the Seal – Originally meant to be an owl, Charlie became a seal to add a more “wintery” feel and variety to the series. A fisherman by trade, he keeps his fins warm with hot cocoa. Charlie’s pattern is for advanced beginners and a great introduction to working beyond simple rounds.”
“Paige the Fox – Paige is cozy and chill, back from college for winter break and relaxing with some young adult fiction. Her intermediate pattern includes color changes, thoughtfully planned shapes, and some small pieces to be sewn together.”
“Trilly the Mouse – Trilly is a romantic, unstoppable skater who pirouettes as if dancing with snowflakes. Her intermediate-level pattern features tiny details and both continuous and joined rounds, with clear instructions for anyone new to the technique.”
“Brady the Penguin – Brady is a speed-loving winter sports fan who’s always ready for schnapps after a day on the slopes! This expert-level pattern has color changes, both continuous and joined rounds, and half-color changes for the goggles. If you’re an experienced crocheter looking for a challenge, Brady’s the one for you!”
6. Which design from this collection is your personal favorite?
“My favorite is definitely Brady! He was the first one I imagined and the one that started the whole series. I love the ‘Milhouse effect’ when his mask comes off—he totally reminds me of snowboarders with windburn after a fast run.”
7. What’s your best tip for someone new to tiny amigurumi?
“Keep an eye on maintaining a consistent gauge. With larger amigurumi, slight changes in gauge, proportions, or dimensions don’t stand out as much. However, on “low-resolution” projects (with fewer rounds and stitches per round), even small differences can be quite noticeable! The parts are small, so they’re quick to redo if needed. Don’t be afraid to experiment and give things a second try!”
8. And finally, what are your top 3 tips or hacks for fellow crafters?
“1 – Use glue! Not just as a substitute for sewing, but also to secure small details like embroidery. You can apply it with a pin or a toothpick.
2 – Choose the right tools! A well-selected hook, pins, or scissors can make a world of difference. I recommend ergonomic hooks and tapestry needles with a blunt tip.
3 – Take breaks! It’s easy to get carried away, but it’s important to pause and keep the process fun.”
9. Is there anything else that we should know?
“My two most trusted testers, Rebecca and Jenessa, have been an incredible help and support during the design phase! Thank you, guys!!!
I also want to give a special mention to my boyfriend. While he’s not a creative himself, he keeps me functional in so many ways while I work. :)”
Let the magic begin: Download your free patterns now!
We absolutely can't wait for you to meet Chiara's charming Tiny Winter Animals and maybe even crochet a little forest friend (or all five!) for yourself. And here's the cherry on top: the patterns are absolutely free on our website! 🎉
So, grab your favorite 2.0mm crochet hook and start stitching up the pocket-sized wintry friends! ❄️🧶
