Tamara Ramsey

Tamara Ramsey enjoys crocheting simple and colorful soft toys for kids of all ages. “I’ve been creating soft toys for my own children as well as my friends and family for the past 13 years,” she says. Since 2011, she also has been selling her toys and patterns through her website at ostuffandfluff.etsy.com. Baby’s Buddy Amigurumi was her first book with Leisure Arts. “I taught myself how to make amigurumi toys from free patterns I found online. After I had made a few, I saw how the basic shapes were made and realized I could alter these shapes to make my own animals.” Bunnies and dolls are her favorite projects. “I tend to find a yarn color I like and then build a pattern around it. My kids help me a lot, too! They give me ideas for new animals, and they help me decide what details should be added.” When it comes to crocheting amigurumi, she encourages people to just have fun. “If your row gets off by a stitch and then does not work out right, it’s OK!” she says. “Crochet is very forgiving, and you can easily add another stitch or decrease a stitch and keep going. It’s supposed to be fun, not stressful. Being off by a stitch or two will not change the look of your pattern. I know the child who cuddles your toy will never notice! The important thing is to enjoy creating something and have fun.” Tamara works on her crochet projects in the evenings, after home-schooling her three children during the day. She and her husband recently finished Bible college and began work as pastors of their first church.