Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Kobo and I received Compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
I’m a firm believer that you’re never too old to learn something new. In fact, being a lifelong learner is a trait of mine I’m particularly proud of. It turns out that my intuition was right. “Keep Learning” is #1 on Harvard Medical School’s 6 Steps to Keep Your Mind Sharp list.
To aid in my quest to learn at least one new skill this year, I’m taking the Kobo Reading Challenge have created a collection of books that can help me in my quest to not only keep my mind active and alert, but it also fulfills my desire to create handmade toys to donate to hospital-bound children.
Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll. – Wikepedia
Kobo – Creating a Collection for Amigurumi Crochet Books
While crocheting isn’t a new skill for me, Amigurumi is. Kobo has 99 books on the subject of amigurumi including general how-to instructional books and pattern books. It’s easy for me to curate a Collection on my Android device with the free Kobo app by selecting “Add Collection” from the main menu.
Once its named, I can add books from my Library by clicking on the “+”. Once it’s saved, my Collection is there and waiting for me – I can add to it, purchase the books on the list, or just reference it.
I can continue to add books to my existing Collection or create new ones. I’m not limited by how I want to organize my collections, how many items are included, or what types of items – my collection meets my needs.
Since I’m using the Kobo app on my Note 3, my Collection only shares the book cover. To preview the book all I need to do is click on the cover. When you view Collections on a tablet you’re also provided with a short summary of the book. I love that I can add and remove books as my skillset improves and once purchased, the books are there for me to reference from any internet connected device.
Unfortunately, collections can’t be accessed via the Kobo website, but that’s a small drawback I’d like to see them address in the future. Still, it’s a great way to organize the books about amigurumi that I may want to purchase and in fact I can organize by any theme, type, genre.
Kobo eReader – Open Source Digital Books and Magazines
Kobo makes discovering new talent or improving on current ones so easy with its “Collections” feature. Curate books around a theme, author, category, type, etc. Kobo has books available for every popular genre – fiction, nonfiction, how-to, home, lifestyle, and so much more.
What new skill or skill brush up do you have planned for 2015? Need some ideas on creating your own Kobo Collection? How about “Romance for the non-romance reader,” “Best Spy Books, or even “What Are My Kids Reading – a look at Young Adult Writers.”
Enter to Win $100 in Kobo Credits – 20 Winners!
Enter for a chance to win one of TWENTY $100 Kobo credit giveaways! That would cover almost every book on my #ReadMore list – imagine what it can do for yours!
I just started knitting last year. I have always wanted to learn how to crochet.
I really want to learn to knit – it’s on my list of things to do before I get arthritis.
Very cool! This looks fun. I am a reading fanatic.
I have been knitting and crocheting since I was a young child. It is a beautiful and wondrous thing to take a stick snd string and end up with a beautiful creation.
I’ve always prided myself on how much I read but have found it slipping over the last few years. This could be a cool way to keep after myself to read a book instead of my phone during (rare) downtime.
Kobo sounds like a really fun app to make collections with. I bet there are some great crochet patterns listed.
That is so COOL!! I’ve actually always wanted to learn how to make those adorable little Japanese crocheted/knitted dolls. I love anything Kawaii 🙂
And I do agree it’s never too late to learn something new!
I have always wanted to learn more about these craft projects! I am excited to delve in!
The crocheted dolls are a very cute idea.
This is a really cool way to set goals and have fun reaching them at the same time.
I set reading goals for myself and my kids every year too! I need to learn to crochet. I tried a few years ago and eventually gave up. I need to get back on that horse!
my sister and cousin do a lot of Amigurumi! I think it is the cutest thing ever! And my kids absolutely love them too!
I think Amigurumi is just about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. Most of them look like little crocheted Pokemon!
I love my Kobo, I am trying to use it more this year! What a great giveaway!
Amigurumi looks so cool! I’m going to have to show this to a friend of mine. He is both a geek and a crocheter, so this is perfect for him!
I love that men are crocheting now. My son is cross-stitching!