Best Of Cleveland: Amigurumi

Like Snow White, Samantha Hudson communes with a plethora of animals — only hers are amigurumi, cuddly creatures crocheted from yarn. Sold online under her Snow moniker and at local shows such as the Cleveland Bazaar and Akron’s Crafty Mart, Hudson’s creations come in many mystical forms — from a bobbleheaded Tyrannosaurus rex ($35) to dragons ($40) and oblong octopuses ($25). While working out of a small studio in her Cleveland home, Hudson stitches each section or row in a continuous circular pattern, unlike traditional crochet. “It keeps going like a snail shell,” she says. “Every tiny piece is made separately and then sewn together.” Stitched tightly and filled with polyester fiber, these toys are long-lasting and machine-washable. Hudson has even perfected pop culture creations such as Hayao Miyazaki’s Totoro ($20-$35) and a 16-inch replica of Bill Watterson’s Hobbes ($85). “I grew up playing with squishy, fun colorful things and a lot of times kids are buried in technology I don’t understand,” says Hudson. “This is my way of saying, ‘Hey, this is what I played with as a kid.’ ” instagram.com/snowfoshoww

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