author : Lauren Espyfacebook : https://www.facebook.com/A-Menagerie-of-Stitches-1939029936193187/Lauren Espy is the owner and designer behind A Menagerie of Stitches, a shop dedicated to creating crocheted amigurumi. Her love for amigurumi (and yarn!) all started after her grandma gifted her a set of crochet hooks and a book about amigurumi one Christmas. After teaching herself how to crochet back in 2008, Lauren quickly began designing her own patterns and has created a style that is uniquely her own. In 2015 she finally opened A Menagerie of Stitches and now sells finished items as well as crochet patterns on her website. Lauren is also the author of two amigurumi books- Whimsical Stitches and Crochet Cafe. She currently lives in Tennessee with her husband Carl and their two pups, Thunder and Storm. You can find more of her work at amenagerieofstitches.com or on Instagram @amenagerieofstitches