Peat the Troll vs. Gertrude the Llama: Which Woobles Kit Is Best for a Beginner?

If you’re new to crochet and trying to decide between two adorable Woobles kits, you’ve probably seen Peat the Troll and Gertrude the Llama side by side. Both are beginner-friendly, but they have different shapes, stitch counts, and finishing steps that can make one a smoother first project than the other.

This beginner crochet kit comparison breaks down the key differences in difficulty, time, and cuteness factor so you can pick the best Woobles for your first project. We’ll look at the actual kit contents, stitch patterns, and assembly quirks — no fluff, just honest advice.

Kit Contents and First Impressions

Both the Peat the Troll crochet kit and the Gertrude the Llama pastel crochet kit come with the same core supplies: a pre-started body, a Crochet Buddy tool, easy-to-follow video tutorials, and enough yarn to finish the project. But the shapes are very different. Peat is a round, squat troll with a big nose and ears — basically a sphere with a few appendages. Gertrude is a tall, four-legged llama with a long neck and a fluffy mane, which means more separate pieces to crochet and attach.

If you’re looking for a project that feels like one continuous piece, Peat’s spherical body requires fewer seams. Gertrude’s legs and neck are crocheted separately and then sewn on, so you’ll practice attaching parts. Neither is wrong, but the extra assembly steps in Gertrude can feel more overwhelming for a total beginner.

• Peat the Troll: one main body piece + ears + nose (3 small attachments)
• Gertrude the Llama: body, legs (4), neck, head, ears, mane (8+ pieces to sew)

Stitch Complexity and Repetition

Both kits use only single crochet and increases/decreases — the same basic stitches you learn in any amigurumi kit for beginners. However, the repetition matters. Peat’s body is worked in a continuous spiral with mostly increases, so you get lots of practice with the same stitch before moving on. Gertrude’s legs and neck require you to start and stop several times, which can be confusing when you’re still learning how to read your stitches.

That said, Gertrude’s longer neck and legs use more rounds of plain single crochet, which is great for building muscle memory. If you enjoy variety and don’t mind re-watching a tutorial a few times, Gertrude is totally doable. But if you want to finish your first project in one or two sittings, Peat’s simplicity wins.

• Peat: mostly increases in a spiral — great for practicing the magic circle and counting stitches
• Gertrude: multiple small tubes — good for learning to start and stop new pieces

Assembly and Finishing

This is where the biggest difference shows up. Peat the Troll’s ears and nose are small, simple shapes that you sew onto the body using the included yarn needle. The video tutorial walks you through placement step by step. Gertrude’s assembly involves sewing four legs to a body, attaching a head to a neck, and adding ears and a mane. That’s a lot of sewing for a first project.

If you’ve never sewn crochet pieces together before, Gertrude can be frustrating — the legs might end up uneven or the head might wobble. Peat’s attachments are more forgiving because they’re small and symmetrical. For a true beginner, Peat offers a gentler introduction to finishing techniques.

• Peat: 3 small seams, all on a round body — easy to hide mistakes
• Gertrude: 8+ seams, including leg alignment — more practice but higher risk of wonkiness

Which One Should You Choose?

If you want the most straightforward path to a finished amigurumi, Peat the Troll is the best Woobles for a first project. Its compact shape and minimal assembly let you focus on learning stitches without getting bogged down in sewing. It’s also a great conversation piece — that big nose and grumpy face are instantly recognizable.

On the other hand, if you’re excited by the idea of a pastel llama and don’t mind spending a few extra hours on assembly, the Gertrude the Llama pastel crochet kit is still very beginner-friendly. The video tutorials are clear, and you’ll come away with strong seaming skills. Just be prepared to take it slow and maybe ask a friend for help if you get stuck. Either way, you’ll end up with a lovable amigurumi that you made yourself.

• Go with Peat if: you want a quick, low-frustration first project
• Go with Gertrude if: you love llamas and are ready to practice assembling multiple pieces

Both Peat the Troll and Gertrude the Llama are excellent amigurumi kits for beginners, but they serve different learning styles. Peat is the safer bet for a stress-free first project, while Gertrude offers more sewing practice and a bigger sense of accomplishment. Whichever you pick, you’ll learn the same core skills — and you can always grab the other kit for your second project.