Here they are, our first 10 semifinalist photos in the Mochimochi Photo Contest! We’re presenting these to you in no particular order, and we need your help narrowing them down to the finalists. Don’t be shy—root for your favorites in the comments!

Never let yarn zombies near your knitted candy by eggandmuffins

Best yarn guts we’ve seen in a long time.

Garden room by missdollymix

This slug’s favorite show is All My Snails. TV Guy says he’s never heard of it.

Tums + Tubby by anilrac

A hilarious pattern combo!

Nuclear Bed Bugs by DutchMoeder

This photo is so convincing that I’m feeling a little worried about that cute kid..

Snow bowling by Paula Knits

These snowmen are feeling pretty exploited, and they’re going to form a union right after this game is finished.

Rain Dance by cupcakefields

So much to see in this busy scene! (Check out the whole series too.)

Bat in flight by Eskimimi

Beautiful effect!

Earl the Squirrel and Wally by cori.buchholz

Earl isn’t sure if he’s on board with this new fad in squirrel mobility…

Springing for an upgrade by mariannes_stuff

This is quite a tech-savvy frog (and knitter!)

Neck Nuzzler on Dignified Dog by Bitter-Sweet-

Love the use of the brightly patterned couch, and that is one gorgeous model!

These are all so amazing! But we must narrow them down, so which do you LOVE and want to see in the finals? Speak up in the comments, and we’ll use your feedback to determine the finalists.

The second batch of semifinalists is coming up tomorrow, so be sure to check back!

Thank you all again for your fantastic photos in this year’s Mochimochi Photo Contest! I couldn’t help thinking that this year’s batch of entries (more than 500 of them!) were the best ever, but that would probably sound corny, so I won’t bother.

John and I just spent hours going through all of the photos, and after much deliberation, we managed to selected 20 photos to be our semifinalists. We’ll be announcing those soon, and you will get a chance to root for your favorites before the big final vote.

But first! There were so many other great entries that we have two batches of honorable mentions that we want to acknowledge for their cuteness and cleverness. We hereby honorably mention these first ten photos, in no particular order:

Squirrel & beetle by giolou

This Squirrel on Wheels seems to have found a role model. Let’s hope he doesn’t fall off on a sharp turn!

silly pencil! by estars 100

This Petit Pencil thinks he’s a real master of disguise.

Floating Woodins by Irina Yuzhina

It’s a little-known fact that Woodins win every four years in the synchronized floating competition in Mochimochi Land.

Trick or treat!!!!! by fullerenedream

Rainycloud and friends dress up like a family of spooky ghosts for Halloween. Love the holes cut for all those eyes!

Hugs and Squoze in the wild by John and Caroline Wise

If Hugs and Squoze got lost in the wilderness, at least they’ll be sure to keep warm!

Tiny Pancakes meet their match by cupcakefields

This yummy stack’s best defense mechanism is a bunch of beady little eyes! But those may not save them this time…

Tropical Tiny Perching Pigeon by Margaritas8

This exotic bird says hands off her fruit!

Arsenal slither victory over slippery competition! by ottersaregreat

I’d hate to be the guy who has to clean the field after this slimy match. (Love the attention to detail!)

Loitering with intent (3) while admiring the view by mrsdoepper

Even city pigeons can pause to appreciate the beauty of nature. (Although they’re probably also conspiring to poop on someone’s head.)

Snowmen Ornaments by yarngirl69

These snowmen have been ready for Christmas since October, so they’re beginning to feel a little light-heading from all that hanging!

Congratulations to all of these clever knitters! We’ll have the second batch of honorable mentions coming up shortly.