I’m going to be honest here, amigurumi as a trend was just something that I never really “got”. Sure, they look cute, but what do you do with them? And aren’t they just the fiddliest little things to make? Well, after a series of commissions from my friends, I have ended up making loads of wee amigurumi, and am now thoroughly addicted! I didn’t realise how quick and easy they would be to crochet, taking about two or three hours each. I also didn’t realise that the patterns were very forgiving, so if you miss a stitch or increase too many, no one is ever going to notice. Here are my latest creations, with links to the patterns if you fancy giving them a go!

 

First up, and not the best picture, but this is the Little Bigfoot Monkey. His body and head are crocheted in one simple section, and there are various options for his ears and face to produce different looks. 

 

 

Next up, a pair of penguins from Lupita Suarez’s great pattern. The one on the left is called Marshall, and his little sister on the right is still unnamed. I had to adapt the pattern for her feet slightly as I was running out of orange yarn, so she is slightly more dainty than her brother. This pattern works up in about two hours, and I love the finished effects – so adorable!

 

 

Also rather cute is Karissa Cole’s collection of ocean themed amigurumi, including an orca, a dolphin and a goldfish. I decided to make the shark, who is now called Ozzy, and has been gifted to a Black Sabbath fan who wanted a “manly animal”. Naturally, I made him the most adorable manly animal I could find, and he’s so tiny that he fits in the palm of my hand.

 

 

Next, I crocheted Abbygurumi’s panda bear. I wasn’t entirely satisfied with this one, as the eyes don’t look quite right – I think I should have crocheted little patches to sew on and then added safety eyes, rather than just embroidering them. He’s still quite sweet though, with his oversized head and little stumpy limbs.

 

 

Finally, I decided to try a knitted animal, as I couldn’t find a crocheted elephant pattern that I was happy with. This one is from Miss Aine, who also does a range of other tiny animals, including the cutest lion I’ve ever seen! I found this pattern really easy to follow, and love the finished result.

 

 

Next up, I have plans to make a dragon and a rabbit – and then, who knows? Do you have any recommendations? I’d love links to more adorable patterns, so please feel free to comment with your favourites!

Tonight I made a penguin. He was such a joy to crochet – quick and easy, and irresistibly cute. The pattern is by Lupita Suarez, and you can find it here for free.

 

 

 

I used a 3mm hook and some scraps of DK yarn, and embroidered his face instead of using felt. The whole thing took about three hours from start to finish. I’ve been bitten by the amigurumi bug now, so I’m off to start work on a wee monkey!

How did it end up being a month since I last blogged? Time flies when you’re having fun! Since then, I’ve knitted a fair few things, starting with a baby blanket in a lovely squishy wool – Peter Pan Merino DK. It’s a really easy pattern, all in garter stitch and shaped by increasing from one cast on stitch and then decreasing back down to one cast off stitch. I’ve made it a few times before, but never so big and in such a great wool. The finished result is cosy and feels amazing!

 

 

 

It’s been a month for baby knitting, as I then managed to finally use up my Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino stash. This yarn is an absolute dream to work with, so soft, and knits up into beautiful garments, the only drawback is that it’s pretty expensive. I used it to make a pair of tiny baby socks from Debbie’s book “Simply Baby”, and then adapted a nightcap pattern to make a little bobble hat.

 

 

 

I’ve also been working on a crochet project, my first ever crocheted baby blanket which isn’t based round a granny square pattern or created in pieces and then sewn together. The pattern is from a magazine that I forget the name of, but basically it’s a shell-like stitch which is made from clusters of trebles. It took a while to get into the swing of it, and the yarn is very splitty and not ideal for crochet – Rowan Fine Milk Cotton. I’ve got about 10 balls to use up, so I think I’ll make a nice big blanket and add a pretty scalloped border.

 

 

I also made a set of clothes for my son’s baby doll – wee trousers and a V-neck sweater, and have been commissioned to create a fair few more outfits, as well as knit Yoda and Minion hats and some Adventure Time stuff. That’s not to mention the other 10 or so projects that I have on the needles, or waiting to be sewn, so it looks like I shall be busy over the next few months!

 

It’s not as if I need any more yarn, but I was passing my local Shelter the other day and noticed New Lanark Aran in the window at only £1 a ball! This kind of bargain couldn’t be passed by, so I ended up spending £12 on 20 balls of a “Highland Aran” in 100% wool, as well as 5 balls of the New Lanark stuff. Next job is to find patterns to do it all justice, and on that note, I’m off to try to finish at least one of my works-in-progress before starting anything new!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, after one blanket and three cushions, my giant pack of Stylecraft Special DK has gone! I used the last bits up by double crocheting a long strip in random stripes. Then I crocheted the cast on and cast off edges together, popped a cushion inside, and crocheted together the side seams. To make it a little fancier, I added a very basic edging. Yes, I know it’s a bit wonky, but honestly I was so pleased to be finished that I didn’t really care. I wasn’t very sure about the eventual colour scheme, I thought it was a bit cold and unbalanced, but one of my friends loved it so much that she has a new cushion!