Crocheted Lions at the London Olympics

Interview with crochet artist Shauna Richardson

You're likely going to be devoting some of your time to the Olympics these days, and you may have seen these giant crocheted lions that were created as part of the Cultural Olympiad for the London 2012 games.  After reading that the artist spent 18 months crocheting three things, I'm not going to complain about how long it takes me to finish a project anymore. Read more about the Lion Heart Project here.

Pattern: Cubchoo (Pokemon)

I started playing the games and rediscovered Pokemon a couple months ago, and now in my thirties, I'm pretty much all things Pokemon. Having seen amazing Pokemon amigurumi by Kat's Creations, WolfDreamer, Nanette Crochet, and Tiffany Can Crochet, I know I want to crochet some, so here's my first Pokemon amigurumi:  Cubchoo.

Cubchoo クマシュン is one of my favourite Unova Pokemon. Yes, that is snot dripping from his nose. Learn more about this cute guy here.  All his body parts seem pretty standard, so I thought I'd give this a try. Still took lots of trial and error to get him to look right.  Hope you like it.  

Let me know if you see anything weird or funky in the pattern. Thanks!

Yarn, Hook and Other Materials:

(feel free to substitute worsted weight yarn and hook size to your liking):

E hook / 3.5mm hook

Red Heart Super Saver Light Blue

Red Heart Soft Touch White

A small amount of Red Heart Soft Touch Pewter (dark grey colour)

Yarn needle to weave in ends and embroider the lines on Cubchoo's paws

Two small pieces of black felt for the eyes

White and Dark Grey embroidery threads

Polyester fiberfill stuffing

Dimensions / Gauge:

Cubchoo is approximately 6" tall and 4.5" wide at the ears. 

Exact gauge is not important, but as with all amigurumi, crochet tightly to make sure no stuffing will be seen between stitches. 

Abbreviations used:

rnd	round
sc	single crochet
st	stitch
sl st	slip stitch
inv dec	invisible decrease
hdc	half double crochet
dc	double crochet
tc	triple/treble crochet
ch	chain

Number in ( ) at the end of each round: total number of stitches you should have by the end of the round.

Note:

Rounds are work in continuous spirals.

Stuffing can be done at your round of choice. I've just added a reminder in the pattern.

Head:
Using light blue yarn. Head is worked from bottom to top.

Rnd 1       Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2       2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3       *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 4       *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 5       *1 sc in the next 3 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (30)

Rnd 6       *1 sc in the next 4 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (36)

Rnd 7       1 sc in each st around (36)

Rnd 8       *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 12 times (48)

Rnd 9-12   1 sc in each st around (48)

Rnd 13     *1sc in the next 4 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 8 times (40)

Rnd 14     1 sc in each st around (40)

Rnd 15     1 sc in each st around (40)

Rnd 16     *1sc in the next 3 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 8 times (32)

Rnd 17     1 sc in each st around (32)

You may want to think about stuffing the head at this point.

Rnd 18     *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 8 times (24)

Rnd 19     1 sc in each st around (24)

Rnd 20     1 sc in each st around (24)

Rnd 21     *1 sc in the next st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 8 times (16)

Rnd 22     1 sc in each st around (16)

Rnd 23     *1 sc in the next st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 8 times (8)

Rnd 24     *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 2 times (4)

Rnd 25     Depending on how tight you've crocheted, you may need another row of dec in each. 

Finish stuffing. Fasten off and hide the tail inside the head. 

Body:
Using white yarn. Head is worked from bottom to top.

Rnd 1       Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2       2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3       *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 4       *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 5       *1 sc in the next 3 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (30)

Rnd 6       *1 sc in the next 4 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (36)

Rnd 7       1 sc in each st around (36)

Rnd 8       1 sc in each st around (36)

Rnd 9       *1 sc in the next 5 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (42)

Rnd 10-14    1 sc in each st around (42)

Rnd 15     *1 sc in the next 5 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (36)

Rnd 16-18    1 sc in each st around (36)

You may want to think about stuffing the body at this point.

Rnd 19     *1 sc in the next 4 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (30)

Rnd 20     *1 sc in the next 3 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 21     1 sc in each st around (24)

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff the body. 

Legs (make 2): If I were to make this again, I may incorporate the round grey paw pad at the bottom of his feet right into the leg creation, rather than doing the legs in white first, then sew the grey piece on. 

Using white yarn. Legs are worked from the feet to the top.

Rnd 1      Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2      2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3      *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 4      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 5-7   1 sc in each st around (24)

Rnd 8      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (18) 

You may want to start stuffing.

Rnd 9      *1 sc in the next st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (12)

Rnd 10-15   1 sc in each st around (12)

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Finish stuffing.

Paw pads at the bottom of the legs (make 2): Using pewter / charcoal grey yarn

Rnd 1      Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)
Rnd 2      2 sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3      *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)
Fasten off. Sew to bottom of legs.


Arms/Hands (make 2): Using white yarn.

Rnd 1      Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2      1 sc in each st around (6)

Rnd 3      2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 4      1 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 5      *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18) 

Rnd 6-8   1 sc in each st around (18) 

You may want to start stuffing.

Rnd 9      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (12)

Rnd 10    *1 sc in the next st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (6)

Rnd 11    1 sc in each st around (6)

Finish stuffing.  Fasten off and hide tail inside the arms. 

Using a dark grey embroidery thread, sew the two lines on the top of his hands.

Tail: Using white yarn.

Rnd 1      Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2      2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3      *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 4      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 5-8   1 sc in each st around (24)  

You may want to start stuffing.

Rnd 9      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 10    *1 sc in the next st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (12)

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.  Finish stuffing.

Ears (make 2): Using light blue yarn. Ears are worked from pointy end to the bottom

Rnd 1      Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2      2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3      *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 4      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 5      1 sc in each st around (24)

Rnd 6      1 sc in each st around (24)

Rnd 7      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 8      *1 sc in the next st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (12)

Rnd 9      1 sc in each st around (12)

Stuff the ears lightly and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Muzzle: Using light blue yarn. (Technically, the colour of his snout is slightly darker than the rest of his head, so you may want to do that if you have the right colour)

Rnd 1     Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2     *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 3 times (9)

Rnd 3     *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 3 times (12)

Rnd 4     *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 5     1 sc in each st around (18)

Rnd 6     *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 7     *1 sc in the next 3 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (30)

Rnd 8     1 sc in the next 11 st
              then 1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 tc, 2 dc and 1 hdc
              (this part will be the pointy top of the snout between the eyes)
              and 1 sc in the last 12 st (30)

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.

Ruffle thingie around his neck: Using light blue yarn

Rnd 1     Ch 25

Rnd 2     Starting with the 2nd ch from hook. *5 dc in next st, skip one st, then sl st into the next stitch* repeat till the end and sl st to the first stitch to form a ring

Whipstitch to top of body.

Normally, you want all your amigurumi parts the right side out, but I like the look of the back side better for the ruffle, so this part has the "wrong" side facing out. 

Nose: Using pewter / charcoal grey yarn

Rnd 1      Make a magic ring with 5 stitches (5)

Rnd 2      1 sc in each st around (5)

Rnd 3      *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 2 times, then 1 sc in the last st (7)

Rnd 4      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 3 times, then 1 sc in the last st (10)

Fasten off and leave long tail for sewing. Flatten the piece to a triangular shape.

And now for my favourite part...

Snot:  Start with white.

Rnd 1      Make a magic ring with 6 sc (6)

Rnd 2      2 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3      *1 sc in the next st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 4      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 2 sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

Rnd 5-6  1 sc in each st around (24)

Change to light blue.

Rnd 7      1 sc in each st around (24)

Rnd 8      *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 6 times (18)

Rnd 9      1 sc in each st around (18)

Lightly stuff the bottom part. Don't want to make it too heavy.

Rnd 10    *1 sc in the next 3 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 3 times, then 3 sc in the next 3 st (15)

Rnd 11    1 sc in each st around (15)

Rnd 12    *1 sc in the next 3 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 3 times (12)

Rnd 13    1 sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 14    *1 sc in the next 2 st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 3 times (9)

Rnd 15-16   1 sc in each st around (9)

Rnd 17    *1 sc in the next st, then 1 inv dec* repeat 3 times (6)

Rnd 18-19   1 sc in each st around (6)

Fasten off and leave tail for sewing. I didn't stuff the rest of the snot.

Assembly:

There is not really a particular order of sewing, except:

-ruffle should go on first before you position the arms on the body

-snot should go on the muzzle first before you put the nose on top of it

-add the eyes last so you can space them properly on the sides of the muzzle. 

Eyes are made by cutting two oval-shaped pieces out of black felt, and by doing two french knots on them.

And there you go! Have fun crocheting your own Cubchoo!  Post a link to yours in the comment section. I'd love to see it.

Cubchoo and Pokemon are copyright of Nintendo.

Pattern is for personal use only. Please do not sell items made from it (charity okay). Please do not reproduce the pattern anywhere, but link to this post ( http://ow.ly/cDsfD ).  Thanks!

Free Crochet Pattern Roundup: 5 Summer Amigurumi

How's the weather over where you are? It's hot here, and the sun is shining almost everyday.

Free pattern from Yellow, Pink and Sparkly

This bear knows how to take a break from the heat waves.

Free pattern from Red Heart

Maybe he'll meet a beautiful jellyfish.

Free pattern from PlumCakePudding

Watch out for this little pincer guy though.

Free pattern from Nareeoo

And if you're going to join Bear at the beach, don't forget to grab your sandals

Free pattern from Lovely Little Life

Learn: Magic Circle or Magic Ring

Magic circle (or magic ring) is the first technique I learned as an amigurumi beginner. It's used to start a piece, and is the preferable method to the chain method. As you can see from the picture above, there is no gaping hole in the middle when you begin with a magic ring, and amigurumi is all about crocheting tightly so no stuffing will show through. 
In first round of a pattern, when you see

Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook

Just substitute it with a magic ring that has, in this case, 6 sc in it.

Need to master this basic amigurumi technique? Follow Sugary Stitches' blue birdie instructions (this cute chart is downloadable from the original website):

Prefer to watch someone demo it? You'll find lots of magic ring videos online. Here are two different ways to do it:

Source: PlanetJune

Source: apinchofhope

Have fun with your amigurumi!

Crocodile Stitch III: Crochet Owl

Hoo-Hoo

I have finished my crocodile stitch project and made a crochet owl! Learned a fun stitch and used yarn from my favourite colour combinations. I left the top open so I can use this as a holder for stationary, crochet hooks and what not. As I mentioned in my previous post, the crocodile stitches yield a heavy thick layer, so the crochet owl is standing tall and sturdy.
I'm going to attempt to write out how I did this (first pattern...eek!). I used this Bernat pattern (site requires registration) and its companion youtube video tutorial as a reference to figure out my crocodile stitch body, and I came up with the other parts. Please post a comment if you notice anything funky or if you've suggestions for me to improve my instructions. 

Yarn, Hook and Other Materials:
(substitute with your favourite worsted weight yarn and hook size):
C hook / 2.75mm hook for the owl body
E hook / 3.5mm hook for the rest
Loops & Threads Impeccable Aqua

Red Heart Soft Touch Pewter

Small amount of Red Heart Soft Touch White

Small amount of Red Heart Kids Yellow

Yarn needle to weave in ends and sew parts together

Black embroidery thread to embroider eyes of owl

Pins to help you position your parts while you sew them together

Dimensions / Gauge:

My owl is approximately 5" tall and 3" wide.
Gauge is not applicable in this project.

Abbreviations used:

rnd	round
ch	chain
sc	single crochet
dc	double crochet
st	stitch
sl st	slip stitch
FO	fasten off

Number in ( ) at the end of each round: total number of stitches you should have by the end of the round.

Note:

The crocodile stitch takes up quite a bit of yarn, since each row is made of the base double crochet stitch, plus the crocodile stitch on top of it, so make sure you've enough yarn in the body colour. 

Pattern:

Body:

Because I used this Bernat pattern (free pattern available after you register) and its companion youtube video tutorial as my reference, I don't feel right writing out the steps here. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Please do refer to the above to get your owl body done. You can't get better step-by-step instruction than what's provided in the video.

Just a few notes:

-The starting chain should be in multiples of 6 plus that chain-3, which will act as a 1 dc stitch.  I did 36 and had 6 crocodile stitches.

-Turn your work 90° so it's vertical and it'll be slightly easier to insert your hook.

-To find the middle point, aka the 3rd dc, of the skipped 5 dc group, I find it helpful to look behind my project for the five posts I've skipped in the previous row.

-When you have completed all the crocodile stitch rows, work rows of sc (the grey part) until the desired height.

Wings (make 2):

I alternate between sc and dc just to make the pattern on the wing more interesting. You can do all sc all if you prefer.

Rnd 1	Ch 3. 1 sc in 2nd chain from hook. 1 sc in the next chain. (3) Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 2	2 sc in each st (4) Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 3	*1 sc in next st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 2 times (6) Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 4	*1 sc in next 2 st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 2 times (8) Ch 3. Turn.
Rnd 5	*1 dc in next 3 st, then 2 dc in next st (inc)* repeat 2 times (10) Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 6	1 sc in each stitch (10) Ch 3. Turn.
Rnd 7	1 dc in each stitch (10) Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 8	1 sc in each stitch (10) Ch 3. Turn.
Rnd 9	1 dc in each stitch (10) Ch 1. Turn.
Rnd 10	1 sc in each stitch (10) Ch 3. Turn.
Rnd 11	1 dc in each stitch (10) When you reach the end, FO, or sc around the edge of the wing. Leave tail for sewing. (I personally like it better with the edging but it's optional.)

Eyes (make 2):

Rnd 1	Make a magic ring with 6 stitches in it. (6)
Rnd 2	2 sc in each st. (12)
Rnd 3	*1 sc in next st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 6 times (18)
Rnd 4	*1 sc in next 2 st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 6 times (24)
Rnd 5	*1 sc in next 3 st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 6 times (30)

Fasten off and leave tail to sew to body.
Embroider Owl's sleepy eyes, or make an awake version and use a small piece of felt circle as eyes.


Nose:

Rnd 1	Make a magic ring with 6 stitches in it. (6)
Rnd 2	*1 sc in next st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 3 times (9)
Rnd 3	*1 sc in next 2 st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 3 times  (12)
Rnd 4	*1 sc in next 3 st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 3 times (15)
Rnd 5	*1 sc in next 4 st, then 2 sc in next st (inc)* repeat 3 times (18)

Fasten off and leave tail to sew to body.


Assembly
Pretty simple. Sew each part to the body (nose and wings before eyes) at the appropriate spot. 
For the tassel on the two sides: 

-Use any of your remaining tail ends, or cut a few short pieces of yarn from the colours you use for your owl.  Make them slightly longer than you want the finished tassel to be so you can tie your knot easily.
-Use your hook to draw each yarn through one of the stitches near the top. Pull half of the yarn over.
-Tie a double knot with all the pieces of yarn.
-Cut tassel to desired length.

As usual, this pattern is for personal use only. Please do not sell items made from it (charity okay). Please do not repost pattern anywhere, but link to this post ( http://ow.ly/cyLp8 ). Thanks! 
Have fun making your own crochet owl!

Pattern of the Day: Crochet Peacock Finger Puppet

Isn't this an amazing peacock by CrochetBot3000?

On my walk yesterday, I saw a strange looking bird that reminds me of a peacock, and that reminds me of this crazy good crochet peacock pattern by CrochetBot3000.   Just look at the details on this thing.
If you're interested in finger puppets, you should really scroll through the entire blog.  It's got free patterns for the A-team, Ironman, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, and many more animal finger puppets like a Bear, a Frog, etc. Check them out!

Made: Crochet Donut

Out of all the things I've made so far, my husband is most impressed with the crochet donut. It does look pretty much like a real donut, doesn't it?
I followed the pattern on The Adventures of the Gingerbread Lady blog (thanks for sharing!) The pattern is accompanied by a photo tutorial, which is quite helpful if you're new to amigurumi or crochet. This was my first amigurumi that didn't begin with a magic ring so I learned a different technique to start my amigurumi.

Instead of using pins or beads, I embroidered different coloured sprinkles on my donut.  There are all sorts of ways to ice your donut. Fabric paint, for example, can make for some pretty convincing icing.  Have fun decorating yours!