Crochet an adorable new best friend with this simple tutorial that's perfect for beginners. Based on the Japanese craze of amigurumi, the craft of creating ultra-cute crocheted creatures, you’ll be sure to find a friend that you’ll love in Super-cute Amigurumi. Each toy has its own unique story. Alan the lion plays !he saxophone in a ska band. He sometimes wears a pork pie hat! but it keeps falling off because of his mane. He plays indie and rock music on his iPod and likes retro music; he also laps his fool to 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'.
Materials:
Head, Body, Ears, Tail, Arms, Legs: Debbie Bliss Rialto DK, shade 067 Camel (light brown)
Hair: Rico Essentials Merino DK, shade 062 Lemon (yellow)
Muzzle: Beige felt Nose: Light brown felt
Mouth: Black embroidery thread
4mm crochet hook
Pair safety eyes
Stuffing
Sewing thread to match felt
Abbreviations:
ch chain; dc double crochet; dc2tog insert hook in st and draw up a loop. Insert hook in next st and draw up another loop. Yarn over, draw through all three loops on hook; rep repeat; st(s) stitch(es)
Head
Round 1: 6dc in second ch from hook
Round 2: 2dc in each st. (12 sts)
Round 3: * 1 dc in next st, 2dc in next st; rep from * to end. (18 sts)
Round 4: * 1dc in next 2 sts. 2dc in next st; rep from* to end. (24 sts)
Round 5: * 1dc in next 3 sts. 2dc in next st; rep from* to end. (30 sts)
Round 6: * 1dc in next 4 sts. 2dc in next st; rep from* to end. (36 sts)
Round 7: 1 dc in each st.
Round 8: * 1dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog; rep from* to end. (30 sts)
Round 9: * 1dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog; rep from* to end. (24 sts)
Round 10: * 1 de in next 2 sts, dc2tog; rep from * to end. (18 sts)
Round 11: 1 de in each st.
Round 12: * 1dc in next st, dc2tog; rep from* to end. (12 sts)
Insert eyes and secure. Stuff head firmly.
Round 13: *Miss 1 st, 1dc in next st; rep from * until opening is closed. Fasten off.
Body:
Make 2ch
Round 1: 6dc in second ch from hook
Round 2: 2dc in each st. (12 sts)
Round 3: *1 in next st. 2dc in next st; rep from * to end (18 sts)
Round 4-10: 1dc in each st.
Fasten off. Stuff and dew to head.
Arms
Make 2ch
Round 1: 6dc in second ch from hook
Round 2: 1dc in each st
Continue until arms measure 4cm (1 ½ in). Fasten off. Do not stuff. Pin and sew to body.
Legs
Make 2ch
Round 1: 6dc in second ch from hook
Round 2: 1dc in each st.
Continue until legs measure 5cm (2in). Fasten off. Do not stuff. Pin and sew to body.
Ears
Make 2ch
Round 1: 6dc in second ch from hook
Round 2: 2dc in each st to end. (12 sts)
Round 3: 1dc in each st.
Fasten off. Pin and sew to head.
Face details
Cut a felt oval for muzzle. Cut a small felt triangle for nose and sew on muzzle. Embroider mouth with black embroidery thread. Pin and sew onto centre of Lion's face.
Tail
Using yellow, make 2ch.
Round 1: 6dc in second ch from hook.
Rounds 2-3: 1dc in each st.
Change to light brown. 1 dc in each st until tail measures 6.5cm (2½ in). Fasten off.
Using yellow, make a small tassle and attach to end of tail. Pin and sew to body.
Mane
Using yellow yarn cut lots of 10cm (4in) strands. Thread through two strands together at the same time round face, neck and around back of head. Trim ends to shape.
This excerpt is from Super-cute Amigurumi by Nicki Trench. To get more blog posts like this one - direct to your inbox - be sure to sign up to our mailing list here.