Amigurumi

[moggy]

I have just got addicted (as if I needed another addiction!!) to the world of amigurumi. Now, I have not come across these in the UK in a big way but they may be with you where you are!!

Amigurumi comes from the Japanese word ‘ami’ - to knit and ‘nuiguruni’ - stuffed creature, so they are little knitted stuffed animals…. In fact they are mainly crocheted, not knitted.

Here are two that I have made

2123

But, there are thousands out there!! Just put amigurumi in the Etsy search and see hundreds of different ones…

There’s also hundreds of different patterns for free out there on the web (yippee!!). Just check out http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/patternFinder.fcgi?searchText=amigurumi++&search=Search for just of many sites with them on. Now, I know that there are some crocheters out there from reading some of your profiles so do you think they are swappable??? Methinks they could be….

If there's some interest I'll set up a list for 1 to 1 traders or run it as a PIF with each person having a choice of three... what do you think?

1 to 1 traders.... just ask them or post here!!

Moggy
Chardonnay1965
Purple Realm (will swap when made them)

[jankensan]

I think it's a great idea. I can't commit at the moment, but if it was a PIF I could jump in when I was ready...:twitcy:

[moggy]

Very true!! anyone can jump in and out with a PIF.... anyone else interested??

[stormarela]

hmmmm, the words evil temptress come to mind!!!! these are really cute and do-able.... I have to catch up on alot first though....

[moggy]

Bwahahaha ;)

[Pippin]

Hey Mogs, do you happen to know if the crochet patterns are in english or US stitches?

[moggy]

Hi Pippin... The ones on the LionBrand site are US stitches.... if anyone's confused I can put up a conversion chart :D

[Pippin]

I get easily confused!! Not my fault! My Gran taught me how to Crochet when I was 4, and my fingers know what to do when I see the words double crochet!! Now on this side of the pond it is called something else???? Hence I hunt down antique crochet patterns from the UK or pinch Mums!!!

[moggy]

It is confusing but 99% of the ami's that I have some across are all UK double crochet... my brain has got used to reading the US SC as DC!!

[lori.rn]

moggy........I would love to try this. They are soooooooooo cute. I do have some of the Vanna yarn, but that's for a blanket. I would have to get some more yarn.

How long did it take to complete one?

What kind of yarn did you use. Can you use red heart as well?

[muppin]

Topacelot is a crocheter, I bet she would love these.

[moggy]

Hi Lori - they don't really take that long at all for a crochet project - both of these took and evening each...

As for yarn you'll have to forgive me as I'm not familiar with the names you use in the US... all I have done is used a cheap acrylic yarn and odds and ends that I have. They don't need anything expensive. I used a Double Knit thickness and a 4mm hook... Mine are stuffed with the hollowfibre toy stuffing but you could use old clothes or tights if you're into recycling!

[moggy]

Hopefully Rachel will see this Muppin!!

[inkadinkado]

i wish i could do this, but i have a hard enough time just trying to make flowers :( the best i've made are blankets and scarves but i love all those little critters on the website

[PurpleRealm]

Awwww - there so cute Moggy. And your a baaaad putty tat for showing us something ELSE to get addicted to! :P

My nana taught me to crotchet when I was younger. The last thing I did was a cot blanket for my little one. So I may have to play at some stage.

Im with Pippin though about the uk/us stitch names. Im used to the UK version. But I think Ive got a conversion list somewhere!

[KatieV]

Those guys are so cute!! Definitely worth me getting out my hooks from where ever it is that they're hiding. But I have no clue about the difference between US and UK stitches. Hmmmm....something to research ;)

[LuvLoz]

What a very great idea, and your examples are SO cute! I can't crochet, but may pass the link through to mum to take a look at.

[Chardonnay1965]

very cute..I'm an avid crocheter..you are soooo evil..lol:arghh::skeptical:

[Chardonnay1965]

you are trully evil..i just went and looked and fell in love..when do we start trading??

[PurpleRealm]

LOL - she is evil isnt she! I might just have to create our little Moggy a little black cat! :P

Here is a link to the Australia Crochet site which has the conversion of hook sizes, ply and abbreviations from American to UK/Australia.

http://www.crochetaustralia.com.au/webcontent3.htm

[lori.rn]

I know Lorraine....pure evil. Trying to get us hooked on something else!! I went and printed all the patterns off.........couldn't remember my password for that site, but I eventually found it.

Time, I just need more time:D

[Chardonnay1965]

very informative purple..:D

[PurpleRealm]

Why thankyou, Miss Char! :D

[lori.rn]

I didn't think anyone else was up. I have my two patients tucked in for the night, all I have to do is draw some labs at 4 and cruise to the end of the shift:jiggy: Only two more to go and I can have some arty time....yay!


I forgot.........y'all are way ahead of us on the clock.

[Chardonnay1965]

I didn't think anyone else was up. I have my two patients tucked in for the night, all I have to do is draw some labs at 4 and cruise to the end of the shift:jiggy: Only two more to go and I can have some arty time....yay!


I forgot.........y'all are way ahead of us on the clock.

I made the mistake of gooling the word and found more patts...:wacko:

[PurpleRealm]

LOL - its 5.30pm in West Aus and 7.30pm where Char is in East Aus! LOL

OOOOO NOOOO.... Char you didnt! LOL - oh youve got the bug now!

[Chardonnay1965]

yup..found a dinosaur..lol

[moggy]

Oh goodie goodie, people to play with !!! I did warn you that there were HUNDREDS of them out there (insert old style evil smilie here)!!!

For those who have just done the smallest bit of crochet you can still play - if you can do a UK double crochet stitch that's it!! (That's Single Crochet to you US lot)... there's nothing complicated in the patterns and if you need a hand translating them - just ask! I may be a tad evil when it comes to getting the addictions going but I don't bite - honest!!!! :D

So, I shall start putting up a list of people to trade 1 to 1s with in the first thread - you can set up personal trades here if you wish - and remember to show us what you have made!! If you want to go on the list just let me know...

Or, if you have an ami needing a home just post it and see if someone will let you adopt one of theirs in exchange....

In a bit I'll set up a PIF so that you can hunt down patterns and have a play first. Obviously these will take a bit of time to make so you won't get your ami from the person you've chosen from instantly!


Weeeeheeee - play time!!:jiggy:

[moggy]

OK – to help those who are a bit confused with the whole UK / US stitch thing :unsure: here is the Moggy guide to what they are …..

American Name //// British Name

Slip Stitch (ss) //// Single Crochet (sc)
Single Crochet (sc) //// Double Crochet (dc)
Half-Double Crochet (hdc) //// Half Trebble (htr)
Double Crochet (dc) //// Treble (tr)
Triple Crochet (tr) //// Double Treble (dtr)
Double Triple Crochet (dtr) //// Treble Treble (trtr)

All of the ami patterns that I have come across so far are in UK dc / US sc so you can bet if the main stitches that are mentioned are ‘sc’ then it is an American pattern… Remember that a treble stitch is a lot loser than a double so all the stuffing would fall out! :eek:

:idea: …so you already have a loop on your hook from the previous stitch, so insert hook into next stitch under the ‘v’ bit on top (you now have a loop and a v on your hook), wrap the yarn over the hook (yoh in a pattern), then pull it back through the v and the loop on your hook leaving you with just one new loop on your hook. This is one UK dc / US sc. There is no difference in the actual stitch – just the name! ;)Please don’t let it put you off – have a play and you will soon get the difference! :D

Alternatively have a look on some websites and they may explain it better than a Moggy!! (Purple has listed one above - thanks purps!)

[PurpleRealm]

LOL - well the US stitches dont make sense. For a dc its two links (so to speak) why would they call it a single? Very odd.

[moggy]

:twitcy:(I could comment but it may put off 98% of the site! )

[lori.rn]

I always wondered the same about the british stitches!!

[moggy]

LOL - I guess it works both ways!:yes:

[moggy]

So lori - do ya wanna join the list?????? Go onnnn, you know you want to....:D

Anyone else I can add??

[PurpleRealm]

LOL - well thats true.... COLOUR vs COLOR and all! :D

[moggy]

This page also gives you some ideas as to what can be done with amigurumi...

http://www.gourmetcrochet.com/index_files/Page4643.htm

[PurpleRealm]

Moggy hon - you can put my name down but I will only trade them once Ive made them. I just cant book myself up with any more 1 on 1's! LOL
(Ive got a heap of ROLO's to catch up on!)

[moggy]

No probs, just post when you have a critter looking for a new home! - looking forward to seeing what you create!!

[PurpleRealm]

cool... I can see some little kitties with funky hair do's coming on! LOL

[lori.rn]

The butterfly is to kill for!

I am going to join, but I am going to do as PurpleRealm. I just signed up for the rolos and have an arm long list of atc's to make. In the meantime I will try to make one.

[cdraz/ceedee]

so which is the best site for a pattern for a beginner??

[moggy]

Great lori - have put you on the list - just post when you have a critter ready for a home!!

Cdraz - have a look at the LionBrand site - they may look complicated but once you start working on them they are quite simple! The Turtle, Octopus or dare I say it Penguin would be good ones to start with...

Also, have a look at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hKBeu2BlhU

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAcUttz7pWM&feature=related

The first one shows you one way to start your rounds and the second one way to put in eyes... the ones I have in my first post are just glued on with PVA glue. This would not be suitable for giving it to a small child though!

There are a few other videos on YouTube too showing other ways of making amigurumi too if you do a search. I do my initial ring in a different way called a magic ring - I'll try and find a link to an explanation of that too...

[moggy]

Here's one showing the 'magic ring' - I think they are chatting in Japanese but you'll get the idea!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkFtev5As7Q&feature=related

[moggy]

And another site for great patterns.... these say toys but have a look at them - lots are ami's even if they don't say so in the title...

http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/toys.php

(I REALLY must do some work instead of surfing!!....:rolleyes:)

[Chardonnay1965]

I can read both the American and Uk patts...does that make me bi-lingual???:unsure:i think when the swap is set up also we should also have the size of them decided on too..as I notived they come anything from 2inches to 10inches...and the variety of patts. is amazing..
ih and moggy did you add me to the list and if not..why not????:twitcy:see i am already getting twitchy..what have you doe???:wub:

[moggy]

Char - You'll be pleased to know you are the first on the list (after yours truely).

We can put the size next to the list - not a problem... they do vary a lot! (and that's what we like!).

[moggy]

:idea: I've just thought - being as this is a community of alterers anyone can make the ball as shown in the videos in post 42 without the eyes and alter them to their hearts content - different hair, hats, glasses, diff eyes, mouths, noses etc etc.... they'd all be classed as ami's still!! :jiggy:

[Chardonnay1965]

another site
http://www.squidoo.com/crocheteddolls

[moggy]

I love squidoo - thanks for putting that up - I forgot that one! :rolleyes:

[PurpleRealm]

I took some wool, hook and pattern to school today when I went to collect the kids. While I was waiting for them to come out, I started (and nearly completed) one of those 2" lady bugs. I just sewn him together. Just need some eyes and antenna and hes done!

I havent done crochet in years but its amazing when you get it all going how quickly it comes back to you.
I used the pattern from squidoo.

Ill take a pic tomorrow once his eyes and stuff are on.

[moggy]

Excellent, excellent - getting hooking girls!!! I have just finished the Reindeer from the Lion Brand site... will post him here soon too...:jiggy:

[moggy]

Here he is...

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[Chardonnay1965]

oh how cute moggy..:D

[Chardonnay1965]

hey moggy....might be an idea if you add the links..to the original thread..:D..just a thought..:idea:

[moggy]

Your wish is my command!! :notworthy: :D

[susietex]

MOGGY, I HATE YOU, I'M HOOKED ALREADY!!!!!!:arghh::arghh::arghh:
:wacko: DARN THAT CAT!!!!

[susietex]

OMG, I just found a pattern for a manta ray, so that's 5 already this morning, MOGGY!!!!!!

[PurpleRealm]

Ohhh Moggy that Reindeer is just toooo adorable!

5 already Susie!!! OMGoodness girl, arent you supposed to be resting!!! LOL

Well here are my two little LadyBugs/Birds. My youngest took off with one before I could stick the eyes etc on..... I only just found it (under the cushion of the couch!) and stuck him together! :D

[moggy]

Susie - caught you hook, line and sinker!!!! Tee heee (geddit HOOK, line and sinker???? :nah:). Get those hooks out!!

Talking of hooks - have a look at this....

http://knitlite.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=38

Now you US lot may be used to seeing these but I've never seen them in the UK.... they do knitting needles too for those interested!!! Guess what I am going to be hunting for when we go to the States Susie!! :jiggy:

[moggy]

Purple - those bugs are adorable!! Got some purple yarn yet to do purple bugs???

(YES SUSIE - note, I called it YARN!!!)

[PurpleRealm]

How cool are those! Love em!
I wonder how wierd it would feel to have such a HUGE handle in your hands though.

[PurpleRealm]

Purple - those bugs are adorable!! Got some purple yarn yet to do purple bugs???

LOL - have I got purple wool???? LOL - its a matter of finding DIFFERENT colours in my wool basket! LOL
I was tempted to do purple bugs....but thought Id go more traditional to start with! :jiggy:

[moggy]

Yeh, I was wondering that.... I gues it's one to get used to... I supposed it depends if you hold your hook like a knife or a pencil.... I'm a pencil holder so it shouldn't get in the way. I'm dying to have a go though - old age creeping up on the eyes!!! (easier to work with dark yarn I guess?)

[PurpleRealm]

Im a knife holder, my nana tried and tried to teach me how to hold it like a pencil but she gave up in the end! LOL

Yeah, Id imagine it would be heaps easier with dark wool! The black wool did my head in!

Hey I wonder if its bright enough to crochet in the dark! heee heee

[moggy]

Apparently you can having spoken to other US crocheters!!! They use them to crochet in bed when they can't sleep!!

[PurpleRealm]

Now thats cool! I was thinking the same thing....although I have to make sure I dont poke hubby with it to stop him snoring! LOL

[moggy]

Shoreart is taking us to a big yarn place when we get to the US so if they have them there I'll be trying them - all the better to see the mad PJs that have been promised!!

[susietex]

Ohhh Moggy that Reindeer is just toooo adorable!

5 already Susie!!! OMGoodness girl, arent you supposed to be resting!!! LOL

Well here are my two little LadyBugs/Birds. My youngest took off with one before I could stick the eyes etc on..... I only just found it (under the cushion of the couch!) and stuck him together! :D

Hey Purps, I found 5 patterns I want to do, just searching for those online required a 2 hour nap.:sleep::sleep::sleep:

Moggy, you are progressing nicely, string to yarn already, I'm impresed :rolleyes:

PS. I NEED those flashy hookie stick things too. Let's go shopping!!!!:jiggy::jiggy::jiggy: no that's it, overdid it again, see you later.:sleep::sleep::sleep:

[cdraz/ceedee]

I made the teddy bear from the lionbrand site....and now I am working on a octopus and I really want a cute monkey...anyone have one??

[moggy]

Hey- he's cute Cdraz!! here's a pattern for a monkey...

http://quesera.ojaru.jp/osaru-pattern.html

If you want him smaller I guess smaller yarn and hooks...

There's a few others around but they have to be paid for....:twitcy:

[LuvLoz]

Cute examples, everyone. I passed the link along to my mum, and she loves them. My plan worked and she's offered to make me one as a thank you gift, now I just need to narrow it down to only one pattern...

[moggy]

LOL - well, pick an animal and there's bound to be a pattern out there for one somewhere!!!!!...

[PurpleRealm]

awww - cd hon - hes a little cutie! :D

Ive made a hot pink metallic fuzzy bug! LOL - havent stuck his eyes etc on yet.
I havent played with another pattern for a couple of days now. Ill have to go find something else to try!

[moggy]

Excellent Purps - do show us!!

OK everyone - I have set up the PIF for these here as we now have some critters running around our houses...

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1922

Please feel free to jump in when you fancy for those who are lurking out there!!

[PurpleRealm]

Cool Moggy!
Did you pop that Purple Chic in there to tempt me! :P

[moggy]

Would I???? :cute:

[PurpleRealm]

LOL - youre funny! :P

[moggy]

I have just found a load of really good videos which explain all things crochet - from basic stitches to fancy ones..... http://www.nexstitch.com/v_chain_stitch.html

They are the american system which you'll need to remember for the names of the stitches...

American Name //// British Name

Slip Stitch (ss) //// Single Crochet (sc)
Single Crochet (sc) //// Double Crochet (dc)
Half-Double Crochet (hdc) //// Half Trebble (htr)
Double Crochet (dc) //// Treble (tr)
Triple Crochet (tr) //// Double Treble (dtr)
Double Triple Crochet (dtr) //// Treble Treble (trtr)

So those who want to crochet but can't - there's no excuse now!!!

[PurpleRealm]

Neat Moggy! Ill have to have a looksie. :D Thanks for sharing!

And Moggy hon - yes, you have indeed tempted me with the Purple Chick! But I cant/wont do the PIF until I have them made already....and at the moment I only have a red or a pink ladybug! LOL....

[moggy]

I'm sure there's ladybug lovers out there!! Only one more to do then...:D

[cdraz/ceedee]

Octopus here..........................

[moggy]

He's fab - love the colour!! Did you use beads for his eyes or have you got some 'proper' eyes??

[cdraz/ceedee]

They are buttons, sewn on....that is all I could find at stupid Walmart...they didn't even have black or white felt...all out.
I made it orange for Bizzyares daughter, black and orange are the school colours.

[moggy]

Well , they look good!! There's lots of online shops for the eyes if you can't get them locally - they are hard to get here but I bet you will find them over there...:D

[gemini_moon66]

they are adorable-cannot wait to see more [here]...

[PurpleRealm]

Cd - what a cutie! Love him!

[moggy]

Here is the elephant I RAKd Susie Tex with this week...

2500

[cdraz/ceedee]

Great colors and how adorable!!

[LuvLoz]

I love the elephant, those big eyes just make him look adorable!

[PurpleRealm]

Now thats just the cooootest Elephant ever! :D

[Ariaya]

Now we have crochet on ATCsforALL and it's perfect :)

Here's a few teddy bears that I made a few months ago:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/1496147787_1224a07190_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariayasylva/1496147787/) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/1497001278_c3975a21e5_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariayasylva/1497001278/)

[cdraz/ceedee]

How very cute!!

[PurpleRealm]

oooo - theyre too cute Ariaya! :D

[moggy]

Hi Ariaya - nice to see you here.... I thought we have all sorts of other srty things on here that aren't to do with paper so why not a bit of crocheting!! Great bears too :D

[moggy]

More free patterns for you to look at....

http://kristieskids.weebly.com/patterns1.html

I found this lady on the crochet forum that I belong to - this is her blog with lots of her designs - they're really cute - I just love the mushrooms that you can hide a little critter in...

[PurpleRealm]

Woohoo - thanks Moggy hon. :D

I love the little mouse and that mushroom is sooo cool!

Oh and Ive just got to make me one of those caterpillars. :D

[cdraz/ceedee]

These will be on their way to England soon.

[moggy]

Awww - they are sooo cute - my favorite subject too!!! :D:D

[Ariaya]

These will be on their way to England soon.

Awwww .. so cute!!

[cairnlae]

I do not know how to crochet, but I've been thinking about making little animals and monsters by cutting up old wool sweaters from thriftstores and stuffing and sewing them. So does that count, even if I didn't crochet or knit it myself?

[moggy]

Hi Cairnlea - no, I don't think that they do count for this but there is a sock monkey thread going on here too - not sure if they use just socks or other clothing??

Try picking up a crochet hook and playing!;)

[Frog Princess]

Butting in.....
My knitting isn't great (I do scarves and squares for blankets and that's about it!)- and I can't crochet at all.... so i'm not joining in- but I did want to say how in awe I am of these little creatures. They're gorgeous!!!!!!!! Nice work!
(GOT to learn to crochet...)

[Ariaya]

Okay .. you saw the cute ones, now the scary ones ....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/2386640663_e07ce61b22_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariayasylva/2386640663/) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2386641031_2641168118_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ariayasylva/2386641031/)

[cairnlae]

now how in the world could those be considered scary?:wubclub:

[cdraz/ceedee]

sorry, not scary at all..................very cute!

[LuvLoz]

okay, I find the bunny slightly scary, but he's very cute at the same time.

[Ariaya]

okay, I find the bunny slightly scary, but he's very cute at the same time.

It's the eyes .... LOL .. ironically the day after I made him I got my first sample set of suncatcher eyes. They're going in the next one!

[lori.rn]

I am keeping this project in the back of my head...........I just need time, time and more time!!

There is a book I checked out of the library. Here it is:Well at the top of the post!!

The book has ice cream cones, hamburgers with the fixings.

Well it's not working..........It's called.....Amingurumi by Elsebeth A. Doherty.

[lori.rn]

All amigurumi's are adorable. Really getting me inspired! I went and printed all the patterns off of the Lion Brand site. They had added some new patterns since I had last looked.

Moggy the site you offered showed some really cute animals. I loved the little turtles and inch worm.

Anybody have a pattern for a snail or watermelon?

[LavenderLizard]

I want to learn this...what advice do you have for the absolute beginner (left-handed) who can chain stitch and single crochet (in AMerican speak)? I don't even know how to read patterns. Any ideas for the simplest, most idiot proof pattern/instructions out there?

[Janice]

I fancy having a go - got the patterns but can't work out hook size- anyone help?- what kind of wool are you all using?

[LavenderLizard]

Yay! I made a bear using a pattern from Amigurumi World by Ana Paula Rimoli...I tried a koala from another book first, but ended up having to turn it into a mushroom becasue I did it so wrong. I did either overstuff or not crochet tightly enough (though I thought I was pretty tight), 'cause the filling shows through some. But I'm a proud girl--I'd never read patterns before this!