Results tagged “crochet toys” from Fabric.com Blog
Relatively speaking this is a giant crochet lion because the original is roughly 4-5'' and this monster is about 8-9''. This cutie was a pleasure to make and a great back to school project. If it has been awhile since you have had time to hook any yarn, like me, than this fun project will ease you back in and will make any kid even happier to get off the school bus in the afternoon.
I followed the pattern from "Leisure Arts Easy Crochet Critters" (You may remember my hippo who thinks she is a mouse from last year) but I took it up a notch by using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky in Deep Rose and Pumpkin with a little Silver Grey thrown in. I also upped my hook to a K (10.5). The recommended yarn and hook from the pattern is worsted with an H hook. Upping your yarn and hook size will nearly double your lion's size and make him much more fun and cuddly. I also opted for button eyes and a felt nose. I tried for 10 min to embroider a nose that I liked but it just wasn't happening so I cut a simple rounded triangle from felt and used fabric glue to fix it in place. The rest of the embroidery was fun and easy. I also didn't stuff the legs. I pushed all the yarn tails inside the legs and that was enough to give them shape (how easy is that). Lastly, I used magic circle to start my body and legs. It made my crochet look so much nicer and was much easier than chaining and crocheting into the chain. I love it!
I have been drooling over this lion since I first ordered this pattern booklet and I can't wait to make all the animals in this book. Hopefully I can crank out more than one a year but I can assure you that all will be made bigger than instructed with chunky yarn and bigger hooks. I love the size so much more. Handheld is great but seeing your little one hugging the life out of an oversized crochet lion that you made is priceless!
Caution this lion has a dark side. Here he is stalking his prey (the cat).
Tara Miller
Man, was this little guy fun. I am really getting the hang of crochet and I am really enjoying it as well. I originally fell in love with the Lion on the Cover of 'Leisure Arts Easy Crochet Critters', until the book arrived. Then I took one look at the Hippo and was hooked (oh geez, please excuse my puns). Though something went wonky along the way- I think I left out an increase on the nose. I am still not very good at row counting in crochet so I can't really look back and see where the mistake might be, so my Hippo resembles more of a pig than a hippo but he is cute nonetheless. I am already shifting through my stash to make all the other animals, lion first, and redo the hippo to make sure I get it right this time. I am head over heels for that cute little tail. I made sure to use the right size hook this time, which was tricky but given the practice I was able to adjust in just a few minutes. My confidence is growing. I used the delightful Berroco Weekend in Orchid, which is just a very light purple, perfect for a hippo or the seal. The yarn crocheted up beautifully, with no splitting or snags.
The bonus, that I didn't see coming, is that my little 2 yr old loves the booklet as much as I do. She thinks it is another of her animal books. I get a few minutes of wiggle free lap time where she points to all the animals, we name them and then make the noise. It is bliss. The projects are small and quick so they make great car companions and fit inside a diaper bag or into the back of the stroller. I have also been able to fine tune my Magic Circle technique and use it instead of chaining and then crocheting into the chain. I just magic circle the same number as I would crochet into the chain and pull it up tight. It gives a flawless look. I cannot wait to get started on the other 9 animals and I hope Leisure Arts comes out with even more Amigurumi books like this one!
Don't you just love magic? When I was a kid magic was a sure-fire way to get my attention. Now that I am grown (well, taller really.) I am still a sucker for magic. Like Magic Loop is to knitting, Magic Circle is to crochet and it is equally as glorious. When I was just starting out with crochet, I remember trying and trying to crochet into my chain to make a small circle and it eluded me over and over again. Had I had this trick up my sleeve from the beginning, I would have been much happier making my Easter Eggs and Best Bunny. Not only is Magic Circle an excellent beginning to Amigurumi but also for flowers, hats and round motif-based afghans.
Magic Circle is a little tricky for beginners, especially if you are transitioning from holding your yarn in your right hand to your left. I have found a super video that really walks you through Magic Circle including some pretty sweet slow motion for extra handholding that beginners need (me, me!). Once you get the hang of it, Magic circle is really easy and so nice. It is basically crocheting into a slip knot that is not knotted but tightened after you have crocheted your chain into the slip knot. It is really brilliant!
I have been using it to practice all my crochet stitches, sometimes making something pretty, often times it resembles more of a slightly organized tangle of yarn. However, I am getting better with the yarn/hand switch and also making progress on my next project the Irish Rose Scarf by Nicky Epstein for Lion Brand. It is a neat scarf that is easy and I can't wait to share it. The Magic Circle was integral in helping me with the roses.
You can find sneak peeks of my projects on twitter by following @tdangermiller
Amigurumi- a Japanese
word that means crocheted or knitted stuffed toy
If you follow me on twitter you know that after years of nay-saying and fierce
resistance I have been bitten by the crochet bug. One lowly factor that could
certainly be responsible for this new found addiction is my 2 yr old. This wee,
dear person coupled with the abundance of Amigurumi crochet patterns out there
(this is a vague term for the internet) has surely driven me to this end. But I
am willing to stand up and say "My name is Tara and I love to crochet!"
Now I am a beginner but I can pull off a mean single crochet and so I can whip out some really cool Amigurumi! It seems that these stuffed
toys are more prevalent in crochet than knitting and after having constructed a
few myself I can see the advantages of crochet over knitting in terms of toys.
It is easier to crochet small diameter than it is to knit. It seems that
crocheting in the round is easier as well. I have also had an easier time with
the stuffing. While closing up a stuffed crocheted item can be tricky, I love
that I can stuff the piece and then close it with the same stitch as opposed to
knitting where you cast off, stuff and then sew it up. Perhaps it is the novelty
of the difference that has me enraptured but I am digging it!
Since I am on this kick, I have been doing a lot of internet surfing to
log all my favorite Amigurumi patterns to crochet as my skill grows and I just
have to share.
Fabric.com carries 2 books of Crochet Critters that I put at the top of
my list mostly because my little one is jungle animal crazy right now. I love
the Lion on the cover of "Easy Crochet Critters" which also includes a monkey
and a hippo which are tops in our house.
Lion Brand has a TON of Amigurumi crochet patterns, each one as cute as
the last. I literally want to make all of them but I would settle for a few of
each. I am especially smitten with the Halloween characters because it is my
favorite holiday. And you know Fabric.com carries all the best Lion Brand Yarn.
I found an adorable octopus on Ravelry by Michele Tway
I love the attitude of this monkey with a banana by Betsi Brunson
Lastly, and I have to included this because in my heart I am still a knitter and I cannot resist a great knitted toy and anything by Mochimochi Land is Awesome, hands down, but this free pattern, Woodins, featured in Knitty is the cat's meow.
Enjoy and share your favorite Amigurumi patterns here or on
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