Thursday, October 20, 2011

Halloween Jack o' Lantern Amigurumi Tutorial #1!

Greetings, ClockQuirkians!

With Halloween creeping around the corner, I thought a fun amigurumi pattern was in order.  I have three little jack o' lanterns to share over the next couple of weeks, but we're going to start with the littlest one:



Jack O' Lantern #1 - Small and Round


Materials:
I used Red Heart SuperSaver yarn for all three pumpkins.  None of them takes a lot of yarn, but the black in particular is a very small amount.

Color A- Paddy Green
Color B- Pumpkin
Color C- Black or black embroidery thread.
Crochet Hook: Size E/4-3.50MM
Split-ring stitch marker (if you don't have any of these, I used to use bobby pins)
Yarn needle
A small amount of polyfiber fill (exactly how much depends on how squishy you want your pumpkin to be).

Gauge: Doesn't really matter.  I tend to pull my stitches pretty tightly when I make amis, so if you crochet loosely you may want to go down a hook size.

Stitch explanation: sc2tog (sc 2 sts together) - Insert hook into st and draw up a loop, insert hook into next st and draw up a loop, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook - 1 st decreased.

Abbreviations:
beg=begin(ning)
rnd(s)=round(s)
rep=repeat(s) (ing)
ch(s)=chain(s)
sc= single crochet
st(s)= stitch(es)
yo=yarn over

On to the pattern!  The piece is worked in continuous rounds.  Do not join or turn.

With A, ch 2
Rnd 1: 3 sc in 2nd chain from hook
Place marker in first stitch of round.  Move marker up as each round is completed.
Rnd 2: sc in each st around
Rnd 3: 2 sc in each st around - 6 sts
Rnd 4: sc in each st around
Rnd 5: 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in each of last 3 sts - 9 sts
Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * 3 times, sc in each of last 3 sts - 12 sts
Rnd 7: With Color B, 2 sc in each st around - 24 sts
Rnd 8: *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around - 30 sts
Rnd 9: *sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * around - 36 sts
Rnd 10: *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around - 42 sts
Rnd 11: *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around - 48 sts
Rnd 12-14: sc in each st around
Rnd 15: *sc2tog, sc in next 6 st, rep from * around - 42 sts
Rnd 16-17: sc in each st around
Begin stuffing before the opening gets too small.
Rnd 18: *sc2tog, sc in next 5 st, rep from * around - 36 sts
Rnd 19: *sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, rep from * around - 30 sts
Rnd 20: *sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts, rep from * around - 24 sts
Rnd 21: *sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, rep from * around - 18 sts
Rnd 22: *sc2tog, sc in next st, rep from * around - 12 sts
Rnd 23: *sc2tog 3 times around - 6 sts
Fasten off.  Leave long tail for sewing.  Finish stuffing.  Weave tail through stitches of last rnd and tighten to close opening.  Knot end.

Finishing
Weave in ends.  Use Color C or black embroidery thread to embroider face.
NOTE: You may find that embroidering the face is easier to do before you stuff the pumpkin and close it up.  If this is the case, I would suggest you pause and embroider each element of the face as you finish the rows you want them to cover.  Then you can stuff it after you’ve finished.


Enjoy your little jack o' lantern!  In a couple of days I'll be sharing the pattern for the tall and skinny pumpkin.  Stay tuned and happy Halloween!

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