Surely you have already met cute knitted animals of small size. There are even toys with a height of less than 5 cm. Do you know that these creatures are yet another invention of the inhabitants of Japan? And they are called amigurumi. "What it is?" - you ask. The Japanese name for cute little animals with large bulging eyes means "knitted soft toy." How to create such a miracle and what is needed for this, we will consider in detail in our article.
Who are Amigurumi?
Amigurumi toys at many craftswomen "live" at home and are part of the decor. They can decorate window sills, shelves. With larger models, children play with pleasure. Small animals are used as trinkets or accessories attached to a backpack.
Amigurumi toys - what is it? It can be not only animals, but also little men, cartoon characters and even inanimate objects that can be revived at will, giving them human features. For example, hats, needle beds, cupcakes, ice cream and others.
Most often, there are toys crocheted from yarn. Parts of amigurumi are knitted separately, after which they are joined with sewing threads. Basically, the details of the toy are disproportionate. And the head can be much larger than the torso. This gives the toy a certain charm. Parts of the body are stuffed before they are stitched. Filler can serve as synthetic winterizer, holofiber and synthetic winterizer. The details of the face are knitted from yarn, but you can use drapes, felt or doll eyes.
Where to start knitting
We examined in general terms amigurumi toys, what it is, sorted it out. How to learn to knit them? What is needed for making amigurumi? Next, we will answer all questions, get acquainted with the necessary materials and knitting techniques.
To create a toy you will need a small hook, yarn of different colors and filler. Choose a hook thinner than yarn, it is better if it will be number 2. Each part is knitted in a spiral, thereby eliminating the presence of a seam. The desired shape is achieved by reducing and adding loops. It is better for beginners to start knitting with a simple toy consisting of one or two parts. This will provide an opportunity to get acquainted with the process of creating amigurumi.
Crochet faster, the product is dense, and the filler does not break out. So that the toy is not stretched and thin, you need to knit for a full loop of two walls. In the event that the scheme does not provide otherwise. The first row is called the amigurumi ring. How to knit it will be described below. The initial rows are performed counterclockwise. Next, the product is turned out so that the end of the thread remains inside, and fits in the direction of the clock. It is important to know that the rows are done without lifting loops, and to facilitate the work, the first loop in each of them is marked with a pin.
Amigurumi ring
How to knit the first row, those needlewomen who create products using a hook know. For beginners, we will write in detail the beginning of work.
There are a huge number of amigurumi toys whose patterns begin with a ring. This is the basic series not only for toys, but also for products connected in a spiral. Such as berets, flowers, napkins and other objects in the shape of a circle.
You need to start knitting with the location of the thread on the finger of the left hand. To do this, take the end of the yarn, throw it on the index finger, passing outside the inside of the palm. Then, pressing with your thumb, wrap the main thread around the index once. The thread leading to the ball should be outside, and the end of the yarn should lie freely in the palm of your left hand.
Insert the hook along the index finger into the formed ring. Hook the main thread and output the zero loop, which is not indicated in the scheme in any way. Next, through it, remove the thread from the main ball, creating another loop.
Then you need to knit as many single crochet columns through the ring as indicated in the diagram. Often, amigurumi toys begin with a ring that consists of six loops. To create single crochet through the ring you need to output the following loop. Then hook the thread and knit a column through two loops. Then repeat 6 times. Having knitted all the columns, pull the beginning of the thread and close the first and last loops, forming a neat little ring.
How to read schemes
How to tie an amigurumi animal? Schemes for the manufacture of these toys are presented in several versions. The easiest to read is a description scheme with symbols in Russian. When crocheting amigurumi, the most common loops are used:
- VP - this is the air loop;
- RLS is a single crochet;
- CCH - respectively, a double crochet;
- P - increase;
- U - decrease.
For example, an amigurumi loop 6 RLS means that 6 needles are crocheted into the loop. If you find in the description row 2 sc in 1 x 6P (12) - this suggests that from each loop of the lower row you need to knit two sc, repeat 6 times. So, the last row consisted of 6 loops. The number in parentheses indicates the total number of stitches in the row after knitting. There are rows where the increase is not carried out in each loop. It can be designated as follows - * 2 sc, 2 sc in 1 * x 4.
You can find a verbal description without abbreviations. And also the scheme can be entered in a table of three columns, which contain the row number, the number of decreases and increases, a finite number of loops. As a rule, such tables accompany the drawings. They indicate in which place you need to reduce or add loops. A checkmark V is used as a pointer. If there is a cross in a checkmark, then a loop must be added at this point. If the checkmark with the cross is upside down - the loops need to be reduced.
Pay attention to the photo. This is an amigurumi toy - a road sign. The scheme can be presented in this form.
Simple Sheep Pattern for Beginners
Amigurumi sheep - what is it? Firstly, this animal is a symbol of 2015. Secondly, the sheep is very easy to perform and suitable for beginners. Thirdly, this cute and touching toy will become a good talisman for you.
How does an amigurumi lamb fit? The outline will be described in detail with classic abbreviations.
For lamb hair, it is advisable to take fluffy cream-colored yarn. To make legs, ears and a body, you need brown yarn of a light shade. You need to crochet number 4. The filler for a toy can be anything. For eyes, take large black beads, for tinting cheeks - blush. We knit all the rows without a lifting loop.
Amigurumi Sheep: Body Knitting Pattern
To make the body of the toy, take fluffy yarn and a hook. Make a ring using the amigurumi technique of 5 loops.
1 circle: (* 2 sc in 1 * x 5) - double the number of loops (10).
2 circle: (* 2 sc, 2 sc in 1 * x 5) - after each two loops we add one more (15).
3 circle: (* 3 sc, 2 sc in 1 * x 5) - increase the number of loops by 5, adding a loop every 3 (20).
4 circle: (* 4 RLS, 2 RLS in 1 * x 5) - 4 single crochet, then two columns in one loop, perform 5 times (25).
5 circle: (* 5 sc, 2 sc in 1 * x 5) - after every five loops we add a loop (30).
6 circle: (* 6 RLS, 2 RLS in 1 * x 5) - an increase in the loop after every 6 columns (35).
7-10 circle: we knit exactly 4 rows without additions or decreases (35).
In the following rows, we decrease the number of loops.
11 circle: (* 6 sc, 1 decrease * x 5) - after every 6 columns we reduce the number by one loop (30).
12 circle: (* 5 , 1 * 5) - we decrease, accordingly, every 5 one loop (25).
13 circle: (* 4 , 1 * 5) - we decrease one loop every 4 (20).
14 circle: (* 3 , 1 * 5) - we decrease the last row by 5 loops (15).
Tightly stuff the part with a synthetic winterizer and fix the thread.
We knit the remaining details of the sheep
Amigurumi sheep, like all animals, has legs and ears. We continue the description of the manufacturing scheme of the remaining parts.
For the legs, take a brown ball and a hook. Make an amigurumi ring of 4 loops.
1 circle: you need to add one single crochet every two loops. (* 2 sc, 1n * x 2) = (6).
2 circle: we knit a row without additional loops. (6).
Ears fit even easier. Amigurumi ring of 6 loops - this is the ear of the toy.
So we got an amigurumi lamb. The scheme is quite simple, including for beginners.
Afterword
Having mastered the technique and creating several simple products, you can take on schemes that will be more complicated and interesting. And by learning to read Japanese patterns, you will no longer give up this lesson. After all, such toys not only bring pleasure in the knitting process, but also serve as an original element of decor. In addition, giving amigurumi tied with your own hands, you will bring joy to the home of your near and dear ones.