AMIRUGUMI DUCK

CROCHET TOYS - AMIRUGUMI
              Amirugumi   is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals. Amigurumi have no practical use, but they are too cute. Kids and adults alike love them, so they make perfect impromptu gifts.  Amigurumi are usually crocheted out of yarn using the single crochet stitch.They can also be knit. Typically, crochet hooks or knitting needles that are slightly smaller than one would use in a typical project are used, in order to achieve a tight gauge that retains stuffing and does not allow the stuffing to show through the fabric. Stuffing is usually standard polyester or cotton craft stuffing, but may be improvised from other materials. Amigurumi are usually worked in sections and then joined, except for some amigurumi which have no limbs, only a head and torso which are worked as one piece. In crochet, amigurumi is typically worked in spiral rounds, in order to prevent "striping," a typical feature of joining crochet rounds in a project.
                 
               I have seen a lot of these amirugumi toys online and they look so beautiful and difficult to do. But an hour or so is sufficient to create these pieces. I have made this crochet duck as a trial piece and I loved it. It is so easy and quick to make. I am planning to try out others. So, for those who would like to try it out here's the pattern.


AMIRUGUMI DUCK

BODY

Beg at top of head, with G, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first ch. Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around - 12 sts.

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around - 18 sts.

Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around - 24 sts.

Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around - 30 sts.

Rnd 6: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around - 36 sts.

Rnds 7-18: Sc in each st around.

Fasten off.

WINGS (make 2)

With F, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first ch.

Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around - 12 sts.

Rnds 3-7: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 8: *Sc2tog, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * to last 2 sts, sc2tog - 8 sts.

Fasten off.

FEET (make 2)

With H, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 8 sc in first ch. Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around - 16 sc.

Rnd 3: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 4: *Sc2tog, sc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * to last 2 sts, sc2tog - 12 sts.

Fasten off.

BEAK

With H, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in first ch.

Place marker in first st for beg of rnd; move marker up as each rnd is completed.

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around - 12 sts.

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around - 18 sts.

Rnd 4: *2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around - 24 sts.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Lightly stuff Wings and Feet and sew to Body. Fold Beak in half to form semicircle. Stitch rounded edges together and sew straight edge to Body. With black yarn, embroider straight stitch eyes onto Body. Stuff Body and sew closed. Weave in ends.

TATTING

A great way of making laces and medallions is Tatting. I discovered Tatting during my first pregnancy. Having lots of medical issues during that time, I was advised bedrest and honestly, it drove me mad. I also discovered Crochet, but more of that later. One of my cousins, who lived in the same city (Bhopal), used to visit me and to help me pass the time she taught me Tatting. I do remember her mother, (my father's sister) working on those small medallions when I was a child visiting her during the holidays. I never knew the names of the crafts that she and my cousins used to work on but I do remember them always being busy. When not working on household chores, they would be creating something or the other. I remember thinking them to be sooooo talented. When I was growing up, academics took over our lives. I lost touch with these cousins, as they had all married and moved away. But getting back in touch brought back memories and also an interest in these crafts. I still have the lace and medallions that I had first tatted.

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