Kirby and Prince Fluff

For Christmas this year, I bought Kirby’s Epic Yarn for my husband. For those who are not familiar with the game, Kirby is transformed into cute little yarn guy, and he and his friend Prince Fluff go on a quest through a land made of yarn and fabric.  The entire game looks as if it were quilted and knit together.  Anyway, it became an instant hit at our house.  Since I try to limit game time, I thought I would make a couple amigurumi toys so that they kids could play with their favorite little yarn guys, even when the Wii is turned off.

They came out so cute, I wanted to share the pattern I created with anyone else who’d like to make their own Kirby and Fluff dolls.

Here you go!

Kirby’s Epic Yarn and Prince Fluff Amigurumi

Materials:

• Size G crochet hook
• Large needle for sewing and working in ends
• Worsted weight yarn (I used leftover yarn from various projects, so Kirby and Fluff are a mix of wool, acrylic, and bamboo)

Kirby & Fluff Directions: (notes:  I use the “magic loop” method to start each piece.  Also, I find this is the best method to crochet 2 together)

Eyes – Make 2 (black for Kirby, white for Fluff)

• Chain 3
• Row 1:  SC into 2^nd stitch from the hook,  3 SC into next stitch
• Row 2:  SC into back of next 2 stitches
• Tie off (basically, you are crocheting a circle around the chain)
• Embroider center of eye

Body (Pink for Kirby, Blue for Fluff)

• Make a “magic loop”
• Row 1:  6 SC into loop
• Row 2:  2 SC into each stitch (12 stitches)
• Row 3:  (1 SC, 2 SC into next stitch) 6 times (18 stitches)
• Row 4:  (2 SC, 2 SC into next stitch) 6 times (24 stitches)
• Row 5:  (3 SC, 2 SC into next stitch) 6 times (30 stitches)
• Rows 6-13: SC into every stitch
• Row 14:  (3 SC, SC 2Tog) 6 times (24 stitches)
• Row 15:  (2 SC, SC 2Tog) 6 times (18 stitches)
• Stitch on eyes and embroider face.  Don’t forget little pink cheeks for both guys, and eyebrows for Fluff!
• Row 16:  (1 SC, SC 2Tog) 6 times (12 stitches)  Add stuffing
• Row 17:  (SC 2Tog) 6 times (6 stitches); tie off and pull yarn through stitches to close the body.

Arms – Make 2 (Pink for Kirby, Blue for Fluff)

• Make a “magic loop”
• Row 1:  4 SC into loop
• Row 2:  (1 SC, 2 SC into next stitch) 4 times (8 stitches)
• Row 3:  (2 SC, 2 SC into next stitch) 4 times (12 stitches)
• Rows 4 & 5:  SC into each stitch
• Tie off and stuff arms

Feet – Make 2 (Red for Kirby, Orange for Fluff)

• Make a “magic loop”
• Row 1: 6 SC into loop
• Row 2:  2 SC into each stitch (12 stitches)
• Row 3:  (1 SC, 2 SC into next stitch) repeat 6 times (18 stitches)
• Row 4:  (2 SC, 2 SC into next stitch) repeat 6 times (24 times)
• Tie off; fold circle in half to form a semi-circle.  Stitch shut around the edges

Prince Fluff’s Crown (Yellow)

• Chain 14, SL to form ring
• Row 1:  SC into each stitch
• Row 2:  (SC, picot) times
• Tie off

Once all pieces have been made, stitch Kirby and Fluff together as shown in pictures.  Make sure you position the feet under the body evenly, and far enough back, so that your little guys can stand up.

Kirby Amigurumi

Kirby and Prince Fluff - Best Friends!

Prince Fluff

Orange Tabby Kitten

Amigurumi are cute little critters crocheted in the round and then stuffed. The name comes from the Japanese words for “crochet/knit” and “stuffed doll”, and they seem to be popping up everywhere these days.   Toys, though they are, they seem to appeal even more to adults than to kids.  I started making these guys over the winter in preparation for a craft fair and just can’t seem to stop.  They are downright adorable, work up quickly, and make great gifts.  Although amigurumi can come in all sizes (I even made an 18″ Ponyo doll for my daughter), most of them tend to be pretty small, so they are a great way to use up odd stashes of yarn.  Also, they are primarily done in a single crochet, so they are easy for beginners.  Etsy has a myriad of reasonably priced patterns ranging from dolls and animals to fruits and veggies.

If you are just getting started and want to give it a try, here are links to a few of my favorite free patterns.  I have a tendency to tweak patterns as I make things, so my pictures aren’t exactly identical to the original, but should give you a pretty good idea.

Baby Triceratops

This baby triceratops was made with 100% wool yarn, and I used snap on safety eyes.  Although the pattern called for making the body and tail as two separate pieces, I crocheted them as one to reduce the number of seams.  I found the pattern through Crochet Pattern Central.

Fiona and Freda Fish

These sweet little fish were based on a cat toy pattern from Lion Brand.  I elongated the body, modified the tail by sewing it on vertically rather than horizontally, and added bows.

Winston and William the Whales

I love this little whale pattern from Bittersweet!  It is such a simple pattern, but so adorable.  I modified it slightly by crocheting fins for these guys.  Also, I embroidered eyes, rather than using safety snap on eyes.

Three Kitties Hanging Out

Last, but certainly not least, are my trio of kitties. This pattern was generously made available though By Hook, By Hand.  This pattern was the most complicated of all, and I did run into trouble figuring out the legs on the first kitty.  Also, I felted my kitties which was not part of the original pattern.  If you decide to felt them, use 100% wool yarn and stuff them before you put them in the washer.  (Be sure not to overstuff them or the stuffing will be visible between stitches.)

Many thanks to all the websites that made these patterns available!

Catnip Kitties

Just think about it — fresh food and water always on hand, the ability to roam about in the ‘wilderness’ (or suburban neighborhood) at will, an entire house full of couches, pillows, and beds at your disposal, chase squirrels when you feel a bit feral, and then come inside for a good scratch behind the ears…  I guess I wouldn’t want to be just ANY cat; I’d want to be one of MY cats.  I know, there is a certain level of cache and adventure to being a wild animal, but do you really want to have to hunt for your food every freaking day?  Not to mention, who wants to be dodging predators when you could be napping in the sun?

Box of Catnip Kitty Toys

Anyway, in honor of being a cat, I wanted to share one of our recent craft ideas.  Using a similar technique to my wild things felt dolls, my kids and I made catnip toys for our kitties (Bacco, Max, and Petunia) and some of our other kitty friends.  These little toys were fun and easy to whip up in an afternoon.

Materials:
1. Craft Felt
2. Scissors
3. Permanent Markers
4. Fiberfill or Cotton Batting
5. Catnip
6. Sewing machine or needle and thread

Step 1 (for the kids) – using the permanent marker, draw a cat face on one of the pieces of felt.  Draw eyes in a contrasting color
Step 2 (for a grown up) – cut out the cat face and eyes.  leave about 1/4 – 1/2 for seam allowance. trace the cat face onto another piece of  felt and cut it out so that you have to matching pieces (a front and a back)
Step 3 (for a grown up) – sew the eyes onto the face
Step 4 (for a grown up) – place wrong sides together of cat face front and back; sew together leaving 1 – 2″ opening at the bottom
Step 5 (for the kids) – stuff the toy with fiberfill and catnip
Step 6 (for a grown up) – sew the bottom shut
Step 7 (for the kids) – toss the cat nip toy to a kitty and see what happens!

Our cats love wrestling around with their catnip kitties!

Look What We Made!

Completely off-topic, my daughter made this creepily realistic pair of legs out of our leftover fiberfill and a pair of her tights.  I just had to post the photo.

Funky Tights - Preschool Artistic Expression!

Ballerinas In A Line

This post features the work of Regina Hamilton a.k.a Woolycat Designs. For those of you don’t know me personally, Regina is my mom, so I grew up with her creativity. She even showed me how to make my first mini doll quilt when I was 5 years old. In fact, I think she recently found it when my daughter was playing over at her house.

Poseable Ballerina Doll

In addition to her beautiful quilts and felted knit handbags, Regina has recently begun making a line of the sweetest little ballerina dolls. These are original designs and each doll is a little bit different. Some have flowers on their toes, others have flower necklaces, some have bangs, some have poseable arms and legs, but they are all charming!

When asked why she decided to try her hand at doll-making, Regina said that she always enjoyed playing with dolls as a child, and by making them, she can continue to enjoy them as an adult. Her favorite parts of the creative process are matching fabrics, trying to decide on hairdos, and embroidering different expressions for faces. For her, its like playing, and she loves that, every doll comes out a little different.

Pretty In Pink

She also enjoys making things for her 3 grandchildren. “It is most rewarding when I make something for one of my grandchildren, because no matter how it comes out they always love it, and it is always made with love.”

I also couldn’t resist including this lovely little doll family in my article. Take a look at the dolls and then look at the family below. (yep, my family!). My mom even used some of our old clothes to make their outfits. Talk about cool customization!

If you like these dolls, check out Regina’s other items at her shop, WoolyCatDesigns on Etsy. Her dolls aren’t yet listed for sale, but if you like them, please convo her!

"The Stockdills" Doll Family

"The Stockdills" The Real Thing

Monster and Princess

This gave me an idea for our latest craft endeavor.  What if I let the kids design and construct their own little creatures?  Typically, when we’re making a craft, we follow a pattern or set of instructions.  Other times, we talk about what we want to make, and I interpret our idea onto paper or fabric.  We usually end up with something cute, but it definitely looks like my interpretation of what we set out to make.  But what if, this time, they got to come up with the idea, put pen to paper (or marker to felt), and put the pieces together with minimal input from me?  What we end up with are these cute little monster dolls that have my daughter’s style written all over them.

Basically, I told my daughter she was going to be able to design her own stuffed monster toy.  She has worked with me enough to understand the concept of cutting out multiple pieces and fitting them together to form an end product.  So, I asked her to draw a picture of her monster on felt and draw arms, legs, eyes, mouth, and other part on different colors of felt.  I carefully cut out the pieces she drew.  Next, I asked her to arrange them exactly how she thought her monster should look.  I then sewed the pieces together on the sewing machine, and she stuffed the body of her monster.   What we ended up with was a little stuffed toy that looking amazingly similar to any one of my daughters drawings.  We also made a princess to play with monster.  Here are the basic instructions of how to make your own wild things!

Materials – colored felt, marker, scissors, sewing machine or needle and thread

Step 1 – Have your child draw a body of a monster/animal/person on a piece of felt.  Have your child draw arms, legs, features, tail, clothes, etc in different colors

Step 2 – Cut out peices, be sure to leave a little extra room around the main body piece for seam allowance

Step 3 – Trace and cut out a 2nd copy of the main body piece.  This will allow you to sew the 2 pieces together to be stuffed

Step 4 – Let you child arrange the pieces together how he/she would like them.  Sew the pieces onto the front of the body shape.

Step 5 – Sew the front and back of body together. (Sew with wrong sides together; we did not turn it inside out).  Leave an opening at the bottom for stuffing

Step 6 – Let your child stuff his/her monster.  We used a chopstick to get into hard-to-reach places like the head and arms.   Sew the opening at the bottom closed

Draw The Body and Other Pieces of Your Monster

Trace and Cut Out a Second Body Piece

Arrange Pieces on the Main Body Piece - Sew Them in Place

Hint – Do not try to use glue to put your monster together.  I notice that lots of online instructions for felt crafts say that you can glue pieces together, but this always ends up in miserable failure for me and tears for the kids.  I’ve used every kind of glue that I can think of, and have yet to find something (short of a hot glue gun) that suitably holds craft felt together.  For some reason, felt glues easily to other surfaces like cardboard (see my Felt Dolls post), but doesn’t glue well to other pieces of felt)

Princess and The Monster

Here is another photo of our finished Wild Things:

Teddy and Zelda

Anyway, about a week ago, Jon presented me with a pair of old twill pants with frayed cuffs and rips across the knees.  They were too far gone for even the best mending efforts.  As he tossed them to me, he said “maybe you can use them for some type of craft with the kids; I don’t know, maybe you can make a teddy bear and use the pocket buttons for eyes or something”.  The pants sat on my desk for a few days, and then I suggested to the kids that we try to make a teddy bear for my son out of Daddy’s old pants.  My daughter was the benefactress of my last project, so I thought it would be nice to make something for my son this time.  Well, he was fairly indifferent to the idea, but my daughter thought it would be really cool to make a doll.  So, off we went to create a cute rag doll out of an old, ripped pair of pants.

We used most of the usable fabric on the doll pictured above, but we did have just enough material left to make her cute little teddy bear companion.

More Teddy and Zelda

And, yes, we used the pocket button for Teddy’s eyes and nose.  I didn’t use a pattern for this doll.   I drew the pieces freehand directly onto the pant legs.  The dolls head and torso are one section, and each arm and leg are a separate piece so that her limbs have some movement.  Zelda, as I named her, is wearing a dress that I made using leftover cotton fabric from a baby quilt I made a few years ago.  Her hair is just basic craft felt.   I wanted to use acrylic paints to give her a more vibrant face, but my daughter insisted that we didn’t have that kind of time — dolly needs a face NOW, so I used a tube of purple puffy fabric paint to draw on a quick face (and belly button!).  Teddy’s scarf is made from scraps of a felted sweater blanket.

For those of you do a lot of sewing, I think making a rag doll without a pattern is a really fun way to go, especially when working with a very finite amount of fabric.  However, if you would like to try it with a pattern, here are some site with cute rag doll patterns from Make Cute Baby Stuff, Fluffy Land, Martha Stewart’s Bunny, and Martha Stewart’s Dolls, and  I also found the twill pant material was pretty easy to work with and lent itself well to a rag doll project.  Teddy probably would have liked a softer material to help give more curve to his ears.  They seemed to come out a little jagged.   My biggest piece of advice for you — if you decide to make your doll without a pattern, cut your pieces much wider than you want the finished item to be. For example, the unsewn arms and legs were almost twice as wide as they appear on the finished doll.  Between the seam allowance, turning, and stuffing, it is amazing how much the pieces ’shrink up’.

Hanging Out

All Together

I really like how these upcycled toys came out and love having another fun use for old clothes!  I will definitely stash away any old pants that we have for our next rag doll project.

Felt Paper Dolls

Basically, the dolls are cardboard cutouts covered with felt. The best part is that since felt tends to stick to itself, you don’t need tape, tabs or glue to make the clothes stay on, so its easy for the kids to change outfits on their dolls.

To make them, you will need the following materials:

1. Cardboard (we used a recycled diaper box)

2. Different colored felt

3. Glue

4. Scissors

5. Googly eyes (optional)

6. Marker

Start by drawing a body shaped outline on your cardboard.  I did mine freehand, but you can also use a gingerbread man cookie cutter for a pattern.  Choose a piece of felt for your skin tone.  Trace and cut out the body shape from the skin tone felt.

Felt Doll Body

Felt Doll Template

Let the kids glue the “skin” onto the cardboard template.

Cut out hair for your doll.  Let the kids glue on the hair, googly eyes and draw a mouth on their doll.  Finally, cut out clothes out of different colored felts.  The kids can use markers to add details to the clothing.

Its super easy to accessorize these dolls.  We made hair bows, belts, shoes and jewelry.  The clothes should stay on the felt body kind of like velcro.  Cute, aren’t they?

Eggy Babies

What is an eggy baby?  An eggy baby is a simple felted doll that I made with my kids, (Deirdre – 4, Jonah – 2). Basically, we felted one of Jon’s old wool sweaters, cut it into ovals and made it into dolls.  I did the sewing and the cutting, and the kids drew on faces with markers and stuffed them full of cotton batting.  I figured, if Build-a-Bear can build an empire on letting kids stuff their own toys, why can’t we have some of that fun at home?  The kids enjoyed it so much, they made extras to give to some of their friends at school.  I hear that one of Deirdre’s friends loved his eggy baby so much, he sleeps with it at night!

Eggy Baby Template

If you’d like to make your own, here is the template and basic instructions.  You can do the sewing by hand or machine — we did both.

• Felt a wool sweater by putting it through a hot water wash cycle
• Draw your pattern — a basic egg shape 6 1/2 by 5 inches
• Cut out 2 pattern templates.  On one of the templates, draw a head and cut it out so that you now have 3 pattern pieces
• Cut out the 2 larger pieces from your felted sweater
• Cut out the smallest piece from linen, muslin or whatever you want to use for the face
• Pin right sides together of face and body front.  Stitch together
• If you want to add a decorations (we used felt hearts and bows), sew it on at this point
• Pin right sides of front and back together.  Stitch around the outside, leaving a 1″ opening at the bottom
• Turn rightside out
• Let the kids draw on a face and stuff their eggy baby with stuffing
• Whip stitch closed the opening at the bottom
  

If you are using felted sweaters for another project save the scraps and use for eggy babies.  You can use different colors for the front and back.  I think we will try to add hair for our next batch.  Have fun!