Crochet-Along: Lesson One – The Brushed Amigurumi Technique

Craft & Design Yarncraft

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Lion Brand Yarn


Welcome Crochet-Alongers!
Today marks the first week of our Fuzzy Panda Amigurumi adventure together. I’m Tamie Snow of Roxycraft.com and I’ll be your guide for the next month while we learn some fun new techniques for your amigurumi.
So if you haven’t signed up yet, it’s never too late. Just comment and introduce yourself and you’re in! We’d also love it if you would join the Flickr group so you can share pictures of your finished projects with us and other CALers!
This week we’re going to start with the basics. I have some fun video tutorials on youtube that should help you get started. Read on for today’s lesson!

Amigurumi Video Lessons

These videos should get you started if you are new to making Amigurumi.

Tips and Tricks for the Fuzzy Panda

  • To ensure the best results in your finished dolls, stick to the same brands of yarns and hook sizes they were designed for.
  • Even the slightest change in the weight of the yarn can yield widely different results. You can pick whatever colors you like, but stick with the same brand.
  • If you are more experienced yarn-aholic, find other yarns with similar weight and be ready to change hook sizes if you have gaps between stitches.
  • When in doubt, go down a hook size.
  • For the head and body of this doll, get a roving style wool yarn like Lion Brand Alpine Wool. It works the best and is widely available. I cannot guarantee the brushed technique will work on any other kind of yarn.
  • Use as tight a tension as you are comfortable with. Loose stitches=lumpy shapeless dolls.

Brushed Amigurumi

Here is a fun video to introduce you to the Brushed Amigurumi Technique:

Homework for Next Week

Finish crocheting all the pieces of the head and be ready to assemble it.
Those of you who want to skip ahead and finish your doll to completion are welcome to do so…as long as you promise to share the pics in the Flickr group!

62 thoughts on “Crochet-Along: Lesson One – The Brushed Amigurumi Technique

  1. LoriR says:

    Hi,
    I thought I had commented on the last post but I didn’t see it show up so I’m trying again….
    I’m a beginner, but anxious to learn! So glad to see you’re left handed; it makes it easier for me to follow along! :)

  2. SugarCoated says:

    Great videos and tips! I just got started on the head and I’m really enjoying the pattern. I’ll be sure and get my homework done by next week! ;) Thanks for all the hard work put into this!
    -Stephanie
    sugarcoatedcreationsblog.blogspot.com/

  3. RadicalRecycks says:

    Hi!
    I love to crochet~ can do it while I drive but don’t tell anyone! I would love to crochet along with everyone and learn a few things!
    xoxo
    Tracie

  4. AmigurumiGirl says:

    I didn’t get a hold of my Alpine Wool yarn yet (the Michael’s nearest me didn’t have any!! gasp) but I still wanted to take a sneaky peak at what’s going on. Nice first video. Thank you for doing this. I can’t wait to see more. I’ll have to play catch up I’m sure. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s pandas! (^_^)v

  5. Tamie Snow says:

    I found it at Joanns…but if you can’t find it there, or don’t have a Joanns…brown sheep lamb’s pride bulky is a nice alternative that can be found at many local yarn stores.

  6. Kate says:

    I love this pattern! I can’t wait to go buy some alpine wool so I can start making this great pattern.

  7. LisaMarie says:

    Count me in! What a cute pattern. I love the fuzzy finish!

  8. Patricia says:

    I bought the supplies this weekend. Looking forward to making these for the nieces and nephew this year!
    Oh, and I’m left handed too. Yay!

  9. Marleen says:

    Very cute, and I would like to join, but unfortunately I cannot seem to open de PDF-pattern….:-(

  10. Maribeth says:

    I just started the head tonight-I love making amigurumi!

  11. Tamie Snow says:

    right click and save it to your desktop and see if that helps :)

  12. Anonymous says:

    Where can I find the pattern to this adorable panda

  13. Jennifer says:

    Thanks for these tips, especially about giving the yarn an extra tug after the SC. I wondered why mine never quite looked like the pictures I saw. I was killing myself trying to increase my tension.
    Now, to start on that head.

  14. goody-goody says:

    So amazingly adorable…and wonderfully taught. I wouldn’t expect anything else from ya! :)

  15. tapmouse says:

    I’d like to join, but I hope I get going on it. Gathering all the materials is what takes me a while. Thanks for having this-it’ll be fun and hopefully keep me on task!
    Leslie

  16. tapmouse says:

    OK, I’m already lost! Where’s the pattern? I’m late in joining and currently blocked from UTube, so not sure if it is shown on the video, but I’d think there is a written pattern somewhere we are following?

  17. Nancy says:

    How cute! Can’t wait to get started. Thanks so much for presenting this.

  18. crissy says:

    i thought i posted this a few days ago but it didn’t show up? anyway, i’d like to join!

  19. bahthegreat138 says:

    My name is Liz I am 20 years old I like long walks on the beach and dogs.
    SIGN ME UP!!

  20. Amede says:

    This doll is ADORABLE!!!!
    Just got into crocheting and all I’ve made so far are hats. Jound my next project!!
    Thanks for posting this.

  21. Angelbms says:

    This is the cutest panda I’ve ever seen, I just must make it for my daughter for Christmas!

  22. Angelbms says:

    This is the cutest panda I’ve ever seen, I just must make it for my daughter for Christmas!

  23. Anonymous says:

    Would love to start

  24. vickerypokery says:

    Hi, this little bear is SO cute, am I too late to join?? I hope not…
    Thanx :-)

  25. Mnemosyn says:

    It’s so cute :)
    I love panda’s a lot, is there a way to find that pattern please?
    I would like to make one for myself :) :)

  26. Kirsty says:

    Hey
    I’m a beginner but eager to start!
    Is there a way to get hold of the pattern?
    Thanks

  27. Lorena says:

    So cute! I’ve only just started crocheting but I want to go ahead and give his a try!

  28. Anne says:

    This looks so adorable, I just started learning Amigurumi a few weeks ago and there are so many things you can make with just a round ball. I love it. I can’t wait to see how this panda turns out.

  29. Anne says:

    pattern?

  30. Anne says:

    Fuzzy Panda Amigurumi pattern can be found by clicking this link:
    http://blog.makezine.com/craft/crochet-along_starts_on_tuesda/

    Please copy and paste into your browser, this should work.

  31. Linda Satterfield says:

    this is such a cute item!

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