LGC kit, plus keyrings, 3.75mm hook, stuffing, black beads

Newcomers to amigurumi will love these simple

MAGIC RING

1Make a large loop by putting the yarntail behind the working yarn.

2With your hook, draw the working yarnthrough the loop, so you have one loop

on the hook.

33 ch (counts as first tr).tr into the loop,crocheting over the tail.

keyring crittersMake sure you never lose keys again with the assistanceof these cute amigurumi animals. Worked in fewerpieces to create a solid shape it won't take long beforethey're finished. Once you're confident, try customisingwith different colours and stripes for alternative results.

40 letsgetcrafting.com

Betty beebee bodyUse a 3.75mmcrochet hook andyellow yarn. Round 1: Make amagic ring and worksix dc. (6 sts).Round 2: Work 2 dcinto ea st. (12 sts).Round 3: 1 dc in east around. (12 sts).Round 4: Change topurple, 1 dc in ea staround. (12 sts).Round 5: Change toyellow, 1 dc in ea staround. (12 sts).Round 6: Change topurple, 1 dc in ea staround. (12 sts).Round 7: Change to

yellow, 1 dc in ea staround. (12 sts).Round 8: Change topurple, dc3tog threetimes. (3 sts).Fasten off. Tightenmagic ring and sewup the opening.

bee wingsRound 1: In white,Make a magic ring forsix sts (6 sts). Fasten off.

making upSew the rings ontothe body, stitch onblack beads for eyesand make a loop ofchains to attach to ametal keyring link.

WinstonWhale Use a 3.75mmcrochet hook andblue yarn. Round 1: Make amagic ring 6 dc incircle. (6 sts).Round 2: Work 2 dcinto each st. (12 sts).Round 3: *1 dc infirst st, 2 dc in nextst* six times. (18 sts).Round 4: *1 dc infirst two sts, 2 dc intonext st* six times. (24sts).Round 5: 1 dc intoea st around. (24 sts).Round 6: 1 dc intoea st around. (24 sts).Round 7: *dc2tog, 1 dc in ea next tensts* twice. (22 sts).Round 8: *dc2tog, 1 dc in ea next ninests* twice. (20 sts).Round 9:*dc2tog, 1 dc in ea nexteight sts* twice.(18 sts).Round 10:*dc2tog, 1 dc in

ea next seven sts*twice. (16 sts).Round 11: *dc2tog,1 dc in ea next sixsts* twice, addstuffing. (14 sts).Round 12: *dc2tog,1 dc in ea next fivests* twice. (12 sts).

tail (carry on from thelast round).Pinch the tip togetherand divide the rem stsinto two halves, eachwill be the start of aflipper. Round 1: Working on1 half of rem sts, 1 dcin ea st around. (6 sts).Round 2: *1 dc infirst two sts, 2 dc innext st* twice. (8 sts).

hot tip: If you are unfamiliarwith a stitch, practise usingchunky yarn beforeembarking on the pattern

4Continue to work as many trs as neededinto the loop. Once finished, untwist the

tail if necessary then pull to close the loop.

The magic ring is an easy way ofbeginning to work in the round. Itis often used when makingamigurumi toys

Stitches used:Magic ring Double crochet(dc)Double crochettwo together(dc2tog)Double crochetthree together(dc3tog)

keyring 8/4/11 16:47 Page 2

MEET OUR DESIGNER

“Crocheted keyringsmake ideal gifts forany recipient and are a great way to create a handmade present in a hurry”Irene Strange is a graphicdesigner and crochet expert.She happened upon amigurumiquite accidentally and it is nowher favourite technique

letsgetcrafting.com 41

Knit&CrochetAccessories...You may

also like to try......

...Irene’s floral purse onpage 12

Round 3: *1 dc infirst three sts, 2 dc innext st* twice. (10 sts).Round 4: *1 dc infirst three sts, dc2tog*twice. (8 sts).Round 5: *1 dc infirst two sts, dc2tog*twice. (6 sts).Round 6: dc2togthree times. (6 sts).Sew up the tip. Rep from Round 1 around the remstitches to get thesecond tail fin.

belly spot Use white yarn.Round 1: Make amagic ring for sixstitches. (6 sts).Round 2: Work 2 dcinto each stitch. (12 sts).Stretch the spot intoan oval shape andsew it to the belly.

making upFlippers are attachedstraight to the body.Choose the spot youwant to position themin and work the foll:Attach yarn to thebody, 2 ch, 2 tr intosame spot, 2 ch, sl stinto the same spot,fasten off. Next, create a watersplash by attachingsome ribbon or loopsof chain stitches tothe top of the whale,and add a loop ofchains to the top forattaching to the metalkeyring link: Attach

white yarn, 12 ch, slst into the same spot,16 ch, sl st into thesame spot, 10 ch, sl stinto the same spot,fasten off. Add some beads foreyes, and tidy up anyloose ends.

TerryTurtle shell top Use a 3.75mmcrochet hook anddark green yarn.Round 1: Make amagic ring for six sts.(6 sts).Round 2: Work 2 dcinto each st. (12 sts).Round 3: *1 dc infirst st, 2 dc in nextst* six times. (18 sts).Round 4: *1 dc in firsttwo sts, 2 dc into nextst* six times. (24 sts).Round 5: 1 dc intoea st around. (24 sts).Round 6: 1 dc intoea st around. (24 sts).Fasten off.

shell base Round 1: Using darkgreen yarn, make amagic ring for six sts.(6 sts).Round 2: Work 2 dcinto ea st. (12 sts).Round 3: *1 dc infirst st, 2 dc in nextst* six times. (18 sts).Round 4: *1 dc in

first two sts, 2 dc intonext st* six times. (24 sts).Fasten off.

headRound 1: Using limegreen yarn, make amagic ring for six sts.(6 sts).Round 2: Work 2 dcinto each st. (12 sts).Round 3: 1 dc intoea st around. (12 sts).Round 4: 1 dc intoea st around. Add toystuffing. (12 sts).Round 5: dc2tog sixtimes. (6 sts).Round 6: 1 dc intoea st around. (6 sts).Fasten off.

making upPinch the edge of thehead together and

wedge it betweenShell Base and Top,sew the shell edgestogether (either withdarning needle andthread, or with slipstitches) addingstuffing, and sewingthe head in place. Feet are attachedstraight to the shelledge. Choose thespot you want toposition them in andwork the foll: Attachyarn to an edge, 2 ch,1 tr into same, 2 ch, slst into the same,fasten off. Sew on some beadsfor eyes and add aloop of chains to thetop to attach to ametal keyring link.

crochet

shoppingbasket

Key ring split rings 8p eachwww.woodworkscraftsuplies.co.uk 01633 400847Black seed beads £1.90 per packwww.empirebeads.co.uk 01235 527335

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