BLUE WHALE AMIGURUMI
Welcome back to Sweet Nothings Crochet blogs.
Today let’s work on a cute little amigurumi – a blue whale stuff toy.
This project has been made for an NGO that is working towards protecting our oceans and they specifically wanted a blue whale.
However, you could use any color or combinations there of to make this cute little whale.
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Materials used : Today I’ve used (Indian) unbranded 2-ply cotton thread with a 1.9 mm crochet hook ; one pair of eyes or beads.
If you want eyes for amigurumi, look here
I’ve used two threads held together – so if you’re using regular knitting cotton, it should work.
With this project, the thinner the yarn, the smaller the end result. So, yarn choice does not matter.
General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
Difficulty level : Intermediate to Advanced
Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)
lp(s) : Loop(s) sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet sp : Space
sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es) hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over sk : Skip
Stitches used : Using US terminology
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY
What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro
Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k
First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M
Half Double Crochet : Hdc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps. One hdc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg
Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo
Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0
Instruction information
Please note that I start all rows with a ch 1 turning chain for ease.
Please also check the top of this blog for neat video tutorials of all stitches used in today’s pattern sheet.
Visit https://amigurumi.today/blue-whale-free-amigurumi-pattern for this free crochet pattern.
For neatest results, this pattern is worked in spirals – without ending and joining at the end of each round. I’d suggest using a marker.
When working in spirals, I’d suggest you try this yarn marker.
For using a yarn to mark your rounds, you start with the magic circle and then thread a contrast color through the centre first.
You then work the contrast color under and over the last stitch at the end of every round.
What does this mean? So if your yarn comes from bottom of work to the top from the centre of the magic circle, you will then pass it from the top to bottom after you finish your last st and before you start the 1st st of the next round. Similarly when you reach the end of this round, you will bring the yarn up from the bottom to the top as you complete the last stitch of this round.
If working in spirals is tough for you, ensure that you reduce that joining ugly line with a seamless round finish
For using a yarn to mark your rounds, you start with the magic circle and then thread a contrast color through the centre first.
You then work the contrast color under and over the last stitch at the end of every round.
What does this mean? So if your yarn comes from bottom of work to the top from the centre of the magic circle, you will then pass it from the top to bottom after you finish your last st and before you start the 1st st of the next round. Similarly when you reach the end of this round, you will bring the yarn up from the bottom to the top as you complete the last stitch of this round.
When you are done with all your rounds, you simply pull the yarn through.
This is what this marker will look like. I’ve also worked in markers to mark rounds of increase (not necessary – but I did it as I am sometimes unable to finish my work at one sitting and do not want to constantly count out the rows – that’s tedious work.. not that adding these little bits of yarn isn’t, may I add ?
For stuffing I used my amigurumi ball idea.
So an amigurumi ball is using a bit of poly-fill stuffing that I’ve wrapped into a little bit of stocking net. Stocking net has a great stretch – so you cut out a small section of stocking net and run a line of hand stitching around one side of the opening ; then put in the poly-fill stuffing, and pull your line of running stitches to close. You have small ball of stuffing neatly covered by the stocking net. The advantage is that the poly-fill will not spill out of your crochet work on washing. What is slightly tricky is that you need to get the ball size somewhat right for a neat finish. That said, firstly the stocking net stretches a great deal, so stuff away – and secondly, you could use multiple little balls to get the size of your toy right.
Have fun – enjoy this learning experience too.
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