freshstitches amigurumi. patterns. plushies.
Mike the Monster
Designed by: Stacey Trock Size: 10 inches tall (5 inches, seated) DOB: October 2013 For detailed instructions, blog posts and more patterns, visit: www.freshstitches.com
Abbreviations
ch: chain sc: single crochet sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together st(s): stitch(es)
Materials
Size H (5.Omm) crochet hook Tapestry Needle Polyester stuffing Locking stitch marker (for counting rounds, optional) Small amounts of felt: black, white, grey and blue Craft glue
Yarn
This pattern can be used with any weight yarn! Just use the hook recommended on the ball band, and adjust as needed (see 'gauge notes'). For a bigger, super-cuddly animal, try a bulky weight yarn! Just keep in mind that you'll use more yardage than recommended. The sample is crocheted in worsted weight yarn, and all yardage/hook recommendations are calculated based on the sample. To complete this pattern, you'll need: MC- Green (Ella Rae Classic Wool, color #317), 250 yards CC- White (Ella Rae Classic Wool, color #01), 15 yards Stuffed animals are a great time to experiment with awesome yarns in fun colors! Some of my favorite yarns are: Brown Sheep Nature Spun (100% wool), Spud and Chloe Sweater (50% wool, 50% cotton), Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton (100% Organic Cotton) and Plymouth Galway (1o0% wool, available in worsted and chunky). Give them a try!
Helpful Instructions & Pattern Notes
Gauge Notes
This pattern doesn't specify a gauge. It's a stuffed animal, and you don't need to be too picky about exact sizing. The most important thing is that you use a hook size that creates a nice looking fabric for your yarn. If you use the recommended hook size, and your fabric looks very loose (so that stuffing would show through), then you will want to use a smaller hook. Other than that, no measuring required! In case you're curious about getting the exact gauge I do, it's 5 rounds=2.25 inches.
Stitch into the back
All stitches in this pattern (that are worked in the round) are worked through the back loop only, unless otherwise directed. Look at picture below, and see how one loop is highlighted in black? This is the back loop, and it's what you'll stitch into. Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece.
For pieces worked in rows, you will stitch into the front loop only, unless otherwise directed. You can stitch into both loops if you desire, but this will change the look of the final product. Want to see crocheting through the back loop in action? Watch my video: www.freshstitches.com/crochet-video-tutorial-help/back-loop-crochet-stitch/
Starting out: the sloppy slip knot
Most pieces in this pattern (as they are based on circles) begin with stitching six times into one loop. I recommend the 'sloppy slip knot' to avoid creating a hole in the center. To do this, twist the yarn around the hook to begin (a), and crochet as directed. Once you have completed your first round (b), pull on the tail, while holding the work you have created (c). The center hole will close right up!
Want to see the sloppy slip knot in action? Watch my video: www.freshstitches.com/crochet-video-tutorial-help/sloppy-slip-knot amigurumi-start/
Fasten off with long tail
What does this mean? It just means that when you are ending a piece, leave a lot (about 6-9 inches) of extra yarn, as pictured. This will be used to attach this piece to another piece. To attach your piece to another, just thread the long tail through a tapestry needle, and stitch to the second piece.
Attaching parts
In this pattern, you will be instructed to attach two pieces together, such as attaching a smaller part (such as a leg) onto a larger part (like a body. The small part (in this case, the leg) will have a row of stitches at the opening, and a long tail. Thread a tapestry needle with the long tail. Put the leg where it should go along the body, and pick up a stitch on the body. Keep going (one stitch on leg, one stitch on the body), until you have stitches all the way around the leg. When you are done, tie a knot to fasten off. Read www.freshstitches.com/hate-attaching-limbs-to-amigurumi-not-after-reading-thispost/ for more tips on attaching limbs easily!
The Pattern
Feet
Make 2. Each foot has 3 toes!
Toes
Make 3. With MC, ch 2. Round 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook. (6) Round 2: Sc twice in each st. (12) Rounds 3-4: Sc in each st. (12, 2 rounds) For two of the toes, fasten off. For the third toe, do not fasten off! You will continue to work this toe to join all three together for the foot. Round 4: Sc in first 6 sts of the toe you are working on. Then, sc in 6 sts of round 4 of the second wing toe, then sc in all 12 sts in round 4 of the third toe. Sc in the remaining 6 sts on the second toe, then the final 6 sts of the first toe. (36) Phew!Thatlastroundofinstructionswas alittle exhausting, right? Fortunately, that's the hardest part of the pattern(and crucialfor getting those super-cute feet!). To the right is how your piece should look: Rounds 5-6: Sc in each st. (36, 2 rounds) Round 7: \*Sc2tog in next st, sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (30) Rounds 8-9: Sc in each st. (30, 2 rounds) Round 10: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (24) Rounds 11-12: Sc in each st. (24, 2 rounds) Round 13: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (18) Rounds 14-15: Sc in each st. (18, 2 rounds) Remove hook, but do not fasten off..
Assembly Instruction
You may notice holes in between where the toes are joined. Use a scrap of MC and a tapestry needle to close up the gaps. Stuff the foot. Continue crocheting... Round 16: \*Sc2tog, sc in next st. Repeat from \* 5 times. (12) Round 17: \*Sc2tog. Repeat from \* 5 times. (6) Round 18: Sc next and 4th st together. (1) Fasten off, pulling knot to inside.
Legs
Make 2. With MC, make a slip knot. Attach with a sc to the front loop of a stitch on round 13 of the foot (first stitch is marked with a red arrow in photo to the right.) Using the front loops of stitches on rounds 10-13, sc a total of 12 stitches in a circle shape, as pictured.
Need help attaching with a single crochet? Visit: www.freshstitches.com/how-to-attach-with-a-single-crochet/ Rounds 1-17: Sc in each st. (12, 17 rounds) Fasten off with long tail.
Arms
Make 2. Each arm has 4 fingers!
Fingers
Make 4. With MC, ch 2. Round 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook. (6) Round 2: Sc twice in each st. (12) Rounds 3-6: Sc in each st. (12, 4 rounds) For three of the fingers, fasten off. 2008-2013 FreshStitches. All rights reserved. This pattern may not be distributed in print or digital form. I designed this monster, based on Mike from Monsters University, as part of a blog campaign sponsored by Disney. Visit www.freshstitches.com/monstersuniversity/ for details. Items made from this pattern may not be sold. For the fourth finger, do not fasten off! You will continue to work this finger to join all three together for the hand. Round 7: Sc in first 6 sts of the finger you are working on. Then, sc in 6 sts of round 6 of the second wing finger, then sc in all 12 sts in round 6 of the third finger. Sc in the remaining 6 sts on the second finger, then the final 6 sts of the first finger. (36) Don't fret! You've done this part before...it's just like the feet! The fourth finger hasn't been used yet. Just set him aside for a few rounds from now. Rounds 8-10: Sc in each st. (36, 3 rounds) Round 11: Sc in the next 18 sts of the hand, then sc in all 12 stitches in round 6 of the fourth finger, then the remaining 18 sts of the hand. (48)
It's his thumb, get it? Round 12: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 6 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (42) Round 13: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (36) Round 14: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (30) Round 15: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (24) Remove hook, but do not fasten off..
Assembly Instruction
You may notice holes in between where the fingers are joined. Use a scrap of MC and a tapestry needle to close up the gaps. Stuff the hand. Continue crocheting... Round 16: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (18) Round 17: \*Sc2tog, sc in next st. Repeat from \* 5 times. (12) Rounds 18-34: Sc in each st. (12, 17 rounds) Fasten off with long tail.
Eye
With CC, ch 2. Round 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook. (6) Round 2: Sc twice in each st. (12) Round 3: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from \* 5 times. (18) Round 4: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (24) Round 5: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (30) Round 6: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (36) Fasten off with long tail.
Horns
Make 2. With CC, ch 2. Round 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook. (6) Round 2: Sc twice in each st. (12) Rounds 3-4: Sc in each st. (12, 2 rounds) Fasten off with long tail.
Body/Head
With MC, ch 2. Round 1: Sc 6 times in 2nd ch from hook. (6) Round 2: Sc twice in each st. (12) Round 3: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from \* 5 times. (18) Round 4: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (24) Round 5: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (30) Round 6: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (36) Round 7: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (42) Round 8: Sc in each st. (42) Round 9: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 6 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (48) Round 10: Sc in each st. (48) Round 11: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 7 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (54) Round 12: Sc in each st. (54) Round 13: \*Sc twice in next st, sc in next 8 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (60) Rounds 14-23: Sc in each st. (60, 10 rounds) Round 24: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (54) Round 25: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (48) Round 26: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (42) Round 27: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (36) Round 28: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (30) Remove hook, but do not fasten off..
Add the Eye
Stuff eye and attach to rounds 19-27 of body/head. Attach the eye so that it forms an oval-shape (horizontally).
Attach arms
Stuff arms. Flatten and attach to round 13 of the body/head. When attaching, note that the openingwill be on the bottom of themonster. Visit www.freshstitches.com/how-to-attach-a-flattened-piece-in-amigurumi/for more details on attaching aflattened piece.
Attach legs
Stuff arms. Flatten and attach to round 25 of thebodyhead. Stuff the body/head.
Attach horns
Stuff horns. Attach to rounds 6-9 of body/head.
Continue crocheting.. Round 29: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (24) Round 30: \*Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts. Repeat from \* 5 times. (18) Round 31: \*Sc2tog, sc in next st. Repeat from \* 5 times. (12) Round 32: \*Sc2tog. Repeat from \* 5 times. (6) Round 33: Sc next and 4th st together. (1) Fasten off, pulling tail to center. Here's how he looks... he needs some features, doesn't he?
Add an eye
Using blue felt, cut a circle approximately 1.25" in diameter. Using black felt, cut a circle about .5" in diameter. Using craft glue, glue the black circle to the center of the blue circle. Then, glue that piece to the center of the crocheted eye.
Add a mouth
Using black felt, cut a smile shape about the 3"wide. This is your time to have fun! Using white felt, cut out teeth shapes. Be creative! I even added a small bit of grey felt to be Mike's retainer! Glue mouth onto your monster.
Congrats! You now have an adorable monster!
Congrats on finishing an awesome stuffed animal! Now it's time to show it off... share your photos on our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/freshstitches! Or share your photo in our Ravelry group: www.ravelry.com/groups/freshstitches/ ... I can't wait to see what you made!
Did you love this free pattern?
Well, then, you'll love the rest of my patterns! They all feature clear crochet instructions & step-by-step photos, just like this one. Visit www.freshstitches.com/amigurumi/ to pick your next crochet project!
O2008-2013 FreshStitches. All rights reserved. This pattern may not be distributed in print or digital form. I designed this monster, based on Mike from Monsters University, as part of a blog campaign sponsored by Disney. Visit www.freshstitches.com/monstersuniversity/ for details. Items made from this pattern may not be sold.
