Pentapods
Materials:
Approximately 50 yards of worsted weight yarn. Size G hook (4mm) or size needed to create a firm fabric. Small amount of stuffing. Safety eyes or felt or embroider knots. YarnNeedle
Terms:
Magic Ring = A technique for starting amigurumi that doesn't leave a hole. I really couldn't explain it any better than the amazing PlanetJune does on her website. She has both videos and photo tutorials showing this technique. If you like crochet toys you might check out her amazing creations as well.
Legs (Make 5) Starting with a magic ring sc 6 into the circle and join. Round 2) sc in each sc around (6sc) Round 3) \*(2sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) repeat from \* around (8sc) Round 4) sc in each sc around Round 5) sc in each sc around Round 6) \*(2sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc) repeat from \* around (10sc) Round 7) sc in each sc around Round 8) sc in each sc around Round 9) \*(2sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc) repeat from \* around (12sc) Round 1o) sc in each sc around Round 11) sc in each sc around Finish off by pulling the loop through and leaving a tail of a few inches.
Head
Make another magic ring with 6 sc Round 2) 2 sc in each sc around (12sc) Round 3) \*(1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat from \* around (18 sc) Round 4) \*(1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat from \* around. (24 sc) Rounds 5-10) sc in each sc around If you're using safety eyes, place them on the head now. You can put them between the 8th and gth rounds for lower eyes (like the variegated Pentapod) or between the 5th and 6th rounds for higher eyes (like the blue Pentapod). Experiment with the size of the space between them as well for different looks. Round 11) \*(sc 4, sc2tog) repeat from \* around (20 sc) Round 12) sc in each sc around Finish offleaving a tail at least 12" long.
Bottom:
Starting with a magic ring, this one with only 5 sc in the circle. Round 2) 2 sc in each sc around (10sc) Round 3) \*(2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc) repeat from \* around (15 sc) Round 4) \*(2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc,) repeat from \* around. (20 sc) Finish off leaving a tail at least 12" long
Assembly:
Arrange the legs around the opening of the body, so that the legs tail yarn is on the left side of each leg. The four sC stitches to the right of that tail yarn (Marked with the yellow pins in the pictures below) will be joined to the head using the tail yarn from the head. Then the legs tail yarn will be used to join the 2 sc stitches following it, to the 2 sc before the 4 stitches joined to the head on the next leg (Marked with the pink pins in the pictures below).
Repeat this for all 5 legs. Knot off the leg tail yarns and either clip them or use them to stuff each leg. Stuff the legs and head to whatever firmness you desire. Less stuffing will make for a more squishy Pentapod. The multi-coloured example actually has no stuffing other than the tail ends of the leg yarn in each leg.
Now it's time to attach the bottom to the legs. Place it in the opening and use the tail yarn from the bottom to join it to the legs. There will be one sc on the edge of the bottom for each of the 4 sc remaining on each leg (shown on two legs in the picture below with the red and yellow pins). Before joining the last 4 or so sc, check your stuffing. If desired add a bit more to fill out the tummy before sewing it closed.
Now your Pentapod is ready to be loved! Huggle them. Toss and catch them. Let them ride around on your shoulder. They brings smiles wherever they go! :-)
