I have done not a thing with this blog in way too long. But, today, I have a crochet pattern! Someone asked for a little alien, and here he is: He's an almost amigurumi. I made some little changes to the traditional technique to get him to look the way I wanted. If you want to make one, you need less than 1 skein each of red-orange, white, and black yarn (I just used remnant balls.), a large handful of polyester fiberfill, and a 2-3 inch piece of floral or jewelry wire. I used a hairpin. The little dude stands just about 6 inches high, including his antenna.
Body and Head:
Using Magic Loop, make six SC and join into a loop. SC in next SC, 2 SC in next SC, repeat to end of round, 9 sts. SC in next 2 SC, 2 SC in next SC, repeat to end of round, 12 sts. SC in next 3 SC, 2 SC in next SC, repeat to end of round, 15 sts. Continue increasing in Ami pattern until there are 24 sts. Work even for 6 rows. SC in next 2 SC, SC 2 sts together, repeat to end of round, 18 sts. SC in next SC, SC 2 sts together, repeat to end of round, 12 sts. Here's where the pattern differs from traditional ones. I just started making the head from here, instead of making 2 pieces. If you want to stop here and make the head separately, just reverse the directions to crochet it upside down, and sew the two together later. But, I hate seams. SC in next SC, 2 SC in next SC, repeat to end of round, 18 sts. SC in next 2 SC, 2 SC in next SC, repeat to end of round, 24 sts. SC in next 3 SC, 2 SC in next SC, repeat to end of round, 24 sts. Continue increasing in established pattern, until there are 36 sts. Work even 3 rows. SC in next 4 SC, SC 2 sts together, repeat to end of round, 30 sts. SC in next 3 SC, SC 2 sts together, repeat to end of round, 24 sts. SC in next 2 SC, SC 2 sts together, repeat to end of round, 18 sts. SC in next SC, SC 2 sts together, repeat to end of round, 12 sts. Fill body and head with polyester fiberfill. SC 2 sts together, repeat to end of round, 6 sts. Break off yarn, leaving a 12" tail, draw top stitches together tightly.
Feet:(make 2)
Using Magic Circle technique, make 6 SC, join into a round. 2 Sc in next 6 SC. Work even 3 rows. Stuff a little fiberfill into the foot. You can also slip a quarter into it to keep the bottom flat if you like. SC next 2 sts together, repeat to end of round. Slip stitch in to first stitch of next round, Chain 1, and make 3 SC across opening to close foot. Attach feet to the bottom of the body, a little toward the front, so the alien will stand up.
Arms: (Make 2)
Using Magic Circle technique, make 6 SC, join into a round. SC in next 2 Sc, 2 SC in next Sc, repeat to end of round, 8 sts. Work even 6 rows. Slip stitch into first stitch of next row. Chain 1, make 4 SC across 8 sts of opening to close arm. (I left the arms un-stuffed so they would conform to the body curve. The waste yarn from the magic circle should be enough. If it's not, feel free to stuff them.) Break of yarn with a long tail,nsew arms to body, and tack hands down near feet.
Ears: (Make 2)
Magic Circle 6 sts, join. 2 SC in next SC, repeat to end of round. Slip stitch into first stitch of next round, break off yarn with a long tail, and sew onto head.
Antenna:
Tie black yarn to wire with a square knot. SC along length of wire. (This takes a little practice. Be patient.) Tie other end of yarn to wire. Bend ends of wire over SCs. With white yarn, Make a Magic Circle, slip stitch into a round, and break off yarn. Weave in ends, and sew or glue to one end of antenna. Sew antenna to top of head. Embroider on a face with some black and red-orange yarn, and enjoy your creation. Here is a tutorial for the Magic Circle, if you don't know how to do it.
If you make an alien, let me know how it turned out, and if the pattern has any mistakes. I'd love to see pictures of your finished aliens!
Amigurumi Alien by Emmy Greene is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
