Free amigurumi pattern: Purin

June 10, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 35 Comments

Purin-chan is a custard-like golden retriever first created by Sanrio in 1996.

In Japanese, “purin” means “pudding”.

Like Tuxedo-san, Purin-chan loves to eat.

To curb his growing appetite, he occasionally exercises.

yellow dog crochet amigurumei — *Cookie?*

yellow dog amigurumei crochet — *Cherries?*

Make your own Purin-chan!

Materials

2.50 mm hook
Similar sized yarn (lemon yellow and dark brown)
Embroidery floss (dark brown)
Darning needle
2 x small 2.5mm round beads
Pink brads (optional)
Polyester fiberfill
Small pebbles (to weigh Purin-chan down)

Body

With lemon yellow yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 sc*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 5: *2 sc, sc in next 3 sc*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 6: *2 sc, sc in next 4 sc*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 7: *2 sc, sc in next 5 sc*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 8: *2 sc, sc in next 6 sc*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 9: *2 sc, sc in next 7 sc*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 10 – 23: Sc in each sc around (54)

Sew on the small round beads as eyes – it should fall on round 12.

With dark brown embroidery floss, sew on the nose and mouth.

Pop in the pink brads (optional) for a blushing effect.

Round 24: *Inv dec, sc in next 7 sc*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 25: * Inv dec, sc in next 6 sc*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 26: * Inv dec, sc in next 5 sc*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 27: * Inv dec, sc in next 4 sc*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 28: *Inv dec, sc in next 3 sc*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 29: *Inv dec, sc in next 2 sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Begin stuffing the body. Add some small pebbles so Purin-chan will stand upright on its own. Top off with more stuffing.

Round 30: *Inv dec, sc in next 1 sc*, repeat 6 times (12)

Round 31: Inv dec all around (6)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

With lemon yellow yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4 – 6: Sc in each sc around (18)

Round 7: *Sc2together, sc in next 2 sc*, repeat 6 times (12)

Round 8 – 12: Sc in each sc around (12)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Hands (make 2)

With lemon yellow yarn:

Round 1: 7 sc in magic circle (7)

Round 2 – 6: Sc in each sc around (7)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Tail

With lemon yellow yarn:

Round 1: 5 sc in magic circle (5)

Round 2 – 4: Sc in each sc around (5)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Feet (make 2)

With lemon yellow yarn:

Round 1: 7 sc in magic circle (7)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (14)

Round 3 – 5: Sc in each sc around (14)

Round 6: *Sc2together*, repeat 7 times (7)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Weave the yarn to the centre back of the feet.

Pinch the piece slightly to give it shape.

Beret (base)

With dark brown yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 sc*, repeat 6 times (24)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Please note: I used a thicker yarn for this. You may want to add another round if your yarn is slightly thinner.

Beret (tip)

With dark brown yarn:

Chain 4

Round 1: Starting in second chain from hook, sc in the next 2sc, slip stitch in the last sc.

Fold the piece in half and sew it (with a slight protrusion) onto the centre of the beret base.

Assembly

Sew on the ears, arms and feet.
Sew on the tiny tail.
Sew on the beret.
Ta da!

As this is an original amiguruMEI pattern, kindly do not claim it as your own. You may place a link to this pattern from your site, but please do not repost it onto your page. Remember to share a picture of your own kawaii versions of Purin-chan with amiguruMEI!

Say Nyah! (Komaneko)

June 4, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Komaneko lives in the attic of a sweet little cottage on top of a hill.

She loves a good adventure, being the curious little creature she is.

Her current obsession? Balls and balls of yarn.

P/S: Komaneko is based on a Japanese character created by Tsuneo Goda, who won the award for best short film at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in France for a work featuring Domo-kun, the crazy-cute monster mascot of Japan’s NHK television station. Komaneko was initially a five-minute animated work designed to introduce stop motion at an exhibition (Koma means frame; neko means cat). Being the phenomenon that it is, the character was later developed into a full-length feature film.

When Meimoirs first stumbled across a Komaneko video, she wanted to rush out and buy a Komaneko something (anything!). Incidentally, Komaneko shares certain characteristics with Mei-chan, like a love for making her own dolls. Check out these super-kawaii videos below and let me know if Koma-chan isn’t the most adorable kitty you’ve ever seen!

Free amigurumi pattern: Tuxedo Sam

May 29, 2012May 30, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 70 Comments

Tuxedo Sam is a tubby little Sanrio penguin who loves to eat.

He likes to be called Tuxedo-san; Sam is too old-fashioned, he thinks.

sanrio blue penguin amigurumei crochet — *Bubbles!*

Make your own Tuxedo-san!

Materials

2.50 mm hook
1.75mm hook
Similar sized yarn (blue, white, yellow and navy blue)
Embroidery floss (red and dark brown)
Darning needle
Pink brads (optional)
Polyester fiberfill
Small pebbles (to weigh Tuxedo-san down)

Body

With blue yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 sc*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 5: *2 sc, sc in next 3 sc*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 6: *2 sc, sc in next 4 sc*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 7: *2 sc, sc in next 5 sc*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 8: *2 sc, sc in next 6 sc*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 9: *2 sc, sc in next 7 sc*, repeat 6 times (54)

Round 10 – 23: Sc in each sc around (54)

Sew in the eyes – it should fall on round 12. Remember to leave enough space in between for the beak.

Pop in the pink brads (optional) for a blushing effect.

Round 24: *Inv dec, sc in next 7 sc*, repeat 6 times (48)

Round 25: * Inv dec, sc in next 6 sc*, repeat 6 times (42)

Round 26: * Inv dec, sc in next 5 sc*, repeat 6 times (36)

Round 27: * Inv dec, sc in next 4 sc*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 28: *Inv dec, sc in next 3 sc*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 29: *Inv dec, sc in next 2 sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Begin stuffing the body. Add some small pebbles so Tuxedo-san will stand upright on its own. Top off with more stuffing.

Round 30: *Inv dec, sc in next 1 sc*, repeat 6 times (12)

Round 31: Inv dec all around (6)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Beak

With yellow yarn:

Round 1: 7 sc in magic circle (7)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (14)

Round 3: Sc in each sc around (14)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Tummy

With white yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4: *2sc, sc in next 2 sc*, repeat 6 times (24)

Round 5: *2 sc, sc in next 3 sc*, repeat 6 times (30)

Round 6 – 15: Sc in each sc around (30)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Feet (make 2)

With yellow yarn:

Round 1: 5 sc in magic circle (5)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (10)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 5 times (15)

Round 4 – 7: Sc in each sc around (15)

Flatten the piece.

Round 8: Sc across both sides, chain 2, sc in the same stitch, slip stitch in the next sc, 3hdc in the next sc, skip 1, slip stitch in the next sc, sc in the next sc, chain 2, sc in the same stitch, slip stitch in the next sc.

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Weave the yarn to the bottom centre of the feet.

tuxedo sam sanrio crochet — *Webcellent!*

Arms (make 2)

Round 1: 5 sc in magic circle (5)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (10)

Round 3 – 8: Sc in each sc around (10)

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Sailor hat

With white yarn:

Round 1: 6 sc in magic circle (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 6 times (18)

Round 4 – 5: Sc in each sc around (18)

Round 6: 2sc in each sc around (36)

Round 7: Dec all around (18)

Change yarn colour to navy. Leave a long white yarn end for sewing later.

Round 8: *2 sc, sc in next sc*, repeat 9 times (27)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

penguin blue crochet amigurumei sanrio — For easy sewing, flatten the edges of the hat first.

Bowtie:

With red embroidery floss and a 1.75mm hook:

Chain 5

Round 1: Starting in second chain from hook, sc in the next 3sc, 3sc in the last sc.

Round 2: Rotate the foundation row, don’t turn it. Sc in the next 3sc, 3sc in the last sc.

Round 3: Rotate again. Sc in the next 3sc, 3sc in the last sc.

Fasten off and leave a long end for sewing.

Weave the long end of the embroidery floss to the centre then make three loops over the piece to shape the bow.

Tie a knot with the shorter end at the back.

Assembly

Sew on the beak.
Flatten the white tummy piece and sew it on the body.
Sew on the feet and arms.
Add some stuffing to the sailor hat to keep it in shape. Flatten the brim on Tuxedo-san’s body and sew it on – be sure to sew on the protruding part of the hat so the edges can be folded up later. Curve up the ends when you’re done.
Sew on the red bow.
Ta da!

Playdate

May 22, 2012May 22, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 3 Comments

Mei-chan loves Strawberry Shortcake.

The fun-loving cartoon character first appeared as a greeting card design in 1977 – way before Mei-chan was born, of course.

Strawberry Shortcake has since been given a makeover, evolving first into a tomboy-looking adventure-seeker, and later into a wide-eyed, pink-haired people-pleaser.

Some of her friends from Strawberryland were also given new last names (Raspberry Tart to Torte) and the berry hero herself was last rumoured to have stolen Huckleberry Pie’s pet dog, Pupcake.

amigurumei crochet ghibli — Panda Oji-chan: What’s that?

fuzzy crochet amigurumei pink — Mei-chan: I’m busy.

fuzzy crochet strawberry shortcake amigurumei — Mei-chan: Now you have one and I…

strawberry shortcake crochet — Mei-chan: Mmmrmmmrmmmrmmm.

Chestnut sushi

May 10, 2012May 10, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 7 Comments

It’s really not all that bad when people say: ‘You have the memory of a goldfish!’

While many believe that the aquatic pet merely has a three-second memory span, Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters revealed that the fishies’ memories last much longer – subjects that were trained to navigate an underwater maze could remember the way out more than a month later!

As Bo&Friends put it, perhaps the goldfish only remembers what’s worth remembering in life.

bo crochet amigurumei — Meet Bo, Bo and Bo, who have no clue how they ended up on the sushi block.

edwarner amigurumei — Chestnut Girl: Er…go find your own place to hide.

P/S: Bo the goldfish and the kawaii Chestnut Girl were made in collaboration with Kamwei of Bo&Friends, Malaysia and Jessica Martinez of EdWarner, Spain! Thank you both for letting Meimoirs “amigurumise” your designs!

Mei-chan meets the prince

April 22, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

amigurumei fox ghibli — Mei-Chan: I could do this all day every day.

Sidetrack: A pumpkin fairytale

April 22, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

zakka crochet — Once there was a pumpkin with pins in his head.

zakka sewing kit — Before long they came across two buttons, six needles and three wooden pegs.

zakka sewing — And so they went to see Miss Gingham...

crochet zakka — The rest gladly followed...

Children’s day

April 9, 2012April 9, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 2 Comments

In Japan, Children’s Day takes place on May 5. A month prior to that, families would decorate their households with koinobori – carp-shaped wind socks made of paper or fabric.

These carp streamers are traditionally flown on roof tops to celebrate the event known as Tango no Sekku, in honour of sons (and daughters?) in the hope that they will grow up healthy and strong. The biggest koinobori represents the father; the medium and small-sized carps speak for the mother and child.

Meimoirs is no stranger to symbols of the koinobori – her father, who was an exporter of Japanese carps known as koi, found the cloth ‘kites’ amusing and used to have them strewn across the house. Only recently did she find out what the fish was all about, and wished that she had kept one or two in remembrance of her father, and a childhood she still thinks about from time to time.

mei-chan amigurumei crochet totoro ghibli — Mei-chan: I should be relieved that these are finally up!

mei-chan amigurumei crochet totoro ghibli fox — Mei-chan: So why do I still have this nagging feeling...

blue white crochet amigurumei ghibli — ...

fox amigurumei crochet totoro ghibli pink — Mei-chan: Oh.

fox amigurumei crochet totoro ghibli pink blue white — Mei-chan: Would you like to join me?

fox amigurumei crochet totoro ghibli — Mei-chan: Erm...do you know what these are for?

mei-chan totoro amigurumei crochet ghibli — ...

blue white ghibli amigurumei crochet — ...

amiguruMEI gets the Liebster Blog Award!

March 30, 2012April 9, 2012 by amigurumei ♥ 5 Comments

These are stuff dreams are made of. AmiguruMEI has just received its first Liebster Blog Award from Sharon of Homemade Obsessions! Thank you so much for including us in your selection!

Liebster is a German word that simply means favourite, dearest or beloved. The Liebster Blog Award is passed on from one blogger to the next, and is usually bestowed upon those with inspiring content on their page, but have fewer than 200 followers. The Award’s purpose is to help spread the word for newer bloggers, which would help them gain wider recognition in the long run.

In accepting the award, the blogger should:

Choose five up-and-coming blogs (with fewer than 200 followers) to award the Liebster to.
Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
Post the award on your blog. List the bloggers you are giving the award to with links to their sites. Leave comments on their blogs so they know about the award.
Share five random facts about yourself that people don’t know about you.

After due consideration, Meimoirs have found five awesome personalities that are much deserving of the Award. They are:

Michelle Ong of Nekomeow
Elaine Dong of Angelolli
Suzielah Rahmad of Mindnsoul
Nana of Handmade + Nana
Patch Stitch Button of Patch Stitch Button

Please visit their awe-inspiring blogs! And now here are five random nuggets about Meimoirs, as promised!

1) She enjoys watching the Studio Ghibli collection of animes over and over again, and have done so many times in the three different languages that they’re available in: Japanese, English and Chinese.

2) She is a fan of the Monkey Island and Legend of Zelda series of games. She once also spent hours building dream houses for her Sims in The Sims, as well as malfunctioning theme park rides (Rollercoaster Tycoon) and fruit-based pizzas in Pizza Connection.

3) As a child, she gave each of her Barbie dolls a first, middle and last name and recorded them all down on a piece of paper. She is guilty of having renamed the Pocahontas doll to Joan, simply because she looks more like a “Joan”.

4) She dreams of one day visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, the Little Prince Museum in Hakone and the Moomin Cafe in Fukuoka, Japan. Her obsession with the Japanese culture (although the Little Prince is really French) has now moved on to encompass the weird-cute Anpanman!

5) She has successfully mastered the art of cooking Kung Pow Chicken and Japanese curry, and would rotate between the two recipes whenever she volunteers to make dinner (Uh oh!).

These facts serve as an introduction to the whimsies Meimoirs have in store for you. More will be channeled onto amiguruMEI soon enough!