Micro Crochet Amigurumi
Do you already know how to make amigurumi but want to learn how to make it smaller? After all, the law of crochet states, smaller = cuter. In this Instructables, I will teach you the basics of starting a microgurumi and how to shrink your work down until only millimeters become the appropriate unit to use when describing its size.
Supplies
Size 10 crochet thread in the colors you need (yellow, black, white)
1.5 mm metal crochet hook
polyester stuffing
black seed beads
black sewing thread
needle
Abbreviations and Stitches
Stitches you should know before beginning:
MC - Magic Circle
X - Single Crochet
V - Single Crochet Increase
A - Single Crochet Decrease
CH - Chain
st - stitch
sts - stitches
slst - slip stitch
FO - Finish Off
Tips and Tricks!
- I find that Aunt Lydia's Cotton Thread, Artiste Mercerized Cotton Thread, and Baroque thread works best when making these tiny toys.
- Find a crochet hook that has a good tactile handle or grip so that your hand is less likely to cramp up and become painful.
- WASH YOUR HANDS! If you do not do so, the small amounts of dust, dirt and sweat in your fingertips will transfer to the toy you are making. Because you will likely work on a toy that is only a few millimeters for several hours the color will change and it will look less appealing.
- Take frequent breaks, the strain it will cause on your eyes and fingers can cause some pain so it is a good idea to allow yourself to rest between steps of a project.
- Use tweezers to stuff the small components of your toy.
- If changing color frequently, keep the tail of the thread attached and don't cut off between color changes. It allows for less ends.
- Small amounts of wool felt and a tiny barbed needle can be a good idea to create detail instead of frequent color changing.
- Use patterns you already own. Patterns that would normally fit in your palm for a size 4 worsted weight yarn, make wonderful microgurumi.
- Using sewing machine thread and a smaller hook when you've had enough practice can help make your toy even smaller!
Example Project: Mini Chunky Bumbleebee
I thought it would be cool to go through some of the steps needed to make a microgurumi on camera so that you could see how small the stitches really are! Additionally I put the written pattern here so that you can practice making your own tiny bee friends.
Body:
(Start with yellow)
Round 1: 6 X in a MC (6)
Round 2: V in each ST around (12)
Round 3: (X, V) *6 (18)
Round 4-6: X in each ST around (18)
(Change to Black)
Round 7-8: X in each ST around (18)
(Change to Yellow)
Round 9-10: X in each ST around (18)
(Change to Black)
Round 11-12: X in each ST around (18)
(Change to Yellow)
Round 13-14: X in each ST around (18)
Stuff with tweezers tightly. The stitches should be close together so this should not be a problem.
(Change to Black)
Round 15: (X, A) *6 (12)
Round 16: A in each ST around (6)
FO sew bottom closed and hide all ends
Wings:
(In White x2)
Round 1: 6 X in a MC (6)
FO leaving tail to tie.
Assembly:
Tie each wing on between rounds 9 and 10. Hide the ends within the body using your tiny crochet hook or needle.
Using black yarn, sew eyes on to the bee. You can use seed beads and the black thread or create french knots with the same thread.
If you want you can add antenna!
Tips:
Turn your bee into a charm for a necklace.
Make a second bee and turn them into some dangly earrings.
Or make a small terrarium full of flowers for the bee to explore!