How to Crochet an Amigurumi David Attenborough

2.5mm crochet hook

Toy stuffing

Pair of 8mm black safety eyes

Pair of 5mm safety eyes for the monkey (or use small black beads, or embroider the eyes)

Tapestry needle

Stitch markers

Yarn amounts used

Knitcraft Tiny Friends Palest Peach 13g

Knitcraft Tiny Friends Turquoise 10g

Knitcraft Tiny Friends Darn Brown 5g

Knitcraft Tiny Friends Beige 7g

Knitcraft Tiny Friends White 11g

Knitcraft Tiny Friends Lime 7g

Knitcraft Tiny Friends Yellow / purple / pink: less than 5g

Abbreviations (UK terms)

Ch Chain

Sl st Slip stitch

Dc Double crochet

Htr Half double crochet

Tr Treble crochet

Dc2tog Decrease

St(s) Stitch(es)

PM Place marker

BLO Back loops only

FLO Front loops only

RS Right side

Reverse dc Reverse double crochet

Special stitches

Reverse double crochet

This is used to give the edge of the cake some detailing. Start the row with a ch1, then insert the hook into the st immediately to the right (if you are right handed) or left (if you are left handed), then complete the st as normal. It will create a nice, twisted edge.

Picot

After the last dc, ch2, insert hook back into the centre base of st (you will see an upside-down ‘v’), ss to finish the Picot and continue with the next dc.

Round 1: Using Palest Peach, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rounds 3–7: Dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 8: Dc2tog, 10dc. (11sts)

Rounds 9–10: Dc in each st around. (11 sts)

Round 11: Dc2tog, 9dc. (10 sts)

Rounds 12–14: Dc in each st around. (10 sts)

Round 15: Dc2tog, 8dc. (9 sts)

Rounds 16–17: Dc in each st around. (9 sts)

Round 18: Dc2tog, 7dc, change to Turquoise on last yo. (8 sts)

Rounds 19: Dc in each st around. (8 sts)

Rounds 20: In BLO dc in each st around. (8 sts)

Rounds 21: Dc in each st around. (8 sts)

Round 22: Dc2tog, 6dc. (7 sts)

Rounds 23–24: Dc in each st around. (7 sts)

Round 25: 3dc, sl st, leave the remaining sts unworked.

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Pm in next st.

Stuff arms.

Cuffs

Round 1: Hold arm upside down and, leaving a long starting tail, join Turquoise in a front loop left from round 19, ch1, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, (2dc in next st, 1dc) to end. (12 sts).

Round 2: Dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Repeat on second arm and weave in all ends.

Round 1: Using Dark Brown, work into a magic ring, 7dc. (7 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (14 sts)

Rounds 3–5: Dc in each st around. (14 sts)

Change colour to Beige.

Rounds 6–25: Dc in each st around. (14 sts)

Round 26: 4dc, sl st, leave remaining sts unworked.

Fasten off first leg, pm in next st.

Do not fasten off second leg. Stuffs legs.

Round 1: Continue with second leg, 14dc, ch1 (counts as 1 st), starting in marked st on first leg, 14dc, 1dc in BLO of ch. (30 sts)

Rounds 2–6: Dc in each st around, change to Dark Brown on last yo of last round. (30 sts)

Rounds 7: Dc in each st around, change to Turquoise on last yo. (30 sts)

Stuff body as you go.

Round 8: In BLO dc in each st around. (30 sts) 

Rounds 9–10: Dc in each st around. (30 sts) 8dc, pm in next st to denote new start of round.

Round 11: (dc2tog, 13dc) twice. (28 sts)

Round 12: Dc in each st around. (28 sts)

Round 13: (dc2tog, 12dc) twice. (26 sts)

Round 14: Dc in each st around. (26 sts)

Round 15: (dc2tog, 11dc), twice. (24 sts)

Round 16: Dc in each st around. (24 sts)

Round 17: (dc2tog, 10dc), twice. (22 sts)

Round 18: Dc in each st around. (22 sts)

Round 19: (dc2tog, 9dc), twice. (20 sts)

Round 20: Dc in each st around. (20 sts)

Round 21: (dc2tog, 8dc), twice. (18 sts)

Round 22: Dc in each st around. (18 sts)

In the next round you will join the arms, make sure to continue to mark the start of each round.

Round 23: 1dc in next st of body, starting in marked st on first arm, 7dc, starting in next st on body, 9dc, starting in marked st on second arm, 7dc, starting in next st on body 8dc. (32 sts)

Round 24: 2dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 11dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 9dc. (28 sts)

Round 25: (1dc, dc2tog) twice, 9dc, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 8dc. (24 sts) Use a tapestry needle and the tail ends left on the arms to sew closed the small holes created when joining them.

Round 26: (dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, 7dc) twice. (20 sts)

Round 27: (dc2tog, 1 dc, dc2tog, 5dc) twice, change to Palest Peach on last yo. (16 sts)

Round 28: In BLO dc in each st around. (16 sts)

Round 29: Dc in each st around. (16 sts)

Round 30: (2dc in next st) 14 times, 2dc. (30 sts)

Round 31: (2dc in next st, 4dc) 6 times. (36 sts)

Round 32: (2dc in next st, 5dc) 6 times. (42 sts)

Rounds 33–42: Dc in each st around.

Secure work to continue later. Insert safety eyes between rounds 36 and 37 and about 2.5cm (or 8 sts) apart.

Thread a tapestry needle with a short length of Pink and embroider a small (1cm long) stitch for the mouth 3 rounds below the eyes.

Row 1: Join Turquoise to the FL of the front centre st of Round 27, ch1, 1dc in same st as join, 16dc (last st will be in the same st you started in). (17 sts)

Row 2: Ch1, dc in each st to end. (17sts) Fasten off and weave in ends.

Continue from where you secured work, stuff as you go.

Round 43: (dc2tog, 5dc) 6 times. (36 sts)

Round 44: (dc2tog, 4dc) 6 times. (30 sts)

Round 45: (dc2tog, 3dc) 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 46: (dc2tog, 2dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 47: (dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times. (12 sts)

Round 48: (dc2tog) 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off. Thread a tapestry needle with the tail end and make some sts to pull the hole closed. Weave in end.

Round 1: Using White, work into a magic ring, 6 dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 4: (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 5: (2dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times. (30 sts)

Round 6: (2dc in next st, 4dc) 6 times. (36 sts)

Round 7: (2dc in next st, 5dc) 6 times. (42 sts)

Rounds 8–11: Dc in each st around. (42 sts)

We will now continue in rows without a ch1 at the start of the rows.

Row 12: Turn, skip 1st st, 41dc. (41 sts)

Row 13: Turn, skip 1st st, 40dc. (40 sts)

Row 14: Turn, skip 1st st, 39dc. (39 sts)

Row 15: Turn, skip 1st st, 5dc, 2 sl st, 1dc, 1htr, 15tr. 1htr, 1dc, 2 sl st, 9dc, sl st into last st. (38 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing on.

Place the hair onto the head. There should be a little ‘dip’ on each side, these line up with the ears.

Round 1: Using Palest Peach, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: Dc in each st around. (6 sts)

Sl st in next st, fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing on.

Place the hair in position and you should see 2 indents where the ears should be sewn on. The ears should line up with the top of the eye, and in line with the shoulder.

Hat

Round 1: Using Lime, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: (2dc in next st, 1dc) 3 times. (9 sts)

Round 3: Dc in each st around. (9 sts)

Round 4: (2dc in next st, 2dc) 3 times. (12 sts)

Round 5: Dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 6: (2dc in next st, 3dc) 3 times. (15 sts)

Round 7: Dc in each st around. (15 sts)

Round 8: (2dc in next st, 4dc) 3 times. (18 sts)

Round 9: Dc in each st around. (18 sts)

Round 10: (2dc in next st, 5dc) 3 times. (21 sts)

Round 11: Dc in each st around. (21 sts)

Round 12: (2dc in next st, 6dc) 3 times. (24 sts)

Round 13: Dc in each st around, change to Purple on last yo. (24 sts)

Round 14: (2dc in next st, 7dc) 3 times. (27 sts)

Round 15: Dc in each st around. (27 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bobble

Round 1: Using Purple, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rounds 3-4: dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Place a small amount of stuffing in the ball.

Round 5: (dc2tog) 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off leaving a long tail end. Thread a tapestry needle with the tail end and make some sts to pull the hole closed. Use the tail end to sew the ball to the top of the party hat. Use Yellow and a tapestry needle to sew small vertical stitches over the hat.

Cake

Round 1: Using Lime, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 4: (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 5: (2dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times, change to White on last yo. (30 sts)

Round 6: (2dc in next st, 4dc) 6 times. (36 sts)

Round 7: In BLO dc in each st around, change to Lime on last yo. (36 sts)

Rounds 8-14: Dc in each st around, change to White on last yo of last round. (36 sts)

Round 15: Dc in each st around. (36 sts)

Round 16: Ch1, work reverse dc’s around, sl st into the first dc to join. (36 sts)

Fasten off. Insert hook into one of the FL’s left on round 6, work reverse dc’s around, sl st into the first dc to join.

Fasten off and weave in end.

Use purple to make French knots around the base and the top for icing details.

Stuff.

Plate

Round 1: Using White, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 4: (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. (24 sts)

Round 5: (2dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times. (30 sts)

Round 6: (2dc in next st, 4dc) 6 times. (36 sts)

Round 7: (2dc in next st, 5dc) 6 times. (42 sts)

Round 8: (2dc in next st, 6dc) 6 times. (48 sts)

Round 9: (2dc in next st, 7dc) 6 times, change to Yellow on last yo. (54 sts)

Round 10: 5dc, (2dc in next st, 8dc) 5 times. 2dc in next st, 3dc. (60 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends. Sew the cake onto the plate adding more stuffing if required.

Candle

Ch 7 in white, dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc to end. (6 sts) Fasten off.

Flame

Round 1: Using Yellow, work into a magic ring, 3dc, 1picot, 3dc. Pull magic ring tight, sl st into the first dc. (6 sts)

Fasten off and sew to the top of the candle. Sew the candle to the top of the cake. Weave in remaining ends.

Head & Body

Round 1: Using Dark Brown, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 4: (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. (24 sts)

Rounds 5-8: Dc in each st around. (24 sts)

Round 9: (dc2tog, 2dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Secure work with a st maker to continue later.

Face

Round 1: Using Beige, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 3: (2dc in next st, 1dc) twice, 3htr in next st, 2 sl st, 3htr in next st, (1dc, 2dc in next st) twice. (20 sts)

Insert the 5mm safety eyes (see photo as a guide for position), then place the face onto the head inserting the eye stalks through the head as well.

Secure eyes in place. This is a little fiddly. You could also use small black beads or even embroider the eyes on.

Sew a little mouth in Dark Brown.

Finally sew the outside edge of the face onto the head.

Head & Body cont…

Continue from where you secured work, stuff as you go.

Round 10: (dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times. (12 sts)

Stuff head.

Round 11: Dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Round 12: (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 13: Dc in each st around. (18 sts)

Round 14: (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. (24 sts)

Rounds 15-18: Dc in each st around. (24 sts)

Round 19: (dc2tog, 2dc) 6 times. (18 sts)

Round 20: (dc2tog, 1dc) 6 times. (12 sts)

Round 21: (dc2tog) 6 times. (6 sts)

Fasten off.

Thread a tapestry needle with the tail end and make some sts to pull the hole closed.

Weave in end.

Arms / Legs

Make 4

Round 1: Using Dark Brown, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Rounds 2-10: Dc in each st around. (6sts)

Fasten off.

It is not necessary to stuff the arms and legs.

Sew onto the body.

Tail

Round 1: Using Dark Brown, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Rounds 2-18: Dc in each st around. (6sts)

Fasten off.

It is not necessary to stuff the tail.

Sew onto the body.

Ears (outer)

Round 1: Using Dark Brown, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Sl st into the first dc, fasten off.

Ears (inner)

Round 1: Using Beige, work into a magic ring, 6dc. (6 sts)

Sl st into the first dc, fasten off.

Sew the inner ear to the outer ear, then sew the whole ear to the head. Weave in remaining ends.