Hello there, fellow THN makers! Melanie here from Knot Too Shabby Crochet. I am so excited to be here and share a fun little summer project to spark some excitement!
But before we blast off, a little background about your’s truly. By day, I work full time as a Civil Engineer. It's challenging and fulfilling in so many ways, but I still crave a creative outlet. I've dabbled in all sorts of crafting ventures, but crochet and amigurumi are the ones that really seemed to stick. My civil engineering brain just loves learning how each stitch builds to bring a piece to life!
My first amigurumi was created in college, halfway though a bottle of wine during girl’s night it. It was a simple little birdie plush, stuffed with cotton balls. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew I was hooked! After a few years of laying low and crocheting items for myself and as gifts, I finally decided to start Knot Too Shabby Crochet!
The journey since then has been nothing short of incredible! With the support of family, friends, and the maker community, my little shop grew and I started to hone my skills and develop my own personal style. My amigurumi pieces are simple, sweet, and cuddly. They are inspired by my life, loves, and passions with a focus on minimizing sewing (because let's face it, sewing is everyone's least favorite part). All of this eventually culminated into publishing my very own book of patterns! Hooked on Amigurumi, published by Page Street Publishing, is set to be released June 25th and I couldn't be more excited and proud!
.jpg)
If you’re interested in purchasing my book, Flint the Firecracker is the perfect way to get a sneak peak into the styles and techniques used in my book. Just like the rest of the patterns in Hooked on Amigurumi, Flint was designed to minimize sewing and create a sweet, simple, seamless piece.
Materials
1 oz blue worsted weight/4-ply yarn
1 oz white worsted weight/4-ply yarn
1 oz red worsted weight/4-ply yarn
0.5 oz yellow worsted weight/4-ply yarn
Size E-4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook
Stitch markers
2 (6-mm) black plastic safety eyes
Scrap piece of black yarn for embroidery
Polyester fiberfill
Tapestry needle
Cosmetic blush, for adding cheeks (optional)
Terminology
R1: row 1 or round 1
st(s): stitch(es)
slst: slip stitch
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
inc: single crochet increase
dec: invisible decrease
sc2tog: single crochet two together
MR: magic ring
FLO: front loops only
Top
The piece starts at the top of the firework using blue yarn.
R1: 4 sc in MR (4)
R2: [1 sc, 1 inc] x2 (6)
R3: [1 sc, 1 inc] x3 (9)
R4: [2 sc, 1 inc] x3 (12)
R5: [3 sc, 1 inc] x3 (15)
R6: [4 sc, 1 inc] x3 (18)
R7: [5 sc, 1 inc] x3 (21)
R8: [6 sc, 1 inc] x3 (24)
R9: Working in BLO, [7 sc, 1 inc] x3 (27)
R10: [8 sc, 1 inc] x3 (30)
Base
Using white yarn, join the yarn to the first back loop from R9 of the top.
*To join a new yarn, insert your hook in the st, and then place a slipknot on the hook. Draw the slipknot through the st and ch 1. Start your first stitch in the same stitch as the join.
R1–13:[Changing to white yarn, 4sc. Changing to red yarn, 4 sc] x3 (24)
* While still using the original color, stop when you have the last 2 loops on your hook. With the new color, YO and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook. Continue working with the new color. No need to cut the yarn inside the piece, just pick up the new color and continue.
Place the eyes between R9 and R10, about 4 sc apart. Using black yarn, embroider the mouth onto the front of the face with the tapestry needle, just below the eyes. Add blush for rosy pink cheeks, if you’d like.
Switch to white yarn.
R13: Working in BLO, [2 sc, 1 sc2tog] x6 (18)
R14: [1 sc, 1 dec] x6 (12)
R15: 6 dec (6)
Stuff the piece with the polyester fiberfill. Close off, and then weave in the ends with the tapestry needle.
Star
This piece starts at the center of the star using yellow yarn.
R1: 10 sc in MR (10)
R2: [1 sc, 1 dc in same st, 1 ch, 1 dc in same st, 1 sc in same st. 1 slst in next st] x5 (30)
R3: Ch 15
Fasten off, use the excess yarn end to attach the star to the bottom of the firework. Weave in the ends with a tapestry needle.
There you have it, no sewing of finishing off required! All that’s left is to sit back, admire your work, and watch the real fireworks. Don’t forget to share your finished pieces by tagging me @knottooshabbycrochet.
.png)
Have a happy crocheting and Happy Fourth of July!
