Mini Squiddle

[hooked_on_anime]

By request and because it's not like I can actually sell these anymore, mini Squiddles!




Pattern time!

One of the things I really love about this pattern is that I can do it all in one go, no cutting at all. So convenient!

Things you need to know: US stitch names, crocheting in the round (spiral), increasing ([stitch] 2 in 1), Decreasing ([stitch] 2 tog), Single Crochet (sc), Slip Stitch (slst), Front Post Crochet (fp [stitch]), Front Loop Crochet (fl [stitch])
Materials (per Squiddle): Yarn (main color + black; I use worsted weight for both), crochet hook (I use 5mm), two 12mm plastic safety eyes*, stuffing, one strength six (6) magnet*.
* Both these materials are optional. I use regular yarn for Horrorterror-style mini Squiddles and they don't need to be magnetic, especially if you're only making one.

Pattern:
Round 1: Begin in a ring; Sc 6; continue in a spiral
Round 2: Sc 12 (sc 2 in 1 all around)
Round 3: Sc 18 (sc 2 in 1, sc 1)
Round 4 thru 8: Sc 18
Round 9: Fl sc 27 (fl sc 1, fl sc 2 in 1) (add eyes now)
Round 10: Sc 18 (sc 1, sc 2 tog)
Round 11: Sc 12 (sc 1, sc 2 tog) (stuff, add magnet (optional) now)
Round 12: Sc 6 (sc 2 tog all around)
Round 13: Sl st 3 (every other) to close
Round 14/legs: Fp slst to get to Round 11; ([ch 5, sl st 4; fp slst 3] x 6)
Finish

Cut the tail of the yarn long. Use it to sew Round 9 and Round 10 together so they don't puff out too much.

Don't worry too much about getting the magnets facing the right directions; I don't usually have any trouble shifting them around so they can stick together after I've closed the Squiddles up.


And there you go! Really one of my simpler patterns. Enjoy!

Comments

[lea_hazel]

These are dangerously adorable. Squee!

[hooked_on_anime]

Thank you! I'm quite pleased with them myself :)

QUESTION?

[(Anonymous)]

Hi. I have a question about these squiddles and the regular sized ones. I can seem to find the bit on either pattern that tells me how to make the eyes? Please help?

Re: QUESTION?

[hooked_on_anime]

For the larger Squiddles, if you want to crochet the eyes, just use the first three rounds and then finish with a slip stitch. Sew on a bit of white once you've attached them. 'Fraid you're out of luck for the Horrorterror version, though, because I can't remember how I crocheted those eyes. These days, I usually make eyes of this size with felt and hot glue them on, with a dot of white acrylic paint for the eye glint.

For the mini Squiddles, I purchase and apply 12mm solid black safety eyes to the ~5th round. For the Horrorterror version, I double up a piece of black yarn once and sew in > < with the bottoms flat.

I hope that helps!

Re: QUESTION?

[(Anonymous)]

Yes. It does. Thanks. :)

Weight

[(Anonymous)]

It's common practice to include the weight of the yarn recommended for use, as well as the hook size. The pattern isn't very useful without these details.

Re: Weight

[hooked_on_anime]

Thank you for prompting me to add a link to my "FAQ" section to the sidebar; while I address yarn weight and hook size, among other things, in the header post on the main page of this blog, I suppose not many people notice it when linked instead directly to a pattern. You should be able to find the information you need there under the last bullet point.

*sigh* Sorry, that was rude of me. But I don't actually pay much attention to listed hook size or yarn weight (or gauge, for that matter), so I occasionally forget to include it in my patterns. Thank you for bringing to my attention the fact that I didn't in this particular pattern, though I do hope you'll choose to do so in a less condescending way in the future.

Yarn + Magnets

[(Anonymous)]

I love these patterns, but I just have... Two(?) questions.
One: What sort of yarn do you use? I ask simply because I love the shininess of it, and I haven't seen it before.

Two: Where do you get your magnets? I can't find regular circular magnets at my local craft store or walmart. Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong section?

Re: Yarn + Magnets

[hooked_on_anime]

I use Caron Simply Soft for the Squiddles, though Red Heart Soft is also good.

Yeah, magnets typically aren't anywhere near the yarn. At my local Hobby Lobby (before I stopped shopping there for Reasons), they were located right near the plastic eyes, which was quite convenient for me. At my local Michael's, I think they were located kinda near jewelry making supplies? I haven't had to buy magnets in a while. If you're up to such activities, try asking a staff person; if you find one and approach them first, you won't be surprised by the "Can I help you find something?" question and blurt out that you're fine before remembering that you actually do need help finding something and are now too embarrassed to ask. (What do you mean, I'm the only one with that problem?) You can also try a hardware store, though I make no guarantees there.

I actually rather like wandering around the aisles in craft stores just to look at stuff; I've occasionally found comparable products in different parts of the store for completely different prices. Also, at least in the US, it's a good time to visit; fake snow should be on sale, which works great as stuffing.

/monologue

Question

[(Anonymous)]

I really do not understand how to do the legs for the squIddle, could you explaIn It to me? :?

Re: Question

[hooked_on_anime]

So, right before the legs, you know how you've just closed up the body? DO NOT CUT THE YARN. Instead, slst directly into the bottom of the Squiddle until you get to the stitches you made in Round 11. At that point, ch5, slst 4; then, slst 3 directly into the bottom of the squiddle again. Three stitches should be what you need to space the legs evenly.

I hope that helps!