Summer Crochet - Toys
Fun and Quick Toys to Make on Hot Days
Toys are a good project to work on in the summer, because they are small, but there is such a variety of them that they stay interesting.
Types of Toys
The most obvious and popular type of crocheted toy is amigurumi, or crocheted stuffed animals. Amigurumi toys are simple, as they are worked in the round with occasional increases and decreases. Most amigurumi use single crochet, because it is tight enough to keep stuffing in. Amigurumi toys range from birds to bears, even human dolls.
Crocheted toys do not only have to be amigurumi. Doll clothes and blankets can also be made, allowing children a more personal touch on a game of house, or decorating their favorite dollhouse.
Types of Yarn for Toys
Acrylic is usually the yarn of choice for crocheting toys because it is durable. Toys crocheted from acrylic yarn will not felt, and will be more resistent to wear and tear by small hands. Acrylic is also preferable for toys because it is usually cheaper than animal or plant fiber yarns, and many acrylic yarns, such as Red Heart Super Saver, have a lot of yardage for a relatively low price.
Any weight yarn can be used to make toys, but worsted weight is the most popular. Worsted weight yarn, being a medium weight yarn, makes for decent sized toys without using too many stitches. Medium weight yarns also allow a crocheter freedom to adjust sizing properly without jumping from big to small with a single decrease, or vice versa.
Where to Find Toy PatternsCrocheted toy patterns can be found in many places, especially online. Websites like Crochet Pattern Central and Ravelry have specific sections in their pattern browsers for toys, and there are many pattern books for them like Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet and Tiny Yarn Animals: Amigurumi Friends to Make and Enjoy. Searching for free amigurumi patterns will yield many different results and choices. Searching other websites, such as Etsy, can bring up crocheted toy patterns for sale as well.
Amigurumi patterns are also simple to create without a pattern, as most require crocheting balls and tubes of various sizes and sewing them together. For example, a bear could be made by crocheting one large ball for the body, one small ball for the head, four small tubes for the arms and legs, and two flat circles for the ears, then sewing them all together and either embroidering, fabric painting, or attaching animal eyes and other facial features.
Crochet toys are fun and easy to make.
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