Vulpix catches fire

February 27, 2017March 1, 2017 | heyheygav

heyhey3 — Vulpix is a teeny fellow but with a big character

Hey hey crochet lovers. The next project on the agenda was this fiery little fellow – the fox Pokemon, Vulpix. He’s on a smaller scale to some of my other projects, but there’s still a lot of character packed in his tiny form.

What I love most of all about Vulpix is how sparkly his dewey little eyes turned out. They really help elevate the look to the anime level, and it’s well worth learning how to master this technique if you want a more accurate look.

Attempt one at Vulpix’s neck did not go well

Breaking needles – a common mishap for the needle-felter

It’s fair to say I experienced a few problems with this one, from breaking a needle trying to perfect Vulpix’s and eyes to completely redoing the neck piece after the first one made him look like a misshapen horse. He still doesn’t stand up too well but what the heck.

Pattern: $4.99 from http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vulpix-pokemon-inspired-pattern

Yarn: Sirdar cotton DK in red, rust and brown

Hook: 3.5mm

Finished size: 20cm tall

Though he may be but little, he is fierce

Cheeky Chespin takes the stage

December 27, 2016 | heyheygav

Hey hey crochet fans. Up to now all the Pokemon I’ve brought to life in yarn have been from the first generation but having watched the cartoons a lot, I’ve got some firm favourites among the later generations too. None more so than the adorably cheeky Chespin – the spiny nut Pokemon, and a perfect project for Autumn.

Chespin's body takes shape — Chespin’s body takes shape

The pattern I followed is a paid-for one by Amanda L. Girão but it’s worth the cost, as it’s very well presented with helpful step-by-step photos for key elements, along with clear instructions. It’s a more complicated pattern than most in terms of colour work, especially when constructing the body, as there are a lot of green and beige ends to weave in.

It’s when I add the needle-felted features that crocheted creatures really spring to life. Chespin’s bright, cheery face is a great one to work with through needle-felting, as his features are over the top and cartoony, which felting captures so well.

Chespin's cap and tail add cute detail to this little fellow — Chespin’s cap and tail add cute detail to this little fellow

Pattern: $4.74 from http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chespin-inspired-amigurumi-pokemon

Yarn: Rico Essentials Cotton DK in green, orange, brown and white & DMC Woolly DK Merino wool

Hook: 3.5mm

Finished size: 20cm tall

The circle is complete

November 26, 2016December 27, 2016 | heyheygav

Hey hey crochet lovers. From the start of my crocheted Pokemon journey I had my eye on the original three starter Pokemon and knew that I wanted all three created to Evelyn Pham’s super cute baby patterns. Squirtle was a lovely pattern to make up and it was a pleasant changed to have so many colours to work with. Isn’t he a sweetie!

I’m gradually building my skills with needle-felting and Squirtle was my first example of making fine detail work for the eyebrows and nostrils. For someone as shocking at embroidery at me, it’s a much more satisfying way of getting those finishes touches just right.

Pattern: http://aphid777.deviantart.com/art/Baby-Squirtle-with-pattern-429401124

Yarn: Rico Essentials Cotton DK

Hook: 3.5mm

Finished size: 30cm long x 15cm tall

Squirtle joins the rest of the gang - Squirtle meet Eevee, Charmander, Jigglypuff, Bulbasaur, Oddish and Gengar — Squirtle joins the rest of the gang – Squirtle meet Eevee, Charmander, Jigglypuff, Bulbasaur, Oddish and Gengar

Things are getting Oddish

October 11, 2016October 11, 2016 | heyheygav

Hey hey, crochet lovers. When I picked up my last bundle of yarn I had my eye firmly on an Oddish and its denim blue and vibrant green combo. With a spherical body and fairly simple features Oddish was a quick one to put together with one small fly in the ointment…

I didn’t like the flat-hooked leaves in the original pattern so I thought I’d go off-piste and make up my own from an adapted ear pattern. I can’t say I’m entirely happy with the results. I made the mistake of lightly stuffing the leaves, making them look like a green rubber glove stitched to his cute little head. I might come back to him and try the leaves again as right now, he’s not one of my favourites.

Pattern: http://www.wolfdreameroth.com/2009/07/oddish-plushie.html

Yarn: Rico Essentials Cotton DK in Denim and Green

Hook: 3.5mm

Finished size: 25cm tall

It’s getting hot in here…

October 6, 2016 | heyheygav

Hey, hey crochet lovers. After a break from Eveleyn Pham’s baby Pokemon patterns with Jigglypuff, I headed back for more with the adorable Charmander. I picked up a lovely range of cotton colours from Rico and the orange is so beautifully vibrant I couldn’t wait to hook him up.

While the pattern came together well the yarn was an awkward customer and kept splitting – not a problem I’ve had with other colours in this yarn so I may have just got unlucky.

The needle-felting is becoming one of my favourite parts of the process and I couldn’t be happier with Charmander’s eyes and cute little toesies. Just don’t look at both eyes at onc and how out of line they are.

Pattern: http://aphid777.deviantart.com/art/Baby-Charmander-with-pattern-428587585

Yarn: Rico Essentials Cotton DK

Hook: 3.5mm

Finished size: 30cm long x 10cm tall

It’s… Jigglypuff

September 24, 2016August 16, 2017 | heyheygav

After hooking up a couple of Evelyn Pham’s baby Pokemon patterns I fancied trying my hand at something a little different. For critter number three I turned to WolfDreamer’s Jigglypuff pattern.

Withthe main body being one big pink ball, this one was very quick to construct. I didn’t really like the ears in the original pattern so made my own on the round instead of flat. After building my needle-felting confidence with Eevee I dove straight in with Jigglypuff’s eyes and I’m so pleased with how they came out. A little more needle felting adding the mouth and the black depths to the ears too.

Yarn: pink DK Patons cotton

Hook: 3.5mm

Pattern: http://www.wolfdreameroth.com/2009/03/this-is-jigglypuff-i-made-for-kids.html

Extras: white, light blue and mid blue wool roving, felting needle

“Hello, Jiggly. nice to meet you,” said Bulbasaur, “May I call you Jiggly?”

Baby Eevee says hi!

September 22, 2016October 11, 2016 | heyheygav

Hey hey, crochet fans. After completing Evelyn Pham’s adorable Bulbasaur Pokemon pattern I couldn’t wait to get stuck into another. Of all the options available I just couldn’t pass up on Eevee – it’s just so cute!!!

I didn’t have the right yarn to get started on the little fella and finding the right colour in cotton proved tricky – instead I ended up with a super soft Merino wool in a soft cookie dough colour. It was a dream to hook with and the finished toy is wonderfully cuddly. It works for Eevee but I wouldn’t be keen to use wool again for Pokemon amigurumi as it’s too stretchy and doesn’t keep the shaping as well.

After my experience with Bulbasaur I thought I’d be a bit more adventurous with needle-felting this time and used wool roving for Eevee’s tail, fluffy mane, inner ears and features. His eyes are maybe a little small but I couldn’t be happier with how they’ve come out – so cute! Creating anime eyes is so much easier and more effective with needle-felting, so definitely give it a go.

Pattern: http://aphid777.deviantart.com/art/Baby-Eevee-with-pattern-443660084

Yarn: DMC Woolly DK Merino wool

Hook: 3.5mm

Finished size: 30cm long x 10cm tall

Bulbasaur couldn't wait for his new friend Eevee to hatch — Bulbasaur couldn’t wait for his new friend Eevee to hatch

Baby Bulbasaur is born

September 20, 2016October 11, 2016 | heyheygav

Bulbasaur, pattern from http://aphid777.deviantart.com/

Hey hey, crochet lovers. After cutting my teeth on a few amigurumi projects from Crochet Now magazine I desperately wanted to mix my rekindled affection for Pokemon with a good hook and yarn. A quick comparison of my yarn stash versus Pokemon colours pointed me in the direction of Bulbasaur patterns.

When I came across Evelyn Pham’s adorable baby Pokemon patterns on Deviantart I was smitten, and soon made a start on her Baby Bulbasaur. It came together beautifully and only took a few days to take shape. I hadn’t done much needle felting before so didn’t attempt to produce the eyes – I glued these in in felt – but had great fun adding his little blue patches. I can’t recommend Evelyn’s patterns enough as they’re wonderfully shaped and super easy to follow.

Pattern: http://aphid777.deviantart.com/art/Baby-Bulbasaur-with-pattern-411360915

Yarn: DK Patons cotton

Hook: 3.5mm

Finished size: 20cm long x 15cm tall