Free Pattern - Ami Balloons

I recently had a big amigurumi commission order from a lovely lady in Canada, and one of her requests was a batch of amigurumi balloons. She said she had seen some online, made with sticks as ‘stings’ - but they weren’t free standing and therefore required a pot to sit in or something to prop them up. I got my thinking cap on, and came up with these balloons - made with craft wire ‘string’ so they are free standing!

I liked the result so much I decided to put the pattern up on here for you guys - I hope you will enjoy it and find it useful!

The wire I used is 2mm craft wire, which can be bought from most craft stores, though I got this particular wire from a seller on Ebay. Craft wire is super cheap on eBay and comes in lots of different colours too. I found using 2mm thick wire was sturdy enough to hold the weight of the balloon, but also bendy enough to manipulate into a little stand (which you can make to look like the end of the ’string’ gathered on the floor) :)

The balloons pictured are about 2.5 inches tall, and the wire varying lengths from 4 - 8 inches long.

So here it is - Ami Balloons!

Ami Balloons

You Will Need:

. Crochet Hook (I used 3mm)

. Double Knit/Light WW/Sport Weight Yarn

. Embroidery Needle/Yarn Needle

. 2mm Craft Wire

. Wire Cutters

. Stuffing

Abbreviations

. Ch – Chain Stitch

. Sc – Single Crochet

. Inc (Increase) – 2 Sc into 1 St

. Dec (Decrease) – 1 Sc across 2 Sts

. St/Sts – Stitch/Stitches

. Slst – Slip Stitch

. ** – Marks a group of stitches to be repeated until the round is completed

Gauge

. No gauge, just keep your stitches nice and tight to avoid gaps in your work

Finished Size 

. 2.5inches/6cm tall (approx) using a 3mm hook and DK yarn

Other Info

. As this is amigurumi, work in continuous rounds; in a spiral. Don’t join at the end of a row; just keep going

. Use stitch markers or a piece of scrap yarn to mark the start of every round. Replace at the start of the next round as you go along. This will help you keep track of where you started, and saves a lot of time if things go wrong!

. Pattern is written in American Terms

. The number at the end of each round is the number of stitches you should now have

. I strongly recommend using a small hook i.e.- 3mm, to keep the proportions of the toy as they are in the pictures

Preparing the Wire

Before you start crocheting, I find it best to prepare the wire stand. 

Cut a length of wire about 5 - 6 inches longer than you would like the resulting ‘string’ to be. So if you’d like your ‘string’ to be 5 inches tall, you would cut about 10 -11 inches of wire. This is so you will be able to bend a stand from the excess wire at the bottom, and also insert the wire into the balloon body.

With a pair of pliers, or even just your hands; make a little L shape or small loop at one end of the wire. This should be only about 1/2 inch long/round. This will give the stuffing inside the balloon something to hold onto and stop it from falling out later :)

Ok, onto the crocheting!

Balloon Body

1. Ch 2; Sc 6 into 2nd Ch from hook, or Magic Ring 6 (6 Sc)

2. Inc around (12 Sc)

3. *Sc, Inc* around (18 Sc)

4. *Sc 2, Inc* around (24 Sc)

5. *Sc 3, Inc* around (30 Sc)

6. *Sc 4, Inc* around (36 Sc)

7. *Sc 8, Inc* around (40 Sc)

8 - 14. Sc around (40 Sc)

15. *Sc 8, Dec* around (36 Sc)

16. Sc around (36 Sc)

17. *Sc 4, Dec* around (30 Sc)

18. Sc around (30 Sc)

19. *Sc 3, Dec* around (24 Sc)

20. Sc around (24 Sc)

21. *Sc 2, Dec* around (18 Sc)

22. Sc around (18 Sc)

*Insert the bent/looped end of the Craft Wire now, and add stuffing around it. Continue stuffing the balloon as you close the remainder of the piece*

23. *Sc, Dec* (12 Sc)

24 - 25. Sc around (12 Sc)

26. Dec around (6 Sc)

27. Inc around (12 Sc)

28. Sc around (12 Sc)

*Bind Off, Weave In End*

Take a length of the same colour yarn (about 12 inches) and wraps it tight around the bottom/neck of the balloon to simulate a knot.

Bending the Stand

Hold your balloon and wire string up on a table/surface and judge how long you would like the string to be - starting from the bottom of the Balloon Body. With what’s left of the wire (there should be a few inches left…), bend it into a circular shape. I found wrapping the end of the wire around a round pot/container to be the easiest way to get a regular circle. 

Manipulate the wire so that the circular ‘base’ is flat on the table/surface, and the balloon is standing straight up from the base. Kind of like this... 

I added a little 'kick' out to help stabilise :)

You may need to play around a bit to get it to balance; but the general rule is the wider the circle, the sturdier the base will be. 

*You’re Done!*

I hope you had fun making your Ami Balloons! 

Any questions, suggestions or even if you spot a mistake in the above pattern, please feel free to comment below and I’ll do my best to help :)

Happy Crocheting!

Etsy Showcase Sunday: Sushi

Welcome to Etsy Showcase Sunday!

Every Sunday I will be showcasing some of my favourite crocheted Etsy items here on my blog. Each week will have a different theme :)

This week it's Sushi! 

1. Unagi (Grilled Eel) Nigiri Cat by PocketSushi
2. Jumbo Sushi Ebi/shrimp Pattern No.17 by PawPawsStudio
3. Sushi Fingerless Gloves-Kawaii Gloves by Gitanaflipflops
4. Crocheted Onigiri Pattern by yayhookdcrochet
5. Amigurumi Play Food Sushi Gift by ChelseaAndMarbles
6. Amigurumi Sushi Bar Collection Pattern by youcute
7. Amigurumi Shimp Egg Salmon Roe Ocean Fish Family Crochet Set Pattern by getfun
8. Geekery: Sushi Scarf by ComfyCozyChelsea 
9. Sushi Amigurumi Crochet Pattern by Janagurumi

Christmas Crocheting

Been busy making Christmas gifts the past few weeks, so I enlisted the help of my little friend, Apple the Byul Doll :)

A New Friend...

Is it a monster? Is it an animal?!! I'm not sure yet, but he'll be ready soon <3 p="">

Something Colourful This Way Comes....

Something new for December :)

New For September

New in my shop this month I thought I'd try something different - hats! I've listed 3 so far, including a Rainbow Super Slouchy Beanie...

Blue Sparkly Slouchy Beanie...

and a human sized Punky Monkey hat...

All are available now in my Etsy Shop - I hope you like them!

Rainbows and Octopi

Hi! Thought I'd share some bits I've been making with you, seeing as I haven't been blogging in a while  :)

First of all I made a Rainbow Puff Stitch scarf using Rina Artstain's Rainbow Cluster Stitch Crochet Scarf on Ravelry. Cluster Stitch /Puff Stitch?! Lol

Here's Miss Rainbow helping me separate all the different colour yarns late one night...

And here's the finished scarf

I really enjoyed the pattern - it was so easy to follow and as long as you know the Puff/Cluster Stitch you're not going to have any problems :)

I also made a matching Puff Stitch hat in rainbow colours, using my own pattern...

I'm all about Rainbows and Puff Stitch this month lol!

I've even been making Puff Stitch Blythe hats...

I had a break from all the puffiness and made a new version of my Mini Octopus Pattern

All that's different are the tentacles - instead of being individual they are just a big ruffle crocheted directly onto the bottom of the ami. And for fun I added a unicorn horn, so it's a Unipuss :P

Also at the moment I'm making some flower appliqués and am hoping to have a selection of sets available in my Etsy Shop soon, in various colours and sizes :)

So that's what I've been up to in the world of crochet. Hope you are all well <3 p="">

Sunday Night Crocheting

Been working on a new doll - with ears, a defined chin and a straighter back. Took a while, but I have the head and body finished now :) 

Granny Squares and Updates

I made this mini cotton Granny Square cushion cover  back in December, thought I'd share :) I enjoyed using cotton, for a change, though I don't know if I will be using it for amigurumi as it isn't stretchy :( It's perfect for Granny Squares though!

Also I am still working on the new amigurumi patterns. I am going to get them all completed, then list the whole lot at the same time rather than list one at a time. I will keep you updated - thank you for your patience!

Have a fun weekend!

New Shop

I'm pleased to announce One Pink Hippo and I have opened our EssHippo Blythe Etsy Shop this weekend!

It's been along time coming, but I FINALLY got my photos edited and stuff listed. Here are a few of the things I've made for the shop...

Rainbow Poppeloff Earflap Hat

Beige Flower Helmet

Happy Rainbow Poncho

Mint Hat, Poncho and Flower Brooch set

Cuddly Bunny Earflap Hat

Don't worry - I'm still doing the EssHaych Pattern shop - nothing changes there :)

I hope you like the new shop!

Sarah
-x-

Happy Birthday Glen

It's my brothers 24th birthday today. Happy Birthday! :D I don't usually make him much (he's too cool to wear anything I make him...) but this year I made him this Lightning Bolt Scarf in his favorite colour...

Lightning Bolt Scarf
Monkey Waffles


He loved it! He probably won't wear it (lol) but will put it on his wall to pin badges to :) I think I'm going to make myself one in pink!

I loved the pattern, it was really easy to follow. I completed it in about 4 hours, over 2 days - quite a quick scarf :)

Also, while we're on the subject of my brother, he and his band FTL have been recording a new CD this year, and today set up their FaceBook page. You can view it here! There will be a CD out in the up coming months and a proper website too. And a video. And merch. Busy.

(Incase you were wondering - my brother is the one of the far left :) )

Adopt A Baby Octopi!

New to my Etsy Shop this week are Baby Octopi!

Colours listed at the moment are Bright Blue, Pastle Yellow and Multi Coloured. I plan on adding more, but if there was a specific colour you wanted just convo me on Etsy and I can make you one :)

Hope you like!

Rioting Ami's

Hey Ho!

I have recently become involved in a trade over on DeviantArt with the fab and amazingly talented Kat250. In exchange for some ami's, I am getting one of her fab dolls! Check out her work here

So I have been busy lately, so you should be seeing a bit more of me lol So far I have these two made:


A pink Gibbley! He looks super cute in pale pink!! A also re-made my Apple In A Pink Cosy...


I have been asked to apply some more blush to the apple, because you can't really see it very well. That's no problem, I have some darker stuff at hand :)

I am currently in the middle of making a Kokeshi doll, in, yep, pink! I have the head done, and have been waiting until today to make the hair, as I had run out of black yarn. So it was off to Hobby Craft today :)

Talking of Hobby Craft - you may have seen in the news about the Riots in the UK. I myself am only 30 mins away from London, so it's been abit tense. On Tuesday night there were reports of Basildon town centre itself being set alight, including my beloved Hobby Craft. Scary times. My brother was out for the evening and went round near the town centre that night, and said there were a ton of police on horseback sealing off the town centre, but fortunatly no fires. Phew! Thankfully things have quietened down in the past few days - I hope things continue to be peaceful :)

Crocheting For Blythe Mosaic

Some more of the things I've made Zoe this week :)

What I've Been Up To

Well, not much amigurumi sadly! I don't know why, but I just haven't been in the mood. I have started several ami's, get 5 rows in, then give up. I don't know why, but I just can't get into it.

I have been doing some crocheting though, for my Blythe doll Zoe. You've already seen the Fuzzy Bear Hat...


... and yesterday I made her a square hat and matching jacket...


I know it's July, but she insists on wearing it now! I will hopefully have the pattern for them up here soon :)

Apart from that I don't really have much to say :( I've been busy customising my fake Blythe doll Umi (follow her adventures here) and it's been really fun! I've done a bit of drilling, sanding, gluing, rerooting, painting, carving - it's been great! I even used yarn for her hair :)

Oh, wait! I did crochet a doll before I went away. I will get a picture of her for you asap :)

Just A Quick Post...

Hi! I just wanted to interrupt the 30 Days Of Crochet to tell you all that I have been really busy this evening, writting PDF's for and listing 3 new patterns in my Etsy shop! 1 brand new ami and the return of 2 old, and improved, favs!

Morris Mouth

Kimiko The Kokeshi Doll

Tilly The Turtle

All are available in my Etsy Shop now, and are also included in the Complete Collection and Pick Any 3 Patterns :)

Hope you like them! :D

EssHaych Gets Fit

Currently Listening To: Many A Horror - Biffy Clyro/ Making: Bear Ear Headbands/ Reading: The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

Sorry for the lack of updates this past week, I've been up to my eye balls in custom orders and haven't had much time for blogging! I am currently in the middle of making 20 bear ear headbands for a lady I met at the Southend Craft Fair, and I have just this evening completed a Girl Guide leader doll for an Etsy customer...

She was a challenge! Dolls usually are for me - I finish the head and body in one sitting, then sometimes take about a week and a half to do just the arms and legs. But I got all of this one done in just under a week :) I hope the lady I made it for likes it!

Also this week, as the title suggests, I've been getting fit!! I know, hard to believe lol It started last week when a new Sports Village opened here in Basildon. It has about every type of sporting facility you could imagine - a pool, gym, courts, stadium, loads of halls for sports and gymnastics etc. So I thought I'd have a go, first at swimming.

I was a little nervous - I haven't been to a public pool since I was 13 :S But once I was in there it was all ok, and I actually managed to swim abit! Only about 3 meters at a time, but it's a start (I'm so unfit, seriously). I went again today with my Mum, who also enjoys a good swim. She's much better at it than me. I also plan on joining the gym haha! I even bought a new polo shirt and shorts today so I have something decent to wear! I don't know how long all this can last...

Aaaalso this week I am starting to teach my Mum how to use the computer. She already knows abit, but this week she and my Dad were treated to a new laptop, so obviously want to know how to use it properly. I know she checks out this blog, so 'Hello Mum!'

Hope everyone has a nice weekend :)

Friends, Old And New

Currently Listening To: Nothing/ Drinking: Water/ Feeling: Lucky!

Here's a picture of Zoe with a few friends that I took just before the Southend Craft & Vintage Fair. I thought it was too cute not to photograph!! Most of this lot don't live with me anymore, but I am very happy they found loving new homes :) You can see more photos of Zoe and her adventures in my Flickr Photostream.

In other news, I am so lucky, I just managed to get 2 tickets to see The Darkness' London comeback gig at Shepherds Bush next month!

Weeee!! Like I've mentioned before, I'm a massive TD fan, and was over the moon to hear they were reforming. They were the first band I ever saw live, and I have many fond memories of them. It's gonna be HUGE! :D

Scrap Monster

Currently Listening To: Deal Or No Deal/ Happy About: New Cacti!/ Angry About: Kings totally messing me about >:(

Got super fed up of crocheting for the craft stall last night. Just wanted to make something that didn't require much attention, counting or anything. So I did abit of freeforming and came up with this little guy...

I call him The Scrap Monster because, well, he's made of scrap yarn. Apart from the white, which is from a new ball. He also has odd eyes because they are what I had left over from other projects - he's a total mismash! He was fun to make up as I went along, and I'd love to make more with other scraps I have :)

Introducing Zoe

Currently Listening To: The telly downstairs.../ Drinking: Pepsi Max/ Considering: Crocheting a mutant cactus

I was woken up last Wednesday by my Mum, saying I had a package waiting downstairs. I got up and found it was my Blythe doll, Zoe, all the way from Hong Kong!

Isn't she lovely?! I was very wary about her to start with - I've heard horrible stories about fake Blythes, so checked her over. But all seemed well, Thank God! :)

Like all Blythe dolls, she has 4 different colour sets of eyes...

The blue ones are my fav :)

I of course wanted to crochet her something straight away, and after a few days of fails I managed to wing this Domo sweater, after being shown a great photo on Flickr...

Yay! She needs some tights, her legs look all cold!!

So that's Zoe. She is very excited about her sister Coral in America being opened soon! Roll on May 6th!

More from Zoe to come :D