Deramores | Free Amigurumi Poodle Pattern

Guess what! I’ve got double exciting news to tell you all! The first is that I’ve partnered up with fabbo yarn house Deramores and we’ve got some fun amigurumi patterns coming this way! Today I’d like to introduce you to the first one – here’s Poppy the Poodle!

© Deramores Retail Ltd

If you are a toy knitter then you may have already come across the classic knitted Dera-Dog family by designer Amanda Berry. Deramores asked me if I’d like to have a go at creating a crochet version of the Deradogs for them and of course I jumped at the chance of such an exciting challenge.

It was an interesting challenge as knitted toys are totally different from crocheted toys. Most knitted toys are worked flat and then seamed together which is totally different from working in rounds like you do when you work in the usual amigurumi style. Both crafts create different textures and different shapes which was something I had to consider before I started.

© Deramores Retail Ltd

It was important to me to try and capture the essence of the classic knitted Dera-dog but to also make the crocheted version my own. It also hopefully shows that crochet is just as versatile (if not more so in my opinion) to create great shapes that can become terrific little characters.

For Poppy I used Deramores Studio Anti-Piling DK which is a 100% acrylic yarn that is super soft and has been developed with anti-pilling technology. In a nutshell this just means that any fabric you make with this yarn, whether it’s a garment or a toy, should avoid going bobbly or thinner over time.

© Deramores Retail Ltd

It was my first time using this yarn, and I think the first time I’ve used an anti-piling yarn, and I have to say I LOVE it! It really is just nice to work with; very soft on the fingers and it comes in 48 different shades so there’s a nice variety to choose from – I’m definitely going to be using it in future projects.

And now I’m going to share with you the second bit of exciting news! You can get Poppy the Poodle pattern for FREE right now in my very own Deramores Designer Shop!

© Deramores Retail Ltd

I’m so excited to say that I’ve joined a wonderful group of knit and crochet designers from across the globe who have shared some of there favourite patterns via a Deramores Designer Shop.

The great thing about the designer shops with Deramores is that you can choose whether you just want the pattern, or if you want the pattern + yarn! Cool right? Takes away the chore of sorting out buying stuff as you can just get what you need to get started on your next project.

© Deramores Retail Ltd

Deramores have shops for the US and Australia as well as the UK which you can check out and add to your favourites at the links below:

If you want to you can also add Poppy to your favourites or save her for later on Ravelry too as they are all linked up.

SAVE POPPY THE POODLE ON RAVELRY HERE

The shop is brand new so will be growing all the time so be sure to check back occasionally to see what’s new – though of course I’ll let you know if I add anything new here on the blog too (so if you haven’t already you might want to subscribe to the blog so you get all the news).

If you hook up Poppy the Poodle I hope you’ll tag kcaco.uk on Instagram or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work! 

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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Crochet Now Magazine | Spot the Dog Crochet Exclusive

My heart is brimming over at the moment with childhood nostalgia! Look it’s crocheted Spot the Dog!! I’ve been so excited about this design and I’m so happy to finally share it with you!

Crochet Spot the Dog Amigurumi in Issue 41 of Crochet Now by Heather C Gibbs
© Crochet Now | The Eric and Gillian Hill Family Trust / Salspot Ltd. 2018

I cannot image my childhood without the classic Spot the Dog books, I remember flipping the flaps of Where’s Spot? when I was young, then I reread the various board books to my eldest when she was small, and more recently I’m enjoying rediscovering them with my two year old. 

I was therefore absolutely delighted when Crochet Now magazine asked me if I’d like to have a go at designing the crochet version of Spot.

If you aren’t familiar with Spot, he is a lovable yellow puppy character created by Eric Hill who is a firm favourite with toddlers and pre-schoolers. The children’s books have sold more than 60 million copies and 2020 will be celebration year for Spot’s 40th birthday.

Crochet Spot the Dog Amigurumi next to some classic Spot the Dog books

Of course I said YES and got to planning. It wasn’t until after I’d said yes that I kind of realised what a task I’d taken on! Spot is such a well loved character that I really had to get him just right! It was very important therefore that what ever I did was a faithful representation of Spot the dog and was in keeping with his lovable playfulness.

This was also a very different experience for me as it wasn’t going to be my design per-say as it’s a character that already exists and I was very grateful for the supportive guidance from Crochet Now magazine and Penguin books who publish the Spot the Dog books

Crochet Spot the Dog Amigurumi designing in progress

My Spot went through lots of different phases of sketches before I got my crochet hooks out and then I tried out different shaping techniques to get the look of the 2-D character into a 3-D form. Picking the perfect ‘Spot’ yellow and brown was also very crucial to the process!

The finished Spot is about 15.5cm tall and I designed him with embroidered features which makes him perfect for little ones under 36 months – for older children or adults you could use safety eyes instead.

Crochet Spot the Dog Amigurumi in a cute book scene in Issue 41 of Crochet Now by Heather C Gibbs
© Crochet Now | The Eric and Gillian Hill Family Trust / Salspot Ltd. 2018

I love how he turned out in the end, and I love how the magazine have styled him so he looks JUST like he’s stepped out of one of his own books!

Do you love Spot? You can get the exclusive pattern and kit to make him now in Crochet Now magazine Issue 41! Just so you know, due to the branding guidelines, this pattern will never be released by me independently, you will only be able to get him through the magazine – so if you want him you need to go get him quick!

Spot the Dog amigurumi with his paw on a Spot the Dog book.

Crochet Now is available in all major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK and there is a subscription available to overseas customers which you can find out more about on their website.

I’ve also got another design out in this months issue that’s kind of related to Spot but I’ll talk about that a bit more soon!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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I Like Crochet Magazine |Dachshund Through the Snow Amigurumi

The December 2018 issue of I Like Crochet is full of holiday season and winter classics to crochet including a brand new pattern from yours truly…

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Introducing the Dachshund Through the Snow Amigurumi! I happen to really love this amigurumi because once upon a time I had a daschund (called Cabbage) and this little ami was definitely inspired by him.

Kitted out in a cute hat and scarf he’s ready for a frolic through the snow – o’er the fields he’ll go, barking all the way!  

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For this design I used Scheepjes Catona which I really love for making amigurumi – and it’s really handy that they do the 10g cutie pie balls of yarn which are just perfect for little accessories.

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Make as a fun alternate gift for the holiday season or make just because you love doxies.

As well as my amigurumi pattern the December issue features 38 patterns to enjoy including one-skein projects, cosy winter wearables including hats, mittens, cowls and scarves, and unique projects you haven’t seen anywhere else!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY for a copy straight to your desktop or iPad.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Cento the Party Pup and Peaches Wardrobe

Massive congratulations to LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine on their 100th issue that went on sale 5 April! I was honoured to help commemorate issue 100 of by creating the little Party Pup featured as this month’s cover star.

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Let’s Get Crafting held a competition for the dogs name and the end result was Cento? Pronounced ‘chento’, the name means 100 in Italian, I thought it was a great name for the little guy.

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Donning his favourite hat and crocheted balloons, which with a little bit of wire help,  float in the air. This colourful pattern would make a great birthday gift for your friends and loved ones simply by personalising the number you add to the balloons.

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And the most exciting news – Let’s Get Crafting are giving everyone a present by making him available ontopcrochetpatterns.com for free! So quick go get your copy..

This month I also got to visit with an old friend, Peaches the doll, who came to me on a shopping trip for some new clothes…

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She picked up shoes, a handbag, a dress, a skirt, two tops and some dungarees! Boy can that girl shop! 

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I really had great fun designing a new wardrobe full of clothes for her. As well as these two patterns the magazine is filled with competitions, articles and an awesome knitted chameleon pattern (I need to learn to knit shapes!).

The magazine also comes with a free special yarn kit with eight lovely bright party colours and;

  • 3mm hook & 3mm needles
  • 47 exclusive patterns
  • Plus… your 68 page magazine

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK.  If you hook up either Cento the Party Dog or Peaches Wardrobe be sure to share your photos with me on social media (facebooktwitter or instagram) – I love to see what you make! So why not hop to it and get your copy of the magazine now! 

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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