This pattern was inspired by Lisa at q.D.PaToOtieS‘ Blythe Brain Sucking Monster Hat. I saw the image and never saved the pattern and then when I went to find it, I couldn’t! So I came up with my own way of putting together the monster hat (and shortly after I completed my first Blythe Monster Hat, I found the original pattern by Lisa).

Difficult Level: Easy

Size: Fits Blythe dolls (does not fit Petite Blythe).

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn (MC = Main Colour, CC = white)
5.00mm hook (US H/8)
2 buttons (does not need to be matching)
Yarn needle
Stitch markers (optional)

Notes:
For the purple hat, I used Red Heart Super Saver (purple, white) for both colours.
For the pink hat, I used Bernat Super Value (pink) and Red Heart Super Saver (white).
You need to know how to increase with single crochet stitches and how to do the magic ring.

Abbreviations:
sc – single crochet
ss – slip stitch
st – stitch
tr – triple crochet

Pattern Notes:
Number of stitches listed at the end of the row in the parentheses.
Pattern is worked in the round (not joined at the end of each round) – use stitch markers to help with counting.

Directions
Hat (in MC and CC)
Round 1: In MC, crochet 6 sc in a magic ring (6).
Round 2: *2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (12).
Round 3: *sc 1, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (18).
Round 4: *sc 2, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (24).
Round 5: *sc 3, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (30).
Round 6: *sc 4, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (36).
Round 7-12: Work even in sc (36).
Round 13: With CC, ss each st around (36).
Round 14: *sc 1, 1 tr* repeat 18 (36).
Fasten off, tuck in ends.

Eyes (in CC) – Make 2
Round 1: In CC, crochet 6 sc in a magic ring (6).
Round 2: *2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (12).
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.

Assembly
Attach buttons to eyes prior to attachment to hat. For a fun look, have the buttons looking in opposite directions or have the monster be cross-eyed.

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This pattern is an original pattern by Michelle W. (March 2010). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but do not sell or otherwise distribute it. Items made from this pattern may not be sold as the pattern is for personal use only. Please contact me via my website http://chelle-chelle.com if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

They say that eyes are the windows to a person’s soul. But how does that translate for amigurumi? One of the things that I like doing is having an assortment of different eye choices when I’m making a project, just so I can make a decision about what the final look is going to be. I present to you three different eye options: safety eyes, yarn eyes (crocheted/knitted and embroidered) and button eyes. I also include my personal thoughts on them as well as some safety issues you may want to take into consideration.

Safety Eyes

Incredibly popular, safety eyes are most commonly used in commercially produced stuffed animals and can be bought in stores – some general craft stores will carry them, as well as some fabric stores and online websites. Safety eyes have require some assembly – there’s the piece for the eye that has a post and a washer (metal or plastic). What you do is put the post through the piece and then place the washer over the post and push it down the post until it’s all the way down. Safety eyes are very snug and difficult to pull apart. However, a safety concern is that crocheted or knitted fabric can fray or the spaces between the stitches (especially in crochet) can stretch or get larger, allowing the eye (washer and all) to come through, creating a choking hazard for children and pets. One way to remedy this is to use a small piece of felt between the washer and the crocheted/knitted fabric. Safety eyes can be pricey, if you’re purchasing them in pairs, so consider a bulk purchase – this would require you to buy a large amount of eyes in the same size and colour though. So if you’re an occasional amigurumi creator, you might want to consider other eye options as this would be an expensive option for you.

Safety Factor: relatively child-safe (can be reinforced, if assembled correctly)
Cost Factor: most expensive

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I’ve been knitting for a few years. I first learned how to when I was relatively young, but never picked it up again until I was around 16-17. And honestly, I don’t do a lot of knitting. I can knit, I can purl. I can sort of do increases and decreases. I cannot follow patterns at all without wanting to scratch my eyes out with stitch holders. Oh, I also can’t knit in the round, so everything is always (always!) knit flat.

In other words, I can do garter stitch, stockinette stitch and ribbing. And… that’s about it.

But lately I’ve been knitting a lot (doll-sized sweaters for my Blythe dolls) and on a whim today at school, I decided to cast on another doll-sized sweater and I felt the need to attend doing cables. I only had two needles with me and yarn. I went through my pencil case (twice) but there was nothing that was thin enough to act as a cable needle (I was knitting on 3mm needles). And then I posted my pad of Post-It notes at the bottom of my purse.

I peeled off the top sticky note and then folded the sticky part onto itself a few times and used my scissors to cut off the excess and I used that as a cable needle. One of my friends (who sees me knitting all the time…) wanted to know why I was knitting with paper. Needless to say, my makeshift cable needle worked!

But… to prevent the need to use up paper again, I’ve tucked a few large safety pins into my bag so I have impromptu cable needles for the future (and stitch holders).