12 Effortless Ways on How to Make A Crochet Pattern Larger
Do you want to create a larger version of your favourite amigurumi character? Or just a larger version of your crochet project in general? Luckily, there are several ways to make your crochet or amigurumi pattern bigger without having to start from scratch. You can try exploring changes in your crochet equipment or if you are more adventurous, modifying the crochet pattern to make it larger!
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Understanding Amigurumi Sizing
When it comes to making amigurumi patterns, understanding the sizing is crucial. Whether you want to make a bigger or smaller amigurumi, you need to know the factors that affect the size and how to adjust them accordingly.
Factors Affecting Size
The size of an amigurumi pattern can be affected by several factors. These include:
Materials and Tools
Yarn weight Using a thicker yarn will result in a bigger amigurumi, while using a thinner yarn will result in a smaller amigurumi.
Hook size: Using a larger hook size will result in a bigger amigurumi, while using a smaller hook size will results in a smaller amigurumi.
Multiple yarn held together: Holding double yarn together will result in a larger amigurumi.
Stuffing: Adding more stuffing will make an amigurumi larger.
Safety eye sizes: Use larger safety eyes for a larger amigurumi.
Adjust Crochet Pattern
Looser Tension or Larger Gauge: If you crochet tightly, your amigurumi will be smaller, while if you crochet loosely, your amigurumi will be bigger.
Stitch count: Increasing the number of stitches in rounds and rows will make your amigurumi bigger, while decreasing the number of stitches will make it smaller.
Stitch Height: Increasing the height of stitches like using double and treble crochet stitches will make your amigurumi bigger. Likewise for special stitches like bobble stitches.
These factors will be further elaborated on in the next few sections as we explore changing both the crocheting equipment and crochet techniques to make your amigurumi larger!
Scale and Proportion
Scale and proportion are also important when it comes to making amigurumi patterns. You want your amigurumi to look proportional and not too stretched out or squished.
To achieve the right scale and proportion, you can use the following tips:
Reference images: Look at reference images of the character or animal you are making and take note of their proportions. Use this as a guide when making your amigurumi.
Adjust stitch count: Adjust the number of stitches in each round or row to achieve the right proportions. For example, if the head of your amigurumi looks too small compared to the body, you can increase the number of stitches in the head to make it bigger.
Add or remove details: Adding or removing details such as ears, legs, or arms can also affect the scale and proportion of your amigurumi. Make sure to adjust these accordingly to achieve the right look.
By understanding these factors and tips, you can make adjustments to your amigurumi pattern to achieve the size and proportions you desire. More details will be discussed later below on ways to consider adjusting your crochet or amigurumi pattern.
Materials and Tools
When making amigurumi patterns, it's important to have the right materials and tools to achieve the desired results. Here are some tips on selecting the right yarn and choosing larger hooks to make your amigurumi pattern bigger.
Selecting Bulkier Yarn
A thicker yarn will result in a larger finished product, so consider using a worsted weight or bulky weight yarn. Additionally, choosing a yarn with a tighter twist will help prevent the stuffing from showing through the stitches.
Another factor to consider when selecting yarn is the fibre content. Natural fibres, such as wool or cotton, will have more stretch and give than synthetic fibres. This can be helpful when making larger amigurumi patterns, as the added stretch will allow the stitches to stretch and mold to the shape of the stuffing.
Choosing Larger Hooks
Using a larger hook is another way to make your amigurumi pattern bigger. When using a larger hook, the stitches will be looser and the finished product will be larger. However, it's important to note that using too large of a hook can result in a loose and floppy finished product, also the gaps in between stitches may become more obvious
When selecting a hook size, consider the weight and texture of the yarn you are using. A thicker yarn will require a larger hook to achieve the desired size, while a thinner yarn may only require a slightly larger hook.
Multiple Yarn Held Together
In addition to selecting a larger hook, you can also try using a double strand of yarn to make your amigurumi pattern bigger. This technique involves holding two strands of yarn together while crocheting, resulting in a thicker and larger finished product.
If you are experimental, you can try using holding even more strands together to mimic a larger yarn weight. Do note that it might be more difficult to crochet as holding them together while using the crochet hook might be more challenging.
Add More Stuffing
After you have crocheted your amigurumi pattern, the next step is to stuff it. Stuffing can make a big difference in the final look of your project. To make your amigurumi pattern bigger, you will need to use more stuffing than you would for a smaller version.
When stuffing your amigurumi pattern, make sure to stuff it firmly, but not too tightly. You want your amigurumi to be soft and squishy, but not so much that it loses its shape or the gaps become more apparent. To help shape your amigurumi, you can use a stuffing stick or chopstick to push the stuffing into the corners and edges. Learn more about stuffing in ‘Stuffing for Amigurumi: Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Plushie Fill’.
Insert Larger Safety Eyes
With a larger amigurumi, whether you choose to crochet a doll or animal, the attachments will consequently be bigger as well, so naturally you would need to get some larger safety eyes for the facial part of the head so that all the parts look proportionate. Alternatively, you could crochet small separate eye patches to be sewn onto the final piece.
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Adjusting the Crochet Pattern
When making an amigurumi pattern bigger, it's important to adjust the pattern accordingly to ensure that the finished product looks proportional. Here are some tips on how to adjust the pattern:
Looser Tension or Larger Gauge
If you crochet tightly, your amigurumi will be smaller, while if you crochet loosely, your amigurumi will be bigger. Follow the gauge suggested inside the pattern as suggested by the designer. z
Try making your own gauge swatch. This will help you determine whether your stitches are the same size as the original pattern. To make a gauge swatch, simply crochet a small square using the same hook and yarn that you plan to use for your project.
Once you have your gauge swatch, measure it to see how many stitches and rows you have per inch. Compare this to the gauge listed in the pattern. If your gauge is different, you may need to adjust the size of your hook or the weight of your yarn.
If your gauge swatch has too few stitches per inch, try using a larger hook. This will make your stitches bigger and your amigurumi will be larger as a result.
If your gauge swatch has too few rows per inch, try using a heavier weight yarn. This will make your stitches taller and your amigurumi will be larger as a result.
Increase Stitch Counts to Increase Size of Rounds
To make the amigurumi pattern bigger, you will need to increase the size of the rounds, which can be done by increasing the stitch counts. This can be done by adding more stitches to each round. Keep in mind that you will need to add an equal number of stitches to each round to maintain the pattern's shape and proportion.
Here's an example: If the pattern calls for 6 single crochets in the first round, you can increase this to 9 single crochets by adding 3 more stitches evenly spaced around the round.
Some ways to alter the pattern would include increasing the starting round of the amigurumi, increasing the biggest or widest round, as well as, increasing the rounds for the main body and attachments. All involve increasing the stitch count evenly throughout the round.
Increase the Number of Rounds
Another way to make the amigurumi pattern bigger is to increase the number of rounds. This can be done by repeating certain rounds or by adding additional rounds.
There are 2 ways to achieve this, either by increasing the number of repeat rounds of the same size, which would be like extending a cylinder height, or increase the increments and decrements of each subsequent round. This would involve changing up the pattern slightly.
Here's an example: If the pattern calls for 10 rounds of single crochet, you can add an additional 2 rounds to make it 12 rounds. Alternatively, you could repeat rounds 5-8 to add more height to the pattern.
When adjusting the pattern, it's important to keep track of your changes to ensure that the pattern remains consistent throughout. You can do this by making notes on the pattern or by using a stitch counter.
Increase Starting Foundation Chain Length
This example would apply more for 2D projects like blankets and dishcloths because they tend to involve rows more than rounds. Similar to what was mentioned for the rounds above, to increase the length of the rectangular crochet project you are working out, simply increase the number of chains in the initial foundation chain length.
Increase the Number of Rows
For the same rectangular piece we mentioned in the previous point, apart from increasing the length, you can also increase the height of the final piece by increasing the number of rows. Just like the cylinder example above, you will be making the rectangular project taller. By increasing both the starting foundation chain and the number of rows, you will be making the crochet piece bigger.
Sometimes you may use flat 2D shapes in your amigurumi like crocheting mini clothes, then you can similarly increase the foundation chain and row height to make the amigurumi larger.
Increase the Stitch Heights
Single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet and treble crochet stitches all create varying heights, which if altered accordingly in your amigurumi pattern, will also consequently make the amigurumi taller.
So simply for this method, increase the height of each single stitch by increasing the crochet technique, e.g. from half double crochet to double crochet, or from single crochet to half double crochet. If done for all the stitches, it will increase the overall height of the amigurumi.
But note that this method may alter the appearance of the whole pattern if not adjusted properly in the context of the pattern.
Increase Size of Special Stitches
Much like what was mentioned in the previous point, increase the size of the special stitches like bobble, popcorn or cluster stitches, by using taller stitch heights, which will make them larger. Likewise, increase the height by changing up sc to hdc stitches, or hdc to dc stitches.
For example, a double crochet bobble stitch (4dc bob) can be made into a larger bobble stitch by changing it up to a treble bobble stitch (4tr bob). I generally use this method to crochet my amigurumi limbs and I want to make them larger. Remember to Pin this image below to Pinterest if you found this article useful.
Conclusion on How to Make A Crochet Pattern Larger
In summary, enlarging crochet or amigurumi patterns is a manageable task with a thoughtful approach to key factors. Factors like yarn weight, hook size, multiple strands, stuffing, and safety eye sizes significantly influence the final size of your creation. Proper material selection, including bulkier yarn and larger hooks, plays a vital role.
Experimenting with techniques such as holding multiple strands and adjusting stuffing adds fullness. Tailoring crochet patterns involves considerations like tension, gauge, stitch counts, and special stitches. Ultimately, embracing experimentation and creativity allows for the crafting of larger, well-proportioned amigurumi projects. Enjoy the journey of customization and happy crocheting!
Free Amigurumi Shaping Starter Guide
Learn how to create a toy for your child with your own hands in 5 simple steps.
