"To-to-ro? You're Totoro!"
After years of bumping it back on my queue, I actually sat down and made a Totoro amigurumi!
I'm sure the spirit of the forest needs no introduction, so I'll just say that this movie is very special to me since it was the first Miyazaki movie that I ever watched. One of my earliest memories is of watching our old, subtitled VHS copy and already being somewhat familiar with the story. And now I have my very own Totoro! As you can see, he's the perfect size to hang out in a teacup, or ride along on all your adventures.
I also wrote down the pattern as I went along this time, so if anyone else wants to make one, here's how I did it.
You will need:
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in "Charcoal Grey" (Yarn A)
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in "White" (Yarn B)
Size "G" crochet hook
9mm safety eyes
fiberfill stuffing
yarn needle
scissors
Stitches/techniques used:
single crochet (sc)
increase-make 2 sc in one stitch
decrease-crochet 2 stitches together, making 1 stitch. I prefer to use the invisible decrease.
magic ring/circle
Eyes (make 2)
Round 1: with Yarn B, 4 sc in magic ring (4)Rd 2: *inc* around (8) Fasten off
Place safety eyes in middle of white circle; do not fasten backs.
Belly Patch
Round 1: with Yarn B, 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rd 2: *inc* around (12)
Rd 3: *inc, sc in next st* around (18) Fasten off
Tail
Round 1: with Yarn A, 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rd 2: sc around (6)
Rd 3: *inc, sc in next st* (9)
Rd 4: sc around (9) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Head and Body
Round 1: with Yarn A, 5 sc in magic ring (5)
Rd 2: *inc* around (10)
Rds 3-5: sc around (10) Fasten off
Repeat rounds 1 through 5-DO NOT FASTEN OFF. Chain 5,and sc in one of the sts on the 1st ear. sc in next 2 sts, chain 5, sc in 2nd stitch from the first chain, sc in next stitch. place marker. (26)
Round 6: sc in 1st stitch, dec across next 2 sts, sc around to last 7 sts, dec across 2 sts, sc in last 5 sts. (24)
Rds 7-13: sc around (24)
-attach eyes and stuff head-
Rd 14: *inc, sc in next 3 sts* around (30)
Rds 15-19: sc around (30)
-start stuffing!-
Rd 20: *dec, sc in next 3 sts* around (24)
Rd 21: *dec, sc in next 2 sts* around (18)
Rd 22: *dec, sc in next st* around (12)
Rd 23: *dec* around (6) Fasten off.
Sew up hole in top of head with mattress seam. Attach belly patch to belly; cut length of Yarn A and embroider two upside down Vs to the top of the belly. Stuff and attach tail to back. Weave in ends.
And now you have your very own Totoro! Be sure to supply him with lots of acorns and his own umbrella. :)
Disclaimer: This pattern is my own property and may not be sold or distributed. Unfortunately at this time, I am not giving permission to sell items made my patterns. Otherwise, you are free to do whatever you want with the finished items. Gifts? Freebie prizes? Amigurumi army to take over the world? Go wild. :)
