purlJam

# Alf the Alien - Amigurumi Pattern

**Difficulty:** Beginner
**Terminology:** UK Crochet Terms (Note: UK 'dc' = US 'sc')
**Finished Size:** Approximately 20 cm tall

## Description
Alf is a friendly extraterrestrial with a pear-shaped body and a large head. This project is designed for beginners, minimizing sewing by crocheting the legs, body, and head in one continuous piece.

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran/10 ply).
    *   Colour A (Green): Approx 70g / 120m
    *   Colour B (Black or Dark Grey): Small amount for eyes
*   **Hook:** 3.50 mm (making the fabric tight to prevent stuffing showing through).
*   **Notions:** Toy stuffing (polyester fibre fill), tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors.

## Tension (Gauge)
Tension is not critical for this toy, but stitches must be tight.
**Check:** 5 rounds of a standard circle should measure approx 4.5 cm diameter.

## Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (equivalent to US single crochet)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **inc:** increase (work 2 dc into the same stitch)
*   **inv dec:** invisible decrease (insert hook into front loop of first st, then front loop of second st, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through final 2 loops)
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **[...]:** Total stitch count at end of round

## Special Notes
*   Work in continuous spirals. Do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless instructed.
*   Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round.
*   **Verification Math:** The math for every stitch change is provided in brackets like this: `[Math: start + inc = end]`.

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## Instructions

### Legs (Make 2)
*Make the first leg and fasten off. Make the second leg but **DO NOT** fasten off; you will continue into the body.*

**Rnd 1:** Using Colour A, start 6 dc into a Magic Ring (or ch 2, 6 dc in 2nd ch from hook). [6 sts]
**Rnd 2:** (Inc) 6 times. `[Math: 6 + 6 = 12 sts]`
**Rnd 3 - Rnd 6 (4 rounds):** Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
*Fasten off Leg 1. Repeat Rnds 1-6 for Leg 2. Do not fasten off Leg 2.*

### Body (Continuing from Leg 2)
**Rnd 7 (Joining):** Dc in next 12 sts of Leg 2, then jump to Leg 1 and dc in the 12 sts of Leg 1. `[Math: 12 (leg 2) + 12 (leg 1) = 24 sts]`
*Use the yarn tail from Leg 1 to sew the small gap between the legs closed tight.*

**Rnd 8:** (3 dc, inc) 6 times. `[Math: 24 + 6 = 30 sts]`
**Rnd 9 - Rnd 14 (6 rounds):** Dc in each st around. [30 sts]
**Rnd 15:** (3 dc, inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 30 - 6 = 24 sts]`
**Rnd 16 - Rnd 17 (2 rounds):** Dc in each st around. [24 sts]
**Rnd 18:** (2 dc, inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 24 - 6 = 18 sts]`
**Rnd 19:** Dc in each st around. [18 sts]
*Stuff the legs and body firmly now.*

### Head (Continuing from Body)
**Rnd 20:** (2 dc, inc) 6 times. `[Math: 18 + 6 = 24 sts]`
**Rnd 21:** (3 dc, inc) 6 times. `[Math: 24 + 6 = 30 sts]`
**Rnd 22:** (4 dc, inc) 6 times. `[Math: 30 + 6 = 36 sts]`
**Rnd 23:** (5 dc, inc) 6 times. `[Math: 36 + 6 = 42 sts]`
**Rnd 24 - Rnd 31 (8 rounds):** Dc in each st around. [42 sts]
**Rnd 32:** (5 dc, inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 42 - 6 = 36 sts]`
**Rnd 33:** (4 dc, inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 36 - 6 = 30 sts]`
**Rnd 34:** (3 dc, inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 30 - 6 = 24 sts]`
*Stuff the neck area very firmly to prevent wobbling, then stuff the head.*

**Rnd 35:** (2 dc, inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 24 - 6 = 18 sts]`
**Rnd 36:** (1 dc, inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 18 - 6 = 12 sts]`
**Rnd 37:** (Inv dec) 6 times. `[Math: 12 - 6 = 6 sts]`
*Fasten off. Weave the yarn tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.*

### Arms (Make 2)
**Rnd 1:** Using Colour A, start 6 dc into a Magic Ring. [6 sts]
**Rnd 2:** (2 dc, inc) 2 times. `[Math: 6 + 2 = 8 sts]`
**Rnd 3 - Rnd 9 (7 rounds):** Dc in each st around. [8 sts]
*Flatten the opening. Dc through both layers to close (3 or 4 sts). Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.*

### Antennae (Make 2)
**Rnd 1:** Using Colour A, start 4 dc into a Magic Ring. [4 sts]
**Rnd 2:** (1 dc, inc) 2 times. `[Math: 4 + 2 = 6 sts]`
**Rnd 3:** (Inv dec) 3 times. `[Math: 6 - 3 = 3 sts]`
**Rnd 4 - Rnd 6:** Dc in each st around. [3 sts]
*Note: This is fiddly. If too difficult, simply Chain 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across.*
*Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.*

### Eyes (Make 2)
**Rnd 1:** Using Colour B (Black), start 6 dc into a Magic Ring. [6 sts]
**Rnd 2:** (Inc) 6 times. `[Math: 6 + 6 = 12 sts]`
*Sl st to first st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Use white yarn to stitch a small 'sparkle' highlight if desired.*

## Assembly
1.  **Antennae**: Sew onto the top of the head at Rnd 31, spaced about 4 stitches apart.
2.  **Eyes**: Sew onto the front of the face between Rnd 26 and Rnd 30.
3.  **Arms**: Sew to the sides of the body at Rnd 19 (the neck crease).