purlJam

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# 🔥 Charmander Amigurumi Plush
### A Beginner-Friendly Crochet Pattern

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## About This Pattern

Bring everyone's favorite Fire-type starter Pokémon to life! This squishy Charmander stands approximately **5–6 inches (13–15 cm)** tall and is made from simple shapes sewn together — no complex colorwork required. Perfect for beginners who want a fun character project.

**Difficulty:** Beginner
**Stitches Used:** Magic ring, single crochet (sc), increase (inc), decrease (dec), slip stitch (sl st)

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## Materials

| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| **Yarn A – Orange** | Worsted weight (4), approx. 80 yds (73 m) |
| **Yarn B – Cream/Light Tan** | Worsted weight (4), approx. 15 yds (14 m) |
| **Yarn C – Red** | Worsted weight (4), approx. 10 yds (9 m) |
| **Yarn D – Yellow** | Worsted weight (4), approx. 5 yds (5 m) |
| **Crochet Hook** | US G-6 / 4.0 mm |
| **Safety Eyes** | 12 mm, black (×2) |
| **Polyester Fiberfill** | Stuffing, approx. 1–2 oz |
| **Yarn Needle** | For assembly and weaving ends |
| **Stitch Marker** | ×1 |
| **Black Embroidery Thread or Yarn** | For nostrils and smile |
| **Scissors** | — |

> **Yarn Suggestions:** Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, Caron Simply Soft, or Red Heart Soft in Pumpkin/Orange, Linen/Cream, Wine/Red, and Lemon/Yellow.

> ⚠️ **Child Safety Note:** If this toy is intended for children under 3 years old, substitute safety eyes with embroidered eyes using black yarn. Do not use safety eyes for very young children.

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## Gauge

**4 sc × 4 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm)** in single crochet, worked in a tight spiral.

> *Note: Gauge is important for achieving the correct finished size. Go down one hook size from the yarn label recommendation to create a tighter fabric so stuffing doesn't show through.*

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## Finished Size

Approximately **5–6 inches (13–15 cm)** tall when assembled.

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## Abbreviations

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **sc** | single crochet |
| **inc** | increase (2 sc in same stitch) |
| **dec** | invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next 2 sts, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through) |
| **sl st** | slip stitch |
| **ch** | chain |
| **st(s)** | stitch(es) |
| **rnd(s)** | round(s) |
| **MR** | magic ring |
| **[ ]** | stitch count at end of round |
| **(×2)** | number of times to repeat the section in parentheses |
| **YO** | yarn over |
| **FO** | fasten off |

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## Special Notes

1. **Work in a continuous spiral** unless otherwise stated. Do not join rounds unless instructed. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round.
2. **Invisible decrease** creates a cleaner surface. Insert hook through the **front loop only** of the next two stitches, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops.
3. **Stuff firmly as you go.** It becomes very difficult to add stuffing after pieces are closed.
4. **Leave a long tail (at least 12 inches / 30 cm)** when fastening off pieces that will be sewn to the body.
5. **Pin pieces before sewing** to confirm placement before committing.
6. All pieces are worked in **Yarn A (Orange)** unless a color change is noted.

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## Pattern Pieces

You will make the following pieces:

| Piece | Qty | Yarn |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 1 | Orange (A) |
| Body | 1 | Orange (A) |
| Arm | 2 | Orange (A) |
| Leg | 2 | Orange (A) |
| Tail | 1 | Orange (A) |
| Flame | 1 | Red (C) + Yellow (D) accent |
| Belly Patch | 1 | Cream (B) |

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## PIECE 1: HEAD

*Make 1 in Yarn A (Orange)*

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around **[12]**
  *(6 increases added = 12 total)*
- **Rnd 3:** (Sc, inc) ×6 **[18]**
  *(6 inc + 6 sc = 18 total)*
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) ×6 **[24]**
  *(6 inc + 12 sc = 24 total)*
- **Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) ×6 **[30]**
  *(6 inc + 18 sc = 30 total)*
- **Rnds 6–10:** Sc around **[30]**
  *(5 even rounds)*

> 📍 **Safety Eyes:** Before continuing, insert safety eyes between Rnds 8 and 9, approximately 6–7 stitches apart, centered on the front of the head. Secure washers firmly on the inside.

- **Rnd 11:** (3 sc, dec) ×6 **[24]**
  *(6 dec + 18 sc = 24 total)*
- **Rnd 12:** (2 sc, dec) ×6 **[18]**
  *(6 dec + 12 sc = 18 total)*

> 🧵 **Stuff the head firmly now.** Add more stuffing as you continue closing.

- **Rnd 13:** (Sc, dec) ×6 **[12]**
  *(6 dec + 6 sc = 12 total)*
- **Rnd 14:** Dec ×6 **[6]**

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Close the hole by weaving the tail through the front loops of remaining 6 sts and pulling snug. Weave in the short end; leave the long tail for assembly.

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## PIECE 2: BODY

*Make 1 in Yarn A (Orange)*

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnd 3:** (Sc, inc) ×6 **[18]**
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) ×6 **[24]**
- **Rnds 5–8:** Sc around **[24]**
  *(4 even rounds)*
- **Rnd 9:** (2 sc, dec) ×6 **[18]**
  *(6 dec + 12 sc = 18 total)*

> 🧵 **Stuff the body firmly now.**

- **Rnd 10:** (Sc, dec) ×6 **[12]**
- **Rnd 11:** Dec ×6 **[6]**

FO, leaving a long tail. Close hole as for Head. Leave long tail for assembly.

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## PIECE 3: ARMS

*Make 2 in Yarn A (Orange)*

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnds 3–6:** Sc around **[12]**
  *(4 even rounds)*

> 🧵 **Lightly stuff the arm** (not too firm — a little squishy is fine).

- **Rnd 7:** Dec ×6 **[6]**

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Close hole as before.

*Repeat for second arm.*

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## PIECE 4: LEGS

*Make 2 in Yarn A (Orange)*

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around **[12]**
- **Rnds 3–8:** Sc around **[12]**
  *(6 even rounds — legs are longer than arms)*

> 🧵 **Stuff the leg firmly.**

- **Rnd 9:** Dec ×6 **[6]**

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Close hole as before.

*Repeat for second leg.*

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## PIECE 5: TAIL

*Make 1 in Yarn A (Orange)*

The tail is a tapered tube that starts narrow and widens slightly.

- **Rnd 1:** 4 sc in MR **[4]**
- **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around **[8]**
  *(4 inc = 8 total)*
- **Rnd 3:** Sc around **[8]**
- **Rnd 4:** (3 sc, inc) ×2 **[10]**
  *(2 inc + 6 sc = 8 sts worked, +2 = 10 total)*
- **Rnds 5–12:** Sc around **[10]**
  *(8 even rounds)*

> 🧵 **Lightly stuff the tail** — do not overstuff. The tail should be slightly flexible.

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Leave the open end as-is (it will be sewn to the body).

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## PIECE 6: FLAME

*Make 1 — Start in Yarn C (Red), accent with Yarn D (Yellow)*

- **Rnd 1:** 4 sc in MR **[4]**
- **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around **[8]**
- **Rnd 3:** (Sc, inc) ×4 **[12]**
  *(4 inc + 4 sc = 8 sts worked, +4 = 12 total)*
- **Rnds 4–5:** Sc around **[12]**

> 🧵 **Lightly stuff the flame.**

- **Rnd 6:** Dec ×6 **[6]**

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Close the top hole.

> 🌟 **Yellow Accent:** Using Yarn D (Yellow) and a yarn needle, embroider 3–5 small elongated stitches (satin stitch or straight stitch) at the very top of the flame to create yellow-tipped flame points. Alternatively, cut small flame shapes from yellow felt and glue or sew them on.

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## PIECE 7: BELLY PATCH

*Make 1 in Yarn B (Cream/Tan) — Worked flat, no stuffing*

This piece is worked in a flat oval using a foundation chain.

- **Foundation:** Ch 4
- **Rnd 1:** 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch; pivot and work back along the underside of the chain: sc in next ch, sc in starting ch. **[8]**
  *(2 + 1 + 3 + 1 + 1 = 8 sts total)*
- **Rnd 2:** Inc ×2, sc, inc ×3, sc, inc **[14]**
  *(6 increases + 2 sc = 8 sts worked, + 6 = 14 total)*
- Sl st in next st to finish cleanly.

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

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## Assembly

Assemble your Charmander in the following order. Use your yarn needle and the long tails left on each piece. **Pin pieces in place before sewing.**

> 💡 **Tip:** Use pins or locking stitch markers to hold pieces in position before committing to sewing. Take a photo and compare to a reference image if needed!

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### Step 1: Sew Belly Patch to Body

- Center the belly patch on the **front** of the body, slightly below the middle.
- Using Yarn B and a yarn needle, whip stitch around the entire edge of the oval patch.
- Weave in ends.

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### Step 2: Attach Flame to Tail

- Position the **flame** piece at the open (narrow) end of the tail — or at the tip end for a curled look. Charmander's flame sits at the very tip of the tail.

> *Note: The tail's magic ring end (closed, round tip) = the flame end. The open, wider end = where the tail attaches to the body.*

- Sew the flame securely to the closed tip of the tail. Weave in ends.

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### Step 3: Attach Tail to Body

- Position the **open end** of the tail at the lower back of the body, centered.
- The tail should point slightly upward and to one side (Charmander's tail angles slightly back and up).
- Sew securely around the opening, stitching through the body. Weave in ends.

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### Step 4: Attach Legs to Bottom of Body

- Position both legs at the **bottom** of the body, one on each side of the center front.
- Space them approximately 5–6 stitches apart.
- Sew the open top of each leg to the body with whip stitch. Weave in ends.

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### Step 5: Attach Head to Body

- Position the head centered on top of the body.
- The seam (fastened-off point) of the head should face down, hidden between head and body.
- Using the long tail from the head, sew all the way around the base of the head, catching stitches from both the head and body. Weave in ends.

> *For extra stability, sew around the connection twice.*

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### Step 6: Attach Arms to Body

- Position both arms on the **sides** of the body, approximately at the upper third (just below where the head and body meet).
- Arms should angle slightly forward and downward.
- Space them symmetrically, one on each side.
- Sew securely. Weave in ends.

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## Face Embroidery

Using black embroidery thread or a thin strand of black yarn and a yarn needle:

### Nostrils
- Make **2 small French knots** (or tiny satin stitches) centered between the eyes, slightly below them and close together — about 2 stitches apart.

### Smile
- Embroider a small **curved smile** below the nostrils using a chain stitch or back stitch. Charmander has a gentle, happy expression.
- Aim for about 4–5 stitches wide in a shallow curve.

> 💡 **Tip:** Draw the face on lightly with a fabric marker first to test placement before embroidering permanently.

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## Finishing

1. Check all sewn joints and reinforce any that feel loose.
2. Weave in any remaining yarn ends.
3. Trim all tails close to the fabric.
4. Fluff the stuffing by gently squeezing and reshaping each piece.
5. Give your Charmander a little squeeze — they're ready for adventure! 🔥

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## Finished Dimensions

| Piece | Approximate Size |
|---|---|
| Head | ~3.5 in (9 cm) diameter |
| Body | ~3 in (7.5 cm) diameter |
| Arms | ~1.5 in (4 cm) long |
| Legs | ~2 in (5 cm) long |
| Tail | ~2.5 in (6 cm) long |
| Total height (assembled) | ~5–6 in (13–15 cm) |

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## Troubleshooting

| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Stuffing shows through stitches | Work more tightly, or go down to a US E-4 / 3.5 mm hook |
| Pieces feel too floppy | Add more stuffing; work tighter |
| Head won't stay centered | Re-sew the head-to-body join, going around twice |
| Tail droops down | Stuff it slightly more firmly; angle the sewing point upward |
| Flame looks flat | Add extra stuffing before closing; fluff after assembly |

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## Color Variations

- **Shiny Charmander:** Use gold/yellow for the body instead of orange, keep cream belly
- **Mini Keychain:** Use fingering weight yarn and a US B-1 / 2.25 mm hook; reduce to ~2.5 in (6 cm)
- **Giant Plush:** Use super bulky yarn (6) and a US K-10.5 / 6.5 mm hook; finished size ~10–12 in (25–30 cm)

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*Pattern designed for personal use. Please do not sell finished items commercially without crediting the designer. Pokémon characters are the intellectual property of Nintendo/Game Freak — this pattern is a fan creation for personal use only.*

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