purlJam

<pattern>

# EDDIE THE HEAD FUNKO-STYLE AMIGURUMI
## Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast" Era

**Finished Size**: Approximately 15 cm (6 inches) tall  
**Difficulty Level**: Intermediate  
**Designed by**: Expert Pattern Designer

---

## MATERIALS

### Yarn
Worsted weight yarn (4) in the following colors and approximate amounts:
- **Color A** (Pale Gray or Zombie Skin tone): 60 yards (55 m)
- **Color B** (Black): 25 yards (23 m) for hair
- **Color C** (Dark Red or Burgundy): 30 yards (27 m) for shirt
- **Color D** (Dark Gray or Black): 25 yards (23 m) for pants
- **Color E** (White or Off-White): Small amount for teeth details
- **Color F** (Dark Brown or Red-Brown): Small amount for accent details

Recommended: Medium weight acrylic yarn or cotton blend for best stitch definition

### Hook & Notions
- **Hook**: US E-4 (3.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Tapestry needle** for sewing and embroidery
- **Stitch markers** to mark beginning of rounds
- **Fiberfill stuffing** (polyester), approximately 2 oz
- **Pins** for assembly
- **Small amount of black thread** or embroidery floss for facial details (optional)
- **Wire** (optional): 6 inches of craft wire for poseable neck support

### Optional Materials for Enhanced Details
- Small amount of fabric stiffener for hair (optional)
- Red embroidery floss for bloodshot eye veins
- Clear-drying craft glue for securing ends

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## GAUGE

**6 sc and 6 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm)** in single crochet worked in continuous rounds

**Gauge is crucial for this pattern.** Your stitches should be tight enough that stuffing doesn't show through. If your fabric is too loose, go down a hook size.

To check gauge: Make a magic ring, work increases to 24 sts, work 6 rounds even. Measure across: should be approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in circumference.

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- **ch** = chain
- **sc** = single crochet
- **inc** = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- **dec** = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loop only of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook)
- **sl st** = slip stitch
- **BLO** = back loop only
- **FLO** = front loop only
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** = round(s)
- **rep** = repeat
- **(...) around** = repeat instructions in parentheses around entire round
- **[number]** = total stitch count at end of round

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## SPECIAL TECHNIQUES & NOTES

### General Notes
1. **Work in continuous spiral rounds** unless otherwise specified. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round, moving it up as you go.

2. **Stuff as you go**, especially the head. Stuff firmly for the head and body, moderately for limbs.

3. **Invisible decrease technique**: This creates a neater decrease. Insert hook under front loop only of next 2 stitches, yarn over and pull through both loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops.

4. **Magic ring**: This adjustable ring allows you to close the starting hole tightly. Alternatively, ch 2 and work first round into 2nd ch from hook.

5. **Color changes**: Change color on last yarn over of previous stitch. Drop old color to wrong side (inside), pick up new color and complete stitch.

6. **Funko proportions**: The head should be significantly larger than the body - approximately 60% of total height. Keep body and limbs small and compact.

### Texture Techniques for Wrinkled Skin
- **Surface wrinkles**: After completing head, use tapestry needle with matching yarn to create horizontal "creases" by weaving yarn through stitches and pulling gently to create indentations.
- **Raised texture**: In specified rounds, work sc in back loop only to create subtle ridges.

### Hair Technique
Hair pieces are created as loop fringe or individual short strands attached after assembly.

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## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD (worked in Color A - Pale Gray/Zombie Skin)

The head is worked from bottom to top in continuous rounds.

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 repeats; 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats; 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats; 6 × 5 = 30 ✓*

**Rnd 6**: (4 sc, inc) around [36]  
*Math check: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 repeats; 6 × 6 = 36 ✓*

**Rnd 7**: (5 sc, inc) around [42]  
*Math check: 36 ÷ 6 = 6 repeats; 6 × 7 = 42 ✓*

**Rnd 8**: Working in BLO this round only (creates subtle ridge for texture): sc in each st around [42]

**Rnds 9-11**: sc in each st around [42]  
*3 rounds even*

**Rnd 12**: (5 sc, dec) around [36]  
*Math check: 42 ÷ 7 = 6 repeats; 6 × 6 = 36 ✓*

**Rnd 13**: sc in each st around [36]

**Rnd 14**: Working in BLO this round only: sc in each st around [36]  
*This creates another texture ridge for wrinkled skin effect*

**Rnds 15-17**: sc in each st around [36]  
*3 rounds even - this is the main face area*

**STOP HERE TO ADD FACE DETAILS** (see Face Sculpting & Details section below before continuing)

**Rnd 18**: (4 sc, dec) around [30]  
*Math check: 36 ÷ 6 = 6 repeats; 6 × 5 = 30 ✓*

**Rnd 19**: (3 sc, dec) around [24]  
*Math check: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 repeats; 6 × 4 = 24 ✓*

**BEGIN STUFFING HEAD FIRMLY NOW** - Add small amounts of fiberfill, pushing it down to fill the lower portions of the head. The head should be very firm to support the weight and maintain shape.

**Rnd 20**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats; 6 × 3 = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 21**: (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats; 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Add more stuffing, filling head completely and firmly.**

**Rnd 22**: dec around [6]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

**Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30 cm) tail.** Thread tail through tapestry needle and weave through remaining 6 sts. Pull tight to close hole. Weave in end securely on inside.

**Head measures approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) tall**

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### FACE SCULPTING & DETAILS

Complete these steps after Round 17 of the head, before continuing to decrease rounds.

#### Eye Sockets (Deep Set, Asymmetrical)

**Position**: 
- **Left eye** (more open): Between rnds 13-15, approximately 8 sts from center
- **Right eye** (partially closed/smaller): Between rnds 14-15, approximately 8 sts from center on opposite side

**To create deep-set sockets:**

1. Thread tapestry needle with long strand of Color A (matching head).

2. For **left eye socket**: 
   - Insert needle from inside head (between rnds 15-16) and bring out at rnd 15, approximately 8 sts left of center front.
   - Insert needle 2 sts to the right, going straight back through to inside.
   - Pull gently to create indentation.
   - Repeat this process in a circular pattern (about 6-8 stitches around) to create a round socket approximately 3 sts in diameter.
   - Make multiple passes through center to deepen the socket.
   - Secure yarn on inside of head.

3. For **right eye socket** (smaller, more closed):
   - Create similar socket but only 2 sts in diameter, positioned slightly higher (rnd 14-15).
   - Make socket more horizontal/squinted by creating an oval shape rather than round.
   - Pull tighter to make socket deeper and more sunken.

4. **Optional**: Using black embroidery floss or Color B, add a small French knot or satin stitch in center of each socket for pupil. Left eye should have larger, more visible pupil.

#### Exposed Teeth/Sinister Grin

**Position**: Below eyes, between rnds 16-18, centered

**Method 1 - Embroidered teeth:**

1. Using Color E (white), thread tapestry needle.

2. Starting at rnd 17, create a curved line of horizontal straight stitches to form upper teeth:
   - Make 6-8 small vertical stitches (each about 2mm tall) side by side, creating a row of teeth
   - Curve the row to follow a sinister grin shape (higher at center, lower at sides)
   - Space approximately 6-8 sts wide total

3. Below first row (at rnd 18), create lower teeth row:
   - Make 6-8 smaller vertical stitches
   - Offset slightly from upper teeth for realistic look

4. Using black thread or Color B, outline the mouth opening:
   - Backstitch around the teeth in an oval/grin shape
   - Extend the grin corners upward slightly for sinister expression

**Method 2 - Sculptural teeth (alternative):**

1. Using Color E (white), create tiny chains (ch 3) for each tooth.
2. Sew these tiny chains onto face in grin pattern, attaching at top and bottom of each chain.
3. Outline with black as described above.

#### Skin Texture & Wrinkles

1. **Horizontal forehead wrinkles**: Using Color A, create 2-3 horizontal lines across forehead (rnds 11-13) by weaving yarn through stitches and pulling gently to create creases.

2. **Nasal wrinkles**: Create 2-3 diagonal lines from sides of nose area toward cheeks (between eyes and mouth).

3. **Under-eye wrinkles**: Below each eye socket, create 1-2 small horizontal lines.

4. **Cheek decay**: Using slightly darker shade or Color F (brown),