purlJam

<pattern>

# EDDIE THE HEAD FUNKO-STYLE AMIGURUMI PATTERN
## Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast" Era
**Finished Size**: Approximately 15 cm (6 inches) tall  
**Difficulty Level**: Advanced  
**Designer**: Custom Pattern  

---

## MATERIALS

### Yarn
**Weight**: Worsted weight (4) acrylic or cotton yarn  
**Yardage**: Approximately 200 yards total

**Colors needed**:
- **Skin/Decay Green** (main color for head): 80 yards
- **Darker Green/Gray** (decay shading): 20 yards
- **Off-White/Cream** (teeth, bone details): 10 yards
- **Black**: 30 yards (pants, details)
- **Dark Red/Burgundy** (shirt): 40 yards
- **Brown/Tan** (hair): 20 yards
- **Optional**: Small amounts of purple, dark gray for bruising/decay effects

### Other Materials
- **Crochet Hook**: US E-4 (3.5 mm) - for tight gauge
- **Safety Eyes**: Two 8mm black safety eyes OR black embroidery thread for eyes
- **Stuffing**: Polyester fiberfill, approximately 2-3 oz
- **Tapestry Needle**: For assembly and embroidery
- **Stitch Markers**: To mark beginning of rounds
- **Embroidery Floss**: Black, dark red, gray for facial details
- **Optional**: Small amount of plastic pellets or dried beans for body weight (stability)
- **Optional**: Wire (for poseable limbs, optional)
- **Pins**: For positioning pieces before assembly

### Tools
- Scissors
- Fabric glue (optional, for securing embroidery ends)

---

## GAUGE
**6 stitches × 7 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in single crochet** (worked in continuous rounds)

*Gauge is critical for amigurumi to create tight fabric that holds stuffing. Adjust hook size if needed - fabric should not show gaps when stretched slightly.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS (US TERMS)

- **ch** = chain
- **sc** = single crochet
- **inc** = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- **dec** = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops only of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over, pull through all 3 loops on hook)
- **sl st** = slip stitch
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)** = round(s)
- **FLO** = front loop only
- **BLO** = back loop only
- **rep** = repeat
- **magic ring** = adjustable ring to start working in the round
- **bobble** = [yarn over, insert hook, pull up loop] 3 times in same st, yarn over, pull through all 7 loops
- **surface sc** = slip stitch crochet worked on surface of finished piece for texture
- **[  ]** = total stitch count at end of round
- **(  )** = repeat instructions within parentheses

---

## SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

### Magic Ring
Create an adjustable loop: Wrap yarn around fingers, insert hook under first strand and over second, pull up loop, chain 1, work stitches into ring, pull tail to tighten.

### Invisible Decrease
Insert hook in 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. This creates a neater decrease than standard sc2tog.

### Color Changes
On last stitch before color change: insert hook, yarn over with old color, pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over with NEW color and pull through both loops. Continue with new color. Carry unused color inside work when possible, or cut and weave in ends.

### Surface Crochet for Texture
With finished piece, insert hook from front to back between stitches, pull up loop of new yarn, *insert hook in next position, yarn over, pull through work and through loop on hook (like slip stitch); repeat from * to create raised texture lines for wrinkles and scars.

### Working in Continuous Spiral
Do not join rounds with slip stitch. Use stitch marker to mark first stitch of round, move marker up as you work. Count carefully.

---

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Proportions**: This Funko-style doll has an oversized head (approximately 60% of total height). The head must be stuffed VERY firmly to maintain shape and prevent flopping.

2. **Facial Features**: Eddie's asymmetrical, menacing expression is key to the character. Follow placement guide carefully. Consider embroidering eyes instead of safety eyes for more control over the "undead" look.

3. **Texture**: Use a combination of stitch texture (bobbles, surface crochet) and embroidery to create the decayed, wrinkled skin appearance.

4. **Stability**: The large head on small body requires good weight distribution. Add plastic pellets or small bean bag to bottom of body for stability. Ensure head attachment is very secure (sew through at least 3-4 times).

5. **Color Work**: This pattern uses multiple colors. You may carry colors inside the work for small sections or cut and weave in ends. For decay effects, consider working random stitches in different colors for a mottled appearance.

6. **Assembly**: Pin all pieces in position before sewing. Check proportions and angles, especially head tilt and limb placement.

---

## INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD

**Color**: Skin/Decay Green (main color)

The head is worked from top down in continuous spiral.

**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 × 3 sts = 18 ✓*

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

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

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

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

**Rnd 8**: (6 sc, inc) around [48]  
*Math check: 42 ÷ 7 = 6 repeats × 8 sts = 48 ✓*

**Rnds 9-10**: sc in each st around [48]  
*Work 2 rounds even*

**BEGIN DECAY TEXTURE** (optional):  
For textured, decayed skin, work the following variation for rounds 11-18. If you prefer smooth surface to add embroidery later, continue with plain sc and skip to round 11 standard instructions.

**Rnd 11** (with texture): 6 sc, bobble, (7 sc, bobble) around to last sc, sc [48]  
*This creates raised bumps for lesions/decay - bobbles count as 1 stitch*

**Rnd 12**: sc in each st around [48]

**Rnd 13**: (15 sc, inc) around [51]  
*Math check: 48 ÷ 16 = 3 repeats × 17 sts = 51 ✓*

**Rnd 14**: sc in each st around [51]

**Rnd 15**: (16 sc, inc) around [54]  
*Math check: 51 ÷ 17 = 3 repeats × 18 sts = 54 ✓*

**Rnds 16-20**: sc in each st around [54]  
*Work 5 rounds even - this creates the height of the head*

**ADD DETAILS BEFORE DECREASING**:

- **INSERT SAFETY EYES** (if using): Place between rounds 16-18, approximately 10-12 sts apart, positioned asymmetrically (see Facial Features Placement Guide). One eye should be slightly lower/more forward than the other for Eddie's characteristic look.

- **Color changes for decay patches**: Randomly work 2-3 stitches in Darker Green/Gray in rounds 17-19 to create mottled decay effect.

**BEGIN DECREASES**:

**Rnd 21**: (7 sc, dec) around [48]  
*Math check: 54 ÷ 9 = 6 repeats × 8 sts = 48 ✓*

**Rnd 22**: sc in each st around [48]

**Rnd 23**: (6 sc, dec) around [42]  
*Math check: 48 ÷ 8 = 6 repeats × 7 sts = 42 ✓*

**Rnd 24**: (5 sc, dec) around [36]  
*Math check: 42 ÷ 7 = 6 repeats × 6 sts = 36 ✓*

**BEGIN STUFFING**: Stuff head FIRMLY with fiberfill. Continue stuffing as you decrease.

**Rnd 25**: (4 sc, dec) around [30]  
*Math check: 36 ÷ 6 = 6 repeats × 5 sts = 30 ✓*

**Rnd 26**: (3 sc, dec) around [24]  
*Math check: 30 ÷ 5 = 6 repeats × 4 sts = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 27**: (2 sc, dec) around [18]  
*Math check: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 repeats × 3 sts = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 28**: (sc, dec) around [12]  
*Math check: 18 ÷ 3 = 6 repeats × 2 sts = 12 ✓*

**Add final stuffing** to make head very firm.

**Rnd 29**: (dec) around [6]  
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

**Fasten off**, leaving long tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Weave in end securely.

**HEAD COMPLETE**: Set aside for facial detail work.

---

### FACIAL FEATURES

**This section covers embroidery and surface details to create Eddie's iconic decayed face.**

#### EYE SOCKETS (Deep-set eyes)

**Option 1** (if using safety eyes already inserted):

With **Black or Dark Gray embroidery floss** and tapestry needle:

1. **Create depth around eyes**: Using straight stitches, embroider a ring around each eye opening, working into the fabric between rounds 15-19. Make one eye socket slightly larger/more irregular than the other.

2. **Shadowing**: With Dark Gray, work small straight stitches radiating outward from eye sockets (4-6 stitches per eye) to create sunken appearance.