purlJam

# Happy Easter Egg with Embroidered Text

A cheerful Easter egg plushie featuring "Happy Easter" text - perfect for spring decorating or as a sweet gift! This beginner-friendly pattern creates a pastel egg with embroidered lettering.

## Finished Measurements
- **Height**: Approximately 4.5 inches (11.5 cm) tall
- **Width**: Approximately 3 inches (7.5 cm) at widest point

## Materials
### Yarn
- **Weight**: Worsted (4) / Medium
- **Yardage**: Approximately 50 yards main color
- **Suggested yarns**: 
  - Main Color (MC): Pastel pink, yellow, blue, or lavender
  - Contrast Color (CC): White or coordinating pastel for text
- **Sample shown in**: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Dusty Pink

### Notions
- **Hook**: US G-6 (4.0mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Stuffing**: Polyester fiberfill (approximately 1 oz)
- **Yarn needle**: For weaving in ends and embroidery
- **Stitch marker**: To track beginning of rounds
- **Optional**: Embroidery floss in coordinating colors for decorative details

## Gauge
- **18 sc and 20 rows = 4 inches** (10 cm) in single crochet
- Gauge is flexible, but work tightly for amigurumi to prevent stuffing from showing

## Abbreviations
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next 2 sts, yo, pull through both loops, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- MC = main color
- CC = contrast color

## Special Techniques
### Magic Ring
Create an adjustable loop to begin working in the round. Tutorial readily available online for visual learners.

### Invisible Decrease
Insert hook in front loop only of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops. Creates smoother decreases than standard sc2tog.

### Chain Stitch Embroidery
Thread yarn needle with CC, bring needle up from inside egg, create chain stitch letters following the letter guide provided.

## Pattern Notes
- This egg is worked in continuous spiral rounds (do not join rounds unless specified)
- Use stitch marker to track beginning of each round
- Stuff firmly as you work the decrease rounds for best shape
- The egg shape is an elongated oval - wider in middle, tapered at both ends
- Text is added after construction using embroidery

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### Easter Egg Body (worked in MC)

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

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

**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18 sts]
*Math check: (1+1) × 6 repeats = 18 ✓*

**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24 sts]
*Math check: (2+1) × 6 repeats = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30 sts]
*Math check: (3+1) × 6 repeats = 30 ✓*

**Rnd 6**: (4 sc, inc) around [36 sts]
*Math check: (4+1) × 6 repeats = 36 ✓*

**Rnds 7-14**: sc in each st around [36 sts]
*8 rounds of even stitches to create egg body height*

**Rnd 15**: (4 sc, dec) around [30 sts]
*Math check: (4+1) × 6 repeats = 30 ✓*

**Rnd 16**: sc in each st around [30 sts]

**Rnd 17**: (3 sc, dec) around [24 sts]
*Math check: (3+1) × 6 repeats = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 18**: sc in each st around [24 sts]

**Rnd 19**: (2 sc, dec) around [18 sts]
*Math check: (2+1) × 6 repeats = 18 ✓*

**BEGIN STUFFING**: Stuff egg firmly with fiberfill. The egg should feel solid but not rock-hard. Continue stuffing as you work remaining rounds.

**Rnd 20**: (sc, dec) around [12 sts]
*Math check: (1+1) × 6 repeats = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 21**: dec around [6 sts]
*Math check: 12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓*

**Finish stuffing** if needed. Fasten off, leaving 8-inch tail. Thread tail through yarn needle and weave through remaining 6 sts. Pull tight to close hole. Weave in end securely on inside of egg.

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## Embroidering "Happy Easter" Text

### Text Placement Guide
1. Hold egg with the smoothest side facing you (this is the front)
2. The text will be placed horizontally across the widest part of the egg
3. "HAPPY EASTER" can be written on two lines:
   - Line 1: "HAPPY" 
   - Line 2: "EASTER"
4. Center the text approximately 1 inch from top of egg

### Method 1: Chain Stitch Embroidery (Recommended for Beginners)

**Materials**: Yarn needle threaded with CC or embroidery floss (2-3 strands)

**Steps**:
1. Lightly mark letter placement with stitch markers or pins
2. Thread needle and knot end
3. Bring needle up from inside egg at starting point
4. Create chain stitch letters following the alphabet guide below
5. Each letter should be approximately 0.5 inches tall
6. Space letters about 2-3 stitches apart
7. Secure end by weaving through several stitches on inside of egg

### Simple Letter Guide for Chain Stitch
Create letters using continuous chain stitch embroidery:

**H**: Vertical line down, vertical line down, horizontal line connecting middle
**A**: Diagonal line up, diagonal line down, horizontal line across middle  
**P**: Vertical line down, curve from top right creating half-circle
**Y**: Diagonal line down center, two diagonal lines meeting at top
**E**: Vertical line down, three horizontal lines (top, middle, bottom)
**A**: (repeat as above)
**S**: Curved S-shape
**T**: Vertical line down, horizontal line across top
**R**: Vertical line down, curved top right, diagonal line to bottom right

### Method 2: Felt Letter Appliqués (Alternative)

**Materials**: 
- Small pieces of white or pastel felt
- Fabric glue or sewing needle and thread
- Scissors

**Steps**:
1. Cut out small letter shapes from felt (approximately 0.4 inches tall)
2. Arrange letters on egg to check placement
3. Glue or stitch letters onto egg surface
4. Allow glue to dry completely before handling (if using glue method)

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## Optional Decorative Details

### Polka Dots
Using CC and yarn needle, create French knots randomly around egg (avoid text area):
1. Bring needle up through egg
2. Wrap yarn around needle 2-3 times
3. Insert needle back down close to where it came up
4. Pull tight to create small knot/dot

### Stripes
Before embroidering text, work surface slip stitches in horizontal or vertical lines around egg in CC.

### Ribbon Hanger
Cut 8-inch length of 1/4-inch satin ribbon. Fold in half. Use yarn needle to attach loop to top of egg for hanging.

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## Assembly & Finishing

1. **Weave in all ends** securely on inside of egg
2. **Block lightly** if needed by steaming gently (do not press flat)
3. **Add embroidered text** following guide above
4. **Optional**: Add decorative details like dots, stripes, or ribbon
5. **Final check**: Ensure all ends are secure and egg maintains shape

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## Customization Ideas

### Size Variations
- **Smaller egg (3 inches)**: Increase only to 30 sts maximum, work fewer even rounds
- **Larger egg (6 inches)**: Continue increasing to 42-48 sts, work more even rounds

### Color Combinations
- **Classic pastel**: Light pink, baby blue, mint green, or lavender
- **Bold brights**: Hot pink, sunshine yellow, lime green
- **Natural**: Cream with brown text
- **Rainbow**: Use multiple colors in stripes

### Alternative Text Options
- "He Is Risen"
- "Easter 2024"
- Child's name
- "Spring"

### Shape Variations
- **Rounder egg**: Work more even rounds at maximum stitch count
- **Taller egg**: Add 4-6 additional even rounds before decreasing

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## Care Instructions

**Washing**: Hand wash gently in cool water with mild detergent. Do not wring.
**Drying**: Press gently between towels to remove excess water. Air dry flat, reshaping as needed.
**Storage**: Store in cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

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## Troubleshooting

**Problem**: Stuffing shows through stitches
**Solution**: Use smaller hook or work more tightly. Check that you're using correct invisible decrease method.

**Problem**: Egg is lopsided
**Solution**: Ensure even tension throughout. Stuff evenly and reshape as you go.

**Problem**: Difficult to embroider letters
**Solution**: Practice letters on paper first. Use embroidery floss instead of yarn for finer detail. Consider felt appliqué method instead.

**Problem**: Magic ring hole won't close at beginning
**Solution**: After completing egg, use yarn needle to weave through Round 1 stitches and pull tight before securing.

**Problem**: Egg won't stand up
**Solution**: Stuff bottom more firmly. Add small amount of plastic pellets to bottom before closing (creates weighted base).

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## Skill Level
**Beginner** - Requires only basic crochet skills (chain, single crochet, increasing, decreasing) and simple embroidery.

## Time to Complete
Approximately 2-3 hours for experienced beginners, 3-4 hours for new crocheters.

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## Design Notes
This pattern creates a classic Easter egg shape using basic amigurumi techniques. The oval shape is achieved by working more rounds at the widest part of the egg before decreasing. The embroidered text personalizes each egg and allows for creative color combinations. This project is perfect for using up yarn scraps and makes a sweet decoration or gift basket addition.

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## Pattern Support
If you have questions about this pattern, please check:
- Stitch count matches at end of each round
- You're working in continuous spiral (not joining rounds)
- Hook size is appropriate for yarn weight
- Tension is consistent throughout

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*Pattern designed for beginner crocheters. Please do not redistribute this pattern or sell items made from this pattern commercially without permission.*