purlJam

<pattern>

# JUMBO STITCH PLUSHIE CROCHET PATTERN

*A beginner-friendly amigurumi pattern inspired by Experiment 626 from Lilo & Stitch*

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:**
- Bulky weight yarn (5) in the following colors:
  - Main Color (MC): Blue - approximately 200 yards
  - Accent Color (AC): Dark Blue/Navy - approximately 30 yards
  - Small amount of Light Pink for inner ears (optional)
  
**Recommended brands:** Lion Brand Hometown USA, Bernat Blanket, or similar bulky yarn

**Hook & Notions:**
- US H-8 (5.0mm) crochet hook (go down 1-2 sizes from yarn label recommendation)
- 18mm black safety eyes (2)
- Black embroidery thread or yarn for nose and mouth
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Yarn needle for assembly
- Stitch marker
- Pins for assembly placement (optional but helpful)

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## GAUGE

12 stitches × 13 rounds = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet (worked in the round)

*Gauge is not critical for this project, but tighter tension creates a better amigurumi fabric that doesn't show stuffing.*

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## FINISHED SIZE

Approximately 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) tall when assembled

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec = invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through both, yarn over, pull through 2 loops)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- MC = main color (blue)
- AC = accent color (dark blue)
- [ ] = total stitch count at end of round
- ( ) = repeat instructions within parentheses

---

## PATTERN NOTES

- Work in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise noted; do not join rounds
- Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round
- Work tightly to prevent stuffing from showing through
- Stuff pieces firmly as you go - it's difficult to add stuffing after closing
- Count stitches at the end of each round to ensure accuracy
- All pieces are worked separately and assembled at the end

**Safety Note:** Safety eyes contain small parts. If making for a child under 3, embroider eyes instead or ensure eyes are very securely attached.

---

## PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

### HEAD (make 1 in MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

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

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
*Verification: 12 × 1.5 = 18 ✓*

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*Verification: 18 + 6 incs = 24 ✓*

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
*Verification: 24 + 6 incs = 30 ✓*

Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around [36]
*Verification: 30 + 6 incs = 36 ✓*

Rnds 7-14: sc in each st around [36]
*8 even rounds for head depth*

Rnd 15: (4 sc, dec) around [30]
*Verification: 36 - 6 decs = 30 ✓*

Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) around [24]
*Verification: 30 - 6 decs = 24 ✓*

**STOP HERE:** Insert safety eyes between rnds 10 and 11, approximately 8 stitches apart. Embroider nose and mouth details before continuing (see Finishing section).

Rnd 17: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Verification: 24 - 6 decs = 18 ✓*

**Stuff head firmly.**

Rnd 18: (sc, dec) around [12]
*Verification: 18 - 6 decs = 12 ✓*

Rnd 19: dec around [6]
*Verification: 12 - 6 decs = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close hole. Weave in end.

---

### BODY (make 1 in MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

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

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
*Verification: 12 × 1.5 = 18 ✓*

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*Verification: 18 + 6 incs = 24 ✓*

Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
*Verification: 24 + 6 incs = 30 ✓*

Rnds 6-13: sc in each st around [30]
*8 even rounds for body length*

Rnd 14: (3 sc, dec) around [24]
*Verification: 30 - 6 decs = 24 ✓*

Rnds 15-16: sc in each st around [24]

Rnd 17: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Verification: 24 - 6 decs = 18 ✓*

**Stuff body firmly.**

Rnd 18: (sc, dec) around [12]
*Verification: 18 - 6 decs = 12 ✓*

Rnd 19: dec around [6]
*Verification: 12 - 6 decs = 6 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving long tail for closing. Use yarn needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close hole. Leave long tail for attaching to head.

---

### EARS (make 2 in MC)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

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

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
*Verification: 12 × 1.5 = 18 ✓*

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
*Verification: 18 + 6 incs = 24 ✓*

Rnds 5-10: sc in each st around [24]
*6 even rounds for ear length*

Rnd 11: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
*Verification: 24 - 6 decs = 18 ✓*

Rnd 12: sc in each st around [18]

Rnd 13: (sc, dec) around [12]
*Verification: 18 - 6 decs = 12 ✓*

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Stuff ears lightly (about halfway full) - they should be floppy at the top. Flatten opening and sew closed.

**INNER EAR (optional detail - make 2 in AC or Light Pink):**

Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring [4]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [8]
*Verification: 4 × 2 = 8 ✓*

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [12]
*Verification: 8 × 1.5 = 12 ✓*

Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [16]
*Verification: 12 + 4 incs = 16 ✓*

Rnds 5-6: sc in each st around [16]

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten and sew to front of blue ear.

---

### ARMS (make 2 in MC)

**Hand/Paw:**

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

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

Rnds 3-4: sc in each st around [12]

**Switch to AC (dark blue) for arm:**

Rnds 5-13: sc in each st around [12]
*9 rounds for arm length*

Stuff arm firmly, leaving top unstuffed for easier attachment.

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Do not close opening - this will be sewn to body.

---

### LEGS (make 2 in MC)

**Foot:**

Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring [6]

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

Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
*Verification: 12 × 1.5 = 18 ✓*

Rnds 4-5: sc in each st around [18]

Rnd 6: (sc, dec) around [12]
*Verification: 18 - 6 decs = 12 ✓*

**Switch to AC (dark blue) for leg:**

Rnds 7-11: sc in each st around [12]
*5 rounds for leg length*

Stuff leg firmly, leaving top unstuffed.

Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. Do not close opening.

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### BACK SPINES (optional - make 3 in AC)

These small triangular pieces add character detail to Stitch's back.

Rnd 1: 3 sc in magic ring [3]

Rnd 2: inc in each st around [6]
*Verification: 3 × 2 = 6 ✓*

Rnds 3-4: sc in each st around [6]

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Stuff very lightly or leave unstuffed. Flatten and sew to back of body.

---

## ASSEMBLY

**Preparation:** Lay out all pieces and use reference images of Stitch to plan placement. Use pins to position pieces before sewing for best results.

**Assembly Order:**

1. **Head to Body:** Position head on top of body, slightly overlapping. Use long tail from body and yarn needle to sew head securely to body using whip stitch all around the connection. Make sure head is stable and won't wobble.

2. **Ears to Head:** Position ears on top/sides of head, angled slightly outward. The ears should be placed toward the back of the head. Sew securely using whip stitch around the flattened base of each ear.

3. **Arms to Body:** Position arms on sides of body, approximately at rnd 4-5 of body (near the top). Sew opening of arm to side of body using whip stitch, ensuring arms are symmetrical.

4. **Legs to Body:** Position legs at bottom of body, slightly to the sides so plushie can sit. Sew opening of leg to bottom of body using whip stitch.

5. **Back Spines (optional):** Sew three small spines vertically along center back, evenly spaced.

6. **Weave in all ends.**

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## FINISHING DETAILS

**Face Embroidery:**

- **Nose:** Using black embroidery thread or yarn, embroider a small oval or teardrop shape between and slightly below the eyes (around rnd 11-12). Use satin stitch to fill the shape.

- **Mouth:** Embroider a wide smile using backstitch. Start from below the nose, curve down and out, then curve back up toward the ears for Stitch's characteristic grin.

**Optional Details:**

- Add AC (dark blue) claws to hands and feet using straight stitches or French knots
- Embroider chest marking if desired using AC yarn
- Add small highlight to eyes using white embroidery thread for extra character

**Shaping:** 

After assembly, adjust stuffing if needed by gently massaging plushie. Ears should flop naturally. Make sure plushie can sit upright without tipping.

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## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

**Different Sizes:**
- **Smaller (5-6")