Pocket Gorilla

Ever want a gorilla that could fit in your pocket? Well my mother-in-law absolutely adores gorillas, so I thought it would be nice to make her a little one for her birthday. I tend to like amigurumis that look similar to the real animal, and I had a hard time finding a free pattern that was distinctly "gorilla" and not just "general monkey" looking. Luckily I found this adorable orangutang pattern by Vintage Nettles and saw lots of potential.

This project also makes for a fun key chain! 

Follow this link to make your own orangutang and to get the instructions for how to make the head, body, and face of this gorilla!
http://vintagenettles.net/2011/09/19/itty-bitty-orangutan/

Pocket Gorilla
I used a 3.5mm (E) hook for this project.
You'll need yarn in the Main Color (MC) and a Contrast Color (CC). Here I used dark and light grey.
Some black yarn for embroidering features
Scissors and a needle for sewing
Fiber fill or extra yarn for stuffing

Head+Body
Use the pattern by Vintage Nettles linked above

Face 
In CC
Use the pattern by Vintage Nettles linked above

Arms (Make 2)
Stuff as you go along
R1- in circle, sc 8  (8 stitches)
~chain 3 and slip stitch in same stitch. This will be the thumb!
R2- [sc 1, then sc 2 in next stitch] 4 times. (12 st.)
R3-5- sc around (12 st.)
R6- [sc 1, then dec over next two stiches] 4 times (8 st.)
R7- [sc 2, dec over next two stitches] twice (6 st.)
R8-10- sc around (6 st.)
Finish Off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Legs (Make 2)
R1- in circle, sc 8  (8 st.)
R2-6- sc around  (8 st.)
Stuff
Finish off, leaving long tail for sewing.


Finishing
Embroider all facial features to face. I used French knots for the eyes, although small beads or safety eyes also work. Sew face to head. Position arms so that thumbs face inward and sew arms onto body. Sew on legs. For ears I made French knots in CC on either side of the head.

Your gorilla is complete!

I hope you enjoy this pattern.
A special thanks to Vintage Nettles for the original pattern!
http://vintagenettles.net/

A Surprise Finding

The other day my boss offered me a bag of grapes which he had been picked fresh off the vine. After getting home and trying a couple, I reached into the bag to take another grape when I was surprised to discover this little guy!

It's the tiniest little snail ever! I was so captured by this (and the fact that I might have eaten him if I hadn't checked) that I decided to make an amigurumi snail in celebration. The pattern for this snail can be found here: http://cache.lionbrand.com/faq/550.html?www=1&language=
This was the outcome of my snail, whom I have named Slimey

Sonar the Bat

This is Sonar the Bat. I created him because there weren't any free bat patterns that I really liked. He's perfect as a little Halloween decoration or for anyone who enjoys the darker side of life.

You'll need:

3.5 mm hook (size E), stuffing, scissors, a needle for sewing and embroidery, and two beads, buttons, or safety eyes. Feel free to have fun with the color combinations as well!
Remember to always leave a long tail for sewing!

Head in main color
R1- in circle work 6 sc
R2- inc each stitch (12 st)
R3- (sc, inc in next st) repeat 5 more times (18 st)
R4- (sc 2 around, inc in next) repeat 5x (24 st)
R5- (sc 3 around, inc in next) 5x more (30 st)
R6-12- sc around (7 rounds total, 30 st)
R13- (sc 3 around, dec 2 st together) repeat 5x (24 st)
R14- (sc 2 around, dec 2 together) 5x (18 st)
R15- (sc, dec 2 together) 5x (12 st)
Stuff
R16- dec around (6 st)
Finish Off, leave long tail

Body in main color
R1- sc 6 in circle
R2- inc each stitch (12 st)
R3- (sc, inc in next st) repeat 5 times more (18 st)
R4- (sc 2 around, inc in next) repeat 5x (24 st)
R5-9- sc around (5 rounds total, 24 st)
R10- (sc 2 around, dec 2 together) 5x (18 st)
R11-12- sc around (2 rounds total, 18 st)
R13- (sc, dec 2 together) 5x more (12 st)
Finish off and Stuff

Ear (outside) make 2 in main color
Chain 8
Row1- sc 7, chain 1, turn (7 st)
Row2- sc 7, ch 1, turn (7)
Row3- dec, sc 5, ch 1, turn (6)
Row4- dec, sc 4, ch 1, turn (5)
Row5- dec, sc 3, ch 1, turn (4)
Row6- dec, sc 2, ch 1, turn (3)
Row7- dec, sc, ch 1, turn (2)
Finish Off, leaving tail

Ear (inside) make 2 in contrast color
Chain 6
Row1- sc 5, ch 1, turn (5 st)
Row2- sc 5, ch 1, turn (5 st)
Row3- dec, sc 3, ch 1, turn (4)
Row4- 2 dec, ch 1, turn (2)
Row5- dec (1 st)
Finish Off, leaving tail

Wings make 2 in contrast color
R1- sc 4 in circle, ch 1, turn (4)
R2- sc, 2 inc, sc, ch 1, turn (6)
R3- inc, sc, inc, sc 2, inc, ch1, turn (9)
R4- inc, sc 2, inc, sc 4, inc, ch 1, turn (12)
R5- sc 5, 2 hdc in same st, sc 6 (13)
Finish Off color
In main color sc evenly across straight edge of wings (mine was 10 st)
chain 3, turn, on second chain from hook make a slip stitch, sc next st (claw)
sc 4, hdc in next 2 stitches, sc 4
Finish Off, leaving tail

Eyes make 2 in contrast color
R1- sc 6 in circle
R2- (sc, inc) repeat 2 more times (9 st)
FO, leaving long tail
Attach eyes as you like

Assembly
Sew head to body. Attach eyes about halfway down the top of the head.
Sew the inside of the ears to the outside ears, fold slightly, and sew onto the head.
Sew wings onto body. With extra yarn from sewing, embroider bones in the wings.
Embroider fangs, nose, and mouth, if desired.
Weave in all ends.

Your bat is done!