My dearest maker, welcome back to the worktable. There is a particular joy in working with chenille yarn; it forgives our tension errors and rewards us with an immediate, huggable finish. This project is close to my heart because it celebrates the imperfect, floppy nature of handmade toys. We are not striving for stiff perfection here, but for a character that feels like a soft marshmallow in the palm of your hand.
About This Creation & Angle
This project focuses on “Tactile Comfort.” In a world of hard plastic and screens, we crave the touch of something incredibly soft. By using fine velvet or chenille yarn, we transform a simple capsule shape into a premium sensory object. This guide is designed to help you master the “Invisible Decrease on Chenille,” a technique that prevents those pesky holes often seen in plush yarn projects. He is designed to be floppy, posing on your bookshelf or guarding your desk with his soulful, giant eyes.
Project Snapshot:
📊 Difficulty: Intermediate (Working with Chenille requires feeling stitches)
⏰ Est. Time: 3 – 5 Hours
📏 Size: Approx. 15–18 cm (Perfect “Hand-Sized” Companion)
“The soul of the amigurumi lives in the eyes; place them with intention.” — Patricia Poltera
Materials & Tools Needed
🧶 Yarn: Fine Chenille or Velvet Yarn (DK/Sport weight) in Golden Yellow (approx. 50g), Black (scraps), and White (scraps). Note: Using Super Bulky Blanket yarn will result in a much larger, huggable pillow size.
🪡 Hook: 3.0mm (or 3.5mm if your tension is tight)
✨ Other Materials: Polyester fiberfill, tapestry needle (large eye), stitch markers, sewing pins.
Abbreviations & Stitches Used
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
inc: increase (2 sc in one st)
dec: invisible decrease (sc 2 together through front loops)
BLO: back loop only
The Complete Golden Shape-Shifter Pattern
The Main Body (The Capsule)
Make this in Golden Yellow. Stuff firmly as you go, but keep the top slightly softer to shape the head.
Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: Inc in every st (12)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Round 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6 (30)
Round 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6 (36)
Round 7: (Sc 5, inc) x 6 (42)
Rounds 8–28: Sc in each st around (42) [21 rounds of straight height creates that iconic pill shape]
Round 29: (Sc 5, dec) x 6 (36)
Round 30: (Sc 4, dec) x 6 (30)
Round 31: (Sc 3, dec) x 6 (24)
Round 32: (Sc 2, dec) x 6 (18)
Artisan’s Note: Ensure the body is packed well before these final rounds to avoid a lumpy bottom.
Round 33: (Sc 1, dec) x 6 (12)
Round 34: Dec x 6 (6)
Fasten off and weave in the end.
The Jowls (The Muzzle)
Make in Golden Yellow. This piece gives him his grumpy-cute expression.
Round 1: Chain 9. Start in 2nd ch from hook.
Round 2: Sc 7, 3 sc in last ch. Turn to work other side of ch: Sc 6, inc in last st (18)
Round 3: Inc, sc 6, inc x 3, sc 6, inc x 2 (24)
Rounds 4–6: Sc in each st around (24)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly when sewing.
The Eyes (The Windows to the Soul)
Make 2. Start with White.
Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: Inc in every st (12)
Round 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6 (18)
Round 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6 (24)
Fasten off white.
The Rim & Pupil: You can embroider the black rim with surface slip stitches, or simply sew a thick line of black yarn around the white circle. For the pupil, cut a felt circle or crochet 6 sc in a magic ring with Black and sew it onto the white.
The Limbs (Arms & Legs)
Make 4 identical tubes in Golden Yellow. We want these long and noodle-like.
Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 3 (9)
Rounds 3–20: Sc in each st around (9)
Artisan’s Note: Do not stuff the limbs! Or stuff only the very bottom “hand/foot” area lightly. The rest must remain empty to achieve the “floppy spaghetti” movement.
Fasten off, leaving tails for sewing.
The Ears
Make 2 in Golden Yellow.
Round 1: Start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 3 (9)
Round 3: (Sc 2, inc) x 3 (12)
Rounds 4–7: Sc in each st around (12)
Round 8: Dec x 6 (6)
Flatten and sew closed. Do not stuff.
Assembly & Final Touches
- Face Placement: Position the Jowls lower on the body (approx. rounds 18–22). Sew roughly 3/4 of the way, stuff lightly, then close.
- Eye Alignment: The eyes are massive. Place them directly above the Jowls, slightly overlapping the top of the muzzle. They should touch each other in the center.
- Nose: Embroider a smooth satin-stitch oval in Black directly on top of the Jowls, between the eyes.
- Limb Attachment: Sew the legs to the bottom curve of the body so he can “sit” or dangle. Sew arms at “shoulder” height (approx. Round 12).
- Ears: Attach the ears low on the side of the head, roughly in line with the eyes, so they flop downward.
- Tail: Create a small nub (Magic ring 6, sc around for 2 rows) and sew to the lower back.
Tips & FAQs
Q: My chenille yarn is shedding! What do I do? A: This is the nature of the beast. lightly singe the end of the yarn with a lighter (carefully!) before starting to melt the fibers together, or tie a small knot at the tip.
Q: Can I brush him? A: No, brushing chenille will destroy the velvet pile and leave you with string. Use a lint roller to keep him clean.
A Final Word
There is something deeply healing about creating a companion designed solely for softness. As you stitch this golden friend, remember that flexibility—both in yarn and in life—is a superpower. May he bring a smile to your workspace.
