Crochet Wheelchair Pattern Video Tutorial


The Crochet Wheelchair,
There's a story behind this pattern and why I even thought of making one,  story  here.





This written pattern goes with the video tutorial. It would be too difficult to properly and thoroughly explain how to put the parts together here in written form so make the parts here and view the video to put the pieces together. I do include the order in which the chair should be assembled under the written pattern below.

Related links:
  • Pattern for IV Drip Pole here
  • Pattern for amigurumi monkey here



Copyright 2014 Author: Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go - All rights reserved


Supplies List:
3.75mm hook
worsted weight medium #4 (Red Heart Super Saver yarn)
grey
black
and 2 colors of your choice
yarn needle
14 pipe cleaners (same color or similar to tubes they will be going into)
fabric tac (fabric glue)
1 sheet of plastic canvas ( I used 7 count mesh)
2 lengths of 18 gauge florist stem wire (each 12 inches long or longer)
Pliers with wire cutters.

How to read the rows: The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.

Abbreviations:
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
ch1 = chain one
f/o = finish off

Special notes: Some of the parts of the wheelchair will also get plastic inserts so it is important to use the same weight yarn and hook size as given in the supplies list. If you make a smaller or larger wheelchair with a different size hook and different weight yarn then you will need to adjust the size of the plastic inserts and most likely will need to adjust other parts as well.

If you make a larger wheelchair, also keep in mind that the pipe cleaners will not be long enough unless there are longer pipe cleaners out there I'm not aware of. You could use wire but you will need to pay more attention to the shaping and so on.

Also, look at the colors in the wheelchair.. the side panels are the same color as the larger inner wheel and the larger outer wheel spokes are the same color as the top rail. This helps speed along the sewing of those particular pieces since we don't need to hide any of the stitches while we sew these pieces together

You can make the back of the chair taller or wider or both without changing anything else in the pattern. To do this just increase the number of chains in row 1 in the pattern for the back of the chair and the seat of the chair.

Chair #2 has 15 chains in row 1 of the back of chair and chair #1 has 13 chains in row 1 of seat.. I wouldn't go too much taller or wider as this might compromise the stability of the chair.

You can also make all the tubes from rounds that begin with 4st in a loop. I prefer the skinnier tube but decided on the loop with 5st because it will be easier for those who struggle with working in small rounds. The Purple Wheelchair pictured above has wheels and handles that began with 4st in the round






Make all the parts as written below then Click here for the video tutorial to put the parts together

Example of colors for written Pattern... as pictured in chair with labels

Light Blue = lighter color
Dark Blue = darker color
Also used are Grey and Black


Back of Chair: Make 2 with lighter color
1) ch 13
2) starting with the 2nd chain from the hook, 1sc in each ch (12)
3-12) 1sc in each st for 10 rows - remember to ch1 and turn at the end of every row, and start each row with the 2nd st from the hook
f/o and leave a long tail for sewing

Seat of Chair: Make 2 with lighter color
1) ch 11
2) starting with the 2nd chain from the hook, 1sc in each ch (10)
3-12) 1sc in each st for 10 rows - remember to ch1 and turn at the end of every row, and start each row with the 2nd st from the hook
f/o and leave a long tail for sewing

Side Panels of Chair: Make 4 with darker color
1) ch 6
2) starting with the 2nd chain from the hook, 1sc in each ch (5)
3-13) 1sc in each st for 11 rows - remember to ch1 and turn at the end of every row, and start each row with the 2nd st from the hook
f/o and leave a long tail for sewing

Foot Plates: Make 2 with black
1) ch 5
2) starting with the 2nd chain from the hook, 1sc in each ch (4)
3-4) 1sc in each st for 2 rows - remember to ch1 and turn at the end of every row, and start each row with the 2nd st from the hook
f/o and leave a long tail for sewing

Decorative Strip Along Back Of Chair: Make 2 with any color.
This clip was lost and left out of the video tutorial. But there is a clip showing how to attach it after the chair is fully assembled at the end of the video.
1) ch 16 or more
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing

Handles: Make 2 with darker color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2-4) 1sc in each st for 3 rows
f/o leave a tail for sewing

Tube Running Along the Top of Side Panels: Make 2 with grey 
if you begin with a long starting tail then you will not need to add in a sewing tail later when adding the foot plate. I didn't do this in the video tutorial.
1) magic circle with 5sc (5)
2-18) 1sc in each st for 17 rows
f/o leave a tail for sewing

Larger Inner Wheels: Make 2 with darker color
1) magic circle with 5sc (5)
2-31) 1sc in each st for 30 rows
f/o leave a tail for sewing

Larger Outer Wheels: Make 2 with Grey
1) magic circle with 5sc (5)
2-29) 1sc in each st for 28 rows
f/o leave a tail for sewing

Front Small Wheels: Make 2 with darker color
1) magic circle with 5sc (5)
2-12) 1sc in each st for 11 rows
f/o leave a tail for sewing

Spokes Cover: (also called a button throughout the video tutorial)
1) magic circle or adjustable loop with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing

Plastic Canvas Inserts For Chair Back and Seat: Cut one of each
20 squares x 18 squares
16 squares x 18 squares

Plastic Canvas Inserts For Side Panels: Cut 2
7 squares x 21 squares - the length of 21 could change to 20

Plastic Canvas For Side Foot Plates: Cut 2
4 squares x 6 squares

Assemble in order, view the video for further instructions:

1) insert pipe cleaners into each of the tubes
2) aside from the handles each yarn tube gets stretched out to a certain length. The lengths are approximate so watch the video tutorial for a better understanding of this step. Do not cut the excess pipe cleaner free until you are sure the wheels are at the right length.

a) stretch the 2 inner back wheels to about 10 and 1/2 inches
b) stretch the 2 outer back wheels to about 9 inches
c) stretch the 2 small front wheels to about 3 and 1/2 inches
d) stretch the 2 top rails to about 6 1/2 inches

3) sew all the wheel ends together to form circles, set aside
4) sew the 4 squares x 6 squares to each of the foot plates, set aside

5-a) sew the 20 squares x 18 squares mesh piece to one of the back of the chair pieces
5-b) whip stitch the 2nd crocheted piece to 5-a (leaving a bottom side open)

6-a) sew the 16 squares x 18 squares mesh piece to one of the seat pieces
6-b) whip stitch the 2nd crocheted piece to 6-a (leaving a bottom side open)

7) sew back of chair to seat

8-a) measure up the plastic mesh for the side panel
8-b) sew each of the plastic mesh pieces to a crocheted panel piece
8-c) whip stitch the remaining side panel pieces onto each of the pieces in 8-b.
8-d) pin the side panels on starting from the back of the chair to the front, making sure the bottoms are all flush with each other
8-e) sew the panels in place

12) sew a foot plate to the bottom of the rail then sew on a small front wheel, set aside
13) insert the spokes into the inner back wheels
14) sew the outer wheels to the inner wheels
15) sew on the spoke cover

16-a) pin the rails and the back wheels to chair to determine the right height
16-b) remove the back wheels and sew the rails to the side panels

17-a) pin the back wheels on again - making sure that the spokes are pointed in the direction instructed in the video tutorial
17-b) lift up to expose the underside of the spoke cover and put in some glue, squeeze together and let dry. *make sure to do this step before sewing anything

18-a) sew one of the spokes to the top rail
18-b) sew the inner wheel to the side panel

19) sew on the handles

20) if desired, glue and sew on decorative chains to the back of the chair





Solid wheels (option two)
Large Back Wheel: Make 4 with darker color

1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
6) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (36)
7) 1sc in next 5st then 2sc in next st (42)
8) 1sc in next 6st then 2sc in next st (48)
sl st next st then f/o leave a tail for sewing

Middle Button or Spoke Cover: make 2 with grey
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing

Assembly of solid wheels: Cut out 2 large round circles and 2 small round circles from a plastic mesh sheet or a margarine lid and those will be placed inside the wheels for strength.

Sandwich a piece of plastic between 2 larger wheels and whip stitch neatly around the edges. Sew the smaller grey piece in the middle. Pin wheels in place and add glue in the very middle between the chair and the wheel. Let the glue completely dry then sew the rest of the wheel to the chair.


I hope you  enjoyed this pattern!
Why donating is important and my thank you here.




Comments

  1. Thank you so much for sharing your talent... I love this pattern!!! I am new to Amigurumi and to try to make something like this was going to make me crazy!!!!

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    Replies
    1. you're welcome! The new, better video for this tutorial is currently uploading to youtube and that explains how to piece this chair together. Once that is done I will be adding more pictures and measurements to this pattern page :))

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    2. I am in a wheelchair and was I ever surprised to fin this wheelchair, totally by accident. I will make at least one for sure.

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  2. Lovely work Sharon! Love the details you put into this design!

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  3. I find it such a useful toy for so many children! Thank you.

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  4. What a lot of great work - thanx for sharing it, Sharon - you put a big smile on my wheelchair driver face this morning

    Best regards
    Marta (Germany)

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  5. Shared yesterday via fb/twitter and the post is making its way around <3 You've brought a great pattern to the hooking community :)

    Come visit and say hi to those who are also resharing @ http://facebook.com/thecrochetlounge

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    1. thank you very much. I just had a looked and found the post and thanked everyone personally for all the great comments. That was awesome!
      In the next couple of days I'll be sure to put a post up about the Crochet Lounge on my page Amigurumi Freely.

      Have a Blessed day :)

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  6. like your pattern. i'm in a wheelchair but i can't crochet only knit. i wish there was a knitted pattern out somewhere.

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  7. This is really great!! I've been looking for a crochet wheelchair pattern for a while now and was really thrilled to come across such a lovely one as yours. The story behind it brought back memories, too, as I broke my leg on my first sledging adventure when I was eight or nine years old, so I can empathise with your daughter. Hope her leg is fully healed soon :)

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  8. Sweet pattern! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  9. This is a fabulous idea and I'm sure many little ones will enjoy being able to have a wheelchair for their plushie friend just like they have!

    So did you ever crochet a cover for your daughter's cast to make it purple?

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      No I never did because her cast quickly was covered in well wishes and special quotes by friends and family and she really enjoyed that :)

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  10. I am a cancer patient. I started a group of people that get together and we either make items, donate items, or donate funds to mail out gift boxes to cancer patients. It's called "gifts of love". I am going to hang onto this pattern and include in any boxes we send out to children. Maybe take a few up to the children's cancer center here in town by me as well. Thank you so much for giving this gift. It's never too late to touch a person's life in a possitive way. https://www.facebook.com/groups/239639252880646/

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    Replies
    1. That's pretty amazing. Thank you for the message, it's an honor for me <3

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  11. Great design. Thanks for a pattern not many would think to make. We adopt special needs kids and 6 have wheelchairs, I will be making several of these:)
    Brooke

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    Replies
    1. That's so awesome! Thanks Brooke, I appreciate the kind words and wish you and your children all the best :)

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  12. This is an amazing design I work with mobility challenged seniors who are so talented and are so eager to make these thank you!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so very glad to hear that! Have fun and all the best :)

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  13. Hi. I had a question. I was wondering if this would support a 18" crochet doll? With some adjustments of course. I work as a volunteer with "Feel Better friends" and a group of us crochet dolls for sick kids that resembles them with all their scars and such. My current assignment has a little girl in a wheel chair. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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  14. So cool!! Do you have a list of the characters that fit in the wheelchair?
    Blessings,
    Neesie

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I only have the one sock monkey designed for the chair. I also have an IV Drip Pole and a heart pillow. They are all linked at the top of this pattern page Wheelchair pattern links

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  15. Oh, it's great! Something for me ;) I have to try

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  16. My daughter and grand daughter are nurses. I am trying to make them for xmass gifts.
    Having problems with magic ring rounds finding stitches and size appears larger than video.

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