The Hollow Log,
It started with a mountain cave that I designed to hold a couple of Yetis and then one thing led to another and poof! We got a hollow log and some Gnomes. The Log is a bit bigger than the mountain.
Pattern links:
Gnome with shorter hat here - I designed this gnome specifically for this log.
Gnome with longer hat here - Makes a great Christmas ornament!
Mountain pattern here
Yeti pattern here
Hollow log - scroll down this page
Have fun! Post pictures on my facebok page Amigurumi Freely
Supplies:
Use the same brand and weight of yarn you used to make the Gnome with. You could also use a heavier weight yarn and make a larger log, just don't use a lighter weight yarn or the log will turn out too small.
My friends in the UK, use Aran yarn, that is the closest to the weight I'm using.
You can use the same hook you made the Gnome with but to give them a little bit more room inside use a larger hook than you used for the Gnome.
For example I used a 4.0mm to make the Gnomes and a 4.25mm hook to make the log.
Plastic canvas (I used a 7 count), you can find these in fabric stores, thrift stores and craft stores.
scissors
blunt end yarn needle (I used a size 13)
Felt or fabric to line the plastic. I used brown felt.
Sewing needle and thread in similar color to the yarn you used.
Abbreviations:
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
2tog = crochet 2 stitches together
f/o = finish off
Magic ring:
Parts of this amigurumi begin with a magic ring. I have 2 short video tutorials that will show you 2 different methods of making a magic ring. Use the one that is easiest for you. View 1st method here and 2nd method here.
How to read the rows:
Add a maker at the end of row 2 and move that marker each time you finish a row. Each row has a sequence. Example: 1sc then 2sc in next st means repeat that sequence 1sc then 2sc in next st followed by 1sc then 2sc in next st over and over to the end of that row. When you land on the marker you should be putting in 2sc. If it is a decreasing row then you should be crocheting 2tog when you land on the marker. The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.
*Cut a length of yarn about 2 feet long and set it aside.
Log:
1) magic ring 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)
9) 1sc in next 7st then 2sc in next st (54)
10) 1sc in the BLO for 1 row (54)
11-14) 1sc in each st for 4 rows
Do not break free. Pull your last stitch out into a large loop and leave it hanging.
Using the strand of yarn you cut before you started, sew in a piece of plastic that fits snug inside the bottom. The row that you crocheted in the BLO should fold up around it, like a basket bottom.
Before you sew it in, use it as a template to cut a piece of felt. After the plastic is sewn in place, hot glue or sew the piece of felt over the plastic.
15-29) 1sc in each st for 15 rows
Do not break free. Pull your last stitch out into a large loop and leave it hanging.
Cut, assemble and install the plastic mesh piece and felt.
Step 1: Cut a strip of plastic almost as wide as the log. Make sure you will have enough space for your crochet hook to crochet in after the plastic and the felt is sewn in. (see step 5 of the photos below)
The plastic has to be long enough that the ends overlap each other about an inch or so when rolled up and placed inside the log. Overlapping the 2 ends will help keep the log's shape.
I ran out of the sheets of plastic canvas so I had to sew 3 smaller pieces together to make one piece long enough to roll up.
Step 2: Cut a felt piece that is flush with one edge and wide enough to hang over the other edge of the plastic a bit less than a 1/4 inch.
Step 3: Sew the one felt edge flush with the plastic edge using regular sewing thread and a needle.
Step 4: Place sewn edge into log, all the way to the back. Spread the roll out as mush as possible, holding the ends together so it doesn't unroll take it out and sew the overlapped ends together to hold the roll together.
Step 5: Place the roll back into the log. Sew the overhanging felt to the yarn.
Crochet the rest of the log,
For the following rows don't be so concerned with the stitch count. As long as you get roughly the amount of stitches as stated at the end of each row it'll turn out just fine.
30) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (72)
31) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (90)
32) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (108)
33) 1sc in next 5st then 2sc in next st (126)
34) ch2 before starting this row, 1dc in each st for 1 row. (you only ch2 that one time)
sl st into 1st dc you made and f/o. Weave yarn tail down to the solid part of the log, knot off then bury the yarn tail to hide it
Chain for closing,
Chain about 110 or so then finish off leaving a bit of a tail that you will use to pull the chain through the edge of the pouch. Weave the chain in and out of the dc posts. You can sew the ends of the chain together when you're done weaving. Knot off the end tails then cut up to about 1/4 inch or so.
Branches:
You could make just one or both or none. You can also make the branches longer by adding more rows of sc after row 8. If they are made longer then you may have to put in some felt to help them keep their shape.
Smaller Branch: with log color
1) magic ring with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in the BLO for 1 row
5-8) 1sc in each st for 4 rows
9) Feel free to play around with this row. I made this row look like a broken branch. I started with ch3, 1sc into bottom of ch, 1sc next st then sl st next 2st then 2 hdc into next st then sl st a couple stitches to then a ch3 and repeat all the same steps until I got all the way around. f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave the yarn tail down to row 4 and knot off. Use this yarn tail to sew the branch to the log. Where you worked in the BLO (row 4) will crease so the bottom of the branch sits flat, like a basket bottom.
Bigger Branch: with log color
1) magic ring 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 the BLO for 1 row
6-8) 1sc in each st for 3 rows
9) Feel free to play around with this row. I made this row look like a broken branch by putting in 3hdc into one stitch then sl st next 4st. I played around with the remaining stitches. You don't need to be exact here, it's just to make this row look uneven. If you need to follow a pattern see row 9 of the smaller branch.
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave the yarn tail down to row 4 and knot off. Use this yarn tail to sew the branch to the log.
About Adding Bark:
To give the body of the log texture I sewed on 5 narrow strips. You can add this detail or leave it off, or make more of them, it's up to you. I like the added texture a lot and I think making a number of short strips is easier than making one super long one, but you can play around with this part. Just have fun with it! Feel free to play around with your own ideas.
Bark texture: with log color make 5
1) ch41 - This number can vary, I used a chain of 41 because it fit from top to bottom the way I sewed them on. Feel free to play around with this part.
2) starting in the 2nd ch, 1sc in each chain (40)
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. I sew these on after the branches are sewn on. I sewed one end in, sewed to the top, bent the strip the other way then sewed to the bottom. I alternated the ends, one strip ends are sewn at the top and the next sewn at the bottom.I also sewed one around the branch.
Part 2 showing how to make the bugs, mushrooms, and vines is here
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