Amigurumi Grape Ape Monkey Cal - Part 1

Who’s ready for Rebeckah’s Treasures’ second CAL? Join me as we crochet this magnificent amigurumi Grape Ape Monkey, who likes getting into mischief and making you laugh!

She'll quickly be getting into monkey business mischief because her arms and legs are attached as you crochet the body, and her eyes, ears and muzzle are attached as you crochet the head. Even if you decide you would rather sew those parts on later, she still works up fast due to all the fun tips and suggestions for marking placement.

Inspired from Sharon Ojala’s Little Bigfoot Monkey, this little gal is twice as tall when using worsted weight yarn (approx. 12” or 30cm tall) and the same height when using cotton thread #10 (approx. 5” or 12.7cm tall). Use your favourite yarn and matching hook size to create your perfect monkey. Make both monkeys for a fun ape family!

This CAL will run from July 19th to August 6th (3 weeks) with new parts posting on Sundays and Thursdays, but feel free to join in at anytime and go at your own pace. I’ll be with you every step of the way if you need anything at all.

At the end of this CAL, we'll have a peer voting Competition, where anyone who sends me pictures of their Grape Ape Monkey will have a chance to win a FREE patterns! More details on this to come soon...

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Welcome to part one of the Amigurumi Grape Ape Monkey CAL! In this part, we will go over all the supplies you'll need, what stitches we'll be using and all the notes & tips to help you succeed with this pattern. Let's get started!

Have you completed this step? Jump to Amigurumi Grape Ape Monkey CAL - Part 2 (link activates on July 23rd, 2015) where we will crochet the arms, legs and tail, or see all the parts linked below...

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This pattern is copyrighted to Rebeckah Ferger of www.rebeckahstreasures.com. It is for personal use only.  No part of this pattern may be copied or distributed in any way. If you sell what you make from this pattern, please credit me as the designer. All rights reserved, 2015.

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You'll Need:

• crochet cotton thread size 10 ( I use Circulo Clea) about 250m (37 grams / 1oz) - in two colours and a small amount in black for eyes and mouth OR use yarn weight of choosing for a larger monkey
• 1.5mm hook OR hook that produces tight stitches
• stitch markers
• tapestry yarn needle
• polyester fiberfill
• safety eyes *Optional - embroidered eyes are included in this pattern, but you are welcome to use safety eyes instead.

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Gauge:

Gauge is not important for this pattern. Use any yarn weight you like. The only important thing is to use a hook size that produces tight stitches.

Abbreviations:
~USA Terms are Used~

ch(s) - chain(s)
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
sc2tog - single crochet 2 stitches tog (see how here)
hdc - half double crochet
st(s) - stitch(es)
sp(s) - space(s)

rem - remaining
rep - repeat
rnd - round
tog - together

AC - alternative colour
MC - main colour
BL - back loop
FL - front loop
RS - right side
WS - wrong side
f/o - fasten off

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Sizing:

• Cotton Thread #10 makes a 5" (12cm) tall monkey.
  
• Worsted Weight Yarn makes a 12" (30cm) tall monkey.
  

*PLEASE NOTE: These monkey sizes are just approximates. Your monkey may differ depending on your chosen yarn, hook size and tension.

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Pattern Notes & Tips:

You have the option to incorporate the limbs (arms, legs and tail) as you crochet the body, and the facial features (eyes, ears and muzzle) as you crochet the head, OR you can sew them on later. 

Incorporating them as you crochet helps save time and is much easier than trying to find the perfect spot to sew them on later. Complete written instructions and photo tutorials are also included to show you just how to attach them as you crochet, and tips are included for placement if you prefer the sewing option.

• You should know how to do increases/decreases and how to work into a magic circle. You should also be familiar with working in front loops or back loops.
• Side facing you as you crochet the limbs, body and head equals the inside/WS of each piece with the exception of the ears. 
• The ODD rows of the ears equal the RS.
• Crochet in continuous rnds unless directed to do otherwise.
• When crocheting the respective pieces onto the body or head, always insert the hook into the body or head stitch(es) first, respectively.
• Use an invisible decrease for the sc2tog stitches. Do this by only inserting your hook into the BLs of the 2 sts. Then, work a sc as you would normally. See this video tutorial here
• Main colour (MC) used for the demo monkey is purple. Alternative colour (AC) used for the demo monkey is pink. Use whatever colours you prefer.
• Stuff your monkey more than you think you’ll need because the fiberfill will condense over time.
• If you are a beginner, you may find it easier to stuff your monkey pieces little by little as you work them. Otherwise, you may prefer to stuff pieces as you near the end of crocheting them instead.

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Tips to help you succeed with this CAL:

• Join my Crocheting Treasures Facebook Group, so we can see each other's progress and get feedback!
  
• Join my email newsletter list and follow me on my social sites, so you don't miss any steps.
  
• Share this CAL with your favourite crochet groups and friends.
• Gather all the materials you'll need.
• Ask for help if you need it. I am always happy to help!

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Amigurumi Grape Ape Monkey CAL Schedule & Links to Each Part:

• Part 1: Supplies & Pattern Notes (YOU'RE HERE)
  
• Part 2: Monkey's Arms, Legs & Tail (Thursday, July 23rd, 2015)
• Part 3: Monkey's Body (Sunday, July 26th, 2015)
• Part 4: Monkey's Muzzle (Thursday, July 30th, 2015)
• Part 5: Monkey's Eyes & Ears (Sunday, August 2nd, 2015)
• Part 6: Monkey's Head (Thursday, August 6th, 2015)
• Grape Ape Monkey CAL Photo Competition (Sunday, August 9th-28th, 2015)

*The links will become activated once each part is published in the morning of the set dates above.

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The PDF version of this Amigurumi Grape Ape Monkey crochet pattern is also available for a small cost.

Grab it for 50% OFF when you share pictures of your CAL on Ravelry, my Saturday Link Party, or my Crocheting Treasures Facebook Group!

Once I've seen your project shared in any of the above, I'll send you a discount code, or you can grab it now by clicking on the button below.

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Tester Photos:

Thanks a million Margie and Theresa for testing and tech editing this amigurumi monkey crochet pattern for me and for helping make this pattern a huge success!

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Do you have any questions or concerns about this pattern? Leave me a comment below, or visit my Crocheting Treasures Facebook Group, or Contact Me. It's always a pleasure to be of service and I promise I won't bite. :D

Thanks so much for visiting today!  See you again on Thursday for Part 2 of this CAL...