Photo tutorials available for this part (on the blog only) show how they are joined to the body parts, so you can get a general feel or idea how it all works. If following video tutorials for this series, you’ll get to see the very same spot join in action during parts 3, 4 and 6.
A video tutorial for crocheting the spots is also available right now for beginners new to Amigurumi!
What are you waiting for? Let's start hooking...
If you'd rather connect personally with just me, sign up to my page event for Otis Giraffe CAL Here, or join one of my Crocheting Treasures groups/communities on Facebook, Ravelry or Google+.
Beginners, you may like to watch the video tutorial to see the magic circle in action! Or, you can read and follow the crochet pattern below if you prefer. It's totally up to you.
And, remember you can download PART 2 (in multiple languages), including the written crochet pattern & the handy guide for spot joining. It includes links to this post and video tutorial! *Find it after the pattern instructions below, and after the next picture of ME with Otis & April.
Queue it, LOVE it, and Add your Otis Giraffe projects to Ravelry here!
All rights reserved, 2017.
Again, there are 2 sizes, big and small. You'll need a set amount for the Join-As-You-Go option. But you can mix them up for the Traditional option if you like.
Starting the Giraffe's Spots
This is true if you are following the recommended option 2 – join-as-you-go.
If you are following the traditional option, you may prefer to save crocheting the spots until the end.
This part will also cover how to join the spots as you crochet.
~SEE PART ONE HERE FOR ABBREVIATIONS & IMPORTANT NOTES~
The two spot sizes – SMALL AND BIG, are both worked in continuous rnds. *Side facing you = WS.
- Make 19 BIG Spots – 1 per arm, 2 per leg, 9 for the body & 4 for the head.
- Make 16 SMALL Spots – 1 per arm, 2 per leg, 7 for the body & 3 for the head.
*Note: If you are sewing your spots onto the giraffe later, you may like to invent your own spot shapes and/or change the quantity of spots used for your giraffe.
*Use AC.
Rnd 1: Sc 4 (small) or 6 (big) into a magic circle (4 or 6 sts).
Rnd 2: 2 sc into each st around, sl st join to the first st of rnd, f/o (with a long tail – traditional option ONLY) (8 or 12 sts).
No need to weave in ends, since you will either use the tails to attach the spots to the body parts, or you will simply hide them in the respective body parts as you attach them.
Rather than include separate instructions and photos for both spot attachments, their instructions will be combined, as it is the same for both sizes. *Photos below show the big spot being joined.
THIS IS A GUIDE ONLY - It's here to get you acquainted with how the join-as-you-go works before we use it in Part 3 for the first time. There will be slight variations to these instructions as you join the spots to the body and head.
The small spot is attached over 4 rnds – 2 spot stitches joined per rnd. Whereas, the big spot is attached over 5 rnds – 3 spot stitches are joined on the first and last rnds and 2 spot stitches per remaining rnds.
Step 1: Hold the spot upside-down, RS to RS on the back of work for whichever body part you are working.
Step 2: Insert hook into the next stitch on the current body part first AND then insert hook into the first/any stitch on the big or small spot. Two stitches should be on the hook now → work a sc here to join both sts tog.
Step 3: Pull spot tails into the body part before working the next join stitch.
Step 4: Insert hook into the next stitch on the current body part AND into the next spot stitch. Two stitches on hook now → work a sc here to join both sts tog. (Small Spot – JUMP to Step 6)
Step 5: Repeat Step 4 for the next set of stitches. (Big Spot ONLY)
Step 6: Lift spot upwards, so the spot’s WS is facing you and pressed up against the body part’s RS – first rnd of spot attachment is complete.
*Click on images to zoom in and have a closer look...
Step 8: Sc 3 (Big Spot) OR sc 2 (Small Spot) over the current body part stitches only.
Step 9: Insert hook into the current body part’s next stitch AND into the nearest available spot stitch. Two stitches on hook now → work a sc here to join both sts tog – the next rnd of spot attachment is complete.
Step 10: Repeat Steps 7-9 for the next TWO (Big Spot) OR ONE (Small Spot) attachment rnd(s).
Step 11: When you get to the stitch directly above the first joined stitch, insert hook into the current body part’s next stitch AND into the nearest available spot stitch. Two stitches on hook now → work a sc here to join both sts tog. (Small Spot – JUMP to Step 13)
Step 13: Repeat Step 12 to join the last spot stitch to the current body part – spot attached.
There will be slight variations on these phrases, whenever the spot attachment falls where there is an increase or decrease. Keep this in mind as you work!
- Steps 1-6 = sc 3 attach a big spot; OR = sc 2 attach a small spot.
- Steps 7 or 9 = sc 1 join to spot.
- Steps 11-13 = sc 3 join rem big spot sts; OR = sc 2 join rem small spot sts.
Multiple Languages Available - DOWNLOAD Part 2 NOW!!!
- English - (Primary Language)
- Danish - Dansk
- Dutch - Nederlands
- German - Deutsche
- Hebrew - עִברִית
- Spanish - Español
- Swedish - Svenska
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Support & Share!
- Hashtag #OtisGiraffeCAL, when sharing across social channels.
- Tag my user @beckastreasures via Instagram or Twitter.
- JOIN one of my Crocheting Treasures groups/communities on Facebook, Ravelry or Google+.
- Upload your progress to Ravelry, and remember to share to my Ravelry Group too!
- JOIN the CAL – Crochet A Long Facebook Group. They're co-hosting this CAL as part of a larger amigurumi crochet along. Make sure you're a member, then JOIN the event here!
- JOIN my Facebook Page Event for Otis the Giraffe too!
- Comment right here on my blog! You can add pictures in the comments. :D
If you need support or help at any step, just reach out to me, or post in the same groups above. It is always a pleasure to be of service and I am very nice. :D
If sharing or asking a question in one of the Facebook groups or events, tag me @Rebeckah Kristin Ferger, so I see your question and/or progress.
- Share your progress with a link to the Otis Giraffe CAL or any of the videos for the CAL. Your progress may excite other to participate. More visitors here helps me to grow and continue to bring you great content. Thanks!
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- Speaking of my newsletter, with your permission, I'd love to feature your progress and later completed giraffes! If you'd like to get featured, just say so. :D
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If you have any questions, or need pattern help, comment below, send me an inquiry through my website form, OR visit my one of my groups / communities on Facebook, Google+ or Ravelry.
Wishing you a fantabulous day!
We'll meet again on Monday, April 10th for Part 3: How to Crochet the Limbs.
Or, join me tomorrow (Friday, April 7th, 2017) at 2:00 P.M. (EST) for FACEBOOK LIVE on my business page, Rebeckah's Treasures.
There, you can ask questions about the Otis Giraffe CAL and share your ideas and what colour you picked for the spots... And feel free to ask me questions about me too as you like!