September 30, 2022

Stella the Sun · Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern by Knot Too Shabby

I know I'm in good company here when I say that I LOVE quick, easy, and no-sew (or minimal-sew) amigurumi projects! This blog post is a special treat for my ami addict crew here, because it's the free crochet pattern for Stella the Sun by Melanie Morita-Hu of Knot Too Shabby Crochet!

How adorable is this cheery, little sun? I'm sure it'll bring smiles and joy! It is a no-sew pattern that I think can work so beautifully as a keychain, an addition a baby mobile, hanging home decor, and ornament!

This free pattern from Melanie is just a "sneak peek" at the 40 amazing patterns she has in her newest book, One-Hour Amigurumi! It has a wide assortment of super cute crochet projects to try out. I recently got this book and am obsessed! With the nature of fast projects that require minimal sewing or no sewing, they work great for last-minute gifts, party favors, and craft fair or market products. There are so many crowd-pleasing designs in here.

I hope you'll grab a copy of this book and enjoy the cute makes in here! All of the patterns are very beautifully-formatted, easy to read, and have clear instructions. There are helpful photo references included with many of the patterns to guide you through the crocheting process too!

Stella the Sun

Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern by Knot Too Shabby

Note: This content is reprinted with permission from One-Hour Amigurumi by Melanie Morita-Hu. Page Street Publishing Co. 2022. Photo credit: Melanie Morita-Hu.

Introduction

On warm summer days, my pups love to take long naps in the sun. They are crazy maniacs 83 percent of the time, but when they’re sunbathing and their sleepy little eyes can hardly stay open, they are my little rays of sunshine. Stella the Sun is uniquely designed to cut down on time and work up quickly while you relax and lounge under the warm sun. The sun rays are made first, then they are worked into the center of the sun with no sewing necessary. Stella’s finished size is approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter and 1½ inches (4 cm) thick.

Materials

0.5 oz Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran in Blood Orange (or similar worsted weight/aran yarn)
0.5 oz Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran in Buttercup Yellow (or similar worsted weight/aran yarn)
Size E-4 (3.5-mm) crochet hook
Stitch marker for marking the first st
2 (¼" [6-mm]) black plastic safety eyes
Scrap piece of black yarn for embroidery
Polyester fiberfill
Tapestry needle

Terminology

R1: row 1 or round 1
st(s): stitch(es)
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
inc: single crochet increase
dec: invisible decrease
MR: magic ring

Crochet Pattern Instructions

Sun Ray (x9)

This piece starts at the tip of each sunray, using Blood Orange yarn.

R1: 4 sc in MR (4)

R2: [1 sc, 1 inc] x2 (6)

R3: [2 sc, 1 inc] x2 (8)

R4: Ch 1, flatten the piece, then working through the front and backstitches together, 4 sc (4)

Ch 1 and fasten off. There is no need to weave in the ends; the yarn will end up inside the piece.

Sun

This piece starts at the center of the sun, using Buttercup Yellow yarn.

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)

R2: 1 inc in each st (12)

R3: [1 sc, 1 inc] x6 (18)

R4: [2 sc, 1 inc] x6 (24)

R5: [3 sc, 1 inc] x6 (30)

R6: [4 sc, 1 inc] x6 (36)

R7: 1 sc in each st (36)

R8: [working through each sun ray and the sun together, sc 4] x9 (36)

R9: 1 sc in each st (36)

Place the eyes between R3 and R4, about 4 stitches apart. Using black yarn, embroider the mouth onto the front of the face, just below the eyes, using the tapestry needle.

R10: [4 sc, 1 dec] x6 (30)

R11: [3 sc, 1 dec] x6 (24)

R12: [2 sc, 1 dec] x6 (18)

R13: [1 sc, 1 dec] x6 (12)

Stuff the piece with polyester fiberfill.

R14: 6 dec (6)

Close off, and then hide the yarn end with a tapestry needle.