Lunar New Year is right around the corner! Last year, I designed the Lucky Lunar Lantern (free pattern), using medium weight yarn and minimal sewing. This year, I've decided to make a tiny lantern that is completely no-sew, but using super bulky weight yarn. In turn, that means very few stitches and a super fast project!
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About the Pattern
- Easy / beginner-friendly
- Works up quickly
- No-sew
- Stashbuster project; great for using up leftover yarn scraps
- Can be turned into a keychain
- Said to bring good luck for the new year!
- Available as a FREE video tutorial and written pattern (scroll down to view them!)
Cultural Context
Lanterns are bold and prominent symbols for the Lunar New Year holiday. In Chinese culture, red is an auspicious color, because it's the symbol for wealth, fame, and prosperity. They're often embellished with golden details, such as trims, tassels, or writing. Red lanterns are used to celebrate occasions of joy and harmony, and are said to be lucky charms during Chinese New Year, as they bring fortune and good blessings.
Uses
There are many ways to make use of this pattern, such as:
- Keychain (add a keyring)
- Home Decor
- Car Hanging Ornament (you can hang it on your rearview mirror and add a drop of your favorite scent to it!)
- Gift: for family and friends
- Craft fair product (sell it at New Year markets)
Yarn
I used Hobbii Honey Bunny, which is a super bulky weight made of 100% polyester fiber. It's fluffy, plush, and makes your amigurumi projects come out super soft and squishy! I think it's a great yarn choice for this tiny lantern.
You are welcome to use thinner yarns and other fibers, such as cotton or acrylic, to produce smaller bao. They will make even smaller lanterns (and great keychain sizes)! My recommended cotton choice is Lion Brand's 24/7 Cotton Yarn.
Anyhow, if you'd like to whip up one of these cute miniature lanterns and put it up as decor in your home to bring on the good luck, simply scroll down to find the free pattern instructions!
More Lunar New Year Goodies
If you'd like a fun, educational, and heartwarming story about Lunar New Year, please check out the children's book that I authored, The Lunar New Year Surprise! I wrote a blog post about the book and the Chinese lion doll I made to accompany it.
Additionally, I wanted to share a toy that we got for our little girl from Lego! It's this Happy Childhood Moments set, which features Chinese New Year celebrations. I'm thrilled to be seeing more diverse toys available for the young generation!
Want the PDF pattern?
It's printable, ad-free, easy to read, and helps support Sweet Softies! (If you enjoy my free patterns, you can consider it as a donation to me when you buy one of my pattern PDFs! It allows me to maintain my blog and continue sharing more free patterns.)
MINI LUNAR LANTERN
Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern
Terms of Use & Copyright Notice © 2023 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.
Intro:
The Mini Lantern is a quick, easy, and no-sew pattern that is perfect to make for Lunar New Year! It can be a gift or hanging ornament for home decor, or turned into a cute keychain. Its red color is auspicious in Chinese culture and said to bring good luck and fortune for the new year. You can crochet it in plush yarn or blanket yarn, or use other fibers such as cotton and acrylic. A free, step-by-step video tutorial is available with this written pattern.
Size:
Height (not including hanging loop and tassel): 2 inches (5cm)
Level of Difficulty:
★☆☆☆☆ Familiar beginner. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below).
Stitches/Terms Used:
- FO = fasten off
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- inc = increase (insert 2 sc in same st)
- dec = decrease (sc 2 sts together)
- BLO = back loops only
- FLO = front loops only
Materials:
- Super bulky weight 6 yarn in red and yellow (I used Hobbii Honey Bunny yarn)
- 5mm crochet hook
- 8mm plastic safety eyes (x2)
- Stuffing
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Optional: thin yarn in yellow for the tassel / hanging loop, and black for the mouth
- Optional: a bead to attach to the tassel
Let's begin!
Start with yellow yarn.
R1: Ch 2 and insert 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (8)
Note: Alternatively, you can use the magic ring method by inserting 8 sc in a MR.
R2: Sc around in BLO. (8)
Switch to red yarn.
R3: Inc around in FLO. (16)
R4: (Sc, inc) x 8. (24)
R5-R7: Sc around. (24)
R8: (Sc, dec) x 8. (16)
Attach 8mm plastic safety eyes between R6-R7, 5 sts apart. Stuff the lantern and continue stuffing as you work along.
R9: Dec around. (8)
Switch to yellow yarn.
R10: Sc around in FLO. (8)
R11: Sc around. (8)
FO with a very long tail for sewing the hole shut, as well as sewing 4-5 stripes over the red body of the lantern.
R1: Ch 2 and insert 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (8)
Note: Alternatively, you can use the magic ring method by inserting 8 sc in a MR.
R2: Sc around in BLO. (8)
Switch to red yarn.
R3: Inc around in FLO. (16)
R4: (Sc, inc) x 8. (24)
R5-R7: Sc around. (24)
R8: (Sc, dec) x 8. (16)
Attach 8mm plastic safety eyes between R6-R7, 5 sts apart. Stuff the lantern and continue stuffing as you work along.
R9: Dec around. (8)
Switch to yellow yarn.
R10: Sc around in FLO. (8)
R11: Sc around. (8)
FO with a very long tail for sewing the hole shut, as well as sewing 4-5 stripes over the red body of the lantern.
- Make a tassel using my easy tassel tutorial.
- Attach the tassel to the bottom of the lantern.
- Attach a hanging loop to the top of the lantern.
- If desired, embroider a smiling mouth using thin black yarn.
Congratulations on finishing your Mini Lunar Lantern!
Want to crochet along with me? Grab your materials and watch the step-by-step video tutorial below to make this together!
Thank you for reading, and hope you have a fun time crocheting Clara! If you'd like to help out my blog, feel free to check out my post, "5 Ways to Support my Blog!"
You might like my other designs if you enjoyed this one! Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.
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Best wishes,
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