As mentioned in previous posts, I like to knit and crochet. I’ve made purses, hats, scarves, blankets, and even doilies.
However, several years ago I found my “calling” when I discovered a type of crochet called “amigurumi.” It is a Japanese style of making stuffed animals using crochet or knit. The word itself combines the two Japanese words “ami’ (meaning knit) and “nuigurumi” (meaning stuffed animal). Amigurumi is distinguished from Western style crocheted dolls and animals by the technique of work in spirals rather than in joined rounds. Typically, the creations will have oversized heads and low and wide eye placement. Though thousands of patterns are available in both Japanese and English, many designers like to just make up the project as they go along. This is also how I work. I often glean inspiration from images on the net, but ultimately just crochet and make decisions on the fly.
- I started simple with a pair of fishies
Immediately I was “hooked,” I began making all kinds of creatures.
- Lucy the Snail
- Otto the Octopus
- A Pineapple
At one point a friend asked me to make him a monkey that he could “stick [his] finger up its butt.” Never one to back down from a challenge and helplessly addicted to crochet, I quickly began working on the project.
- This little monkey in a sailor suit is named Peaches. And yes, you can stick your finger back there.
Then I went back to crocheting animals without any special holes.
- MacKenzie the Snail
- April Showers (get it?) the Easter Bunny
Well, before too long there was another request for a monkey with an orifice. This request came from a co-worker who wanted a creature that was half-frog/half-monkey and called a “Fronkey.” Again, I threw myself into the process with gusto. This little guy has both a mouth/throat and an anus. I figured he could double as a storage area for items you want to hide.
- We put the Fronkey to work, running fly cues backstage.
Flash forward past a couple of years of crocheting normal amigurumi, hats, scarves and baby blankets. Then came a big request for a big sock monkey with a big penis. Another co-worker had found a picture of a giant sock monkey with an oversized organ on the internet and brought it to me saying, “Can you please please please make me one of these.” I opted for a slightly smaller and slightly more colorful version (and of course gave it a “backdoor” as well).
- Isn’t he adorable? . . .until you look down
He turned out really really well but I think he felt a little lonely.
- So I crocheted him a girlfriend.
- Love at First Sight
- Or Maybe Just Lust
Since then, I have incorporated anuses into several more amigurumi, though no more “boy bits” or “girl bits.” I enjoy the subtly of the lone anus. It can be used for storage or stress relief when needed and sit innocently on your desk, couch or shelf when not needed.
- I am the Proudest Monkey
Two Heads are Better than One
See more of my amigurumi creations here.
- Have a Nice Day