Amigurumi — Tira the Little Cat (Hainchan), Paddlepop Rainbow Version

Made a 2nd Tira amigurumi using the practice pieces I made in-between the workshop sessions in which I made the 1st Tira (posted here). It was a good revision of the techiniques I had learnt in the workshop with Jasmine of AppleLulu Crafts. 

Paddlepop Tira (more on IG)

Being the 2nd one I made, I struggled with some of the techniques I'd learnt, namely the joining of the legs and crocheting around a chain. For the latter, Jasmine's tutorial video was super helpful for revision, and I also found tutorials by All About Ami and Lilleliis that were also super helpful.

Whip stitching the ear to the head (also on IG)

During the workshop, we used the straight yarn needle to stitch the parts together. In the final workshop session, Jasmine had mentioned that a curved yarn needle can also be used. I'd bought both the standard and curved yarn needles from Golden Dragon back in March (same time I bought the crochet hooks), so I decided to try using it when stitching on the ears. Not really as easy to handle as the straight needle, but the curved tip did make it easier to capture the yarn strands of the ear (as pictured above), especially areas that were at an awkward angle.

I made an alignment mistake with one of Paddlepop Tira's arms. Dang! The misalignment is pretty obvious when viewed from the top of her head. Plus, from the front, the misalignment makes Paddlepop Tira's face appear like she is not facing dead centre, when she actually is. (T___T) (=___=)

Embroidering the eyes (also on IG)

Currently don't have safety eyes or sew-on eyes — but they're on my craft shopping list! I had a polyester cluster fiberfill that came with a cloth doll kit that was gifted to me. So I used that. The stuffing is a little harder than the usual craft polyfil/fiberfill, but worked just as well. Paddlepop Tira is very well-stuffed compared to Tira No.1.

As I didn't have the safety eyes or sew-on eyes, I embroidered the eyes with padded satin stitch, using Size 25 DMC embroidery thread #825. Went with a cobalt blue (#825) instead of black (#310), as the latter was too stark against the pastel rainbow of the yarn. (The yarn I practised with is Moda Vera Marvel 8-ply yarn, using the Clover 2.5mm hook.)

Tira the Little Cat, and Paddlepop Tira (also on IG)

Tira No.1 and Tira No.2 Paddlepop — same same yet different!

Tools & Materials Used:

• Yarnart Jeans 4-ply yarn for Tira the Little Cat, original version 
• Moda Vera 4 Seasons Marvel 8-ply yarn (Baby 1) for Paddlepop Tira (bought at Spotlight PS)
• Clover Amour Crochet Hook, 2.5mm (bought at Golden Dragon)
• Clover Darning Needle (Series 339), No. 17 (bought at Golden Dragon)
• Clover Darning Needle (Bent Tip) (Series 3121), No. 17 (bought at Golden Dragon)
• DMC 25 Embroidery Thread, colours #310 and #825 
• Polyester cluster fiberfill