[Free Pattern] Kueh Lapis Sagu Amigurumi Crochet Pattern・钩针编织九层糕

The next kueh amigurumi from Part 1 of my local kueh amigurumi series is the colourful, 9-layered kueh lapis sagu. The sticky, wobbly soft kueh lapis sagu is a classic and popular Nonya kueh in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is the easiest to identify due to its characteristic colourful layers, which are usually red, green and white. However, the kueh has taken on some rainbow hues in this day and age. As such, I was inspired to make a rainbow kueh lapis amigurumi. Read on for more about the kueh lapis sagu or feel free to skip to the pattern.

Kueh lapis sagu amigurumi, from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post).

Kueh lapis sagu is Peranakan, possibly with Chinese roots, supposedly from Fujian. I've yet to find more information on this, but it wouldn't be far-fetched considering the fusion of cultures in the Peranakan/Straits Chinese community. Its name comes from its layered appearance—"lapis" is the Malay word for "layer". In Malacca it is called kueh genggang, which literally means "gingham cake". It is also known as jiu ceng gao九层糕 in Chinese, literally "nine-layered cake". Most of the time in Singapore, we casually refer to it as kueh lapis, which can be a little confusing because there's another kueh with a similar name, the kueh lapis legit (or kek lapis), but more on that another time.

Most Singaporeans and Malaysians have fond or nostalgic childhood memories of kueh lapis sagu, the most commonly shared one being peeling and eating it layer by layer. I think that the fact that Singaporeans and Malaysians have similar childhood memories of it says a lot about our shared food heritage. My own nostalgic childhood memories of it are of peeling and slowly eating the layers one at a time, or how it used to be a game with my cousins or other kids to see who could peel the layers quickly without breaking them. My maternal grandmother used to make them from the recipe she learnt from her mother, my Nonya great-grandmother. Unfortunately, quite a number of these family recipes and "lifestyle habits" (for lack of a better descriptor) did not continue beyond my maternal grandmother's generation in my family.

Kueh lapis sagu is made with a mix of flours (usually sago flour or tapioca flour and rice flour), coconut milk (santan), pandan leaves, and food colouring for the colours. The kueh is steamed, layer by layer, and is thus somewhat time consuming to make. As mentioned, it is usually coloured red, green and white. However, Peranakans traditionally colour it red, pink and white; or white and blue (with blue pea flower) for mourning occasions, see for e.g. this IG post by Alan Goh of Travelling Foodies (aka Chubby Chef), and this post by Christopher's Asian Delicacies.

Today, kueh lapis also comes in rainbow layers; perhaps as people try to make it more attractive and relevant to the present-day. I confess that I love how it looks too, and thus made a rainbow version after posting Part 1. I was inspired by the rainbow one made by HarriAnn's Nonya Table, a Singaporean family-run business specialising in Peranakan cuisine. They began as a push-cart in the 1940s. Among the few established traditional kueh makers left in Singapore, they are known for their modern take on traditional kueh, and the rainbow kueh lapis is one of their signatures. They are regularly recommended as among the best Nonya kueh shops in Singapore (see Daniel Food Diary, Seth Lui, Lady Iron Chef, AsiaOne, Vogue Sg, Her World, TimeOut, Honeycombers, City Nomads, Tally Press).

KUEH LAPIS SAGU AMIGURUMI CROCHET PATTERN

Materials & Tools:
• Yarn
- Classic version: red, green, white/off-white
- Rainbow version: 9 colours, any 9 shades from the colours of the rainbow

For the classic kueh lapis, I used Scheepjes Catona No.115 Hot Red, Sirdar Happy Cotton DK No.799 Fizz, and Sirdar Cotton DK No.51 Island White. Details for the rainbow version are below.

• 3mm crochet hook
• Sponge or cardboard or plastic, cut to size
• Stuffing (not needed if using sponge)
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• Safety eyes, embroidery thread (optional)

Abbreviations (US Terms):
R : row or round
MR : magic ring
ch : chain
sl st : slip stitch
st(s) : stitch(es)
sc : single crochet
BLO : back loops only
(...) : set of pattern instructions
[...] : total number of sts in row/round

Finished Size:
Approx. 5.7cm × 2.7cm × 3.7cm

Pattern Notes:
• This pattern starts off with crocheting into the back bumps of a foundation chain. See how to do this in the tutorial by Crochet Arcade and Planet June. Tip: use a slightly larger crochet hook to work the foundation chain a little looser; this will make it easier to crochet into the back bumps, and will prevent the first row from getting too tight when it's done.
• The colour changes in this pattern occur at the start/end of each round, so after pulling through the 2nd loop of the last stitch of the round, complete the stitch in the new colour, so that the slip stitch to close the round will be in the new colour. On changing colours, see these tutorials by The Spruce Crafts, Yarnspirations and Lilla Björn (the latter 2 explain changing colours with the tapestry crochet method). In this project, I didn't bother to cut or carry the yarn because it is used again 2 rounds later at the same location, but I do tie off/weave in the loose ends to secure them.

Kueh lapis sagu amigurumi, classic version, from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post) .

PART 1 - TOP

Using red yarn, work in rows,
R1. Ch 15, then working in the back bumps of the chain from the 2nd ch, 14 sc. [14]
R2-6 (5 rows). Ch 1 and turn, 14 sc. [14]
Ch 1 and work around the sides in closed rounds,
R7. (6 sc into the turning chs, BLO 14 sc) 2 times. [40]
R8. Change to green yarn, 40 sc. [40]
R9. Change to white yarn, 40 sc. [40]
R10. Change to red yarn, 40 sc. [40]
R11. Change to green yarn, 40 sc. [40]
R12. Change to white yarn, 40 sc. [40]
R13. Repeat R10. [40]
R14. Repeat R11. [40]
R15. Repeat R12. [40]
Fasten off, and weave in end.

PART 2 - BASE

Using white yarn, work in rows,
R1-6 (6 rows). Repeat R1 to R6 of Part 1.
Fasten off, and leave a long tail for sewing.

TO COMPLETE

1. Cut the cardboard/plastic to size. Cut 4 or 6 pieces: 2 for the top and bottom, 2 for the larger sides, and if desired, 2 for the narrower sides. If using sponge, cut the sponge to fit the length, width and height of Part 1.
2. Insert the cardboard/plastic pieces for the bottom and sides into Part 1. Stuff firmly. Then place the cardboard/plastic piece for the top over the stuffing. Make sure to hold down the top firmly when sewing. If using sponge, simply insert the sponge into Part 1.
3. Align Part 1 and Part 2, the aligned sides should be 14 sts (length) x 6 sts (width) x 14 sts (length) x 6 sts (width). Pin in place.
4. Using the yarn tail and a yarn needle, join Part 1 and Part 2 together by whip stitching through both loops of Part 1 and the turning chs and the back loops of Part 2.
5. Secure and hide end.

Feel free to add them to the amigurumi for a cuter look. Between R10 to 12 of Part 1 would be a good spot.

PATTERN VARIATION #1. RAINBOW KUEH LAPIS SAGU AMIGURUMI

Kueh lapis sagu amigurumi, rainbow version, from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post).

The classic version is usually tri-coloured, but the modern rainbow version doesn't stop at 3. As such, for yarn colours, feel free to pick any 9 shades from the colours of the rainbow. For my rainbow kueh lapis amigurumi, I used (in this order): Scheepjes Catona No.115 Hot Red, No.208 Gold Yellow, No.522 Primrose, Sirdar Cotton DK No.52 Vanilla, Schachenmayr Catania No.392 Gelbgrün, Sirdar Happy Cotton DK No.799 Fizz, Schachenmayr Catania No.418 Greenery, Scheepjes Catona No.397 Cyan and No.520 Lavender.

PART 1 - TOP

Repeat the steps in the pattern for Part 1 above, but with the following colour changes:
R1-6 (6 rows). In yarn colour #1.
R7. Continue in yarn colour #1.
R8. In yarn colour #2.
R9. In yarn colour #3.
R10. In yarn colour #4.
R11. In yarn colour #5.
R12. In yarn colour #6.
R13. In yarn colour #7.
R14. In yarn colour #8.
R15. In yarn colour #9.
Fasten off, and weave in end.

PART 2 - BASE

R1-6 (6 rows). Using the yarn colour #9 (same yarn colour as R15 of Part 1), repeat R1 to R6 of Part 1.
Fasten off, and leave a long tail for sewing.

TO COMPLETE

Repeat the steps in the pattern for the classic kueh lapis sagu amigurumi above.

Kueh lapis sagu amigurumi (front) from Nonya/local kueh amigurumi Part 1 (IG post).

Hope this has brought some colour to the day! I've done my best to spot errors and mistakes. However, if there are any, please do let me know by posting a comment.

As always, have a great week and happy crocheting!

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Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have fun making this crochet kueh lapis sagu. As with all my other patterns, I would love to see how your finished items turned out, so please tag me with my Instagram handle @yotsuba_blythes.

While I'm happy to share my pattern without charge and would be delighted to see it being used, please note that my pattern is for personal use only. Please respect my legal and moral rights as the author with respect to this pattern and all the images herein. This pattern and images are not for commercial use, sale or distribution. The sale of this pattern or any of the images is not permitted without my prior written consent. If you wish to share this pattern, please link to this post and my Instagram profile @yotsuba_blythes. You are welcome to sell limited quantities of the finished items you have made from this pattern.