Sleeping Stitch - by @PurrCraftedDesign
When I bought this pattern, I was quite undecided, as it cost over €10 and I… well, I must admit I don’t recall ever having seen Lilo & Stitch.
Which I find rather odd, considering I live on an island that’s absolutely swamped with tourists and I’m going to have to move away because you just can’t live here anymore.
But we’re not here today to talk about my problems; instead, we’re going to learn more about this pattern by PurrCraftedDesign.
The artist
I discovered PurrCraftedDesign on Etsy whilst looking for Stitch patterns. Strangely enough, I wasn’t familiar with any of her designs, but this one caught my eye straight away.
I’m not surprised that it’s one of her bestsellers today.
She stands out for creating patterns inspired by characters from well-known franchises, as is the case here, and the cover design is quite appealing.
The pattern
This is the crochet pattern:
But now let’s talk about what the pattern is actually like.
What’s your first impression when you take a look at it?
It’s clear that the priority has been to explain the process properly rather than to create a particularly attractive PDF.
That said, it’s very well explained and easy to follow in its own way. I just wish it were a bit more visually appealing.
It doesn’t overuse images; instead, it uses 66: a moderate and appropriate number for a pattern of this kind.
It also includes QR codes linking to explanatory videos for the more complex parts.
It’s a touch that’s always appreciated because, even if the written instructions are good, sometimes seeing the process in motion clears up any doubts in seconds.
The process
As I followed the pattern, I realised a few things.
And here came the best surprise: there’s practically no sewing involved at all – just the nose!
If you’re one of those people who enjoy knitting but dread the moment when it comes to joining pieces together, you’re going to love this pattern.
If you make the pink version of the pattern, it does have some antennae that need to be sewn onto the head, but it takes no more than two seconds. Even so, I think it would have been very easy to make a no-sew version of this part of the pattern.
The only part where I had a few doubts was when stuffing the tummy area. The instructions are a bit vague and I struggled to find the balance between leaving it too flat or over-stuffed.
Even so, I’m going to give it extra points for not using safety eyes. Not only does it add a special touch, but it also makes it simpler and safer for those with children and/or pets.
The result
It is, without exaggeration, one of the most cuddly amigurumis I have ever knitted.
It’s the perfect size for a hug, has a lovely shape, and looks so inviting that you just want to pick it up and hold it close.
In fact, I had three customers who wanted to buy the soft toy, and the best thing is that all three turned out practically identical,something that, for me, is always a sign that the pattern is well designed.
And it looks absolutely adorable asleep.
So, is it worth it?
For me, yes.
Although the presentation of the PDF could be improved, the instructions are clear, the process is very enjoyable and the end result is spectacular.
What’s more, the fact that there’s hardly any sewing involved makes it a particularly entertaining and accessible project.
It’s one of those patterns that, once you’ve finished it, you immediately start thinking about making it again.
