Brush.... Brush.....Brush.... your amigurumi....

Did You ever wonder what happens when You will brush Your amigurumi with dog brush?.... Yes, I didn't too until few days ago when I came across this wonderful post:

http://tamiesnow.typepad.com/roxycraft/2009/06/tutorial-making-brushed-amigurumi.html


I bought my brush right away. Actually I lied few lines above when I said "dog brush", because I bought a brush which was ideal for bunnys :) So I knew right away what I am going to make. You can see exactly how the brush looks like on the pictures , I am sure You can get it in every at store and even supermarket. The effects are different for different kind of yarn or even different colors of the same one. In the tutorial I mentioned few lines below I red You can use any natural fiber yarn except cotton, my yarn was cotton and I am still pleased with the effect. You can always make a little piece to try it on. One thing that I noticed I had to brush the cotton yarn for a long time and when I used the different one later the effect was pretty much the same for a shorter time.

Anyway it all depend on the effect You want to achieve I have to tell You the photos from this tutorial do not reflect exactly how cute and cuddly and soft and furry this bunny is. So I highly recommend to try this technique and experimenting on different yarns.

Happy crocheting!

Few things You need to remember when using dog brush on Your amigurumi projects:

• Brush parts individually before sewing them together.
• Depending on the effect You want to achieve You may want to brush in different or only in one direction
• If it's possible You may want to brush the back side - it make the front one more furry too.
• Before brushing Your amigurumi You may want to try on small test part.
• If You are using not cotton yarn and making a long fur You may want to brush it with the regular brush or the brush for infants to form the exact hairstyle You want.
• If You are using a cotton yarn it may take a while to see any effect

If You have any other tips please share in comments and I will write them here..

My son brushing the bunny :) You can see now who is really doing my projects :) In all seriousness please remember to use the brush on each part separably and before assembly.

Bunny pattern:

Head - make 1

brown yarn

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)

R2: inc around (12)

R3: * sc, inc * X6 (18)

R4: * sc 2, inc * X6 (24)

R5: * sc 3, inc * X6 (30)

R6: sc around (30)

R7: * sc 4, inc * X6 (36)

R8 - R10: sc around (36)

R11: * sc 5, inc  *X6 (42)

R12: sc around (42)

R13: * sc 5, dec * X6 (36)

R14: * sc 4, dec * X6 (30)

R15: * sc 3, dec * X6 (24)

R16: * sc 2, dec * X6 (18) FO <this side down


Body - make 1:

brown yarn

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)

R2: inc around (12)

R3: * sc 3, inc 3 * X2 (18)

R4: sc 4, inc 3, sc 6, inc 3, sc 2 (24)

R5 - R9: sc around (24)

R10: * sc 2, dec * X6 (18)

R11:  * sc, dec * X6 (12) FO <this side up

Eye - make 2

white yarn

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)

R2: inc 2, hdc, 3 dc in 1, hdc, sc (10) FO

From material cut black pupils and white dots for reflections and sew them to each eye.



Ear - make 2

brown yarn

R1: 6 sc in MR (6)


R2: inc around (12)

R3: sc around (12)

R4: * sc 3, inc 3 * X2 (18)

R5 - R13: sc around (18)

R14: * sc, dec * around (12)

R15 - R18: sc around (12)

R19: dec 6 (6)

R20: sc around (6) FO



Foot - make 2

brown yarn


R1: 6 sc in MR (6)

R2: inc around (12)

R3: * sc 2, inc 2 * X3 (18)

R4: BLO sc around (18)

R5: sc around (18)

R6: * sc, dec * X6 (12)

R7: dec around (6) FO

You can see all the parts here:

It's time to brush. Remember to brush each part individually before You sew them. Brush each part with the short strokes. I brushed my bunny in different directions, but if You want Your fur to be arranged You can only work in one direction.
 Brush until You are satisfied with each part.

You can compare brushed foot with the usual one...

....and ears.

When You are finished with brushing start sewing parts. Start with head. body and legs.










Cut black pupils from material and little white dots for reflections. Make eyes and nose.

Finished! You have Your own cuddly bunny now. Are You satisfied with the effect? Are You planning on using this technique in future projects? Please write in comments what do You think :)