Crochet with Fluffy Yarn- A New Method

In my last tutorial I discussed two different ways you can crochet with fluffy (fuzzy, eyelash, feather) yarn. In this tutorial I am going to show you a third, and new, way to crochet with fluffy yarn, as well as share with you a free crochet pattern so that you can try out this new method.

If you missed my previous post, you can go here to see different ways to crochet with fluffy yarn as well as read a few different tips about purchasing fluffy yarns.

I came up with this new method of crocheting with fluffy yarn after much frustration while crocheting with fluffy and feather yarns. I wanted to create an Amigurumi toy that would be super fluffy and I wanted to find a sure-fire way to be able to see the stitches every time. I realised that if I use a second regular yarn between each round of fluffy yarn, that it can act as a kind-of leading guide to help me see where I can place the stitches. So this method, I call the Alternating method, and here is how it works…

How to Crochet with Fluffy/ Fuzzy Yarn – Method 3 – The Alternating Method

Note – when I refer to ‘regular yarn’ I refer to any yarn that is non-fluffy.

To begin your work, you crochet with regular yarn. In the following round you will crochet with fluffy yarn, however the key method here is that you work the fluffy yarn, in the front-loop only. Once you have completed the round with fluffy yarn, you switch back to the regular yarn. You will ignore the fluffy yarn round, and work your stitches into the regular yarn, into the unworked back loop stitches. So you basically continue this process, alternating between the fluffy and regular yarn for every other round. The regular yarn is always worked in the back-loop only, and only worked into the regular yarn; the fluffy yarn is always worked into the front-loop only, and only into the regular yarn.

In effect, what happens is that you never have to search for the fluffy yarn stitch as the yarn is always worked into the regular yarn. Also, the fluffy yarn is the only yarn that is visible on the finished product as it is worked into the front-loop only. And what happens to the regular yarn? Well, it gets hidden, as it is always worked into the back loop only. Cool right?!

I think the best way to show you this method is by sharing a photo tutorial with a free crochet pattern. This is an easy crochet pattern, designed specifically so you can practice this new technique.

Applications of this method

The benefits of this method is that you can create a very fluffy project without worrying about where to see your stitches. The disadvantage is that is can be time consuming – this is due to the extra rounds you need to work with the regular yarn to create a guide.

This method is best saved for smaller projects like small Amigurumi toys, or if working a fluffy edging around a project, like a hat for example. I think it can make very effective hair-do for an Amigurumi doll that can be worked as you go.

Free Crochet Pattern for a Fluffy Friend

Gauge

Gauge is not important for this pattern. You can adjust hook and yarn size as desired, but keep in mind the size of finished object will vary. With the mentioned yarns and 4mm hook my finished product measures approximately 22cm (9 inches) in circumference

Yarn

You will need two types of yarn for this project. Fluffy yarn and regular yarn . When choosing your regular yarn you want to keep it at a weight that is similar to the fluffy yarn. For this project I used two contrasting colours, and I think it is a good idea when starting out with this technique.

These are the yarns I used – Slumberland Moloka (a yarn that is produced by Spotlight – Australian craft store) The weight reads as a bulky yarn but really I think it feels more like an aran weight and it’s mainly the fluffiness, that gives it the bulky weight label. The regular yarn I used was a generic worsted weight yarn.

Other Materials

7mm safety eyes
small amount of thread for mouth
darning needle
stuffing

Pattern Notes

Pattern is written in Us Terminology.
Work in continuous rounds i.e do not join at the end of rounds.

Fluffy Friend Crochet Pattern

Rnd 1 Work 6sc in magic circle

Rnd 2   2sc in each st around (12)

Rnd 3   *sc in 1 st, 2sc in next st* around (18)

Rnd 4 *sc in 2 sts, 2sc in next st* around (24)

Rnd 5   *sc in 3 sts, 2sc in next st* around (30)

Rnd 6   *sc in 4 sts, 2sc in next st*around (36)

Rnd 7 *sc in 5 sts, 2sc in next st around (42)

Now it’s time to introduce the fluffy yarn, drop the regular yarn but do not cut it, as you are going to need it again. The yarn that is not in use can be carried up under the first stitch of each round.

Rnd 8   Working with the fluffy yarn, sc in each st around FLO (42) change back to regular yarn

Work the fluffy yarn in the front loop only – Roaming Pixies

Rnd 9 sc in each st around of the unworked back loop stitches of the regular yarn (i.e the unworked back loop stitches from round 7),

As you can see this is getting very fluffy!
I pulled down the fluffy yarn to get to the stitches easily,
but still, those back-loop-only stitches are very clear to see.

Note – now is a good time to attach the safety eyes. I like to embroider the mouth now too so I can leave those loose ends hanging inside the toy.

Rnd 10-18 Repeat rnd 8 and 9. These are no-increase rounds. You can repeat more rounds to make the body thicker, or less for a smaller body. To begin the decreases you will need to be working with the regular yarn – i.e you should be on an odd numbered round.

This is a picture of my work during round 11. I am working the fluffy yarn in the front loop only. You can see how the fluffy yarn is covering up the regular yarn. (apart from the face of course!).

Rnd 20  Working with the regular yarn, sc in the BLO stitches of the regular yarn, *sc in 5 sts, sc2tog* around – change to fluffy yarn

Rnd 21  sc in each st around, FLO (36) – change to regular yarn

Rnd 22  sc in the BLO stitches (of the regular yarn) *sc in 4 sts, sc2tog* around – change to fluffy yarn

Rnd 23  sc in each st around, FLO (30) – change to regular yarn

Rnd 24  sc in the BLO stitches (of the regular yarn) *sc in 3 sts, sc2tog* around – change to fluffy yarn

Rnd 25  sc in each st around, FLO (30) – change to regular yarn

Rnd 26  sc in the BLO stitches (of the regular yarn) *sc in 2 sts, sc2tog* around – change to fluffy yarn

Rnd 27  sc in each st around, FLO (24) – change to regular yarn

Rnd 28  sc in the BLO stitches (of the regular yarn) *sc in 1 st, sc2tog* around – change to fluffy yarn

Now is a good time to add stuffing.

Rnd 29  sc in each st around, FLO (12) – change to regular yarn

Rnd 30  sc in the BLO stitches (of the regular yarn) *sc2tog* around.
Do not change back to the fluffy yarn as it’s time to finish off.
Add your final stuffing

Now finish off your work by weaving your yarn through the outer loop of each stitch. Check out PlanetJune for a comprehensive Tutorial on the Ultimate finish for Amigurumi for this final step.

Crochet with fluffy yarn – a tutorial and pattern by Roaming Pixies

Finally all you have to do is weave in that last fluffy piece of yarn. And that’s it, you now have a fluffy friend to love and hold.

Summary

* Always work the fluffy yarn in the FLO as this is the round that will be exposed

* Always work the regular yarn into the BLO of the regular yarn round from the 2nd round below

* Always do the shaping on the rounds crocheted with regular yarn, that is, decreases and increases are never worked on the fluffy rounds as this is the round that is too hard to see.

I hope you learned something new today. Have fun crocheting. Feel free to share your thoughts and questions.