Amigurumi Balloons © June Gilbank 2010 What better way to celebrate than with a bunch of balloons? Made in pastels like these, they’d be perfect for baby baby shower decorations or for Easter. Made in bolder colours, they’d brighten any occasion! I’ve created 2 different d ifferent amigurumi balloon patterns for you: the standard round balloon, and the extra-fun long balloon. Each balloon only take a few minutes to crochet, so you can whip up a bunch in no time!
This pattern is Donationware – the pattern p attern is available for free, but if you like it please consider sending me a donation to show your appreciation:
Donations of any size are much appreciated. Just add the amount you wish to donate, and, once you have checked out and paid, your pattern will instantly be available to download from your PlanetJune account. The complete pattern and instructions are available below, regardless of whether or not you choose to pay for them This is a PlanetJune original crochet pattern. Feel free to use items made from this pattern however you wish, but I’d appreciate credit as the pattern designer. Please do not reproduce the pattern anywhere else ; instead post a link to http://www.planetjune.com/balloons Not ready to make it yet? Add it to your Ravelry queue: Terminology ch
chain
sc
single crochet (double crochet for UK/Aus)
sl st
slip stitch (single crochet for UK/ Aus)
st
stitch
sc2tog
single crochet decrease (or try an invisible decrease instead for a better finish)
You will need… • • • • • •
E US/3.5mm crochet hook Small quantity of worsted weight yarn in any c olour Stitch marker Yarn needle to weave in end Polyester fibrefill stuffing Some sort of stick for the balloon strings, e.g. lollipop sticks, dowels, bamboo skewers
Notes • •
Do not join at the end of each round; rounds are worked in continuous spirals. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. Move the marker up each time you start a new round.
Round Balloon
Make a magic ring, ch 1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 st) Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 st) Rnd 3: (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) six times. (18 st) Rnd 4: sc in each st around. (18 st) Rnd 5: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st) six times. (24 st) Rnds 6-10: sc in each st around. (24 st) Rnd 11: (sc2tog, sc in next 2 st) six times. (18 st) Rnd 12: sc in each st around. (18 st) Rnd 13: (sc2tog, sc in next st) six times. (12 st) Rnd 14: sc in each st around. (12 st). Stuff balloon through hole. Rnd 15: (sc2tog) six times. (6 st) Rnd 16: sc in each st around. (6 st). Rnd 17: 2 sc in each st around. (12 st) Join with sl st to next st. Cut the yarn, leaving a long end.
Long Balloon
Make a magic ring, ch 1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring. (6 st) Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 st) Rnd 3: sc in each st around. (12 st) Rnd 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st) three times. (15 st) Rnds 5-7: sc in each st around. (15 st) Rnd 8: (sc2tog, sc in next st) five times. (10 st) Rnd 9: sc in each st around. (10 st) Rnd 10: (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) five times. (15 st). Stuff 1st section through hole. Rnd 11: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st) three times. (18 st). Rnd 12: sc in each st around. (18 st) Rnd 13: (sc2tog, sc in next 4 st) three times. (15 st) Rnd 14: (sc2tog, sc in next st) five times. (10 st) Rnd 15: sc in each st around. (10 st) Rnd 16: (2 sc in next st, sc in next st) five times. (15 st). Stuff 2nd section through hole. Rnd 17: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st) three times. (18 st). Rnd 18: sc in each st around. (18 st) Rnd 19: (sc2tog, sc in next 4 st) three times. (15 st) Rnd 20: (sc2tog, sc in next st) five times. (10 st). Stuff 3rd section through hole. Rnd 21: (sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog) twice. (6 st) Rnd 22: sc in each st around. (6 st). Rnd 23: 2 sc in each st around. (12 st)
Finishing
Draw the end through the last loop on the hook, and pull tight to form a knot. - or -
Use an invisible join to give the neatest finish. Using a yarn needle, weave the end down to the ‘knot’ of the balloon. To make the balloons ‘float’ in the air, you’ll need to use a rigid stick as the balloon’s string. I used bamboo skewers, painted white with acrylic craft paint. You could also use thin wooden dowel (again paint it white too look more like string if desired) or lollipop s ticks. Safety note: please take care with sharp objects around young children. Bamboo skewers have sharp points, so snip the sharp ends off before using them if the balloons bay be within reach of little hands. Insert the stick into the open op en bottom of the balloon. (Optional: apply appl y a thin layer of white glue around the top of the s tick before inserting it, so the stick will be glued to the stuffing.) If the hole is too large, make a few stitches around the ‘knot’ area of the balloon with the yarn end, and draw tight around the stick. (Note: I didn’t feel that this was necessary with my balloons.) Pass the yarn end through the balloon, coming out somewhere along the balloon’s side. Draw the yarn tight, and snip the end close to the balloon. The yarn end should retract back inside the balloon after it is cut.
I hope you enjoy this pattern. Please leave me a comment below if you do, and consider leaving me a donation. Thanks!
