I am very happy that I was chosen as a pattern tester for Polaripop’s big NONOs crochet gang and this is one that I made during this time. This is my second NONOs crochet gang member and if you’d like to see my first one you can so so here (it’s a cat).

I was really excited to make this one as it was going to be my first time trying Made By Penguins Sparkle Cotton yarn and I couldn’t wait to use it and see what it was like. I can happily say that I am completely in love and it was a dream to work with. The yarn is soft and does not split so it was easy to work with and I just loved the results. I love how the sparkle is subtle but there, it really is beautiful and I feel it’s really added to my amigurumi character. I cannot wait to use this yarn for many other projects and not just amigurumi either. I am so happy Made By Penguins has managed to get this yarn base as I love having this as an option too. If you want to know more stay tuned as I’ll be doing a blog post all about the yarn I used!

Back to this NONOs character which I am completely in love with, it turned out even better than I expected and I can happily say it’s one of my favourite creations. I started this one not knowing which character it would be and only decided at the end when I had too so I could finish. Originally I had been thinking Elephant but I am so pleased I choose Deer as I feel it was the perfect match. I look at it now and cannot imagine it as anything else and I feel like it was meant to be. I am so extremely happy with my finished NONOs crochet gang Member, the Deer and of course this one has to be a girl (I think the original was a boy given the name).

I had no problems making this character, it all went really smoothly. I obviously gained some tips from making my first one and this was to make the two boots and arms tips at the same time before going on to work in the main yarn colour. By doing this I’d find they would be a very simular size where as if I only did one and carried on with the rest of the pattern I often had problems matching the second boot or arm tip . As for the character pieces, these were all easy to do and the hardest part was finding the right placement to sew them!

I am not sure there is much else to add as this pattern was really easy to make, I love how it’s made in almost one piece and all I have to sew into place is the arms and any character pieces. I think many will love that their is minimal sewing involved as I know I did. The only thing I did differently to the pattern is my normal for amigurumi, and this is to add tights/stockings before adding the stuffing. This helps to keep the stuffing secure and give a lovely finish. The only parts stuffed for this pattern is the legs and main body/head as the arms are NOT stuffed. I only used stockings for the body part and up and used one long piece to do this, I then tied it off at the top of the head. I do usually do legs and arms if they are to be stuffed but I felt it wasn’t needed for this pattern especially as I knew I’d be displaying these. If I was making for a child though I would of used tights/stockings in the legs too.

I really am in love with my finished Deer and I hope you will be too.