Moonbeam Stitches - A modern crochet blog

Free Crochet Pattern: Orion the Polar Bear

On August 15, 2022

In All Patterns, Amigurumi, Free Patterns, Paid Patterns

Orion the Polar Bear has blue cheeks and a yellow and white scarf. He is laying on some greenery with yarn in the background.

Meet Orion the Polar Bear! I originally crocheted him to take part in the Amigurumi.com endangered animals amigurumi crochet design contest. He didn’t win any prizes but the process of creating on deadline and putting him out there for the world was beneficial and rewarding.

Orion’s pattern also includes his backpack, which you’ll see below. He’s similar to Everett the Backpacking Bear. I may just create a whole series of bears with backpacks!

If website patterns aren’t your jam, find the ad-free PDF version in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. The PDF includes many more pictures to guide you in the process of crocheting Orion.

How to Display Your Amigurumi

By moonbeamstitches

On July 1, 2022

In Round-Up

This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend to you all. If you click on one of these links and decide you’d like to make a purchase, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Amigurumi aren’t just for playtime! One of my favorite things to do with my amigurumi is to move them around the house on different shelves. Keep reading for some cute shelving recommendations to display your amigurumi.

Alternatives to Safety Eyes

By moonbeamstitches

On June 7, 2022

In Advice, Amigurumi, Round-Up

Two sleeping unicorns lay on a white background with greenery.

Safety eyes are an essential craft tool that add personality to your amigurumi. If you’re making your amigurumi for a young child though, you may want to reconsider the use of safety eyes. As always with small objects, there is a risk of choking if the safety eyes come loose.

There are so many cute alternatives to safety eyes! I’ve compiled some options for you so keep reading!

Organic Cotton Yarn for Amigurumi

By moonbeamstitches

On May 10, 2022

In Advice, Amigurumi, Round-Up, Yarn

This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend to you all. If you click on one of these links and decide you’d like to make a purchase, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Many amigurumi makers choose pure cotton yarn for their amigurumi. They want the softest and purest choices for little ones – items that parents and makers can both feel good about. But what if you want to take it a step further and source organic cotton yarn?

Yarn Review: Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton

By moonbeamstitches

On April 27, 2022

In Amigurumi, Reviews, Yarn

This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend to you all. If you click on one of these links and decide you’d like to make a purchase, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Are you looking for an affordable and widely available cotton yarn for your amigurumi? Check out my review for Hobby Lobby I Love This Cotton to see if it checks your boxes.

This yarn is the cotton version of Hobby Lobby’s popular acrylic I Love This Yarn (ILTY). With a wide range of solid and variegated colors, I Love This Cotton is an easy choice for amigurumi! But how does it hold up? Keep reading for my review!

Book Review: Animal Friends of Pica Pau

By moonbeamstitches

On April 20, 2022

In Advice, Amigurumi, Reviews

10 pictures of crocheted animals from "Animal Friends of Pica Pau" by Yan Schenkel, including a unicorn, a dragon, a panda, and an otter.

This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend to you all. If you click on one of these links and decide you’d like to make a purchase, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Yan Schenkel’s whimsical crochet animals of “Animal Friends of Pica Pau” captured my attention back in 2020 and was a big reason I got into amigurumi. What makes it so special?

Can I Fly With A Crochet Hook?

By moonbeamstitches

On April 7, 2022

In Advice

Can I fly with a crochet hook or craft scissors? The image shows a reusable pouch, a crochet hook, small craft scissors and a box of stitch markers.

Can I fly with a crochet hook? Can I fly with craft scissors? These are questions I hear a lot in different crochet groups. Results may vary internationally but here in the U.S., we usually don’t need to worry about our notions being confiscated.

Keep reading to see what was in my crochet bag on a recent flight!

Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern: Queen Bee

By moonbeamstitches

On February 10, 2022

In All Patterns, Amigurumi, Free Patterns, Paid Patterns, Shop Moonbeam

Two crocheted bees made out of blanket yarn rest atop a white background with greenery. One bee is yellow and black, while the other is pink and black with a yellow crown.

This post may contain affiliate links to products I recommend to you. If you click on one of these links and decide you’d like to make a purchase, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Bees, they’re everywhere! Crocheted plush bees remain a perennial favorite so I thought I’d put my own spin on them by creating a crown and making a QUEEN bee.

The pattern is super simple so keep reading! If website patterns aren’t your jam, find the ad-free PDF version in my Etsy and Ravelry shops. The PDF includes step-by-step pictures to guide you in the process of making your very own bee.

Amigurumi Crochet Pattern Release: Gus the Bat

By moonbeamstitches

On February 3, 2022

In All Patterns, Amigurumi, Paid Patterns, Shop Moonbeam

Gus is a black crocheted bat with pink/peach wings.

Meet little Gus, the cutest bat on the block! Real bats may not be so cute in your own house (and I know – we had one in the attic once) but this little softy will fit right in.

You can find Gus’s paid crochet pattern on Etsy or Ravelry.

How to Attach Hair to Amigurumi: Three Ways

By moonbeamstitches

On July 30, 2021

In Advice, Amigurumi

Three Ways to Attach Hair to Amigurumi on Moonbeam Stitches.

How do you attach hair to amigurumi? Knowing how to attach hair to amigurumi is an important skill for amigurumi designers and makers. Hair and curls add visual interest and can completely change the look of your amigurumi.

Keep reading for three ways to attach hair to amigurumi!