Sweet and neat
Victoria Kairis shares her design process for creating beautifully made amigurumi characters and how she managed to recreate a long-lost friend in yarn
How and when did you learn to crochet?
I began crocheting eight years ago. It all began after finding a cute little bookshop on holiday. I love to support small businesses so was determined to buy a book from there. I looked through the craft section and found a book on crocheting. I didn’t even know what crochet was, but I bought the book and thought I’d learn. After that I taught myself using the book and a lot of YouTube.
How did you come to start designing your own patterns?
After following a few amigurumi patterns I began to learn how to make the basic shapes and very quickly wanted to make the creatures from my own imagination. I began designing and writing down the patterns just for myself, but after a lot of encouragement from friends and family I opened an online shop to sell my patterns.
Can you remember what your first crochet project was?
How did it turn out? My first amigurumi project was a bunny wearing a dress. It was OK, as the proportions all sort of worked out fine, but I didn’t have any safety eyes, so I used black beads I had instead which made it look a bit creepy. Also, for years I made my amigurumi inside out – I got so confused by patterns trying to explain which way was right side out and always got it wrong.
Do you prefer making people or animals?
That’s far too hard to choose! I love the challenge of getting the right shapes to make cute animals, but making dolls and designing their little outfits is so much fun.
I think my patterns are roughly half doll patterns and half animal patterns, so I really couldn’t pick!
How would you describe your design style?
I think my style is cute, modern, and neat.
What research and preparation did you do ahead of designing the Easter doll characters?
I draw my projects before I begin as it helps me work out the right shapes, and I play around with the colours on my computer until it looks the way I want. I then like to try out my ideas using scraps of yarn from my stash, so that I don’t crush the nice yarn by frogging it so many times.
For this particular set of patterns I knew that I wanted to include some textured
stitches, so I researched different stitches to decide which ones would work.
Which of the designs in this booklet is your favourite, and why?
Oh, definitely the little chick. I put him together and couldn’t get over how unbelievably cute he was. He also reminds me of a knitted chick from my childhood. My great aunt took me to craft fair and bought me a knitted chick and I loved it, but I soon lost it and never really got over it. I feel like I’ve got my chick back!
What do you think separates good amigurumi from great amigurumi?
It’s all about attention to detail, especially when it comes to sewing. Pinning all the pieces in place before sewing really makes a difference. Sewing faces is really important, and I’ll redo the embroidery until I get it just right. I also think stuffing is a game changer – if something is stuffed properly it can really enhance the shaping of the piece.
What’s your ‘day job’?
I am a full-time mum to two small boys; they are three and six years old. It’s a completely mad lifestyle chasing around after them and running a small business. I never have any down time during the day, but I wouldn’t change it for the world as I get to be there to watch my children grow.
Can you describe a typical day for you?
Well, my aim is to do all the household and parenting activities that are needed, and try to have a crochet hook in my hand as often as possible. With all the lockdowns we’ve been having lately in the UK, I am also having to fit in home schooling, and find I am never left alone. So I’m not sure there is a typical day for me as such, but at 7pm every evening I get to sit down and work in peace for a few hours.
Where in do you most like to work on crochet designs?
I tend to sit in ‘my spot’ on the sofa, snuggled up in a crocheted blanket (made by me of course). However, I keep all my essential crochet bits and bobs in a little tray that I can move around the house with me as I go, so I’ve always got access to them.
What’s coming up for you in 2021?
“Pinning all the pieces in place before sewing really makes a difference”
I’m just hoping to write lots more patterns. I have so many ideas and I am really enjoying sharing them with everyone. Writing patterns for a magazine was a massive goal for me and I am so honoured that I have had a chance to do it. I definitely want to keep doing more of the same.
What craft blogs or Instagram feeds to you enjoy?
I love following other amigurumi accounts on Instagram, I find I get so much inspiration, especially learning different tips and tricks that I can use. For example @airali_gray (Ilaria Caliri) had lots of great advice about working with chenille yarn recently, which was so helpful for this project. Other accounts that I love are @littleaquagirl (Erinna Lee), @irenestrange, @amalou.designs (Marielle Maag) and @aradiyatoys (Olka Novytska) just to name a few. There is so much talent out there.