Chimps in King Cole Pricewise DK - 9047pdf - Downloadable PDF

Chimps Amigurumi Crochet Pattern in King Cole Pricewise DK – Pattern 9047

This downloadable PDF crochet pattern from King Cole guides crafters through creating adorable amigurumi chimpanzee toys, including what appears to be both a larger chimp and a Baby Chimp variation. Worked in the classic amigurumi style, these charming stuffed animals are constructed in continuous spiral rounds, a hallmark technique of the amigurumi craft that creates seamless, three-dimensional shapes perfect for soft toys. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it a rewarding project for crocheters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to tackle shaping and assembly.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces crocheted chimpanzee amigurumi figures — small, stuffed toy chimps worked in the round. The inclusion of Baby Chimp eyes (made two per Baby Chimp) confirms that at least one smaller baby version is included alongside the main design. Amigurumi is a Japanese craft tradition of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures, and this pattern follows its conventions closely, including the use of continuous spiral rounds without turning at the end of each round.

Techniques Used

• Amigurumi construction: All pieces are worked in continuous spiral rounds, meaning the crocheter does not join or turn at the end of each round. Instead, a stitch marker is used to track the last stitch of every round, which is essential for maintaining an accurate stitch count throughout.
• Working into the top loops only: The pattern specifies working into the top loops of the stitches rather than between stitches, which is a key detail for achieving the neat, consistent fabric typical of amigurumi work.
• Increasing and decreasing for shaping: Shaping is achieved through increases (working 2 stitches into 1 stitch) and decreases (reducing 2 stitches to 1), which create the rounded, sculptural forms of the chimp's body parts such as the feet and head.
• Stuffing as you go: The pattern instructs crafters to stuff individual components — for example, stuffing the foot only at a specific stage — before closing the piece, a standard amigurumi assembly technique.
• Colour work with Main Colour (MC) and Contrast Colour (CC): Two colours are used throughout — a Main Colour (MC) and a Contrast Colour (CC) — to create the characteristic two-toned appearance of a chimpanzee, with the contrast colour used for features such as the face and feet.
• Starting chains and working into the second chain from the hook: Certain pieces begin with a foundation chain, with the first round of stitches worked into the second chain from the hook, a common method for starting small amigurumi components.
• Fastening off and closing: Pieces are finished by continuing to decrease until the remaining hole is no longer visible, then fastening off — a clean finishing method that avoids the need for a sewn closure on smaller parts.

Stitches Used

• Double Crochet (dc): The primary and dominant stitch throughout the entire pattern. In UK crochet terminology (used by King Cole), double crochet is a short, tight stitch equivalent to the US single crochet, which makes it ideal for amigurumi as it creates a dense, firm fabric that holds stuffing well and prevents it from showing through.
• Chain (ch): Used at the beginning of certain pieces and within construction steps.
• Increase (inc): Working 2 double crochet stitches into a single stitch to expand the round.
• Decrease (dec): Reducing 2 stitches into 1 to contract the round and shape the piece.
• Yarn Over (YO): Referenced in the abbreviations as part of standard stitch construction.

Materials Referenced

• Yarn: King Cole Pricewise DK — a DK weight yarn, used in at least two colours (a Main Colour and a Contrast Colour) to achieve the chimp's distinctive colouring.