The Craftzilla: Charmander Pokemon Crochet Pattern

These Charmanders are stocking stuffers for a class at a local school who were in need of some cheering. I specifically designed them to be easy to make and easy to give away.

I wanted a quick, cute, and efficient Pokemon pattern. Something that kids would recognize, or if they didn't know Pokemon, would still like. Oddish, Poliwag, Voltorbs, all those round, easier Pokemon were a no-go. I finally settled on Charmander. Even if you didn't know or like Pokemon, he could still be thought of as a dragon or dinosaur. Also, he is DARLING so there.

So after creating NINE of him and tweaking the pattern over and over, here it is! His body and head are connected, saving some time. I did some facial sculpting just by weaving yarn back and forth through his eye sockets, but if you like the straight forward approach you can omit that.

Of course I had a hey day making silly photos of them.

This Santa has no need for Rudolph to guide his sleigh!

Smores time!

Personal request::
During this time of year, we all feel a stronger need to share, care, and give to one another. So, in lieu of charging for this pattern, would you pay it forward? Make one for someone you love, donate a few dollars to a charity, share some time with a child teaching them how to crochet, whatever you like!
Some resources I've used:
JustServe.org
#LightTheWorld (Christmas/Religious)Thank you. :)

Charmander Pokemon Crochet / Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern is written, created, published, and illustrated by The Craftzilla. Please do not sell, copy or redistribute this pattern or any parts therein (share the blog page link instead!) You may sell final creations, but please do not claim the pattern as your own. Thank you!

Materials:
Size F 3.75 mm hook
Orange yarn
Cream yarn
Yellow yarn
Yarn needle

Scissors
Size 6 mm safety eyes (or felt or beads or what have you)

Terms/Abbreviations (US):
Ch -- Chain
Mc – Magic circle
Sc – Single crochet
Inc – Increase, place two sc in one stitch
Dec- Decrease, I use invisible dec, but essentially make one sc over two stitches
*---* signals a set of stitches to be repeated
(_) indicates how many stitches should be in that round

Head/Body

Make one in orange. Worked in a spiral, not joined rounds.
Round 1: Sc 6 in mc (6).
R2: Inc in every stitch (12).
R3: Inc in every other stitch (18).
R4: *Inc, sc, sc,* six times (24).
R5-6: Sc in every stitch (24).

R7: Sc 10, inc three times, sc 11 (27).
R8-9: Sc around (27).
R10: Sc 10, dec 3 times, sc 11 (24).

Place the eyes in between rows 6-7 approximately 8 full stitches apart. Thread orange yarn through back and forth near where you placed the eyes to shape the face, knot, and leave ends inside the head.

R11: Sc 4, dec, sc 2, dec 4 times, sc 2, dec, sc 4 (18).
R12: *Sc, dec* six times (12).
R13: In front loops only, *Inc, sc* six times (18).

(No more front loops, back to normal now. Working on the body now.)

R14: *Inc, sc, sc,* six times (24)
R15: 12 sc, inc three times, 9 sc (27)

(The increases should be up front in the middle of his belly. Feel free to tweak if yours is off center)

R16-17: Sc around (27).

(Note: when I used thinner yarn, I added another sc around row here to make up for the difference)

R18: 13 sc, dec three times, 8 sc (24).
R19: Sc around (24)
R20: *Sc, sc, dec* six times (18).
R21: *Sc, dec* six times (12).
R22: Dec six times (6)

Fasten off and leave a tail of yarn. Cut yarn and thread yarn needle. Weave yarn through loops and pull tight to close. Weave remaining yarn into the pumpkin body, knot it and cut it.
Extra help on fastening off and weaving yarn in to close a project: http://www.planetjune.com/blog/the-ultimate-finish-for-amigurumi/

Tummy

Make one in cream. Worked in a spiral, not joined rounds.

Round 1: Sc 6 in mc (6).
R2: Inc in every stitch (12).
R3: Inc in every other stitch (18).
R4: *Inc, sc, sc,* six times (24).

Fasten off, attach to middle of Charmander body.

Hands/Feet
Make four in orange. Worked in a spiral, not joined rounds.

Round 1: Place 5 sc in mc (5).

R2: Sc 5 (5).

Fasten off, sew each hand/foot onto body.

Tail
Make one in orange. Worked in a spiral, not joined rounds.

Round 1: Place 3 sc in mc (3).

R2: Sc 2, inc (4).

R3: Sc 4 (4).

R4: Sc 3, inc (5).

R5-6: Sc 5 (5).

R7: Sc 4, inc (6).

R8: Sc 6 (6).

R9: Sc 5, inc (7).

Fasten off, to back of Charmander body.

Tail flames:
Cut three, 6-inch long strands of yellow yarn and 3 strands of orange yarn (6 total)

Latch hook yarn onto Charmander's tail. (Insert hook into tail tip, fold yarn strands in half over neck of the hook, pull partly through making a loop, thread tail ends through loop, pull tail ends tight)

Brush yarn with either a fine tooth comb or a cat brush. Brush until it is soft and fuzzy. Use a straightening iron or clothes iron on low if you'd like it to be sleeker.

53 Stitches has a good photo tutorial of this:
https://53stitches.tumblr.com/post/96536099762/charmander-amigurumi-pattern