Question on attaching legs and other parts

[MareMare]

Hi all! I've made a few ami and am gaining a bit more confidence, but am still having trouble attaching legs and other parts. Any hints or tips for doing this? As you can see in this post, my puppy's legs are sprawled out funny, and my panda appears to be waving with one arm. Not intentional (although I don't mind how it turned out). I did realize that the pattern told me to pin the parts down before stitching but I didn't bother. Is that my problem? And if so, how do you pin such little pieces?

[LimeRiot]

This is a great question, Mare. I look forward to hearing some of the expert opinions on this .

When I'm doing knit amis, I pin the legs/arms on. I try to pin into the body stitch that I want to weave into. That seems to help keep things lined up but I still get some odd poses.

I think your waving panda is adorable, by the way. It turned out so cute!!

[MareMare]

Thanks! I consider that a happy accident The next one I have planned is a seal...no legs. Score!

[Onyxnox]

Cute, I like the waving panda too. 

I don't know how right or wrong it is, but it works for me.  When I make my limbs I leave a long tail - depending on the size of the amigurumi.  I then position the limbs and using the long tail to sew on the limbs and pass it through to the opposite limb and sew through each side and weave it through - it holds the limbs on strongly and pretty firmly.

[MareMare]

Ooh that's interesting! So you're saying to use the string on the left front leg to also sew on the right front leg? Or at least hold it in place? I did catch onto the trick of leaving a long piece of yarn when I was done to sew the pieces onto the body, that sure made things easier!

[Onyxnox]

Yes - for example, left leg to left side, pull that same needle and yarn through to right, secure right, and work it back to left, and then vice versa - I am not having any accidental amputations and loss of limbs on my amigurumi!  I keep a relatively tight tension and this allows for stiffer limbs, less floppiness.

[MareMare]

Genius! Thank you!

[chpetunia]

Pinning the pieces before stitching helps me.  I use corsage pins which are bigger than usual straight pins.

My favorite site for learning more about crochet technique is PlanetJune by June Gilbank.

Two pages would be helpful:

http://www.planetjune.com/blog/joining-amigurumi/



http://www.planetjune.com/blog/category/tutorials/

scroll down to the information on seamless joining.


Also, check out her directions for invisible decrease.
Best I have found.

There is so much at this site, take your time to look around.

Best Wishes

[MeganCrafts]

I'm really bad at not pinning.  Then again, I have a habit of crocheting all of the pieces that I need, and then never sewing it together because I hate that process.

If I sew on a limb and don't like how it's laying (usually because it's sticking up funny), I'll use a stitch or two to tack the limb in the direction that I want it to lay.

[creativelycraftyjenn]

I just have issues sewing the parts on. Any idea on where I can find a good tutorial or anything? I'm new to amigurumi and have never sewen anything in my life.