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Amigurumi Hands
I'm writing up a pattern at the moment which requires hands. I've been asked before how I make hands with fingers
for my amigurumis and, seeing as all the photos have already been taken, I thought it would be a good idea to do a
pattern/tutorial for a small hand. This will hopefully be a starting point for you to make hands to match your own toys.
I first came across ami fingers when I was making Alicia Ramirez's Nibbler. This pattern is where it all started for me
when it comes to designing amigurumis. I learnt so many things from it - hands, crocheting around a chain, feet,
shaping & plus it makes a perfect Nibbler. I use the same technique Alicia Ramirez uses in the Nibbler Pattern to
make hands for my toys - the fingers are made first, crocheted together then you shape the hand and do even rounds
to finish the arm.
Sharon Ojala from Amigurumi to Go has an excellent video tutorial on amigurumi hands. She makes the arm and
hand first and then crochets the fingers. I recommend taking a look at this as well and seeing which technique suits
your needs better.
I'm a cartoon fan so I like to do a 4-fingered hand, but I've also included a pattern for a five-fingered hand.
Amigurumi Hands
Size
Using a 3.0mm hook and DK/8ply yarn this pattern will give
you a 4cm/1.6in
Terminology
***This pattern is written using US crochet terminology***
Rnd - Round
sc  Single crochet
sc2tog  Single crochet two stitches together.
st  Stitch. This term covers ch, sc, hdc, sl st and other
stitches used in crochet.
Make a ring  The starting point for crocheting in a spiral.
Use which ever method you prefer.
* * - Repeat the instructions between the asterisks as
directed.
( )  The number of stitches that should be in a completed
round are placed in brackets at the end of that round s
instructions.
Instructions
Thumb
Make a ring.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in ring
Rnd 2: sc in each st around
Cut the yarn and fasten off. Leave a tail of yarn.
Fingers
You will be making three fingers.
Make a ring.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in ring
Rnd 2-3: sc in each st around
For the first two fingers you make, cut the yarn and fasten off
after round 3, leaving a tail of yarn. When you finish making
the third finger, do not cut the yarn.
Hand
The fingers will now be crocheted together. When you crochet
the fingers together, you want to let the tails of yarn fall
between the fingers. You can use these later to close up any
gaps.
Rnd 1: sc in next 2 st of the third finger made, sc in 2 st of one
of the loose fingers (this will be the middle finger), sc in all 4 st
of last loose finger, sc in last 2 st of the middle finger, sc in
last 2 st of third finger made (12)
Rnd 2: sc in each st around
Rnd 3: In this round the thumb will be crocheted on. sc in next
6 st, sc in all 4 st of the thumb, sc in last 6 st (16)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around
Rnd 5: sc2tog, sc in next 4 st, sc2tog twice, sc in next 4 st,
sc2tog (12)
Rnd 6: sc2tog, sc in next 4 st, sc2tog, sc in next 4 st (10)
Now you have a hand.
Continue to crochet even rounds - sc in each st around - to
create the arm and finish when the arm is the desired length.
When you've finished, take a look between the fingers. If
there are any gaps, use the tails of yarn left on the fingers to
stitch them closed. Weave in yarn ends.
Five-fingered Hand
For a five-fingered hand, you'll add a pinkie finger. The pinkie finger will be the same as the thumb. When you make
the three middle fingers, cut the yarn for all three, leaving tails. Cut the yarn for the thumb but do not cut the yarn for
the pinkie finger.
Hand
Rnd 1: Crochet the pinkie finger and the three middle fingers together. sc in next 2 st of pinkie finger, sc in next 2 st of
one loose middle finger (ring finger), sc in next 2 st of next middle finger (middle finger), sc in all 4 st of last middle
finger (index finger), sc in last 2 st of middle finger, sc in last 2 st of ring finger, sc in last 2 st of pinkie finger (16)
Rnd 2: sc in each st around
Rnd 3: In this round the thumb will be crocheted on. sc in next 8 st, sc in all 4 st of thumb, sc in last 8 st (20)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around
Rnd 5: sc2tog, sc in next 6 st, sc2tog twice, sc in next 6 st, sc2tog (16)
Rnd 6: sc2tog, sc in next 4 st, sc2tog twice, sc in next 4 st, sc2tog (12)
Rnd 7: sc2tog, sc in next 4 st, sc2tog, sc in next 4 st (10)
Crochet even rounds to make the arm.
Making Alterations
Shaping the hand. The important thing to remember when
shaping the hand is to make the decreases at the outer
edges. This will keep the hand flat.
Changing the size of the fingers. You can add more rounds to
make them longer. To make them wider you can start off with
more stitches in the ring, making increases in the following
rounds until the finger is wide enough. When you're making
larger hands, you'll be able to shape the individual fingers -
you can make the middle finger longer than the rest and have
the thumb wider at the top than at the bottom.
Okay that's it. If I've left anything out or if you have any
questions, let me know. I hope you found it helpful.
Copyright © Kim Lapsley 2013
How the fingers look after round 1
Michelangelo moment ... or E. T. moment