This Saturday I'll have been a grandmother for a year. Harper is a wonderful addition to our family. She's the first grandchild on both sides, and the first niece of many.
I had in mind to make her an amigurumi style monkey for her birthday. Why a monkey? Well, being born in the Chinese Astrology Year of the Monkey makes me partial. They're smart, fun, and they love a good party.
I used acrylic yarn and polyfill stuffing so that it could be washed if need be. Tiny bits of acrylic felt are embroidered on for the eyes, so that we don't have to worry about Harper choking on a button. I didn't use any pattern; long ago I learned how crochet lends itself to sculpture and I wanted to play with shaping as part of the design process. It's crocheted in the round, starting at the center of the big, red mouth. Sometimes I had to make short rows for shaping, as would be done on the heel of a sock. The mouth is crooked, the ears are different sizes, the arms and legs tend to twist a little, making the monkey look pigeon-toed, but I adore these flaws and consider them intentional.
Enjoy!
