Minecraft Enderman Pattern

This project was a long time in the making:

Although the enderman may be constructed in the same manner as my Creeper pattern, I chose to do it differently, primarily due to the awfully long limbs on this guy.  I'll share what I did, and maybe you'll find it useful, too!

The finished height of this plushie is 44" tall when his feet touch the floor.

Minecraft Enderman

Supplies

• 1,000 yards of black yarn
• 10 yards of light purple yarn (I used Red Heart Orchid)
• 5 yards of dark purple yarn (I used Red Heart Amethyst)
• 2-3 lbs. approx. fiberfill
• 4.00mm (G) hook
• yarn needle
• lots of patience

Instructions

An enderman (just like a creeper) has six body parts: four (4) limbs, one (1) body, and one (1) head.  You will make the body and head in two panels each.  You will make the limbs as three panels each.

(Apologies in advance for no photos--my camera has mysteriously been lost in Z-space.)

Limbs (Panel 1)  Make eight (8).

With black yarn, chain 7.

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each across. (6)

Row 2-6: Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (6)

Cut yarn and knot off.

(Yes, this is the easiest part of the entire project.)


Limbs  (Panel 2)  Make four (4).

With black yarn, chain 91.

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each across. (90)

Row 2-24:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (90)

Do not cut yarn.  Turn Panel 2 to work on the short edge.Take one Panel 1 square and seam it with sc to the short edge of Panel 2 (it will form the end of one limb, with 6 sc's per side of Panel 1).

When you reach the beginning of the seam, turn the piece inside-out and match the long edges together (so the seam you just made is now inside what will become the enderman's arm/leg).  Sc down the length of the arm/leg.  Leave a 24" yarn tail and cut yarn.  Knot off for now.

The piece is inside-out (long, and very unwieldy).  This is the tricky part: turning it right-side out while stuffing at the same time.

Take the closed end of the limb and turn it right-side out by working it back through the center of the tube.  Stuff as you go--every 2-3 inches.  I tended to stuff the ends of the limbs a little firmer, so they would hold shape, and the middles of the limbs softer so they could bend easily (and they wouldn't be as heavy).

You will continually slide the outer part of the inside-out leg up as you stuff, while working the inner, right-side-out part down. (I tend to think of it like putting on a pair of long socks--you slide your foot down the center of the sock, while your hands pull the sock up around your calf.)

Once the limb is stuffed the way you like it, thread the 24" tail through your yarn needle.  Sew another Panel 1 to the top, and then you can use the remaining tail to stitch the limb to the body.

(Yes, you have to do this four times.  Yikes!)


Body  (Panel 1)  Make one (1).

With black yarn, chain 25.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook; sc across in each st. (24)

Rows 2-36: Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Row 37:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in BLO across. (24)   (This creates a faux seam.)

Rows 38-48: Ch 1, turn.  Sc across (24).

Row 49:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in BLO across. (24)

Rows 50-84:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Cut yarn and knot off.


Body (Panel 2) Make one (1).

With black yarn, chain 13.

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook; sc across in each st. (12)

Rows 2-36:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (12)

Row 37:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in BLO across. (12)

Rows 38-60:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (12)

Row 61:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in BLO across. (12)

Rows 62-96: Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (12).

Do not cut yarn.  

Time to seam. Pull final loop larger and remove hook in order to practice lining up the panels.  Take each and fit them around each other to make a box.

Crochet through both panels with single crochet.  This very long seam will close up the entire chest.

Note:  You may choose to sc an extra stitch at the corners to make them more defined.  I've done it both ways, and have no preference.

Remember not to seam the last seam closed before stuffing the chest.  

Stuff the chest firmly (it needs to be able to support the head), and finish sc'ing the last seam.  Cut yarn and weave in end securely with yarn needle.


Head  (Panel 1)  Make one (1).

With black yarn, chain 25.

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook; sc across in each st. (24)

Rows 2-24:  Ch 1, turn. Sc across. (24)

Row 25:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in BLO across. (24)

Rows 26-48:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Row 49:  Ch 1 turn.  Sc in BLO across (24)

Rows 50-72:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Cut yarn and knot off.


Head  (Panel 2)  Make one (1).

With black yarn, chain 25.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook; sc across in each st. (24)

Rows 2-24:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Row 25:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in BLO across. (24)

Rows 26-48: Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Row 49:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in BLO across. (24)

Rows 50-56: Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Now begins the eye detail with the two shades of purple.  You will use the color change method below to change colors.  I will describe how it is done the first time, but when CC (color change) is noted, it is always going to be the same process of finishing the final SC with the new color.

Row 57:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across in first 23 st.  For 24th st, CC at end of st.

Note:  You are changing color to orchid (the lighter purple) on stitch 24.  With black, begin the 24th sc by inserting hook into stitch, yarn over, pull loop through.  Take your lighter purple yarn and yarn over, pull through to complete stitch 24.  The tails of your yarn should be on the side of the panel without ridged faux seams.  You can cut the black yarn, leaving a 1-1.5" tail.

Rows 58-60:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc in first 2 st.  CC to your amethyst (your dark purple) at the end of the 3rd st.

Note:  You will change color to dark purple on stitch 3.  With light purple, begin the 3rd sc by inserting hook into stitch, yarn over, pull loop through.  Take dark purple yarn and yarn over, pull through to complete stitch 3.  The tails of your yarn should be on the side of the panel without ridged faux seams.

Rows 58-60 (continued):  Continue with dark purple for the next 3 st.  CC to light purple at the end of the 3rd st.
Continue with light purple for the next 3 st, CC to black at the end of the 3rd st.
Continue with black for the next 5 st, CC to light purple at the end of the 6th st.
Continue with light purple for the next 3 st, CC to dark purple at the end of the 3rd st.
Continue with dark purple for the next 3 st, CC to light purple at the end of the 3rd st.
Continue with light purple for the next 3 st, CC to black at the end of the 3rd st.  (24)

You have just done the enderman's eyes.

Rows 61-72:  Ch 1, turn.  Sc across. (24)

Note:  Make sure to tie off any loose yarn ends so that the face will not unravel.

Time to seam!  Pull final loop larger and remove hook in order to line up the panels.  Take both panels and fit them around each other to make a box.

Place your hook back into your final loop, and crochet through both panels with single crochet.

Stuff the head, remembering to pack the corners well for a well-defined box shape, and finish sc'ing the last seam.  Cut yarn and weave in end securely with yarn needle.


Attaching the Limbs

Legs:  Arrange two limbs on the bottom front seam of the enderman's chest, 3-4" apart.  Sew one edge of enderman's limb to the bottom front seam.  Knot yarn and weave ends in securely.

This resulting "hinged" attachment allows the enderman to "sit" on the bottom of his chest naturally.

Note:  I know that's not how the enderman looks in Minecraft, but I find that if you were to attach the legs to the center bottom of the chest piece, then he wouldn't sit very well and your seams would strain.

Arms:  Take the other two limbs and sew one on each side of the top side seams of the chest (again, making a "hinged" attachment.  Knot yarn and weave in ends securely.

Head:  Stitch head to chest with yarn needle and black yarn.  I used a single, center seam (middle of head to middle of the top of the chest), but this does cause the head to 'nod'.  For a more fixed head, sew using the top front and rear seams of the chest.

Ta da!

A complete set of my plushie pattern works!

And as always: Microsoft is suing people selling Minecraft things online.  Don't get me in trouble.  This is a free pattern.  Utilize it properly and be responsible with it.

Once again, nerdy crafters:  Craft On!

HPKCHC : June Classes (S15)

Good morning, all!  

It was a terrifically busy month for me, as I participated not only in the SFAC (previously posted here), but also the TLT (the Doctor Who challenge), and of course the HPKCHC.

For those of you just joining us, the Harry Potter Knitting and Crochet House Cup is a fiber-crafting challenge game primarily for crocheters, dyers, knitters, and spinners.

I was able to turn in six classes and Detention this month:

Charms:  For your assignment this month you are to craft something that is light and airy.

From a free pattern on Ravelry, Butterfly Grace.

Professors, nothing is quite so light and airy as a butterfly. Well, I was out on a walk towards Hagrid’s when I spotted something colorful down by the lake. Sometimes if you can bring an interesting specimen to the CoMC professors, they might give you a bonus point or two…and of course I love bonus points! So I took out my wand and cast the nettius totalum spell in order to snare one or two of whatever it was I saw.

As I got closer, I saw that it wasn’t just a couple of creatures, it was one of every color! They were prismatic papillons, so named because they were first discovered by a French wizard by the name of Claude Montiderrie. I knew then that I didn’t want to catch them at all, since they are extremely rare and fragile magical creatures. So instead I used an image capture charm and decided to share the pictures here with you!

Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy parchment, professors. Have a colorful day!

Care of Magical Creatures: “Breed” two projects together to make a new one! Let your creativity loose and master breeding. Then tell us all about your experience. This is extra credit stuff, this is. Generous bonus points for successfully breeding two different projects into a new one.

Professors, before I became a first-year student at Hogwarts, I delighted in many various and sundry other crafts, particularly to please my loving husband. He is a Muggle, and has a large collection of video games, most of which I know nothing about. For Christmas a few years ago, I crafted him a lovely sweatshirt featuring the distinct white and red striped pattern on the right sleeve only.

It wasn’t until a year or two later that I found an Etsy listing with a similar pattern (what will these Muggles and their ‘winter-net’ come up with next!). I immediately knew that I wanted to try and make something similar…but more accurate (and of course with magical properties of protection).

Thus I located the Kisses Fingerless Mitts pattern, and set out to modify it not only to include the same distinctive striping, but to add gussets to fit it to my own arms, and also to provide additional magical protection from the cold.

I can safely declare my breeding experiment a success! I hope you are as pleased with the results as I am!

 Shout out to my Mass Effect peeps!

Defense Against the Dark Arts: “Students,” Professor kims announces, “your assignment is to craft an object based on something you saw inside Borgin and Burkes. It may be a literal interpretation such as spinning a replica of a hangman’s rope or crocheting curtains similar to those from Tom Riddle’s boyhood home. But you may also craft something in the spirit of the artifact mimicking the color, texture, or shape.”

When I was poking about in the back of the store, professors, I came across a section of neatly-displayed table decorations, as if for a party. The tiny card with the linens indicated that these might be ‘cursed Muggle objects’--something the Ministry of Magic takes very seriously.

In particular, there was a set of coasters, and they appeared to be watching me from beneath the crystal stemware perched on top of them. I picked up one of the goblets to get a better look at the white, eye-like decorations that resembled half-moons (or half-closed eyes) and suddenly I found myself becoming very apathetic.

I didn’t care about the field trip anymore. I was unimpressed by the other things in the store, or even the thought of stopping by Fortescue’s later. I simply didn’t care.

It wasn’t until we returned to Hogwarts that the effects of the spell seemed to fade and I became myself again. I know because they were serving tuna for lunch and you haven’t seen me get excited until you’ve seen me around tuna fish. (No cat jokes, please, professors.)

Thus, for my homework I have chosen to represent the set of four table coasters as I saw them, and I now include a hearty warning for those that might drink from the glasses perched upon them. I believe they will cause (from left to right): shock, anger, apathy, and doubt.

Thank you for your time!

Divination:  Craft a representation of the Tarot Star card. You may depict the literal images you see in the card: the star, water or the woman, or you may interpret the meaning of the card: renewal, the bounty of spring, health and healing.

Professors, I have found that one of the equalizers between Muggles and the wizarding community is the need for sleep and revival of one’s energy. While there are spells that allow wizards and witches to stay awake longer, ultimately all will succumb to the need for sleep eventually.

 To that end, I have crafted upon request for a friend who attends Durmstrang a magical, restorative mask. While Durmstrang is (I’m sure) another wonderful magic school, they have a much more grueling physical aspect to their classes, and as a first year himself, he often finds himself in need of restorative slumber in order to renew his energy and be ready for his classes the next day.

Thank you for your time, professors!

Potions:  Your homework for this month is to study the effects of this potion by crafting something relaxing or soothing, or something to keep you sane.

Professors, this month I have been working hard to finish a trio of three ponies to send to my fairy goddaughters:

I didn’t meet my deadline for the purple pony on the end, and this month I worked very hard to start and finish the larger, white unicorn in the middle. With the help of Lepida (and my color printer) I was able to keep myself sane by using a new way to attach eyes and cutie marks to these pony models. I’m so happy (and now so relaxed because everything is done!) and now I will be able to rest and recoup a little bit before the new month begins!

(In all seriousness, I now only have 2 WIPs left; at the beginning of the term I must have had at least 8!)

If you’ll excuse me, I think I hear the blanket fort in the Den calling me…I’m officially taking the next two days off from crafting!

Transfiguration:  Professor Loneilteaches smiles and says, “For this month’s homework, we are asking you to transform your crafting self by practicing a new craft or technique or one that is less familiar to you.”

Professors, I have always admired universal instructions for wizarding things: potions, wandwork, etc. I’ve wished that I was able to understand the charts and graphs with relative ease.

This month, I chose to try my hand at interpreting a charted stitch guide and expand it into a brand new book cover, to protect my journal. I am very pleased with the results, and I even showed my appreciation by enchanting a Stardust Butterfly to decorate the cover.

Thank you for your time, professors!

Detention:  Hufflepuff was challenged to yarn-bomb again on June 1st, so a hexipuff was all I had time to do:

July promises to be even crazier than May and June put together!  I need to:

• Finish my Potions OWL (King PauseUnpause plushie)
• Finish my Order of the Phoenix Mission (4 stuffed monkeys)
• Craft Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle (for a commission due in August)
• Try to keep my head on straight!

This is the final push to the end of the HPKCHC term, and I want to make it a good one.  Craft on!