Free Crochet Pattern: Amigurumi Kusudama (Celebratory Ball) | All-Season

This is a crocheted piece.

I thought it would take a lot of curiosity to make something like this, so I went ahead and made it.
This is a kusudama made by wrapping it with crochet.
While playing with origami, my brother said, "I want to tear the pieces and just shred them."

I'm starting to realize that confetti and constellations are actually quite rare.
When I tear up paper, I tend to think about cleaning up afterwards rather than scattering it.
However, if the paper lantern is small, it might be easier to put away!

The excitement of seeing a paper lantern pop open still remains with us as adults.
I made a nostalgic kusudama using capsules from a gachapon machine.
I think I'll use this as a celebration tool too.
Luckily, the kids really love it!

I would actually like to make the "Congratulations" inside out of cloth.
Anyway, being impatient, I uploaded the page first.
I think I'll just make a new banner sometime soon.

Yarn and Crochet Hook Size

Medium-fine linen and cotton yarn
2.3 mm (JP 3/0)
2 capsule lids (without steps) from gachapon machines
Ribbons and scraps for decoration, hanging paper, and disposable chopsticks
Velcro
Confetti Origami

Finished Size

Diameter when closed: 8cm

Instructions

① Start knitting by casting on a loop, then knit 6 quarter stitches in the first row.

② While increasing or decreasing the number of stitches as shown in the table below, knit all the stitches in a round crochet pattern, inserting capsules along the way to check the size as you knit.
By the way, this was made using Flax S yarn and knitted tightly with a size 3 crochet hook.
The photo on the bottom left shows the 19th row, after which the capsule is inserted. From here, continue knitting the part that will be folded inward.

From the 30th row onwards, you will be decreasing the number of stitches, but make sure to insert the capsule into the knitted fabric before it closes and you can no longer fit it in.

③As for the string to hang the kusudama, the capsule I used this time had about four small holes in it, so I threaded the string through those holes.
If you do this, it might be easier to thread the hole with a darning needle before completely encasing the capsule in knitted fabric (it was quite difficult to find the hole from the outside after it was finished).

③Once you have knitted to the last row, pass the end of the yarn through the stitch of the last row and tie it.

④ Once you have two kusudama made, attach the string to hang them a little above the center (I used this as a reference on kusudama-making websites).

⑤ Sew the connecting parts of the kusudama together with thread. I sewed about 1.3 cm using a kind of overlock stitch. If you sew too long, the kusudama will not open easily.

⑥ Pass the string that you will pull to pop the kusudama through the thread that you sewed in step ⑤.

⑦ Attach decorative ribbons or small banners to the inside of the kusudama.
I used scraps to make a mini flag garland, butterfly-like ribbons, and strips of bias fabric.
I attached disposable chopsticks to the bottom of the banner paper as a weight, but I think the paper needs to be about as thin as Japanese paper in order to stretch properly.

⑧ Attach Velcro to the bottom edge to hold the kusudama capsules together. If you attach too much, it won't open, so I made it very small. About 2.5cm x 4mm. Try adjusting this depending on how well it opens.

9. Once it's finished, test it a few times, and if it's OK, add some confetti. Adding confetti will make the experience of popping it that much more impressive!