Oh, hello there, fellow yarn enthusiast! Get ready to fall head over heels for Ruby, the most charming little red rabbit you'll ever crochet. There's just something so incredibly heartwarming about creating a little friend with your own two hands, isn't there? Ruby isn't just a pattern; she's a burst of joy waiting to happen, perfect for gifting to a loved one or keeping as your own snuggly companion. I've poured a lot of love into making this pattern accessible for Beginner-Intermediate crocheters, so whether you're brushing up on your skills or tackling your first amigurumi with a bit of a challenge, you're in the right place. Let's gather our hooks and yarn and bring Ruby to life, stitch by delightful stitch!

Embarking on Your Ruby Adventure

Every beautiful journey begins with that exciting moment of gathering your supplies, and your Ruby adventure is no different! Think of it as preparing your artist's palette before painting a masterpiece. Having everything laid out and ready to go makes the whole process so much smoother and more enjoyable. So, let's make sure we've got all our little treasures before we dive into the stitches. This step is all about setting yourself up for success and pure, uninterrupted crochet bliss.

Gather Your Tools: What You'll Need

Before we even think about making our first stitch, let's make sure we have all the right ingredients for our charming little rabbit. You know how important quality ingredients are in baking? It's the same with crochet! Having the correct yarn and tools will make all the difference in how your Ruby turns out. Don't worry, these are all pretty standard items you might already have in your stash!

• Worsted weight yarn: Red (main color), White (tail), Pink (inner ears, nose)
• 3.5mm (E) crochet hook
• 9mm safety eyes
• Polyester fiberfill
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Scissors

Ruby's Dimensions: Approx. 20cm tall (ears included)
Estimated Time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate

Mastering the Stitches: A Quick Refresher

No need to be intimidated by amigurumi! It mostly relies on a few fundamental stitches that, once you get the hang of them, become second nature. If you're new to some of these or just need a quick refresher, I've got you covered. Practice makes perfect, and soon you'll be zipping through these like a pro! Remember, it's okay to go slow and really feel each stitch.

• Sc: Single Crochet
• Inc: Increase (2 single crochet in the next stitch)
• Dec: Decrease (single crochet 2 together)
• Sl St: Slip Stitch
• Ch: Chain
• FO: Fasten Off
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Rnd(s): Round(s)
• MR: Magic Ring

Understanding the Blueprint: Important Pattern Notes

Alright, before we dive headfirst into the pattern, let's go over a few essential notes that will make your crocheting experience much smoother. These little tidbits are like the secret sauce to a perfect amigurumi, ensuring your Ruby turns out just as adorable as you envision! Pay close attention to these, especially if you're new to making toys.

• Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified.
• Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
• Stuff firmly as you go.
• Numbers in parentheses at the end of each round indicate the total stitch count for that round.

Let's Get Crocheting: Ruby's Pieces

This is where the real magic happens! We're going to build Ruby piece by piece, watching her come to life before our very eyes. Take your time with each section, enjoy the process, and remember that every stitch brings you closer to a finished, lovable rabbit. Don't forget to count your stitches after each round – it's a lifesaver!

Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn: Red (main color), White (tail), Pink (inner ears, nose)
- 3.5mm (E) crochet hook
- 9mm safety eyes
- Polyester fiberfill
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Scissors

Dimensions: Approx. 20cm tall (ears included)
Time Estimate: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate

Notes:
- Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
- Stuff firmly as you go.
- Numbers in parentheses at the end of each round indicate the total stitch count for that round.

***

HEAD (with Red yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, Inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, Inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, Inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, Inc) x 6 (36)
Rnd 7-12: Sc in each st around (36) (6 rounds)
Rnd 13: (Sc 4, Dec) x 6 (30)
Rnd 14: (Sc 3, Dec) x 6 (24)
Insert safety eyes between Rnd 10 and 11, about 6-7 stitches apart. Begin stuffing firmly.
Rnd 15: (Sc 2, Dec) x 6 (18)
Rnd 16: (Sc 1, Dec) x 6 (12)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

***

BODY (with Red yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, Inc) x 6 (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, Inc) x 6 (24)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, Inc) x 6 (30)
Rnd 6-10: Sc in each st around (30) (5 rounds)
Rnd 11: (Sc 3, Dec) x 6 (24)
Rnd 12-13: Sc in each st around (24) (2 rounds)
Stuff firmly.
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

***

EARS (make 2, with Red yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: (Sc 1, Inc) x 3 (9)
Rnd 3: (Sc 2, Inc) x 3 (12)
Rnd 4-9: Sc in each st around (12) (6 rounds)
Flatten the ear and sc through both layers across the opening (6 sc).
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Optional Inner Ear (make 2, with Pink yarn)
Ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 ch. Ch 1, turn. (4)
Row 2-3: Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (4)
Row 4: Sc in 1st st, Dec, Sc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (3)
Row 5: Sc in 1st st, Dec. Ch 1, turn. (2)
Row 6: Dec. (1)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing onto the red ear, or simply use a dab of fabric glue.

***

ARMS (make 2, with Red yarn)
Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR (5)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (10)
Rnd 3-7: Sc in each st around (10) (5 rounds)
Stuff lightly.
Flatten the opening and sc through both layers across (5 sc).
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

***

LEGS (make 2, with Red yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3-6: Sc in each st around (12) (4 rounds)
Stuff lightly.
Flatten the opening and sc through both layers across (6 sc).
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

***

TAIL (with White yarn)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around (12)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.

Bringing Ruby Together: Assembly Steps

You've made all the individual parts, and now comes the truly satisfying part – watching Ruby transform from a collection of pieces into a cohesive, huggable friend! Take your time with these steps; careful assembly makes all the difference in the final look of your amigurumi.

1. Attach the head to the body. Use the long tail from the head to whip stitch it securely to the body. Make sure it's centered and straight!
2. Position the ears on top of Ruby's head, slightly towards the front. If you made the pink inner ears, sew or glue them onto the red ears first. Then, use the tails to stitch the ears firmly in place.
3. Pin the arms to the sides of the body, just below the head, making sure they are symmetrical. Stitch them firmly using the remaining yarn tails.
4. Attach the legs to the bottom of the body. Position them so Ruby can sit upright comfortably. Stitch securely.
5. Sew the fluffy white tail onto the back of the body, near the bottom. Give it a good tug to ensure it's not going anywhere!
6. Using pink yarn and your tapestry needle, embroider a small 'V' or 'Y' shape for Ruby's nose directly under the safety eyes. You can also add a small line for the mouth below the nose if you like.
7. Give Ruby a gentle squeeze and adjust her stuffing if needed. Trim all yarn ends and weave them in securely. And just like that, your radiant red rabbit is ready for cuddles!

Clara's Pro Tips for Amigurumi Success

Over the years, I've picked up a few tricks that I love to share. These little bits of advice can make your crocheting journey smoother and help you achieve those beautiful, professional-looking results!

• Use a stitch marker! Seriously, don't skip this. It's so easy to lose count when working in continuous rounds, and a stitch marker is your best friend for keeping track.
• Stuff firmly, but evenly. This gives your amigurumi a nice, consistent shape and prevents it from looking lumpy. Use small pieces of fiberfill at a time.
• For invisible decreases, use the 'invisible decrease' method (insert hook into front loop of first stitch, then front loop of second stitch, yarn over and pull through both front loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops on hook). It makes your decreases almost disappear!
• Weave in your ends securely. Take your time with this step, as loose ends can unravel and compromise your hard work. A tapestry needle makes this a breeze.
• If your stitches are too loose and stuffing is showing through, try going down half a hook size. Conversely, if your fabric is too stiff, go up half a hook size. Gauge isn't super critical for amigurumi, but a tighter fabric is generally preferred to prevent stuffing from peeking out.