Tic Tac The Vintage Amigurumi Alarm Clock Free Crochet Pattern

Tic-Tac: The Vintage Amigurumi Alarm Clock for Sweet Mornings (Free Pattern)

Let's be honest: who really loves the sound of the alarm clock in the morning? I'm the kind of person who hits 'snooze' at least three times! Yet, there is something irresistibly nostalgic about old analog alarm clocks, those with bells on top that look like they have a surprised little face. So I thought: why not exorcise the trauma of waking up by creating 'Tic-Tac', an alarm clock that never rings (fortunately!) but looks at you with sweet eyes from the bedside table?

I chose a pastel palette that reminds me so much of my grandmother's kitchen in the 60s, with that relaxing teal and cream details. It is a perfect project to decorate your room or to give as a gift to that friend who is always late! And if you are already thinking about how to reorganize your routine, maybe take a look at some ideas for a stylish return to the office, but I assure you that starting with a crochet hook in hand is the best way.

Take an afternoon, a cup of tea (or maybe make my Cappuccino Cup Ballerina to stay on theme!) and let's start this soft journey into time.

The Inspiration: A Dive into the Past with a Modern Twist

For Tic-Tac I absolutely wanted to avoid the 'plastic' effect. The key to this project is texture. I used a matte cable cotton for the main body because it defines stitches very well and gives that clean, vintage touch.

A little secret? For the 'metallic' parts (feet, hammer, and handle), don't use a flat gray yarn! Look for a yarn with a slight silver shimmer or, if you feel bold, a nice gold lurex. This contrast between the matte pastel cotton and the sparkling details is what makes Tic-Tac truly special.

Ah, and don't forget the stuffing! It must be very firm, otherwise our alarm clock will look deflated. This project goes very well with other 'animated object' amigurumi we have made. If you are looking for other adventure companions for Tic-Tac, our Dino Little Roarer has about the same size and they look great together!

Materials Needed

• Teal cotton yarn (main color)
• Cream cotton yarn (for the dial)
• Pearl gray or silver yarn (for mechanisms)
• 2.5mm crochet hook (tension must be high!)
• 8mm safety eyes
• Black embroidery thread and pink blush

Difficulty Level: Intermediate (requires patience in assembly).
Time Required: A quiet afternoon (about 4-5 hours).
Measurements: About 15 cm in height.

Abbreviations Used (US Terms)

• MR: Magic Ring
• sc: Single Crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: Decrease (2 sc worked together)
• ch: Chain
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• BLO: Back Loop Only

Assembly and Finishes

1. The Face: Sew the cream dial exactly to the center of the front part of the green body. Use plenty of pins to hold it in place!
2. Expression: Embroider the mouth with black thread between the eyes (I make a small 'V' for a shy smile) and the hands. I recommend embroidering hands marking 10:10 for a happy expression.
3. Base: Attach the two feet to the base of the body, slightly spread apart so the clock stands on its own.
4. Top: Sew the two bells on the top, spaced about 4-5 stitches apart.
5. Extra Detail: Optional - Create a small ring or 'hammer' with gray yarn to sew between the two bells for an extra realistic touch.

Alessandra's Tips

• To make the clock stand perfectly, you can insert a cardboard or plastic disc at the base inside the stuffing, or add some weighted pellets in the feet.
• When embroidering the hands, don't pull the black thread too tight, otherwise you will deform the cream dial.
• If you use cable cotton, the effect will be more 'vintage' and defined compared to wool or acrylic which tend to pill.

About the Author

Alessandra Soti is an amigurumi designer with an unbridled passion for vintage and pastel colors. She firmly believes that a ball of wool can solve almost all the problems of the day and loves transforming everyday objects into sweet characters.