Susuwatari is a character from Studio Ghibli’s animated films, My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. Also known as a travelling / wandering soot or a soot sprite, Susuwataris inhabits abandoned houses, Let’s create the yarn version of the Susuwatari.
MATERIALS
8 PLY / DK COTTON YARN
4 MM CROCHET HOOK
A PAIR OF SAFETY EYES
WHITE FELT
FIBERFILL
DARNING NEEDLE
SCISSORS
OPTIONAL: STITCH MARKER
Create a Magic Ring (MR) and Chain (CH) 1.
ROUND 1: Hook in 4 single crochets (SC) inside the MR. Pull the ring close. Total Stitches: 4
ROUND 2: Single Crochet Increase (SC INC) in every stitch in the round (Photo 1). Total Stitches: 8
ROUND 3: * SC in the next stitch, SC INC in the next stitch. Repeat * 4 times. Total Stitches: 12
ROUND 4: * SC in the next 2 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch. Repeat * 4 times. Total Stitches: 16
ROUND 5: * SC in the next 3 stitches, SC INC in the next stitch. Repeat * 4 times. Total Stitches: 20
ROUND 6 TO ROUND 8: SC in every stitch in the round (Photo 2).
ROUND 9: * SC in the next 3 stitches, Invisible Single Crochet Decrease (INV SC DEC). Repeat * 4 times. Total Stitches: 16
ROUND 10: * SC in the next 2 stitches, INV SC DEC. Repeat * 4 times. Total Stitches: 12
Take your white felt and cut out 2 little round shapes. Make little cuts forming a small “x” in the center of the white felt and insert the safety eyes. Position and attach the eyes between Rounds 5 and 6, spacing them 4 stitches apart.
ROUND 11: *SC in the next stitch, INV SC DEC in the next stitch. Repeat * 4 times. Total Stitches: 8
Insert fiberfill into the soot sprite until rounded and firm to the touch.
ROUND 12: INV SC DEC 4 times (Photo 3). Total Stitches: 4
Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.
