Saturday 14 April 2012

All the Totoros!

I love the Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli film My Neighbour Totoro, and the Totoros themselves, adorable monsters with features reminiscent of rabbits and cats, that come in three different sizes and colours. A giant grey one about twice the height of a person, a blue one about the size of a cat and a small white one about half that size. If you haven't seen the film, I urge you to give it a try, it's totally delightful.

A few years back I made a blue and a white Totoro, and wrote up the patterns on my livejournal (White Totoro , Blue Totoro ). Since then I've been wanting to make a grey one, and to perfect the original two patterns. In the end I did that, and also adapted the pattern for the white Totoro to make a small blue one to go with the grey one, and a tiny white one to complete the set.

This might be easier to explain in photos!

Here's the large grey Totoro, which is about 9" tall, with the small blue Totoro (4.25" tall) and the tiny white one (1.75"). To be honest, the two smaller ones aren't quite to scale with the grey one, but it would have been too difficult to make a white one small enough without changing the type of yarn, which I didn't want to do.


These are the updated blue and white Totoros. The blue one is about 8" tall and the white one is 4.25" tall. When I started remaking them I changed them quite a bit - I obviously crochet a lot tighter now that I did when I made them originally. The grey Totoro and this blue one have a similar pattern, the grey one is a bit taller but the ears are shorter.
The white Totoro and the small blue one are the same pattern, just with extra elements (tummy, arms) for the blue one.


Here you can see the two different sizes of blue and white Totoros, I'm happy that I got the scale pretty much right for both sets.




I also made a little leaf for the grey Totoro, to help keep off the rain.



You can download the patterns free from Ravelry:



Blue Totoro



White and Small Blue Totoro



Tiny White Totoro (the leaf pattern can be found with the Grey Totoro)



**Edit 2021 - unfortunately, these patterns are no longer available to download from Ravelry. 
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87 comments:

  1. Bigbluebed14 April 2012 at 19:03

    Oh thank you! We love Tortoro in this house so I will be making on (if not all) of these! Alix xx

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  2. Tatkis16 April 2012 at 12:32

    They all are sooo cute! I love Totoro's :))
    Thanks for the links!

    Hugs,
    Tatyana

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  3. LucyRavenscar17 April 2012 at 18:45

    Thanks! I hope you enjoy making them - just ask if you have any problems.

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  4. Rhiannon30 July 2012 at 17:38

    Hi Lucy,

    What sort of yarn do you recommend for the Totoros? I have some cheap acrylic yarn in my stash that would be a good colour for the bigger blue one, but am worried it might be too stretchy for amigurami, what sort of yarn mix would you normally use?

    Great selection of characters by the way, I love Totoro!

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  5. LucyRavenscar5 August 2012 at 09:46

    Cheap acrylic is just what you need! It doesn't stretch much so it's perfect for amigurumis.

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  6. Attic2422 August 2012 at 09:46

    Hello!
    Have just found your site while searching for crochet Creatures, and i LOVE these cuties! have never heard of Totoros, but am keen to find out more. I had a go last night at making the small white one, your pattern was beautifully written and very easy to follow, such a relief as I usually find written patterns hard work.
    I am planning making a version of this for a friend, I want to make the body and ears longer and thinner, and construct it in colourful rows/stripes instead of the traditional spiral amigurumi. Would it be ok if I do this using your pattern as a starting point? Will be writing about it on my blog (Attic24) and will of course give full credit and links back to you. Please do drop me a line, i'd love to hear from you ♥
    Lucexxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  7. CODY CLARK19 October 2012 at 18:41

    Absolutely dying here. These look like a great first project! If I can manage this, I am totally buying the star wars pattern for my husband for Christmas. Here's hoping I'm not too doltish to manage this!

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  8. LucyRavenscar19 October 2012 at 19:09

    Attic24 - somehow I totally missed your message! I hope you see this, but I would be very happy for you to play with any of the totoro patterns. I'm glad you found the white one easy to follow. If you haven't watched My Neighbour Totoro you should definitely give it a try, it's a really wonderful film. By the way, I love your blog, always makes me want to make something colourful!

    Cody - thank you! I hope you find it easy to make any of these, just ask if you have any problems.

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  9. mirwena28 January 2013 at 09:06

    Thank You soooo much!!! I know mine is in so many places off but.... LOVE IT! :D
    http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb43/mirwena/totoro_zpsf0d16893.jpg

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  10. LucyRavenscar31 January 2013 at 15:12

    Thanks Anna, and yours looks great!

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  11. Toby26 February 2013 at 12:21

    I didn't think I'd actually finish this pattern because I tend to put something down and not pick it up for years, but I ended up finishing all three! My friends and I have been taking Totoro out and about and we even made him an Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/totorosadventures

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  12. LucyRavenscar28 February 2013 at 13:04

    Toby, that's so cool! I've put a link to it on my Facebook.

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  13. silentblair3 April 2013 at 21:16

    I just want to thank you for your amazing patterns. I'm printing this one out as we speak and can't wait to start it!
    One other thank you...
    Thanks for taking the time to put page numbers in you PDF's. It's not a terribly big thing, but this touch just shows how much you care.

    THANK YOU!

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  14. LucyRavenscar6 April 2013 at 13:35

    Thanks! I print out my own patterns to test them, and I soon realised that page numbers were a neccessity!

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  15. Joan14 April 2013 at 11:14

    Love all of these ,thanks for sharing the pattern , yes I also agree page numbers are a great help, and you,ve got a comment from attic 24

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  16. LucyRavenscar16 April 2013 at 09:01

    Thanks Joan!

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  17. Unknown30 May 2013 at 05:38

    I want to buy. How much?

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  18. LucyRavenscar30 May 2013 at 16:21

    Sorry, I just write patterns, I don't make the toys to sell.

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  19. Lucret Isignat15 June 2013 at 12:53

    I love these- will be making for Meg's birthday!!

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  20. Alina17 August 2013 at 16:34

    Hello :D Thanks for sharing this pattern <3 I love to crochet and I love anime too <3 I hope you don't mind if I post a link to your blog (and specifically a link to your post with Totoro pattern) on my crochet blog too? :D Here is the link to my blog : http://alinahime.blogspot.dk/ :D

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  21. LucyRavenscar22 August 2013 at 11:09

    Thanks Flame_angel! I'm glad you've enjoyed my patterns, and I'm very happy for you to share them.

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  22. Octo23 October 2013 at 07:38

    Hi Lucy,
    I'm french and I wanted to tell you someone translate your patterns in our language. I have read you was ok with this translation... That's great ! Tks

    Salut Lucy,
    Je suis française et je voulais te dire que quelqu'un a traduit tes modèles dans notre langue. J'ai lu que tu avais donné ton accord pour cette traduction ... c'est génial ! Merci

    http://www.planete-laine.com/2013/08/modele-gratuit-crochet-totoro-amigurumi.html

    http://www.planete-laine.com/2013/10/modele-crochet-gratuit-amigurumi-totoro-gris.html

    http://www.planete-laine.com/2013/08/modele-crochet-gratuit-petits-totoros-patron.html

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  23. LucyRavenscar24 October 2013 at 16:32

    Thanks for posting the links - I have put the translations on Ravelry but not here. It's great to have someone translate my patterns!

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  24. Unknown6 November 2013 at 02:34

    Can you post how to knit these? They are ADORABLE!

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  25. LucyRavenscar6 November 2013 at 16:52

    Sorry, I don't knit, I only crochet. If you click on the links at the end of the post you'll go to the crochet patterns, otherwise you might have to search to find knitting patterns for Totoro.

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  26. Anonymous9 December 2013 at 05:02

    Absolute love....I am VERY new to crocheting and this looked like something I could accomplish. Plus it makes a great Xmas gift for a friend. But I was curious if you could clarify, which loops front/back/both I (we) should be using when building the rows. I have just started but I didn't want to get too far if I had to start over. Thank you!

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  27. LucyRavenscar9 December 2013 at 17:23

    On the whole you should work through both loops, the pattern will say if there's any places where you work in back or front loops only. Have fun with the pattern, and just ask if you have any more questions.

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  28. Unknown23 December 2013 at 02:53

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  29. LucyRavenscar24 December 2013 at 10:19

    You're joining the two ears together by crocheting around both of them. When it says '1st st' or '4th st' you're counting the stitches in the round. So, the 1st st of first ear is the st right after the last st, where you fastened off. Instead of continuing to crochet in the second ear, you keep the loop on your hook but start to crochet, as described, in the first ear for 15 st. Then, having missed 3 st on the second ear, you crochet 15 st in the second ear, which takes you to the end of the round.

    I hope that helps!

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  30. Unknown26 January 2014 at 13:51

    Thanks so much! Super easy to follow. I finished the grey one and it was a success! Now I was requiered to make it to another girl in the family :)

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  31. Anonymous1 February 2014 at 05:46

    hey lucy

    i just have a question about the eyes.
    you said work 9 half double crochet into the chain.
    im not sure how to do that. i've attempted to do it but i dont think starting the round with half double crochet is possible.
    did you mean 9 single crochets instead?

    thanks

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  32. LucyRavenscar1 February 2014 at 14:57

    You're working the hdc into the first chain you made, the third chain away from the hook, so it's perfectly possible to do. If you find it awkward to work all 9 into one chain, I would make a chain loop to work into - chain 3 or 4 and join with a slipstitch to make a loop. Ch 2 and work the 9 hdc into the loop.

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  33. Anonymous1 February 2014 at 18:05

    thanks for the reply lucy! i actually figured it out and did 9 hdc in a magic circle instead. worked out great.

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  34. Anna K.4 March 2014 at 13:37

    Hey Lucy!

    Thank you so much for these patterns, they are very easy to follow. The totoros look adorable, so I had to do them all. Here are two links to my blog, if you want to see how I managed :)

    http://www.lily.fi/blogit/anna-k/virkattu-totoro-ja-sananen-animesta

    http://www.lily.fi/blogit/anna-k/totorolle-kaverit

    Greetings from Finland,

    Anna

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  35. LucyRavenscar6 March 2014 at 13:41

    They look great! I especially love the photos taken outside in the tree.

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  36. Ed and Co.9 April 2014 at 07:18

    Thank you very much for sharing your patterns. They are perfect and terrific! Here is a French Totoro!

    http://ed-and-co-handmade.blogspot.fr/2014/04/mon-voisin-totoro.html

    Edwige

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  37. LucyRavenscar9 April 2014 at 17:56

    Thank you! Your French Totoro looks very cute, I like the way you've posed him.

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  38. Unknown20 July 2014 at 13:02

    I want to make these for my in-utero-twins and their big brother. I noticed that the patterns call for double-knit weight yarn, but all I have is worsted weight. Has anyone made these with worsted weight instead? I imagine they'd come out bigger. Would I increase the hook size if using worsted weight? Should I use the hook size the yarn package recommends? I just don't want these to come out a lot bigger than the pattern...

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  39. LucyRavenscar20 July 2014 at 13:20

    I think lots of people have made these using worsted weight yarn. I don't think it's much thicker than DK (we don't get it here in the UK), but a slightly larger hook would probably be a good idea. If you look at the patterns on Ravelry you can click on 'Projects' at the top, and other people who have made them will say what yarn and hooks they used.

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  40. Anonymous3 November 2014 at 01:59

    I made this into a rattle for my niece. My sister and I grew up looking at My Neighbor Totoro, so she should love it.

    This was the first crochet project I've done with written instructions (as opposed to a video). It was really easy to understand, and it came out so cute. I'm so happy I know how to make ears and tails now.

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  41. LucyRavenscar3 November 2014 at 19:21

    That's such a cute idea!

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  42. Jannette6 October 2015 at 03:52

    Thank you so much for letting people have these patterns for free.
    My family love Totoro, and I am looking forward to crocheting all of these for my 11yo daughter. You are a star.

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  43. LucyRavenscar9 October 2015 at 14:24

    Thank you Jannette, have fun making them.

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  44. minazu.ruka26 October 2015 at 17:44

    I love your Totoro pattern and I'm making all three of them for my sister for christmas.

    I just have a small problem understanding how to do the leaf. I'm pracically at the end and right now it looks like a wavy circle with a kind ov v shape where I had to turn for the rounds. as the last two rounds were shorter than the rounds before...
    Now it says ss into edge of row and into the dip at the top of the leaf. I'm actually not entirely sure what I should do with that ^^;

    I made a photo to show you how it looks right now
    http://imgur.com/KprGk6D

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  45. LucyRavenscar26 October 2015 at 20:33

    I can't see your photo at the moment, but the leaf is round with a little 'v' where the stalk goes. The edges will be slightly wavy, though the last two rows have 47 st, so not fewer stitches than the rounds and rows before. To make the stalk you need to get yourself to the middles of the 'v', that's why you use a couple of slip stitches to work along the edge of the 'v'.

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  46. minazu.ruka26 October 2015 at 20:37

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  47. minazu.ruka26 October 2015 at 20:52

    Okay I think my problem is with the 'miss next st' when it says ch1, turn miss next st. is that next st the loop of the slipstitch or the last sc we did? because in row 5 it's 39 stitches and when I make the 9 increases (2+3)x9=45 + 1 sc+1ss I get 47 stitches but if I went with the 39 stitches and took the miss a stitch as the slipstitch I end up with one stitch too much because 39 +9 is 48 and not 47

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  48. LucyRavenscar31 October 2015 at 15:16

    On row 5, where it says 'miss next st' you're missing the ss. So, in row 5 you start with 32 st, you miss one and so lose it (31 st), then you do 8 increases, 31 + 8 = 39 st.
    In row 6 you you start with 39 st, you miss one and so lose it (38 st), then you do 9 increases, 38 + 9 = 47 st.
    The confusion might be where the start of the round/row is. Once you've done the ss at the start of row 5, then turned, that ss becomes the beginning of the new row.

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  49. minazu.ruka31 October 2015 at 16:30

    yes that was exactly the problem I had ^^ but now I got it and managed to finish my leaf ^^ now for the two small totoros XD

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  50. LucyRavenscar3 November 2015 at 11:55

    Excellent!

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  51. Kristin14 January 2016 at 15:14

    I made the big Totoro for my brother for Christmas. You're pattern is spot on and it came out amazing!!! Thank you!

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  52. LucyRavenscar18 January 2016 at 19:24

    Thanks, I hope he liked it!

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  53. Ramona7 February 2016 at 16:31

    Hello!
    Thank you for this pattern! I made the big Totoro and it turned out great, I love it!
    I posted it on my blog and liked your pattern, I hope it's okay. :)

    http://hellolovelyghost.blogspot.de/2016/02/diy-totoro-amigurumi.html

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  54. LucyRavenscar7 February 2016 at 23:53

    Thank you! Your Totoro looks very cute and cuddly.

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  55. Anonymous2 March 2016 at 04:51

    Me encantaron. Son impecables. Mil gracias los haré todos
    I love them all. They are impecable. Thanks a lot I will make all of them

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  56. LucyRavenscar3 March 2016 at 19:20

    Thank you! I hope you enjoy making them.

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  57. Emmy5 April 2016 at 08:23

    Hi Lucy, thank you so much for your patterns, I'm having a great time making the Totoros for my son. I'm having a bit of a problem with the tiny white one though. Round 1 is 6 St, in round 2 there are 4 increases around the pop stitches, how does that add up to 12? Hope you can help me here, thanks.

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  58. LucyRavenscar5 April 2016 at 08:36

    Hi Emmy, there are six increases because you work the 5dc pop and an sc into the same stitch, twice.

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  59. Emmy5 April 2016 at 08:56

    Wow, that was a quick reply! Thanks, I'm going to start again!

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  60. Anonymous17 April 2016 at 04:20

    Hi...Lucy...I am having a problem on crochet the Totoro leaf...at the Row 7, after the 45st, as into the edge of row and into the dip at the top of leaf...... .and making the stalk...from where to start the ch3? can u explain more details?

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  61. LucyRavenscar17 April 2016 at 23:32

    The last stitch in row 7 should take to into the dip at the top of the leaf - if it doesn't you might have miscounted somewhere, but you should be able to do another slip stitch or so to get you there. tHen you ch 3 and make the stalk.

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  62. Robert Costelloe10 May 2016 at 17:04

    You don't make any of these for purchase do you? I really want to buy the set for my new niece but can't say I am educated in the arts of knitting/crochet in any way whatsoever!

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  63. LucyRavenscar10 May 2016 at 19:06

    Sorry, I don't make them to sell myself. I don't mind other people making and selling them though, so if you searched on Etsy you might find some there.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous14 April 2017 at 22:28

    Hello Lucy,

    Thank you for writing such lovely patterns :)

    I am currently making the Grey totoro, please may i ask hpw far apart you placed the eyes?

    Thank you,

    Kathy x

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  65. LucyRavenscar14 April 2017 at 23:06

    Hi Kathy, Thanks! I didn't write it down at the time, but judging by the photos, I would say 14 stitches apart.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous14 April 2017 at 23:38

      Thank you kindly for you speedy reply :) x

      Delete
  66. Unknown7 June 2017 at 09:52

    thankyou so much they are so cute :D

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  67. Hazel Simpson12 February 2018 at 13:28

    Just finished making the grey totoro. My son loves it! Now I've got to make the blue and white ones for my daughter. Your patterns are amazing, thank you.

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  68. Anonymous16 February 2018 at 13:49

    I have just finished the body for the large blue one, but the shape is not correct. How do I stuff it to get the correct shape?

    Thank you!

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  69. LucyRavenscar16 February 2018 at 20:43

    Thanks Hazel!

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  70. LucyRavenscar16 February 2018 at 20:46

    Stuffing a large piece is quite hard work. Use a bit of stuffing at a time and push it right to the top. As you add more, use something like the handle of a wooden spoon to keep pushing it in firmly. When it seems like it's fully stuffed, keep stuffing until you really can't get any more in. Just make sure you don't stretch the stitches so that the stuffing shows through.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous17 February 2018 at 14:07

      That's what I did but it looks like a big spherical ball. It does not have a flat head and the stomach is about the same size as the head.is there anything else I can try to do to fix it? Or should I try starting over?

      Delete
  71. LucyRavenscar19 February 2018 at 09:39

    It sounds like your stitches might be a little loose so the fabric is stretching just a bit. You could take all the stuffing out and try again, or it might be best to start over.

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  72. Unknown14 June 2019 at 07:15

    Hey Lucy! I'm having a lot of difficulty with stuffing the grey totoro, I made two versions - one with cheap acrylic yarn and another with a softer yarn. With both I struggle for the stuffing to even out and leaves it looking lumpy and misshapen. Should I be using a smaller hook? What kind of stuffing did you use? Any tips? Thank you in advance!

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  73. Nighthawk8513 February 2020 at 22:31

    Hi LucyRavenscar!
    i wanted to ask your permission to sell the finish product. Giving you credit for the pattern,of course. let me know!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Anonymous27 November 2020 at 18:27

    cute

    ReplyDelete
  75. Nina22 March 2021 at 21:08

    Hello! I made the grey Totoro a few years ago and I would like to do another one for my niece this time. Unfortunately I can't find the pattern to buy anywhere... Is it no longer available??? Thanks in advance!

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  76. Unknown6 May 2021 at 21:32

    Hi! Would love to make a grey Totoro for my sister's birthday. Where do you think I can download the pattern?

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  77. Unknown10 May 2021 at 02:02

    Also wondering if there is any other way to get this pattern since its no longer available on ravelry? It is my fav grey totoro pattern I've found!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Lynne24 August 2021 at 20:06

    Yes, I've only just found this blog, having just purchased the Star Wars kits. I am a huge fan of Totoro and would love to have all the patterns for the various Totoros. Please mzke them available again!

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  79. LucyRavenscar10 October 2022 at 09:12

    Hi everyone, I'm afraid I've had to remove these patterns from Ravelry, and so I've had to delete comments referring to them. I have repurposed some elements of the basic shapes to make Chubby Bunny patterns, check them out in the list of free patterns on the right.

    ReplyDelete
  80. Anonymous11 July 2023 at 21:53

    Hi I was wondering if your totoro pattern is available anywhere?
    I would like to make him if possible and your pattern is the best one I have seen xx

    ReplyDelete
  81. LucyRavenscar11 July 2023 at 23:46

    If you message me on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/lucyravenscar) I can tell you what the situation is.

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  82. Anonymous26 December 2023 at 19:52

    Très beau modèle ! Mes enfants (28 à 21 ans) en ont voulu un chacun !

    ReplyDelete
  83. LucyRavenscar28 December 2023 at 13:13

    Merci beaucoup!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Anonymous6 January 2024 at 20:41

    Are the patterns available anywhere? I have the blue totoro pattern and fell in love with it! I am really wanting the grey and white patterns!

    ReplyDelete
  85. LucyRavenscar6 January 2024 at 22:15

    Message me on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/lucyravenscar) and I can tell you what the situation is.

    ReplyDelete