Magnetic components in my Kissing Couple!
To make my amigurumi sets more interactive for kids, I have been using some tiny magnets inside. I know there are some hang-ups with using magnets when kids are playing but so far my preschooler seems to be loving it. When making the amigurumis, the crocheted layers between each ami does cover it quite well, assuming you don’t have many gaps in between, so the child should not be exposed to the magnets.
Alternatively, specifically for the kissing couple on the bench, the magnets could be removed and the amis just made as they were. So this time, I’ll be talking about how I incorporated them into their faces and how I did that for an earlier animal set I did too!
Magnets used
I used the 8mm sized magnets, there are a variety of sizes, the next one up is 12mm. There is a balance between the size of the magnets because the bigger ones are sometimes difficult to fit inside the head but the smaller ones have weaker magnetic potential. It is possible sometimes when the yarn used to crochet the individual pieces are thicker, after the full ami is completed, the magnetism is not strong and the intended effect is not there. So there is a bit of trial and error, depending on the size of the button magnet and the thickness of yarn used.
Insertion points
As you can see here, squeezing in the 8mm magnet was not too easy already, mostly because my amigurumis are smaller in size. Then again, making them with thicker or bulkier yarn might increase the size but similarly weaken the magnetism or attraction potential. To make it easier to insert in the magnet and continue crocheting around it, I placed another magnet on the outside to keep the internal one in place. So it looks a little like the 2 images below…
Intended magnetic effect
Similarly for Peter the boy, I added in another button magnet for Jane the girl. Whether you choose to include in the magnet in the end or not, this was the final intended effect. My little one knows there are magnets inside and she tries to line them up so that they can attract properly. At times, she dangles one over the other to test the strength of the magnetism too lol! I had to factor in a few things while making the pattern, which was to allow for the faces to be connected and yet enough space for the body below the heads to move freely, so that was a bit of a challenge.
All in all it was good fun making it and I love this set! This is how the final result looks like, in case you missed my previous post. You could position them this way without the magnets but it’s pretty difficult to keep them in this position :). I keep brainstorming new ways to try and make my ami sets more interactive, if you have any idea, I would love to see them in the comments below! What do you think of them?
Other sets making use of magnets
This was a woodland fall animal set I made some time back and my first attempt at using magnets, I had made some animals split into 2 and then magnetic components between them so that kids can mix and match each animal. It was all good fun! I even made a loghouse to keep everything together after they are done playing, although to be honest, I recently found my daughter’s bottom half of the hedgehog in an ice cream truck and the top half in the loghouse, haha. Check out more about that set below or click on the image below! Or see how I used the magnets in them in further detail!
In case you were looking for this set to make the Kissing Couple on the Bench, check it out below->
Note: This is for the PDF PATTERN to make the amigurumi, NOT the finished product.
Included
- 3 PDF patterns, total 26 pages
- For Peter, Jane and a bench
- Final figures measuring about 8cm tall (3 inches) using sport yarn (weight 2) and crochet hook size 2.0mm. They can be made bigger with bulkier yarn and bigger hook.
Crochet skill level
- Intermediate to advanced
- Some basic crochet skills are needed, such as the following: single crochet, slip stitch, half double crochet, double crochet, invisible decrease, changing colours.
Crochet equipment
- Sport size yarn (weight 2)
- Crochet hook size 2.0mm
- Others - darning needles, stitch markers, glass eyes
- For ideas where to get the equipment or how they look like, check out my blog post:
https://www.pocketyarnlings.com/blog/my-crochet-tools
Features
- Each pattern features various views and angles of finished amigurumi for easier reference on assembly.
- No limb attachments for them, mainly attachments for detailing.
- Figures work up pretty quickly, can be completed in 2 weeks or less.
- Final piece is mini-sized but adaptable, great for gifting.
Benefits
- Perfect as a gift, even if relatively last minute!
- Interactive toy!
- Stimulate your child’s imagination with pretend play! You can add magnets into their mouths for their kissing!
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After payment has been processed, you can download your PDF file immediately.
If you have any enquiry, please don’t hesitate to contact me here. I will do my best to answer your question within 12 working hours.
What do you think guys of using magnets? Of late, I have been brainstorming other ways to make interchangeable components which does not require using magnets, just crocheting using yarn, but I guess you have to stick around to find out more yah? :)
