Onigiri (Rice Ball) Plushie

By Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let's crochet!"

     For those who love cute things, this little rice ball is the perfect size to hold on your palm or attach to your bag as a keychain and be your traveling companion.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS
approx. 2.75"height x 3"length x 1.75"width

MATERIALS
*Crochet hook size: 3.5mm (E)
*Worsted Weight Yarn: White (25yds) & Petal Pink (1yd)
*Stitch Markers to mark your rounds
*Felt: Black & Pink

*9mm Safety Eyes  
*Fiberfill
*Tapestry Needle
*Hot Glue

PATTERN NOTES - must-read...
 Numbers in ( ) at the end of each round/row indicate the total number of stitches.
 Always use stitch markers to mark your rounds.
 There's no need to sl st and/or ch when going to the next round unless stated to do so.
 Always do the 1st stitch where you slip stitch from the previous round.
 The chain, in the beginning, does NOT count as one stitch unless stated otherwise.
 You slip stitch on the first sc, not on top of the chain 1.

SPECIAL STITCHES

Other side of the foundation chains - this VIDEO explains how to do this technique.

RICE BALL with white

  Rnd 1: ch9, sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 6 chs, 3sc in next ch, other side of the foundations chains sc in next 6 chs, 2sc in last ch, sl st into 1st st (18)

  Rnd 2: ch1, 2sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next 3 sts, sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sl st into 1st st (24)

  Rnd 3: ch1, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in next 4 sts, sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in next 3 sts, sl st into 1st st (32)

  Rnd 4: back loops only for this rnd ch1, sc in each st around, sl st into 1st st (32)

  Rnd 5-6: ch1, sc in each st around, sl st into 1st st (32)

  Rnd 7: ch1, *sc in next 14 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 1 more time, sl st into 1st st (30)

  Rnd 8: ch1, *sc in next 13 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 1 more time, sl st into 1st st (28)

  Rnd 9: ch1, *sc in next 12 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 1 more time, sl st into 1st st (26)

  Rnd 10: ch1, *sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 1 more time, sl st into 1st st (24)

  Rnd 11: ch1, *sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 1 more time, sl st into 1st st (22)

  Rnd 12: ch1, *sc in next 9 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 1 more time, sl st into 1st st (20)

Place eyes between rnd 9 and 10; 3 sts apart. Start stuffing the rice ball moderately firm.

  Rnd 13: ch1, *sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 1 more time, sl st into 1st st (18)

  Rnd 14: ch1, 2sctog around, sl st into 1st st (9)

  Rnd 15: ch1, *2sctog* repeat from * to * 3 more times, sc in last st, sl st into 1st st (5)

F/O and leave a tail for closing. Add any bits of stuffing need it to finish shaping the rice ball. Weave in the tail through the final round and draw up tight to close. Secure and weave in the ends.

Note: You can either crochet this section or use black felt. 

Nori (seaweed) with black

  Row 1: ch7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, turn (6)

  Row 2-6: ch1, sc in each st across, turn (6)

FO, secure and weave in the ends.

SHRIMP TAIL with petal pink

  Row 1: ch3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in last ch, ch3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st into the 1st ch of the foundation chains

F/O, tie a knot and leave the tails to sew into place.

ASSEMBLE
     I recommend pinning the pieces in place before sewing them to make sure you have them in the position you like best before sewing. (Most people like to use the yarn at the end of the finished pieces to sew them in place, but I personally like to use matching thread).
     TIP...For anything that I’m going to be using felt, I like to first sketch it out on white paper and make a stencil of what I need. Then cut it out. Then tape the stencil to the felt and cut it out.
     SHRIMP TAIL...sew it on the right side between rounds 13 and 14.

     NORI...place it in the center of the rice ball and sew or glue the felt in place.

     MOUTH...these can be done however you like; the possibilities are endless. You can search online for "kawaii faces" or anything along those lines to get some ideas.

     BLUSH...you can use pink felt and make tiny circles or you can use makeup blush and apply some on each side of the eyes. You can also embroider lines with thread.

GLOSSARY:

ch/s: chain/s  || f/o: finish off || rnd: round || sc: single crochet

sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together || sl st: slip stitch || st/s: stitch/es

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Have a nice crochet time!
- Janet

This pattern is an original pattern by Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let's crochet!" (May 2022). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint/repost it on your site. You may print and keep a copy for your own personal use. Please do not resell or distribute it.