Amigurumi RoboCharm: a Pocket-Sized Birthday Celebration

This year, Instructables is celebrating its 20th birthday, and I wanted to mark the occasion with something handmade and meaningful. The mascot , Robo, has always been a symbol of creativity, curiosity, and building things with your own hands. Instead of making something big, I chose to create a small Amigurumi RoboCharm that can be carried anywhere.

At the center of this project is a bright yellow Crochet Robo Charm, made with tiny arms, legs and eyes to capture the robot’s happy look. To give it a proper party setting, I also created a few simple but festive decorations – colorful balloons, a small gift box, and a sweet rolled cake. Together, these pieces create a complete little birthday scene. These miniature details add a festive touch and help capture the birthday spirit alongside the RoboCharm. Even though the project itself is simple, together they create a warm feeling of joy and celebration.

I wanted this project to be approachable, so the design uses basic crochet techniques and simple shapes. Even with minimal details, the charm still captures the familiar look of Robo, and it shows how a small project can still carry a big meaning. This tiny robo charm can also be turned into a keychain, so you can carry the celebration with you everywhere.

This Amigurumi RoboCharm is my way of celebrating 20 years of Instructables — twenty years of makers sharing, learning, and inspiring one another. It’s a small tribute to a platform that has encouraged countless people, including me, to keep making.

Abbreviations for Crochet

1. Ch: chain
2. SC: single crochet
3. Hdc: half double crochet
4. DC: double crochet
5. Tr: treble crochet
6. Sl st: slip stitch
7. MR: magic ring
8. Inc: increase (2 SC in one stitch)
9. R: round

Yarns (Main & Accent Colors)

1. ​Bright Yellow: The primary color for Robo's body and limbs. This vibrant shade makes the mascot instantly recognizable.
2. ​Orange: A fantastic contrast color, especially fitting as it's the classic Instructables orange!
3. ​Teal/Dark Blue, White, Pink, Green, and Red: A variety of colors necessary for the festive elements, including the balloons, the rolled cake, and the gift box.
4. ​Black: Used for the small, crucial details like Robo's eyes.

​Tools & Notions

1. ​Crochet Hook: 3.5mm crochet hook is essential for working with the fine yarn to create the small, tight stitches characteristic of amigurumi.
2. ​Scissors: A sharp pair (the pink ones shown) for cutting yarn tails.
3. ​Stitch Markers: The small plastic clips (pink and purple) are crucial for marking the beginning of rounds when crocheting in a spiral, which helps you keep your stitch count accurate.
4. ​Yarn Needle (Tapestry Needle): The long red needle is necessary for sewing the pieces together (like attaching arms and legs) and for weaving in the yarn ends neatly.
5. ​Safety Eyes (Optional): The two small black plastic pieces can be used as an alternative to embroidered eyes, providing a cute, distinct look for the charm.

​Finishing & Hardware

1. ​Stuffing (Poly-Fil): The fluffy white material is used to firmly stuff Robo’s body to give the charm its three-dimensional shape.
2. ​Keychain Ring: The silver ring and chain allow you to convert your finished RoboCharm into a portable keychain, letting you "carry the celebration with you everywhere."

1. Robo's Body (Start with Yellow yarn)

R1 10 sc into the MR

R2 Inc in every stitch.

R3 (SC 1, Inc) repeat around.

R4 -R12 SC in every stitch.

R13 (SC 4, Inc) repeat around. after this stuff the body.

R14 (SC 3, Dec) repeat around. (Work in BLO)

R15 (SC 2, Dec) repeat around. (Work in BLO)

R16 SC in every stitch. (Work in both loops)

R17 Dec in every stitch.

1. Head (yellow yarn)

R1 MR, SC 6. (Sl st to join).

R2 Inc in every stitch.

R3 (SC 1, Corner) repeat 4 times. Corner =(SC 1, Ch 1, SC 1) into the next stitch.

R4 Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). SC in the BLO of every stitch and the Ch 1 spaces around. (Or, SC in BLO until the next corner, then place a new corner in the Ch 1 space).

R5 SC in every stitch around.

R6 SC in every stitch around.

R7 SC in the BLO of every stitch around. Sl st to join, fasten off, and weave in ends.

1. Arms (yellow yarn)

R1: Make a MR and work 6 SC into the ring.

R2: Inc (2 SC in one stitch) in every stitch around.

R3 - R8: SC in every stitch around.

1. Legs (yellow yarn)

R1: Make a MR and work 6 SC (single crochet) into the ring.

R2: Inc (increase, 2 SC in one stitch) in every stitch around.

R3 - R10: SC in every stitch around.

1. Ears

Part 1: Ear Base (Red yarn)

R1: Make a MR (Magic Ring) and work 4 SC (single crochet) into the ring.

R2: Inc (increase, 2 SC in one stitch) in every stitch around. (8)

Part 2: Ear Spike (Black)

1. Ch 3 (chain three).
2. Sl st (slip stitch) into the next two chain stitches from the hook. (This forms the tapered spike.)
3. Sl st back into the first stitch of Part 1 (R2) to secure the spike.

Assembly :

1. Attach both completed Ears to the top sides of the Square-Shaped Head.

1. Robo's Eyes (Embroidery or Tiny Crochet)

​Option 1 (Stitch): Use black yarn and a yarn needle to stitch two small French knots or simple straight lines onto the face area of the body.

​Option 2 (Crochet): MR 3 SC, Sl st to close. (Make 2).

This step brings all your crocheted parts—the body, head, limbs, and ears—together to create the final RoboCharm. Take your time with the placement, as careful stitching makes all the difference!

1. Attaching the Head

1. Stuffing Check: Ensure the Body piece is firmly stuffed. If the Head piece is separate, stuff it lightly to maintain its square shape.
2. Stitching: Using the long yarn tail left on the head (or body), position the square head securely on top of the rounded body.
3. Whipstitch the two pieces together, working your needle through a stitch on the head and a corresponding stitch on the body until the pieces are neatly and firmly joined.

2. Placing the Eyes

1. Position: Using a small amount of black yarn and a yarn needle, stitch on Robo's eyes. Place them on the front of the square head.
2. Expression: Stitch a simple, happy expression. You can use two small vertical stitches for a "dot" eye, or a small horizontal line for a little smile, if desired. Weave the ends securely inside the head.

3. Adding the Ears

1. Placement: Take the two finished Ears (with the red base and black spike). Position them symmetrically on the top corners of the square head.
2. Secure: Using the long yarn tail from the ear, stitch the red base firmly to the head, ensuring the black spike points upward. Repeat for the second ear.

4. Sewing on the Limbs

1. Arms: Position the Arms on the upper sides of the body, just below the neck/head join. You can place them slightly forward to give Robo character.
2. Legs: Place the Legs on the bottom of the body. They should be positioned symmetrically to allow the charm to sit flat, if possible.
3. Finishing: Use the yarn tails and a needle to sew the arms and legs firmly to the body, weaving all loose ends securely into the piece once the parts are attached.

5. Final Touch: The Charm Loop

1. If you plan to turn your Robo into a keychain, thread a piece of yarn through the top center of the head. Tie this yarn loop through a keychain ring or lobster clasp to make it portable.

This miniature cake uses a simple color change to create the illusion of a striped sponge and filling, perfect for Robo's birthday!

Part 1: Cake Layer (Pink) and Cream (White)

The cake is worked in a striped rectangle that is then rolled up. You will need to make both the pink and white layers as separate pieces and join them.

Pink Cake Layer (Make 1)

1. Make a slip knot.
2. Ch 50 (chain 50).
3. DC (double crochet) into the second chain from the hook and in each remaining chain across. (49 DC)
4. Fasten Off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

White Cream Layer (Make 1)

1. Make a slip knot.
2. Ch 50.
3. DC into the second chain from the hook and in each remaining chain across. (49 DC)
4. Fasten Off.

Assembly of Layers

1. Place the Pink cake layer directly on top of the White cream layer, aligning all the edges.
2. Carefully roll the two stacked layers tightly along the long edge (the 49-stitch edge) to create the signature swirl effect.
3. Use the long yarn tail from the Pink layer to stitch the outer edge closed, securing the cake log shape. Knot and weave in the end.

Part 2: Red Cherry

This simple, round cherry is attached directly to the top of the cake.

1. Make a MR (Magic Ring) and work 4 SC (single crochet) into the ring. (4)
2. Pull the tail tight to close the ring, forming a small sphere.
3. Fasten Off, leaving a tail for attachment.

Part 3: Final Cake Assembly

1. Placement: Take the small Red Cherry and position it on top of the rolled cake log.
2. Attach: Use the yarn tail from the cherry and a needle to sew the cherry firmly in place. Weave in the final ends.
3. Finished: The sweet rolled cake is now complete!

Part 1: The Gift Box Lid (teal yarn)

R1: Make a MR (Magic Ring) and work 8 SC (single crochet) into the ring. (8)

R2: Inc (increase) in every stitch around. (16)

R3: (SC 1, Inc) repeat around. (24)

R4 (Square Shaping): (SC 2. Then, in the next stitch: Inc. Ch 1. In the next stitch: Inc. SC 2.) Repeat this sequence around.

1. This creates 4 sides and 4 corner spaces.

R5 (Lid Edge): Ch 1, SC in every stitch and in the Ch 1 spaces around.

1. This final round gives the lid the slight lip needed to sit snugly on the box.

Finishing Part 1:

1. Sl st (slip stitch) to join. Cut the yarn, leaving a short tail to weave in.

Part 2: The Main Box Body

The body needs to be the same size as the Lid's R4, but we'll use a slightly different technique to create the straight, vertical walls without adding bulk.

R1 - R4: Repeat R1 through R4 exactly as you did for the Lid.

1. This ensures the circumference matches.

R5 (Create Vertical Wall): Sl st into the first Ch 1 space. Ch 2. SC in BLO (Back Loop Only) of the next stitch. Continue to SC in BLO around the entire box, skipping the four Ch 1 spaces from R4.

1. Working in the BLO creates a sharp corner for the base of the box.

R6 - R7 (Box Height): Ch 1 (turning chain), turn. SC in every stitch around. (Repeat for 2 or 3 rounds, or until the desired box height is reached.)

Finishing Part 2:

1. Sl st to join. Cut the yarn and weave in the end.

R1: Make a MR (Magic Ring) and work 6 SC (single crochet) into the ring. (6)

R2: Inc (increase) in every stitch around. (12)

R3 - R4: SC in every stitch around. (12)

R5: (SC 1, Dec) repeat around. (8)

Finishing:

1. Before closing, gently stuff the balloon with a small pinch of Poly-Fil.
2. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail.
3. Weave the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tightly to close the opening. Knot and weave the yarn tail securely into the balloon.

We have successfully completed the Amigurumi RoboCharm Birthday Scene!

This little project is a wonderful, crocheted tribute to the 20th birthday. It celebrates the spirit of "learning by doing" that Instructables embodies and the joy we find in creating things with our own hands.

How to Use Your RoboCharm

The Portable Mascot: Your RoboCharm is built to travel! Use the loop at the top of the head to clip him onto your gear.

1. Attach him to your bag (as seen in the photos!) to make a fun, creative statement on your backpack or purse.
2. Use him as a durable keychain for your house or car keys.
3. Clip him to a zipper pull on your craft bag or pencil case.
4. He is your personal, portable symbol of creativity, reminding you to keep making wherever you go.

Happy 20th Birthday, Instructables Robot!