This tutorial accompanies my free cupcake pattern and is geared towards beginners. It assumes you have a basic understanding of several crochet techniques or a reference available–single crochet, slip stitches, chain stitches, increasing and decreasing in single crochet, and how to count stitches. Don’t know what these are? Try Google or your local library for how to crochet instructions. UK residents please note that US and UK crochet patterns use the same terms to describe different stitches, apparently designed for maximum confusion. ^_^;; I use US terms.

Materials needed
Worsted weight yarn of your choice
Shown in Red Heart Super Saver in Cornmeal (MC), Light Blue (CC1), Cherry Red (CC2)
3.75 mm (size F) crochet hook
6 mm black safety eyes
Black embroidery floss
Polyester stuffing
Yarn and embroidery floss needles
Stitch markers
Scissors

The Pattern
The amigurumi cupcake pattern is here . Print it out for reference. A note on the crochet hook size: Everyone crochets at a different gauge or tension (measured in number of stitches per four inches), so not everyone will require the same size hook. Use whatever size will produce a dense fabric–this is important so that the stuffing cannot be pulled out. If your cupcake is looking too lacy, switch to a smaller hook.

Abbreviations
sc — single crochet
st — stitch
sl st — slip stitch
ch — chain
sc2tog — single crochet 2 together

The Magic Ring
I’m lacking a second pair of hands to hold the camera to photograph this technique so… I will refer you to The Magic Adjustable Ring tutorial, steps 1-13. Substitute single crochet for the double crochet shown. Or try the book Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller. The magic adjustable ring comes in very handy when making amigurumi because it eliminates the hole that can otherwise form at the beginning of your work, so take some time to practice.

The base
Rnd 1 — With MC work 7 sc into magic ring
Take your MC (main color) and for round 1, work 7 single crochet into a magic ring. Pull on the short tail (the one not attached to the skein) to tighten into a little circle like the one shown below. Note how the stitches are numbered.

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Rnd 2 — Work 2 sc in each st around (14 sts)

For round 2 you will be doubling the number of stitches by working two single crochet into each single crochet from the first round. The rule of thumb for crocheting a flat circle in single crochet is to increase the same number of stitches per round as you started with (in this case, 7).

The last number in parentheses in the pattern indicates the number of stitches you will have at the end of the round. Count them to make sure you’re on track.

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Rnd 3 — [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] repeat around (21 sts)

The brackets here mark a section to be repeated (some patterns use asterisks). So round 3 (pictured) written out would be: 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st.

The green thing in the photo is a stitch marker. Use it to mark the first stitch of the round to keep track of where you are. I like to put mine below the first stitch, in the previous round, but do whatever works for you. Move the marker every time you finish a round.

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Rnd 4 — [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st] repeat around (28 sts)
Rnd 5 — [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] repeat around (35 sts)
Rnd 6-13 — Sc in each st around (35 sts)

Rounds 4 and 5 continue to make the circle bigger, until you have 35 stitches. Beginning with round 6, single crochet in each single crochet around. Continue to work even (without change) through round 13. This gives the base a cup shape.

Finish the last round by cutting the yarn and leaving a long tail for sewing the frosting to the base, then work a slip stitch. Pull the tail through the loop on the hook so your work doesn’t unravel. Trim the short tail from the magic ring. It is not necessary to weave this end in.

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The frosting

Rnd 1 — With CC1 work 7 sc into magic ring
Rnd 2 — Work 2 sc in each st around (14 sts)
Rnd 3 — [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] repeat around (21 sts)
Rnd 4 — [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st] repeat around (28 sts)
Rnd 5 — Sc in each st around (28 sts)
Rnd 6 — [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] repeat around (35 sts)
Rnd 7-9 — Sc in each st around (35 sts)

With CC1 (contrasting color) begin working the frosting the same way you did the base. In fact, the first 4 rounds are the same. Round 5 is worked without increases to give a dome shape to the frosting.

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Rnd 10 — [(1 sc, 1 ch, 1 sc) in next st, 1 sl st in next st] repeat around to last sc.

Round 10 forms the ruffle. You will be working 1 single crochet, 1 chain, and 1 single crochet into the first stitch, followed by 1 slip stitch in the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around. Slip stitch in the last stitch, cut yarn and leave a tail. Pull the tail through the loop to prevent your work from unraveling.

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Using a yarn needle, weave in the tail on the inside. Work in an up-and-down S shape, bringing the tail through several stitches, then work back in the opposite direction to make a figure 8 shape. Trim end.

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Attach the eyes and embroider the face. Be creative here. Go for an angry, sad, blushing, or crazy cupcake if you want!

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Sew the top to the bottom with whip stitches as pictured. Make sure you are sewing to round 9 or so of the frosting, not to the ruffle itself. Leave about an inch open, add stuffing, then sew completely closed. Secure yarn tail and pull through to opposite side of cupcake. Squish the cupcake a little and trim the tail close so it will disappear inside once the cupcake is unsquished (is that a word?).

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The Cherry

Rnd 1 — With CC2 work 5 sc into magic ring
Rnd 2 — Work 2 sc in each st around (10 sts)
Rnd 3 — Sc2tog around (5 sts)

The cherry is not quite a full sphere so it sits nicely in the frosting. Work round 3 with decreases (pictured).

Finish with a slip stitch and pull tail through loop. The tail will be used to sew the cherry to the cupcake. Thread the other tail (from the magic ring) on a needle and pull it through to the right side. Trim it to make the cherry stem. Stuff and attach cherry. You can also use buttons, beads, or sequins to decorate.

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You’re done!

This tutorial is written by Nimoe. Please do not repost or distribute it. Thank you!