Patterns, projects and techniques
Aran Pillows to Crochet (Leisure Arts #4838) is a fresh collection of home accessories in a classic style, perfect for every kind of decor! Becky Stevens designed the seven crochet patterns with plenty of interesting features, mostly from simple post stitches. The pillows use medium-weight yarn and are sized to fit 24-inch or 14-inch pillow forms, so finishing is also a breeze. They’re wonderful for housewarming gifts!
You can purchase this book here.
Just when you think the worlds of crochet and Pokémon cannot possibly become any more adorable, along comes a trading card featuring a tiny crocheted character sitting in its own handmade little world.
These crochet Pokémon cards are real, officially released Pokémon Trading Card Game cards illustrated with photographed crochet amigurumi. They have become favourites with both card collectors and yarn lovers, and honestly, it is not difficult to see why. They combine the nostalgia of collecting Pokémon cards with the wonderfully imperfect texture of handmade crochet.
It is the sort of crossover that makes you want to begin a new collection immediately—even though there are already three unfinished crochet projects beside the sofa and nowhere sensible to store another binder.
When people talk about crochet Pokémon cards, they are usually referring to official Pokémon trading cards illustrated by Japanese fibre artist Asako Ito.
Rather than drawing or digitally rendering the featured character, Ito crochets a small three-dimensional amigurumi version. The finished character is then photographed in a carefully arranged miniature setting to create the card artwork.
The results are delightfully tactile. You can see the individual stitches, shaped limbs and tiny embroidered details, along with handmade backgrounds that often feature yarn, felt and other textile elements.
Ito has illustrated dozens of cards for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, beginning during the Sun & Moon era. Her card list includes characters such as Poliwag, Metapod, Electrode, Goomy, Cherubi and several other wonderfully rounded creatures that seem particularly well suited to becoming amigurumi.
Part of their appeal is that they look completely different from the slick digital artwork found on many modern trading cards.
The stitches are visible. The shapes are slightly rounded. Occasionally a tiny arm or ear sits at a charmingly handmade angle. That is exactly what makes them so special.
Crocheters recognise the work behind every piece. We know that a small character can still involve:
A character may look simple on the finished card, but anyone who has made amigurumi knows that “simple” often means spending 20 minutes trying to turn a tiny crocheted tube right-side out.
Collectors also enjoy the idea of finding every card illustrated by the same artist. Instead of building a collection around one particular Pokémon or expansion, they can create an Asako Ito crochet card collection featuring the artist’s distinctive handmade style.
Online collector communities regularly share checklists and completed binders devoted entirely to these cards.
The individual models photographed for the illustrations are crocheted, but the trading cards themselves are standard printed Pokémon cards.
In other words, you are not buying a card made from yarn. You are buying an official card featuring a photograph of original crochet artwork.
That distinction is useful because the phrase “crochet Pokémon cards” is also used for several different handmade projects online, including:
One recent pattern trend uses tapestry crochet or crochet cross stitch to create a large textile version of a classic-style trading card. These projects recreate the general layout using blocks of colour and pixel-like stitches, turning a pocket-sized collectible into wall art or a cushion-sized display piece.
The handmade wall-hanging version is particularly clever.
Most designs begin with a rectangular single crochet or Tunisian crochet panel. The maker follows a colour chart to build the border, background, character image and card-style details row by row.
Some patterns use:
A crochet-and-cross-stitch combination can be a good option when the design contains lots of tiny lettering or pixel details. You first crochet a solid grid, then embroider the design over the stitches. It is a little like using your crochet fabric as plastic canvas.
These are not quick afternoon projects. There may be a great deal of counting, several bobbins of yarn and at least one moment when you realise you missed a colour change four rows ago.
Still, the finished result can be spectacular.
You can create fan-inspired textile art for your own personal display, but original Pokémon characters, logos and trading card layouts are protected intellectual property.
For a personal craft project, many makers use a purchased fan pattern or chart. Be cautious about selling finished pieces or redistributing charts based on copyrighted characters without permission.
A safer original-design approach is to borrow the general idea of a crocheted fantasy trading card without copying an official card. You could create:
Imagine a card called Stashasaurus, with the special ability to turn one ball of yarn into six unfinished projects. Now that is a character many of us already know.
Start by deciding whether you want a flat tapestry-style card or a three-dimensional design.
Create a rectangular chart using a simple grid. Each square represents one stitch.
Include:
Keep lettering large and simple. Tiny crocheted text becomes difficult to read very quickly, particularly when worked in thicker yarn.
Cotton or smooth acrylic yarn usually gives the clearest stitch definition. Avoid fluffy novelty yarn for the main panel unless you enjoy trying to count stitches while peering through what appears to be a small cloud.
Crochet a rectangular background panel, then make a separate miniature character to attach to the front.
You can add:
This produces something closer to a textile shadow box and gives you much more freedom to add depth.
For small details, use a smooth yarn with good stitch definition.
DK or light worsted-weight yarn is easier to control than bulky yarn and allows more detail without making the card enormous. Cotton yarn works particularly well for flat panels because it holds crisp edges, although a soft acrylic may be easier when making the amigurumi character.
Useful supplies include:
Small mixed-colour yarn packs can be useful for these projects because you need a wide range of shades but only a little of each. This is one of those rare occasions when the bag of mystery yarn scraps at the back of the cupboard may finally become genuinely useful.
For crocheters who would rather make the characters than collect the cards, we have a huge collection of more than 35 free Pokémon crochet patterns. It includes amigurumi designs and familiar favourites that would be perfect for creating your own Pokémon-inspired display.
You could also begin with our crocheted Pokémon Poké Ball pattern on CraftBits. The project uses red, black and white yarn and is a manageable introduction to shaping and stuffing crocheted balls.
For another quick yarn project, this Poké Ball pom-pom tutorial makes a fun bag charm or decoration without requiring advanced crochet skills.
We have also shared soft crochet ball patterns that make fun handmade gifts, including a Pokémon-inspired option for younger fans.
Collectors can search for the artist name Asako Ito when browsing card databases, online marketplaces or local card shops.
Before buying:
Some cards are inexpensive singles, while others may be harder to locate depending on the set, language, condition and current collector demand. Card availability and prices move around, so it is worth checking recent sold listings rather than assuming the highest advertised price is realistic.
For younger collectors, these can also be a lovely way to connect two hobbies. A child may begin by collecting the cards and then become curious about how the crocheted characters were made.
That sounds much nicer than explaining why someone has just traded away a perfectly good card at school for what appears to be a bent energy card and half a biscuit.
The crochet Pokémon cards illustrated by Asako Ito are tiny reminders that traditional crafts can find their way into the most unexpected places.
They celebrate visible stitches, handmade texture and the personality that comes from creating something by hand. Whether you collect the official cards, crochet an oversized card-style wall hanging or use the idea to invent your own original yarn creature, this is a wonderfully playful meeting of craft and pop culture.
And unlike most Pokémon, the crocheted versions are relatively easy to catch.
You simply need yarn, a hook and the willingness to sew on several very small limbs.