I get a lot of questions about my orangutan (mostly of the “I love that orange monkey on your homepage – where can I get the pattern?” nature), so I thought I’d put this page together, with links to everything you’ve ever wanted to know about my orang (who, incidentally, is an ape, not a monkey!) 🙂
First up, let me say: this is a one-of-a-kind, freeform art project. There is no pattern, and there never will be a pattern – I’m sorry. You can’t pattern art!
My crocheted orangutan was a long-term project: for years, I wanted to make a life-size, realistic baby orang. The idea began to become reality when I found the perfect yarn way back in August 2007.
I started working on the arms at the Creativ Festival in Toronto (Spring 2008)
And then I had artist’s block and couldn’t get the head right for a long time. But I perservered and finally completed the orang of my dreams!
I blogged about some of the process and details that went into making him – there was a lot to it.
When I brought him to the following year’s Creativ Festival in Toronto (Spring 2009) he got a lot of attention!
Now he sits happily in my craft room, with a delicious crocheted banana to snack on 🙂
My orangutan was a winner in the 2010 Instructables/Lion Brand Critter Contest.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment here! I read and appreciate every comment. I only respond to questions here on the blog, so please return to this page to see my reply, or check the box below to subscribe to new comments by email.
Please note that I can only answer questions related to PlanetJune patterns and tutorials (see details), and I can only respond to questions or comments written in English. Thank you :) - June
Sima said
Hi there the pattern is here www.instructables.com/id/Crocheted-Orangutan/
June said
Not quite, Sima – there is no pattern, I’m afraid! My instructables page for the orang utan just gives some of the same info from my blog posts (linked above) – there are no further details.
Janet said
Hi June –
I just finished an orang myself, but didn’t use eyelash yarn because I couldn’t see what I was doing and it just got bigger and bigger. So I just did it with regular yarn. I like him as is, but I wonder if I should do him again in wool and then brush it. In your book, you said that you have to use real wool, not acrylic, to do a brushing. I admire how you used such fluffy yarn so skillfully. I like your critters because they are realistic in many ways. Your book is always near by for consultation. Thank you.
Janet
June said
Janet, I think you must have misread my book – you don’t need to use real wool to brush your crochet! Check p110 for more info 🙂
Diane said
Hi there, I also wanted to mention that he’s just gorgeous. I am also wondering: isn’t that yarn terribly difficult to deal with? How can you see your crochets in it?
June said
Thanks, Diane! Working with fuzzy yarns is a little tricky, but I’ve developed techniques that make them much more manageable! If you’re interested, you’ll find them at www.planetjune.com/fuzzy 🙂
Terri said
June,
You are amazingly talented to have created such an amazingly realistic orang. I was saddened after endless searching for the perfect ape or monkey that there is no pattern 🙁 my little boy is obsessed with monkeys and apes. Is there a pettern for the banana? I will need to feed my ape when I do create him. Going to just try to free style after I get a bit more practice making other stuff. Thank u for being an inspiration.
Terri
Barb Miller said
www.youtube.com/watch?v=–szrOHtR6U
This might help with knowing the difference between a monkey and an ape! What an awesome orang! I can tell you, I’m going to try and figure out how you did it!
Heidi said
Great job! That orangutan is amazing.
Johanna said
Hi June i love amigurumi,i want to say there are so sweet.I have many amigurumis but i love yours.Can we please mail?
June said
Hi Johanna, nice to hear from you! You can email me at june@planetjune.com 🙂
nicolette said
thanks 🙂
nicolette said
hi June i absolutly looooovvvvvveeeeee pleseosauresus they are awsome and i would like a little plesiosaurus sooooooo much but i dont know how 2 get 1 i would really apretiate if u could please give me some feedback thanks nicolette
June said
Nicolette, you can find the plesiosaurus crochet pattern in my shop: www.planetjune.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_18&products_id=126 🙂
emma said
Hello, june you have a beautiful name, any way…. i was wondering: are you selling these brilliant orangutans?
June said
Hi Emma, I’m very sorry, but making my orang-utan was a one-of-a-kind, freeform art project, and he’s not for sale 🙂
ncgibson said
Hello June, I want to order the pattern for the orangutan, but I don’t see it on you website. My granddaughter would love it. I just love love your creations.
June said
I’m so sorry, but as I said in the post above, there is no pattern for the orang utan; he’s a one-off art piece. I’m sorry I couldn’t help!