The rhythmic, familiar click-swoosh of the crochet hook is a sound that usually lives in the background of my life, but with the final season of Stranger Things looming, it suddenly took centre stage. There’s something about the wait for the end of an era that makes you want to hold onto a piece of it. For me, that meant finally tackling a creature that is as terrifying as it is strangely beautiful: the Demogorgon.
The core insight of this project was discovering that “muscle memory” in crochet never truly leaves you; it simply waits for the right spark—and perhaps a bit of AI assistance—to reignite.
Finding My Way Back to the Hook
It’s been a while since I sat down with a proper project. As a dad to two energetic children, my “making” time usually involves Lego, but I’ve always been at my happiest when I’m creating something from scratch. I’d forgotten how much I missed that slow, satisfying crawl towards a finished product.
I was worried I might have lost the knack. However, the moment the yarn touched my fingers, it was like my hands remembered. The speed came back almost instantly. It turns out that for many of us these repetitive, tactile actions are hard-wired into our system. It wasn’t just about making a toy; it was about the sensory satisfaction of the yarn and the predictability of the stitches.
When Sci-Fi Meets Silicon: Using AI to Refine the Pattern
I started with some fantastic video tutorials I found online. But, being a bit of a stickler for terminology (and wanting a pattern I could actually follow without pausing a video every five seconds), I decided to bring Gemini into the mix.
Using AI to analyse and refine crochet patterns allows for a bespoke making experience, tailoring complex instructions to your preferred terminology and skill level.
I used Gemini to transcribe the logic of the videos into a written pattern that made sense to me. But we didn’t stop there. I asked it to look at photos of the “real” Demogorgon from the show to see if we could adjust the pattern to be just a bit more accurate. We refined the taper of the fingers and the way the beige outer petals flared. It felt like a true collaboration between my experience and the AI’s analytical eye.
I still needed to review and tweak the pattern but Gemini did a great job. I was really impressed with the results.
Pro-Tip: The “Weave-as-you-go” Rule
If there is one piece of advice I can give to my fellow crocheters, it’s this: Weave in your ends as you go. I absolutely loathe being left with a “yarn octopus” at the end of a project. It’s the least favourite part of the process for me. I’ve made it a non-negotiable rule to secure those ends as I finish each section. It keeps the workspace tidy and means that when that last stitch is done, you’re actually done.
Teeth, Textures, and Tactile Joy
The Demogorgon is all about the mouth, isn’t it? To get that terrifyingly iconic look, I used embroidery thread and specific stitches to create the teeth. It worked brilliantly, giving that sharp, jagged contrast against the soft yarn.
I’d seen some suggestions about using eyeshadows for shading—to give it that fleshy, visceral look. While I didn’t get round to it this time, the idea is definitely filed away for the “Demo-dog” I’m planning.
To create realistic detail in amigurumi, layering different materials like embroidery thread over crochet stitches provides a level of depth that yarn alone cannot achieve.
A Race Against the Christmas Clock
This project became a bit of a personal mission because I’d decided this little monster was going to be a Christmas gift for a friend. There’s a specific kind of adrenaline that comes with finishing a handmade gift the night before you’re due to see the recipient!
Seeing him so happy with it made the late-night sessions totally worth it. Being able to gift something handmade, thoughtful, and unique feels really special.
The Neurodivergent “Flow”
Beyond the fandom, this project reminded me why I love crochet. I’ve come to realise that the “repetitive” nature of crochet isn’t just a hobby—it’s a form of regulation. The texture, the counting, the predictable outcome… it’s a quiet space in a loud world.
So, what’s next? I think a Demo-dog is definitely in the cards. Watch this space—I suspect my hooks won’t be gathering dust for much longer.
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