PlanetJune Craft Blog

Latest news and updates from June

PlanetJune Stories: Ann’s Giant Orca

Today’s PlanetJune Story comes from Ann Rowley in the UK. Ann first contacted me to ask for some advice on upsizing my Orca (Killer Whale) pattern to Giant scale.

I cautioned that, in Giant scale, the Orca would take a lot of yarn and likely be over 3 feet long! Even so, Ann thought that it would make a perfect gift to give to her 12 year old great niece who loves sea animals, saying “I’ve ordered the yarn as she is very worth it. I must admit I’m now a bit worried that I won’t manage it but I’ll give it a go”.

Armed with my Orca pattern and Complete Guide to Giant Amigurumi ebook, Ann got to work, and, just a few days later, she emailed me again with photos of the result! I was so impressed, I knew you’d love to see her amazing Giant Orca too.

Over to Ann:


PlanetJune Stories: Ann's Giant Orca

The Orca is 38” long nose to tail.

PlanetJune Stories: Ann's Giant Orca

I used 596 grams of Bernat Blanket in black (phew just made it from 2 balls) and 94 grams in white, plus a bit of scrap aran/worsted in black and white for the eyes.

PlanetJune Stories: Ann's Giant Orca

I did try to follow the pattern exactly apart from not cutting yarn on every colour change.

PlanetJune Stories: Ann's Giant Orca

The Orca was gifted to my 12 year old great niece who loved it. She is now named Orla the Orca. Several names starting with O were tried, some male as well, but apparently she’s an Orla. I am very happy as this might possibly be the last year she wants a giant crocheted animal, next year as a teenager they just might not be cool.

PlanetJune Stories: Ann's Giant Orca

My nephew commented how he liked the eyes! A relief as I didn’t think they showed much.

PlanetJune Stories: Ann's Giant Orca

Thank you so much for such a fantastic pattern. Easy to follow and a great result. I can imagine some baby orcas coming along…


(Back to me, June, again!)

Doesn’t it look fantastic? I’m thrilled with how well it turned out – you did a great job, Ann! At 38″ (97cm) long, this truly is a GIANT Orca, and I bet your great-niece will treasure her one-of-a-kind gift forever.

Thank you so much, Ann, for sharing your story with us today πŸ™‚

Please leave Ann a comment if you’ve enjoyed this post!

PS – If you’d like to make your own giant orca – or any other giant amigurumi! – here are the links to the PlanetJune pattern and ebook that Ann used:


Do you have a PlanetJune Story you’d like to share? I’d love to hear it! Please email your story to june@planetjune.com, together with one or more high quality photos showing what you’ve made from PlanetJune patterns. If I choose your story to feature here on the blog, I’ll send you your choice of pattern from my shop to say thank you!

10 Comments »

  1. Priscilla said

    Hi June,
    Thanks for sharing with us 😊

    Ann congratulations your work is absolutely beautiful and I’m sure your great niece will treasure Orla the Orca forever. Thank you for sharing 😊

  2. RuthL said

    Wow! You have done well Ann. πŸ‘
    Such a huge undertaking and Orla had turned out perfectly. I’m sure your niece will cherish your gift. πŸ₯°

  3. Sara said

    Super fun!!! I’ve never considered doing the color work on the giant amis before! I recently did a giant version of June’s male lion in 2 strands of blanket yarn held together as a commissioned piece. He turned out really well but thank goodness he was all one color (except his tiny chin). You did awesome!

  4. Paula said

    Wow!! I’m so impressed with this. I have the giant amigurumi book too, but haven’t actually tried one yet and this is making me really want to give it a shot! Excellent work

  5. Doug said

    Wow, great job and perfect timing while she will still enjoy it!
    They eyes are a bit subtle, but I love the glint you added.
    How many pounds of Polyfil did you need? Looks gigantic!

    • June said

      The glint is part of the pattern in the ebook, btw – it’s crocheted in!

  6. Kimberly said

    Really impressive amigurumi! So much black (and fuzzy-ish) yarn – you should be commended. πŸ™‚

  7. Cheryl Hill said

    Your Orca is fantastic!!!! I love how you got her to be so large!!! You truly did do a great job and I am so glad your great neice loved it!!!!

  8. Katy K said

    That is awesome! Good job!

  9. LindY G said

    WOW, big and beautiful. Love the giant Orca.

RSS feed for comments on this post

Leave a Reply

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

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Quick Links: Crochet

    navigation: arrow

    buy crochet patterns and accessories from my online store

    'Everyday Crochet' and 'The Essential Guide to Amigurumi' crochet books by June Gilbank

    Crochet video tutorials and step-by-step photo tutorials

    Free PlanetJune crochet patterns

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Quick Links: Crafts

    navigation: arrow

    Punchneedle Embroidery information, ebook & patterns

    Papercraft ebook & tutorials

    Free PlanetJune craft projects & tutorials

  • Blog Post Categories

  • Blog Archives

  • CAL Galleries

    Ravellenic Games: Team PlanetJune
    PlanetJune Reindeer Games
    PlanetJune Temperature Snake CAL

  • Welcome to PlanetJune!

    June Gilbank

    Hi, I'm June. Welcome to my world of nature-inspired crochet and crafting. I hope you enjoy your visit!

    If you'd like to get in touch, you can contact me here.
    crocheted Canadian flag by PlanetJune
  • A fanned-out pile of the books Everyday Crochet and The Essential Guide to Amigurumi, with text 'The answers to all your crochet questions at your fingertips - find out more'
  • Support PlanetJune!

    Want to say thanks? You can send me money in seconds at paypal.me/planetjune (over $20) or paypal.me/planetjune2 (under $20) or send me a donation through my shop.

    Or simply click through from my links before you shop at Amazon, Etsy, KnitPicks, LoveCrafts or Crochet.com, and I'll make a small commission on your purchase, at no cost to you! Start here:

    ♥ Support PlanetJune ♥

    Tip: This link is also in the footer of every page!

    Thank you so much for your support!