Introduction: Angry Enderman With Arduino Lilypad

We're going to create an amigurumi enderman whose eyes flash and body shakes, just like an angry enderman!


For this project you'll need:

  • Arduino lilypad(a Lilypad ProtoSnap Development Board was used here)
  • 2 tri-LEDs (one comes with the ProtoSnap board)
  • 1 Vibe Board (one comes with ProtoSnap board)
  • Conductive thread (comes with ProtoSnap board)
  • worsted-weight black yarn
  • purple or magenta felt
  • crochet hook
  • plastic canvas
  • fiberfill
  • Optional:
    • 3 teddy bear joints
    • black felt

Step 1: Create the Enderman's Body

This enderman largely follow's WolfDreamer's Enderman pattern. She does a good job of explaining how to created the inner structure of the enderman so it stays square (please read her instructions carefully). Make sure you do not make the eyes yet.

You may want to also sew on a little felt strap to hold the lilypad's battery.

My alterations (optional):

Arms--I used teddy bear joints to attach the arms to the torso. I also put little squares of plastic canvas in the tops and bottoms of the arms and legs to give them some shape.

Head--I use a teddy bear joint to attached the head and the torso, because I really hate sewing crochet parts together. It's a lot easier to sew the head on, but if you use the joint your endeman's head can swivel. If you use a joint, be sure to sew on a strip of felt or fleece to the back of the head, so that later the conductive threads won't be broken or twisted when the enderman's head moves.

Legs--My enderman's legs are just a longer and thicker version of the arms, but feel free to use the legs in the original pattern. Pattern for my version of the legs (based on WolfDreamer's pattern for arms):

Rnd 1: 8 sc in magic ring, join with sl stitch and chain 1

Rnd 2. Sc in same sc as join, 3 sc in next sc (corner), * sc in next sc, 3 sc in next * repeat * to * twice more. Join with sl st and chain 1

Rnd 3: Sc in first 2 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in last sc. Join with sl st and chain 1

Rnd 4: Sc in first 3 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc, 3 sc in next sc, sc in last 2 sc. Join with sl st and chain 1

Rnd 5-43: sc in each sc around.

Rnd 44: Sc in first 3 sc, dec3, sc in next 5 sc, dec3, sc in next 5 sc, dec3, sc in next 5 sc, dec3, sc in last 2 sc. Join with sl st to first sc, chain 1

Rnd 45: Sc in first 2 sc, dec3, sc in next 3 sc, dec3, sc in next 3 sc, dec3, sc in next 3 sc, dec3, sc in last sc. Join with sl st to first sc, chain 1

Rnd 46: Sc in first sc, dec3, sc in next sc, dec3, sc in next sc, dec3, sc in next sc, dec3. Join with sl st to first sc


Step 2: Program the Lilypad

We're now going to program the Lilypad and make sure all our bits work! Copy the code from the file below into the Arduino application. If everything works, the tricolor LEDs should cycle through different shades of purple and the vibe board should vibrate.

Once everything is functional, break apart the lilypad and sew on the parts as shown in the diagram. The vibe board is attached to the enderman's torso and the tricolor LEDs where the eyes are. The lilypad board will be attached to the back of the enderman.

My code borrows from several arduino/lilypad tutorials. You can visit them at these links:

Color (LED) tutorial

Vibe Board Tutorial


Attachments

Step 3: Attach the Lilypad Componants

An important note before we begin:

You should never cross the conductive thread. If two different strands come into contact, it can mess up your circuit. However, because our enderman is crocheted, we can cheat a little here. Since crochet is made up of thick stitches, its possible to run our conductive thread beneath and over the crochet stitches without risk of the thread touching. In the diagrams below, you'll see threads "cross"--simply run one thread below a crocheted stitch and the other thread above the same stitch. The sewing diagrams for each component are below (pink circles mean you need to run one stitch above another one).

You can also add a strap of felt to hold the lilypad's battery. Sew on purple rectangle of felt for the enderman's eyes once you've attached the Tricolor LEDs (make sure to cut holes out for the lights!), and you can sew on a heart to cover up the motor.

*Word to the wise: don't turn on the enderman until all your stitches are in place. It is absolutely possible to make the lilypad board spark, and you really don't want all your hard work to go up in flames.

Attachments

Step 4: Find a Dark Room...

And switch on the lilypad! Congratulations, you should now have a fully-functional (and angry!) Enderman. Don't look him in the eyes!

If your enderman isn't working right, double-check your stitching to make sure none of your stitches are accidentally touching. You may need to rename the pins in your code after you break the lilypad apart.