Stuffed creature

Crochet pattern: Elephant

Pattern, Stuffed creature / / , , ,

Large crocheted pink elephant on white background

This elephant is probably my best-selling item at craft shows. It’s also a fun thing to make, so I’m sharing my pattern with you so you can create your very own cuddly pachyderm!

Materials:

  • Yarn of desired weight
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • 2 button eyes

Gauge/Yarn

Gauge is unimportant; use a hook that ensures stitches are tight enough that stuffing doesn’t ooze out.

Notes:

  1. Pattern is worked in the round unless otherwise noted.
  2. Decrease: insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then into front loop of stitch after that. YO, pull through both front loops, YO, pull through loop. This is called an invisible decrease.

Body:
Ch 2 (or work magic loop).
Rnd 1: In second stitch from hook (or in magic loop), 6 sc. (6 sc)
Rnd 2: 2sc in first sc of previous round, 2sc in each of the next 5 sc. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (Sc, 2sc in next sc) 6 times. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 stitches, 2sc in next sc) 6 times. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: Sc in next stitch, (2sc in next st, sc in next 3 stitches) five times, 2sc in next stitch, sc in next 2 stitches. (30 sc)
Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 stitches, 2sc in next sc) 6 times. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Sc in next 2 stitches, (2sc in next st, sc in next 5 stitches) five times, 2sc in next stitch, sc in next 3 stitches. (42 sc)
Rnd 8-12: 42 sc around. Mark last stitch in row. (42 sc)

Trunk:
Rnd 13: Sc in next 6 stitches. (6 sc)
Rnd 14: Sc in first stitch of the previous row (next to the stitch that’s marked), (2sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch) x 2, 2sc in next stitch. (9 sc)
Rnd 15-17: 9 sc around. (9 sc)
Rnd 18: Dec in next stitch, sc, 2sc in next stitch, sc, 2 sc in next stitch, sc, dec. (9 st)
Rnd 19: (Sc in next stitch, dec) x3. (6 st)
Rnd 20: Sc around (6 sc).
Finish off, leaving tail long enough to sew trunk shut and sew hole where trunk meets body.

Body (continued):
Rnd 13: Continuing next to where the trunk was made, sc around. (36 sc)
Rnd 14: Sc around. Mark last stitch in row. (36 sc)
Stuff trunk.

Legs (make 4):
Rnd 15: Sc in next 9 stitches. (9 sc)
Rnd 16: Sc in first stitch of the previous row (next to the stitch that’s marked), sc in next stitch, (2sc in next stitch, sc in next 2 stitches) x 2, 2sc in next stitch. (12 sc)
Rnd 17-21: Sc around. Finish off. (12 sc)
Rnd 22: Working in back loops with different color, 6 dec. Finish off, leaving long enough tail to sew hole shut. (6st).
Stuff each leg.

Belly:
Foundation: Working in sc between legs, (sc in sc, ch 4) x4. Sl in first sc made.
Rnd 1: 3 sc in each ch space. (12 sc)
Rnd 2: 6 dec around. Finish off, leaving tail that can wrap around elephant at least 3-4 times. (6 st).
Stuff body. Using tail, sew the ch spaces to each leg so that no stuffing can come out.

Ears (make 2):
Ch 2.
Rnd 1: In second loop from hook, 4 sc. Turn. (4 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1. 2sc in each sc around. Turn. (8 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc in first stitch, (2sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch) x3, 2sc in next stitch. Turn. (12 sc).
Rnd 4: Ch 1. Sc in first 2 stitches, (2sc in next stitch, sc in next 2 stitches) x3, 2sc in next stitch. Turn. (16 sc).
Rnd 5: Ch 1. Sc in first 3 stitches, (2sc in next stitch, sc in next 3 stitches) x3, 2sc in next stitch. Finish off, leaving long enough tail to sew ears to body. (20 sc).

Assembly:
Sew ears to body.
Sew button eyes to body, on either side of the trunk. Or conversely, make yarn eyes (ch 2, 6 sc in second chain from the hook. Finish off) and sew them on.

Row of green, yellow, and red crocheted elephants on white background

Bookmark this project on Ravelry!

Crochet pattern: Elephant Read More »

Weekend showcase: Emotional support pickle

Pattern, Stuffed creature, Weekend Showcase / / , , ,

In 1983, it was the Cabbage Patch Kids.

In 1996, it was Tickle Me Elmo.

Now, in 2023, I present to you the hottest Christmas present that retailers (by which I mean me) just can’t keep in stock…

The emotional support pickle.

Two crocheted pickles holding hearts that read "you're a big dill" and "emotional support pickle."

A coworker requested one, and when other people in my department saw it, I was asked to make several more. These guys were also pretty popular at craft shows I sold at this fall/winter.

Fortunately they’re easy to make!

Materials:
Yarn of desired weight
Fiberfill stuffing
2 bead eyes
Red yarn for mouth
Wooden heart (or other shape) for sign
Hot glue gun

Gauge/Yarn
Gauge is unimportant; use a hook that ensures stitches are tight enough that stuffing doesn’t ooze out. I used a chenille chunky weight yarn and size I hook, and they ended up about 6 inches tall.

Notes:

  1. Pattern is worked in the round.
  2. Decrease: insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then into front loop of stitch after that. YO, pull through both front loops, YO, pull through loop. This is called an invisible decrease.

Pattern:
Ch 2 (or work magic loop).
Rnd 1: In second stitch from hook (or in magic loop), 5 sc. (5 sc)
Rnd 2: 2sc in first sc of previous round, 2sc in each of the next 4 sc. (10 sc)
Rnd 3: (2sc, sc) 5 times. (15 sc)
Rnd 4: Tr in first sc of previous round, sc, (2sc in next stitches, sc in next 2 sc) 4 times, 2sc. (20 st)
Rnd 5-13: Sc around. (20 sc). Scatter in random tr for pickle bumps.
Rnd 14: (Ch 8, dc in 3rd st from hook, ch 1, sl in base of dc. Ch 3, sl in 2nd ch from hook and next ch, sl in base of dc. Sc in next 5 ch. Sc in next 10 st) 2 times. (20 sc plus 2 arms).
Rnd 15-22: Sc around. (20 sc). Scatter in random tr for pickle bumps.
Rnd 23: (Dec, sc in next 2 sc) 5 times. (15 st)
Rnd 24: (Sc, dec) 5 times. (10 st)
Stuff with fiberfill.
Rnd 25: Dec 5 times. (5 st)
Stem: Ch 4. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl in next 2 ch.
Finish off, leaving a tail to weave in.

Finishing touches:
With a hot glue gun, attach a wooden heart, circle, etc to the pickle’s hands, gluing the larger hand to the front and the “thumb” to the back.
Embroider a small mouth above the sign.
Attach eyes above the mouth.

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Crochet Pattern: One-eyed alien

Pattern, Stuffed creature / / , , ,

A crochet group I’m in posted a picture of a version of this guy, so I of course had to try my hand at making it.

5 one-eyed crochet monsters

After making several, I had a little creature I liked. Want to make your own? Here’s how.

One-Eyed Alien

Supplies:

  • Yarn in primary color
  • A little bit of white yarn
  • A little bit of black yarn
  • Thread for the mouth (I used a thinner size than the yarn I crocheted with)
  • Fiberfill

Notes:

  • This pattern is worked in the round. Don’t join to the next round unless the pattern specifies.
  • Gauge doesn’t matter. Use whatever combination of yarn and hook results in a tight enough stitch that the stuffing doesn’t show or come out.

Body:

  • Ch 2.
  • Round 1: 6 sc in second chain from the hook. (6 st)
  • Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around. (12 st)
  • Round 3: (2 sc in next st, sc) 6 times. (18 st)
  • Round 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st) 6 times. (24 st)
  • Round 5-10: Sc in each st around. (24 st)
  • Round 11: (sc in next 2 sc, dec) 6 times.  Do not fasten off. Stuff body. (18 st)

Leg 1:

  • Round 12: (Sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) 3 times. (12 st)
  • Round 13: Sc in first st from round 12 and next 11 st around. (12 st)
  • Round 14-15: Sc in each st around. Stuff leg. (12 st)
  • Round 16: Dec around. Finish off. (6 sc)

Leg 2:

  • Round 12: Working on the remaining st on round 11, (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) 3 times. (12 st)
  • Round 13: Sc in first sc from round 12 and next 11 st around. (12 st)
  • Round 14-15: Sc in each st around. Stuff leg. (12 st)
  • Round 16: Dec around. Finish off. (6 st)

Arm (make 2):

  • Ch 2.
  • Round 1: 6 sc in second chain from the hook. (6 st)
  • Round 2: (Sc in next 2 st, 2 st in next st) twice. (8 st)
  • Round 3-4: Sc around. Finish off, leaving a tail to sew the arm to the body. Do not stuff. (8 st)

Eyeball version 1 (flatter):

  • With black, ch 2.
  • Round 1: 5 sc in second chain from the hook. Join with sl st to first sc and finish off. (5 st)
  • Round 2: With white and working in back loops only, join with sc in any st on round 1. Sc in same st. 2 sc in next st and each st around. (10 st)
  • Round 3: Working in both loops, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 5 times. Finish off, leaving a tail to sew the eye to the body. (15 st)

Eyeball version 2 (more protruding):

  • With black, ch 2.
  • Round 1: 5 sc in second ch from the hook. Join with sl st to first sc and finish off, leaving a long enough tail for sewing the pupil to the sclera. (5 st)
  • With white, ch 2.
  • Round 1: 5 sc in second ch from the hook. (5 st)
  • Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (10 st)
  • Round 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 5 times. (15 st)
  • Round 4 (optional): For a really bulgy eye, sc around. (15 st)
  • Finish off, leaving a long enough tail to sew the eye to the body. Sew the pupil to the sclera.

Assembly:

  • Sew the eye to the body.
  • Sew an arm to each side. Try to place each arm about equal to the bottom of the pupil.
  • With black thread/yarn, embroider smile underneath the eyeball.

Crochet Pattern: One-eyed alien Read More »

Weekend Showcase: Hatching Dinosaurs

Stuffed creature, Weekend Showcase / / , , ,

Like many of my projects, a friend sent me a request: dinosaurs hatching out of eggs. And so these guys were born.

Comprising a stegosaurus, brontosaurus, pterodactyl, t-rex, and triceratops, the quintet hatches out of eggs sealed with Velcro tabs.  I love these fist-sized guys, but I’ve also made miniature ones of thread and big ones. For a while, this was my best-selling item on Etsy. And they’re so cute, it’s hard not to see why.

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Weekend Showcase: Hedgehog

Stuffed creature, Weekend Showcase / / , ,

I’m working my way through a bunch of requests, and first on my list is this little hedgehog.

Crochet hedgehog Crochet hedgehog

I’m still working out the quirks and rough edges, but he was too cute not to share. This guy was made with sport and worsted weight yarns, but of course I’ve made a tiny one with thread and a jumbo one with bulky chenille.

The body, limbs, and snout were made with single crochet stitches, and the back is puff stitches. Like most of my patterns, he worked up quickly and was fun to make.

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Saturday Showcase: A is for Alligator

Stuffed creature / / , ,

First in my quest to make something for every letter in the alphabet is this guy. Green crochet alligator on white background

This original version has a binder clip in his mouth so that when you squeeze his head, his mouth opens. It was also worked with his head made first, starting at the top of his mouth. The back and stomach were made next, with the tail worked off them and the head sewn on, but I’ve since reworked the pattern so that the head is worked off the body, with nothing to sew on. This pattern is both cute and quick to make – my favorite combination.

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