damn it Janet, let's crochet!: March 2020

March 25, 2020

Round Plush Whale

By Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let's crochet!"

For those who love cute things, this whale is the perfect size to hold on your palm or attach to your bag as a keychain and be your traveling companion. You can also make a small blanket and attach it to make a lovey for your little one.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS
approx. 3.75"height x 4"length

MATERIALS
*Crochet hook size: 3.5mm (E)
*Worsted Weight Yarn: Light Lavender (36yds) & Ivory (11yds)
*Stitch Markers to mark your rounds
*Felt: Black
*Fiberfill
*Tapestry Needle
*Matching Thread
*Hot Glue
*Individual Lashes (optional)

PATTERN NOTES - must-read...
Numbers in ( ) at the end of each round/row indicate the total number of stitches.
Always use stitch markers to mark your rounds.
There's no need to sl st and/or ch when going to the next round unless stated to do so.
Always do the 1st stitch where you slip stitch from the previous round.
The chain, in the beginning, does NOT count as one stitch unless stated otherwise.
You slip stitch on the first sc, not on top of the chain 1.

HEAD/BODY with light lavender
Rnd 1: 6sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: sc in next st, 2sc in next st around (18)
Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st around (24)
Rnd 5: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st around (30)
Rnd 6: sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st around (36)
Rnd 7: sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in next st around (39)
Rnd 8-10: sc in each st around (39)
Rnd 11: 2sc in next st, sc in next 37 sts, 2sc in last st (41)
Rnd 12: 2sc in next st, sc in next 39 sts, 2sc in last st (43)
Rnd 13: 2sc in next st, sc in next 41 sts, 2sc in last st (45)
Rnd 14: sc2tog, sc2tog, *sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 2 more times, sc2tog, in last st change to ivory (39)
Rnd 15: working in the back loops only for this rnd sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog around (36)
Rnd 16: sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog around (30)
Rnd 17: sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog around (24)
Start stuffing the head/body moderately firm.
Rnd 18: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog around (18)
Rnd 19: sc in next st, sc2tog around (12)
Rnd 20: sc2tog around (6)
F/O and leave a tail for closing. Add any bits of stuffing need it to finish shaping the head/body. Weave in the tail through the final round and draw up tight to close. Secure and weave in the ends.

FINS with light lavender; make 2
Rnd 1: 4sc in magic ring (4)
Rnd 2: sc in next st, 2sc in next st (6)
Rnd 3: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st (8)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (8)
Rnd 5: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog around (6)
Rnd 6: sc in each st around (6)
Rnd 7: sc in next st, sc2tog around (4)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

TAIL with light lavender; make 2
Rnd 1: 3sc in magic ring (3)
Rnd 2: sc in next st, 2sc in next st, sc in next st (4)
Rnd 3: sc in next st, 2sc in next st around (6)
Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st around (8)
Rnd 5: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st (10)
Rnd 6: sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc2tog (8)
Rnd 7: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, hdc in next 2 sts, hdc2tog (6)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

WATER SPOUT with ivory; make 2
Row 1: ch10, sl st in next 2 chs, 3 sl st in next ch, 2 sl st in next ch, sl st in next 5 chs (12)
F/O, leave a tail to sew in place.

ASSEMBLE
I recommend pinning the pieces in place before sewing them to make sure you have them in the position you like best before sewing. (Most people like to use the yarn at the end of the finished pieces to sew them in place, but I personally like to use matching thread).
TIP...For anything that I’m going to be using felt, I like to first sketch it out on a white paper and make a stencil of what I need. Then cut it out. Then tape the stencil to the felt and cut it out.
FINS...there's no need to stuff them, simply flatten them out. Place them on each side of round 14 and be sure to align them. In the front of the whale, you'll be leaving 18 stitches in between the fins.

TAIL...there's no need to stuff them, simply flatten them out. The hdc's on the tail will be facing downward where the belly spot is (ivory section of the body. Place the tail in the back on round 14 (the back is the section of the body that is sticking out, where we did the increases on the body). You'll be leaving 4 stitches in between the fins and tail.

WATER SPOUT...place both of them on round 1 of the body.

EYES...using black felt make 2 small circles. Place them on round 11 and 12 in the position you like best. Add lashes to the eyes or embroider them with black thread.

BLUSH...with pink embroidery floss or thread, embroider a small line between round 13 and 14.

GLOSSARY:

ch/s:chain/s || sc: single crochet || hdc: half double crochet || sl st: slip stitch || st/s: stitch/es
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches togethert || hdc2tog: half double crochet 2 stitches together
rnd: round || f/o: finish off

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Have a nice crochet time!
- Janet

This pattern is an original pattern by Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let's crochet!" (March 2020). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint/repost it on your site. You may print and keep a copy for your own personal use. Please do not resell or distribute it.

March 11, 2020

Round Plush Puppy

By Janet Carrillo "damn it Janet, let's crochet!"

For those who love cute things, this puppy is the perfect size to hold on your palm or attach to your bag as a keychain and be your traveling companion. You can also make a small blanket and attach it to make a lovey for your little one.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS
approx. 3"height x 4"length

MATERIALS
*Crochet hook size: 3.5mm (E)
*Worsted Weight Yarn: Light Brown (52yds) & Beige (5yds)
*Stitch Markers to mark your rounds
*Fiberfill
*Felt: Black & Red
*Black Round Domed Buttons or Safety Eyes (10mm)
*Tapestry Needle
*Matching Thread
*Hot Glue

PATTERN NOTES - must-read...
Numbers in ( ) at the end of each round/row indicate the total number of stitches.
Always use stitch markers to mark your rounds.
There's no need to sl st and/or ch when going to the next round unless stated to do so.
Always do the 1st stitch where you slip stitch from the previous round.
The chain, in the beginning, does NOT count as one stitch unless stated otherwise.
You slip stitch on the first sc, not on top of the chain 1.

SPECIAL STITCHES
Other side of the foundation chains - this VIDEO explains how to do this technique.

Note: If you're going to be using safety eyes, place them before closing the body. I'm using round domed buttons.
HEAD/BODY with light brown
Rnd 1: 6sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: sc in next st, 2sc in next st around (18)
Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st around (24)
Rnd 5: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st around (30)
Rnd 6: sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next st around (36)
Rnd 7: sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in next st around (39)
Rnd 8-13: sc in each st around (39)
Rnd 14: sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog around (36)
Rnd 15: sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog around (30)
Rnd 16: sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog around (24)
Start stuffing the head/body moderately firm.
Rnd 17: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog around (18)
Rnd 18: sc in next st, sc2tog around (12)
Rnd 19: sc2tog around (6)
F/O and leave a tail for closing. Add any bits of stuffing need it to finish shaping the head/body. Weave in the tail through the final round and draw up tight to close. Secure and weave in the ends.

FEET with light brown; make 2
  Rnd 1: 6sc in magic ring (6)
  Rnd 2: 3sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts around (10)
  Rnd 3-4: sc in each st around (10)
  Row 1: stuffed lightly, flatten to match up the stitches and sc across, ch1, turn (5)
  Row 2: sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog (3)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

ARMS with light brown; make 2
  Rnd 1: 5sc in magic ring (5)
  Rnd 2-3: sc in each st around (5)
  Rnd 4: sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts (4)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

Note: when you see a + sign it means all those stitches are supposed to be done in that one stitch.
SNOUT with light brown
  Rnd 1: 5sc in magic ring (5)
  Rnd 2: 3hdc in next st, sc in next st, hdc+dc+hdc in next st, sc in next st, 3hdc in last st (11)
  Rnd 3: sc in each st around, sl st into 1st st (11)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

OUTER EARS with light brown; make 2
  Rnd 1: ch8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next 2 chs, dc in next 2 chs, 6dc in next ch, other side of the foundation chains dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next 2 chs, sc in next ch, 2sc in last ch (19)
  Rnd 2: sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, sl st into 1st st (21)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

INNER EARS with beige; make 2
  Rnd 1: ch8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next 2 chs, dc in next 2 chs, 6dc in next ch, other side of the foundation chains dc in next 2 chs, hdc in next 2 chs, sc in next ch, 2sc in last ch (19)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

TAIL with light brown
Row 1: ch4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch (3)
F/O and leave a tail to sew it to the body.

ASSEMBLE
I recommend pinning the pieces in place before sewing them to make sure you have them in the position you like best before sewing. (Most people like to use the yarn at the end of the finished pieces to sew them in place, but I personally like to use matching thread).
TIP...For anything that I’m going to be using felt, I like to first sketch it out on a white paper and make a stencil of what I need. Then cut it out. Then tape the stencil to the felt and cut it out.
     FEET...try to find the position you like best. I place mine between round 16 and 17; approx. 0.50" apart. Only sew the 2 last rows from the feet (the flat area) to the body.

ARMS...there's no need to stuff them. Align them with the feet and place them on round 11 and 12.

INNER & OUTER EARS...place the wrong side of the inner ear to the wrong side of the outer ear. Sew both pieces together by matching up the stitches like in the picture below. Since the inner ear is one round smaller this will help the outer ear roll in a bit. Repeat the same process to the other earpieces.

Place the ears on round 6 of the head/body. You'll only be sewing them to round 4 - 5 of the body and leaving the rest unsew.

SNOUT...stuff it lightly. Find the center of the front of the head/body and place it between round 9 and 11. The section where we did the hdc+dc+hdc goes up.

TAIL...place it in round 15 on the back of the body, try to find the center.

EYES...I'm using the rounded domed buttons since I have no crafts stores around my area that sell safety eyes. I'll be placing them between round 7 and 8; approx. 0.90" apart. Using light brown yarn, make an accent for each eye.

NOSE...using black felt, make a rounded triangle and place it on the snout.
TONGUE...using red felt, make a half oval and place it anywhere underneath the snout.