October 4, 2023

Ghost Cuddler

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

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS

approx. 8"height x 10"length (from the widest points)
...but can vary based on yarn and hook size.

MATERIALS
*Crochet hook size: 4.5mm (7) & 5.0mm (H)
*Worsted Weight Yarn: White (145yds)
*Felt: Black & Red
*Fiberfill
*Tapestry Needle
*Hot Glue
*Embroidery Floss or Makeup Blush

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.
 The chain, in the beginning, does NOT count as one stitch unless stated otherwise.

SPECIAL STITCHES
Invisible join - this VIDEO explains how to do this technique.
Single crochet 3 stitches together (sc3tog) – is a decrease over 3sts. Insert yarn thru 1st st, y/o pull thru, insert thru 2nd st, y/o pull thru, insert thru 3rd st, y/o pull thru, & y/o pull thru all 4 loops on hook.


Please note that we will be starting our work from the tail and moving upwards.
BODY with white, make 2; 5.0mm (H)
  Row 1: ch2, sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch1, turn (1)
  Row 2: 2sc in next st, ch1, turn (2)
  Row 3: sc in next st, 2sc in next st, ch1, turn (3)
  Row 4: 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (4)
  Row 5: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (6)
  Row 6: sc in each st across, ch1, turn (6)
  Row 7: sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next st, ch1, turn (7)
  Row 8: 2sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, ch1, turn (8)
  Row 9: sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (10)
  Row 10: 2sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, ch1, turn (11)
  Row 11: 2sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, ch1, turn (12)
  Row 12: sc in next st, 2sc in next 3 sts, sc in next 8 sts, ch1, turn (15)
  Row 13: sc in next 12 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch1, turn (17)
  Row 14: sc in next st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, ch1, turn (18)
  Row 15: sc in next 15 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (19)
  Row 16: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, ch1, turn (20)
  Row 17: sc in next st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next st, ch1, turn (22)
  Row 18: sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 12 sts, sc2tog, sc in next st, ch1, turn (23)
  Row 19: sc in next 18 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, ch1, turn (25)
  Row 20: sc in next st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, ch1, turn (26)
  Row 21: sc in next 17 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (28)
  Row 22: sc in each st across, ch1, turn (28)
  Row 23: sc in next 26 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next st, ch1, turn (29)
  Row 24: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 25 sts, ch1, turn (30)
  Row 25: sc in each st across, ch1, turn (30)
  Row 26: sc in next 9 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 20 sts, ch1, turn (31)
  Row 27: sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next 14 sts, *2sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts,* repeat from * to * 1 more time, ch1, turn (32)
  Row 28: sc in each st across, ch1, turn (32)
  Row 29: sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next 7 sts, *2sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts,* repeat from * to * 1 more time, ch1, turn (33)
  Row 30: sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 19 sts, sc2tog, sc in next st, ch1, turn (33)
  Row 31: sc in next 19 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 13 sts, ch1, turn (34)
  Row 32: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 21 sts, ch1, turn (34)
  Row 33: sc in next 19 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, ch1, turn (35)
  Row 34: sc in next 12 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 19 sts, sc2tog, sc in next st, ch1, turn (35)
  Row 35: sc in next 20 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, ch1, turn (36)
  Row 36: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 9 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 19 sts, sc2tog, sc in next st, ch1, turn (35)
  Row 37: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 27 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (33)
  Row 38: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 25 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (31)
  Row 39: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 23 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (29)
  Row 40: sc in next 25 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (28)
  Row 41: sc in next 24 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (27)
  Row 42: sc in next 23 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (26)
  Row 43: sc in next 22 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, ch1, turn (25)
  Row 44: sc3tog, sc in next 19 sts, sc3tog, ch1, turn (21)
  Row 45: sc3tog, sc in next 15 sts, sc3tog, do not ch1, turn (17)
  Row 46: sl st in next 3 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog, sl st in next 2 sts (15)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends. Crochet the second piece. 

ARMS with white, make 2; 4.5mm (7)
ch5, dc in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch
F/O, leave a tail for sewing. 


ASSEMBLE
     I recommend pinning the pieces before sewing them to make sure you have them in the position you like best before sewing. (Most people prefer to use the yarn at the end of the finished pieces to sew them in place, but I use matching thread).
     TIP...For anything that I’m going to be using felt, I like to first sketch it out on 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.
     Align both ghost pieces, so the rows match. Using the 4.5mm (7) hook, attach the yarn in any stitch and sc around both pieces to join them together. To ensure your stitches face forward, it's important to work in a counter-clockwise direction for the tail to be on the left side. [picture 1] (If you want the tail of the ghost to be on the right side. Keep the tail on the right while you are attaching the yarn and work those single crochets clockwise so those single crochet face towards you. [picture 2]) Before closing the pieces together be sure to stuff your ghostie moderately firm. Join to the first stitch with the invisible join. Secure and weave in the ends.
     EYES...using black felt cut out 2 circles. Place them between rounds 25 and 28 & 38 and 42, approx. 2.25" apart from each other.
If you prefer to crochet the eyes...use a 4.5mm (7) hook and black yarn.
ch2, 10hdc in magic ring, join to the first stitch with the invisible join (10)
F/O, secure and weave in the ends. 
     MOUTH... you can play around with this part; the possibilities are endless.
I went with felt and cut out a bean-shaped using black felt. With red felt, I cut out a thin long oval for the tongue. Glue the tongue on either side of the mouth.
Placed the mouth in the center of the eyes right between rounds 32 and 35.
     BLUSH...the possibilities are endless. You can use makeup blush, felt, or embroidery floss. I went with a light orange embroidery floss and embroidered x's on the side of the eyes.
     ARMS...align them to the eyes and place them approx 1.25" below them. Only sew the end of the arms to the ghostie, leaving the rest unsew.


GLOSSARY:
ch/s: chain/s || dc: double crochet || hdc: half double crochet || f/o: finish off || sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together || sc3tog: single crochet 3 stitches together || sl st: slip stitch
st/s: stitch/es || y/o: yarn over


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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!" (October 2023). 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.