Axolotl Plushie

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

Axolotls are unique among amphibians because they remain in their aquatic larval form throughout

their entire lives, retaining juvenile characteristics like gills and the ability to regenerate body parts.

SIZE/MEASUREMENTS
approx. 8"height x 6.25"length

...but it can vary based on yarn and hook size.

MATERIALS
*Crochet hook size: 3.5mm (E)
*Worsted Weight Yarn: Light Pink (85yds) & Rose (20yds)
*Stitch Markers to mark your rounds

*Fiberfill

*Safety Eyes (12mm)

*Embroidery Floss: Brown
*Tapestry Needle
*Matching Thread

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.
 When a round or row mentions “around/across” you will be working that whole sequence from that round/row around the entire piece. (EX: sc in next st, 2sc in next st, around = sc, inc, sc, inc,…)

SPECIAL STITCHES

Invisible join - this VIDEO explains how to do this technique.

Other side of the foundation chains - 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.

Note: If you are using safety eyes, place them between rounds 13 and 14; approx 12 stitches apart. Or in the position you like best. When you have determined the placement of the eyes, embroider the eyelashes before securing the eyes since it makes it easier to add them.
HEAD with light pink
  Rnd 1: ch6, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 chs, 3sc in last ch, other side of the foundation chains sc in next 5 chs (14)

  Rnd 2: 3sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, around (18)

  Rnd 3: sc in next st, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 6 sts (22)

  Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 9 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 7 sts (26)

  Rnd 5: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 8 sts (30)

  Rnd 6: sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 13 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 9 sts (34)

  Rnd 7: sc in next 5 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 15 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 10 sts (38)

  Rnd 8: sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 17 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 11 sts (42)

  Rnd 9: sc in next 7 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 19 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 12 sts (46)

  Rnd 10-11: sc in each st around (46)

  Rnd 12: sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 22 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in next 11 sts (48)

  Rnd 13-15: sc in each st around (48)

  Rnd 16: sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 22 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 11 sts (46)

  Rnd 17: sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 20 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 11 sts (44)

Start stuffing the head moderately firm.

  Rnd 18: sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 20 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts (42)

  Rnd 19: sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 18 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts (40)

  Rnd 20: sc in next 9 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 18 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 9 sts (38)

  Rnd 21: *sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 7 times, sc in next 3 sts (31)

  Rnd 22: *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog* repeat from * to * 7 times, sc in next 3 sts (24)

  Rnd 23: *sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog* around (20)

F/O, secure and weave in the ends.

GILLS with rose, make 6 

ch7, dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch2, sl st into same st as previous st, sl st in next st, *ch2, dc in next st, ch2, sl st into same st as previous st,* ch2, 3dc in last st, ch2, sl st into same st as previous st, other side of the foundation chains ch2, repeat from * to * 2 times

F/O, leave a long tail for sewing.

SPOTS with rose, make 2

  Rnd 1: 4sc in magic ring, join with an invisible join to the 1st st (4)

F/O, leave a tail for sewing. 

Please note that we will be starting our work from the tail and moving upwards.

TAIL & BODY with light pink

  Rnd 1: 3sc in magic ring (3)

  Rnd 2: sc in next st, 2hdc in next st, sc in next st (4)

  Rnd 3: sc in next st, 2hdc in next st, sc in next 2 sts (5)

  Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in next st, sc in next 2 sts (6)

  Rnd 5: sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts (6)

  Rnd 6: sc in next 2 sts, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 2 sts (7)

  Rnd 7: sc in next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 2 sts (8)

  Rnd 8: sc in next 3 sts, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 sts (9)

  Rnd 9: sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 sts (10)

  Rnd 10: sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 3 sts (11)

  Rnd 11: sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 4 sts (12)

  Rnd 12: sc in next 5 sts, hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 4 sts (13)

  Rnd 13: sc in next 5 sts, hdc in next st, 2hdc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next 5 sts (14)

  Rnd 14: 2sc in each st around (28)

  Rnd 15: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, around (35)

  Rnd 16-19: sc in each st around (35)

  Rnd 20: sc in next st, sc2tog, sc2tog, sc in next 13 sts, sc2tog. sc2tog, sc in next 13 sts (31)

  Rnd 21: sc in each st around (31)

Start stuffing the tail and body moderately firm.

  Rnd 22: sc2tog, sc2tog, sc in next 11 sts, sc2tog. sc2tog, sc in next 12 sts (27)

  Rnd 23: sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog. sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog (23)

  Rnd 24: sc in each st around (23)

  Rnd 25: sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 9 sts (20)

  Rnd 26: sc in each st around (20)

F/O, leave a long tail for sewing.

Note: when you see a + sign it means all those stitches are supposed to be done in that one particular stitch.

TAIL FIN with rose

ch22, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 8 chs, hdc in next 4 chs, hdc+dc+hdc in next ch, hdc in next 3 chs, sc in next 4 chs, ch1, sl st in same st as previous (23)

F/O, leave a long tail for sewing.

LEGS with light pink, make 4

  Rnd 1: 6sc in magic ring (6)

  Rnd 2-5: sc in each st around 

There is no need to stuff the legs.

  Row 1: flatten to match up the stitches sc in next 3 sts (3)

  Row 2: sc in each st across (3)

F/O, leave a tail for sewing.

ASSEMBLE
     I recommend pinning the pieces before sewing them to ensure 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).
     HEAD...if you have not already embroidered the eyelashes, add the safety eyes and stuff the head moderately firm.

Safety eye placement: between rounds 13 and 14; approx 12 stitches apart. Or in the position you like best. Be sure to embroider the eyelashes before securing the safety eyes since it makes it easier. 

You can also use black felt and cut out circles for the eyes and glue them in place. 

     GILLS...place them along the side of the head where the increases were made between rounds 3 and 16.

     SPOTS...you can place the spots on either the left or the right side, in the position that you like best.

   MOUTH...using embroidery floss, embroider the mouth between rounds 15 and 16. Play around with it and see what you like best for your axolotl.

     TAIL/BODY...if you haven't already, stuff the tail/body moderately firm.

     TAIL FIN...place it along the tail. The increased part goes on the tip. 

     HEAD to the BODY...attach the head to the body. Add any bits of stuffing needed to finish shaping your axolotl.

     LEGS...place them on the side of the body between rounds 15 and 17 & 23 and 25.

     BLUSH...the possibilities are endless. You can use makeup blush, felt, or embroidery floss. I went with pink embroidery floss and embroidered lines on the bottom side of the eyes.

GLOSSARY:

ch/s: chain/s || dc: double crochet || f/o: finish off || hdc: half double crochet || rnd: round || sc: single crochet

sc2tog: single crochet 2 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!" (February 2024). 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.