Crochet toys

Hello,
I understand we’re all very busy these days trying to get the perfect gift for our loved ones. I like to shop for presents, of course, but the older I get, the more I’m trying to create them as well. It may sound silly these days, when you can buy everything, but I like the gifts to have my personal touch, a part of me in it.
So I picked few crochet toys I did for Angel, and the kids in the family. It may be a little inspiration. Something still manageable to crochet before Christmas as a gift.

This little purse was one of my first projects. Angel saw it on the screen and had to have it. She was not even two years old then! That’s was my girl, picking out her first purse. Even though I was a very inexperienced in crochet then, I managed it in short time.

These three owls were fun to make too. I have to admit I learned a lot on those little projects. They made me more confident to try something more difficult.

This bunny was the more difficult attempt. It took me rather long time to make it then, but my niece is still cuddling it. When I was stuffing it, I put jingle bells in the hands, legs and belly. Soft, cuddly and jingley, exactly how tiny babies like it.

This sheep turned out to be much bigger, and much more time consuming then I originally thought, but I think it looks as good as original, if not better.

Little doll was exciting to make especially the hair and dress. There are so many variations. I had little assistant to help me with the colors, and even the doll was meant to be a gift, she’s still here with us.

Ladybird backpack was helpful to carry little toys to the nursery. The children are allowed to bring one small personal toy from home to nursery here, just for themselves, as security. I also made a couple of backpacks for some other kids as well. This, I think is very nice gift.

I found this “ball” interesting. I crocheted it while I was waiting during Angels dancing lessons. I have to be honest; I’m carrying crocheting around with me all the time.

And again, I put big jingle bell inside. 

Now, this Amineko cat lives in my dad’s house, since last Christmas.

Last toy for today is my own Ladybird. I searched so many patterns and couldn’t find the right one. So I made my own pattern. I think it is one good looking - handsome Ladybird.

Ladybird pattern

Materials: 

I used 5og of red, 50g of black and little bit of white 100% cotton, since it’s meant to be for very little baby. (Any yarn would be just fine, as long as it suites your purposes) G/4mm hook, tapestry needle, stuffing and something for eyes.



Note: This pattern is worked in a spiral. Leave longer tails



Terms/Abbreviations: I used US terminology
chain                  ch
single crochet     sc
double crochet   dc
slip stitch            slst
stitch                  st
repeat                 *…*
together             tog.

Legs: (in black) - make 6
Row 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sts)
Rows 2, 3, 4: sc in each sc (6sts)
I stuffed the legs a little at this point, but it’s up to you.
Row 5 : we flatten the leg, tog. 2sc (2sts)


Belly: (in black)
Row 1: Ch. 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sts)
Row 2: *2sc in each sc* (12 sts)
Row 3: *sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc*(18 sts)
Row 4: *sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc*(24 sts)
Row 5: *sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc*(30 sts)
Row 6: *sc in next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc*(36 sts)
Row 7: *sc in next 5 sc, 2sc in next sc*(42 sts)
Row 8: *sc in next 6 sc, 2sc in next sc*(48 sts)
We have to crochet together the legs and belly:
Row 9: 5sc/ tog. leg and belly with 2sc/ 3sc/ tog. leg and belly with 2sc/3sc/ tog. leg and belly with 2sc/ 14sc/ tog. leg and belly with 2sc/ 3sc/ tog. leg and belly with 2sc/ 3sc/ tog. leg and belly with 2sc/ 5sc (48 sts)

Back: (in red)
Row 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sts)
Row 2: *2sc in each sc* (12 sts)
Row 3: *sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc* (18 sts)
Row 4: sc in each sc (18 sts)
Row 5: *sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc* (24 sts)
Row 6: *sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc* (30 sts)
Row 7: *sc in next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc* (36 sts)
Row 8: *sc in next 5 sc, 2sc in next sc* (42 sts)
Row 9: *sc in next 6 sc, 2sc in next sc* (48 sts)
Row 10, 11: sc in each sc (48 sts)
We have to crochet together the belly with the legs and the back now:
Don’t forget to do the stuffing now.
Row 12: tog. sc in each sc all around (48 sts)

Antenna: (in black) – make 2
Row 1: Ch 8, 3dc and slst in 4rd ch from hook, 4slst in next 4sts (3dcs, 5slsts)

Head: (in black)
Ch 5, slst tog.
Row 1:  8 sc in ring (8sts)
Row 2: *sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc* (12 sts)
Row 3: *sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc* (16 sts)
Row 4: *sc in next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc* (20 sts)
Row 5: *sc in next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc* (24 sts)
Row 6: *sc in next 5 sc, 2sc in next sc* (28 sts)
Row 7: *sc in next 13 sc, 2sc in next sc* (30 sts)
We have to crochet together antennas and head now:
Row 8: 4sc/ tog. antenna and head with 2sc/ 4sc/ tog. antenna and head with 2sc/ 18sc (30 sts)
Row 9: *sc in next 14 sc, 2sc in next sc* (32 sts)

Outside eye: (in white) – make 2
Ch 6, slst tog.
Round 1: 3 sc, 8dc, 3sc in ring (6scs, 8dcs)

Inside eye: (in black) – make 2
Ch 5, slst tog.
Round 1: 8 sc in ring (8sts)

Large dot: (in black)
Round 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sts)
Round 2: *2sc in each sc* (12 sts)
Round 3: *sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc* (18 sts)

Small dot: (in black) – make 6
Round 1: Ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook (8sts)

Assembly:
You should be left with stuffed torso of the ladybird now.
Put black eyes over white ones, arrange it on the head and saw it all on it. Add the beads or buttons of your choice in the middle.
Arrange the dots as you see them on the pictures. Stuff the head and saw it onto the torso, where the biggest opening is.
Saw the line on the back, and you should have the little cute Ladybug finished.
If you came up with any problems or difficulties, write to me, I’ll be more than happy to help.

I have to say I’m neglecting my other projects a little. But my step mum wrote to Father Christmas, requesting a shawl she saw somewhere. I found pattern for a very similar looking shawl on Ravelry. Since Father Christmas is very busy, I was helping him out.

I think Father Christmas and I, did good job.

Have nice evening

Clara