Abbreviations
st: stitch
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
inc: 2sc increase
dec: invisible decrease
BLO: back loop onlyAttaching with thread vs. yarn tail
For a cleaner look, I opted to cut the yarn tails on the inner ears short and weave them into the back of the work, then attach the inner ears to the ears with matching thread. However, you can also attach the inner ears using a yarn needle and the yarn tail. It's up to you!Regarding stitch markers
Note: The photos above show a fox, but the technique is the same for all of my patterns.The pattern indicates to insert 4 different stitch markers in various places besides the one you use to track the beginning/end of each round.I recommend using strands of yarn in 3 different colors as your stitch markers: Two strands in color 1 (blue) to mark where you will place each eye, Two strands color 2 (pink) to mark where you will start attaching each ear, and one long strand in color 3 (green) to track the beginning/end of each round.The photos above demonstrate how to mark a stitch while crocheting a round: lay your strand of yarn acting as a marker over your working yarn and the stitch you'll be working into, then complete the stitch as normal.You'll essentially be weaving the long strand in color 3 through your work with each round. On odd rounds you'll be laying the strand back-to-front, and on even rounds you'll be laying the strand front-to-back.The advantage of using this technique is you'll have the beginning of every single round marked, which makes it much easier to find your place if you make a mistake. That said, It's perfectly fine to use a regular ol' safety pin-like marker to keep track of your rounds instead. :)How to indent the eyes
Note: The video above shows a unicorn, but the technique is the same for all of my patterns.Step 1 – Cut a strand of yarn approximately 18" long. Tie a large, secure knot in one end and thread the other end through your yarn needle.Step 2 – Insert your needle through the back opening of the head and sew between the two spots where you'll be placing your safety eyes (marked with your color 1 stitch markers).Step 3 – Pull your strand of yarn taut, which will create indents.Step 4 – Fasten off with a knot and hide your yarn tail inside the head.
Instructions
Be sure to read the "notes" section before proceeding.
Nose
With black yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* [15]
Switch to dark gray yarn (tutorial):
05 - 12. sc in each st around [15]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.
Head
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. sc 7, inc, sc 14, inc, sc 7 [32]
07. sc in each st around [32]
08. *sc 15, inc* [34]
09. sc in each st around [34]
10. sc 8, inc, sc 16, inc, sc 8 [36]
11. sc in each st around [36]
12. *sc 11, inc* [39]
13. sc 6, inc, *sc 12, inc* 2 times, sc 6 [42]
Switch to dark gray yarn (tutorial):
14. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
15. *sc 7, inc* 2 times, insert marker color 1 into next sc (19th st from start of round), sc 6, inc, sc 7, inc, sc 7, inc and insert marker color 1 into the second stitch of the inc (45th st from start of round), sc 7, inc [54]
16. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
17 - 21. sc in each st around [60]
22. sc 22, insert marker color 2 into the next sc (23rd st from start of round), sc 14, insert marker color 2 into the next sc (38th st from start of round), sc 22 [60]
23 - 26. sc in each st around [60]
27. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
28. *sc 7, dec* [48]
29. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
30. *sc 5, dec* [36]
31. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
Attach the nose to the head.
Stuff head ¾ full. The markers in round 15 are where you will place the eyes. Create indents for the eyes (see instructions at the bottom of the pattern). Insert eyes and secure backings.
With light gray yarn:
01. Chain 7 start: ch 7, inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, 5sc in the last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain base, sc 4, 3sc in the last ch [18]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Ears (make 2)
With dark gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* [15]
05. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2 [18]
06. *sc 5, inc* [21]
07 - 08. sc in each st around [21]
09. *sc 5, dec* [18]
10. sc in each st around [18]
11. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 2 times, sc 2 [15]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.
Attach the inner ears to the ears, then attach each ear to the head starting in your marked stitches, and each of the next 4 stitches on both sides.
Body
With dark gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
07. *sc 5, inc* [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
11 - 17. sc in each st around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc in each st around [54]
20. *sc 7, dec* [48]
21. sc in each st around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
23 - 24. sc in each st around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* [36]
26 - 27. sc in each st around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29 - 30. sc in each st around [30]
31. *sc 3, dec* [24]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill.
Arms (make 2)
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
06 - 08. sc in each st around [24]
09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
10. sc in each st around [23]
11. sc 21, dec [22]
12. sc in each st around [22]
13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
Switch to dark gray yarn (tutorial):
14. sc in each st around [21]
15. sc 19, dec [20]
16. sc in each st around [20]
17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
18. sc in each st around [19]
19. sc 17, dec [18]
20. sc in each st around [18]
21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
22. sc in each st around [17]
23. sc 15, dec [16]
24 - 25. sc in each st around [16]
26. *sc 2, dec* [12]
Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff firmly with fiber fill. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.
Legs (make 2)
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* [30]
06. BLO: sc in each st around [30]
07 - 09. sc in each st around [30]
10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
11. sc 27, dec [28]