Happy New Year! My resolution for 2023 is to design more crochet patterns and share with everyone here on my blog. I will start by sharing a very special pattern for a squirrel called Olly.
I had fun last year designing this pattern to accompany my children's book "Olly, the Lone Red Squirrel" in the Kickstarter campaign I ran. My goal was to have children around the world reading my book while hugging Olly made by someone that loved them. I am glad to say that some children are already enjoying their Olly and his story and I hope you can make Olly for your child as well!
You can purchase the book here.
Squirrel Crochet Pattern
Skill Level: Intermediate
Size: 22 cm / 9 inches
Materials you will need:
- Double knitting [DK] yarn (Light Worsted weight yarn): red color
- 4 ply yarn (Sport weight yarn): off-white and light pink colors;
- Crochet needle 2.5 mm (B-1);
- 2 transparent plastic safety eyes of 10mm;
- Stitch markers; (To mark the first stitch of each round)
- Scissors;
- Tapestry needle;
- Fiberfill for stuffing;
- Sewing pins;
- Cat Brush (optional);
- Glue (optional-in case you prefer to glue the inner ears to the outer ears instead of sewing it).
Abbreviations:
ch/s - chain/s
sc - single crochet
inc - increase (2 single crochet in the same stitch)
dec - decrease (single crochet 2 together)
st/s - stitch/es
( ) - parentheses are used for repeated pattern of stitches
[ ] - brackets are used for total number of stitches in each round/row
Pattern Notes:
The eye patches, ears, inner ears, and belly are worked in non spirals (rows) while the rest of the pattern is worked in spirals (continuous rounds). In all continuous round pieces, mark the first st of the round with a stitch marker so you don't loose account of it.
***The pattern with explanations pictures and special tips can be purchased here.***
Pattern
Eye Patch (make 2 - off-white)
Non spirals.
Row 1: start 1 sc in magic ring, 1 ch, turn [1]
Row 2: inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [2]
Row 3: inc in next 2 sts, 1 ch, turn [4]
Row 4: inc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 1 ch, turn [5]
Row 5: sc in all 5 sts, 1 ch, turn [5]
Row 6: dec, sc in next st, dec, 1 ch, turn [3]
Row 7: dec, sc in next st, 1 ch, turn [2]
Row 8: skip the first st, sc in last st [1]
(Fasten-off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Make sure you mirror the eye patches before you sew them on the face later so they have the same shape for both eyes)
Head (red)
Spirals. The head is a triangle shape (see picture on next page).
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 6 [18]
Rnd 4: inc in next st, (sc in next 4 sts, inc in next 2 sts) x 2, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st [24]
Rnd 5: (inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 5 sts) x 2, inc in next 4 sts, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next 2 sts [34]
Rnd 6: inc in next 2 sts, (inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 6 sts) x 2, inc in next 8 sts, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next 4 sts [52]
Rnd 7: sc in next 10 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 30 sts [56]
(In next round '8' mark with a stitch marker between 9th and 10th and 27th and 28th stitches to add the eyes later)
Rnd 8-20: sc in all 56 sts [56] 13 rounds
Nose ( light pink)
Spirals. Do'nt stuff it.
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3-4: sc in all 12 sts [12] 2 rounds
(Fasten off, weaving the ends)
Upper Lips (make 2 - off-white)
Spirals. Don't stuff it.
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3: sc in next 10 sts, inc in next 2 sts [14]
Rnd 4: sc in next 11 sts, inc in next 2 sts, sc in next st [16]
Rnd 5: sc in all 16 sts [16]
(Fasten off, weaving the ends)
Lower Lip (off-white)
Spirals. Don't stuff it.
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 6 [18]
(Fasten off. Flatten the lower lip and sew the last round using the strand of yarn in the tapestry needle. Weave the ends)
How to assemble the lips and nose together (off-white)
***orange used in the picture for better visualization***
1- Flatten the upper lips and sew them together through their middle part (pay attention to the shape orientation showed in the picture below).
Add off-white yarn at the upper lip (black circle) and make 3sc at the same stitch. Make one sc in each round of the upper lip going down until its second round. Take the lower lip and make sc around it, make 2 sc at its bottom (green circle). Continue sc around the lower lip and go up making sc around the other upper lip. Make 3sc at the corner (red circle).
2- Put the nose at the center of the upper lips using stitch markers and make sc around the upper lip and the nose together. Sew it in front of the head, between and below the eyes.
Ears (make 2 - red)
Non spirals.
Row 1: start 1 sc in magic ring, 1 ch, turn [1]
Row 2: inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [2]
Row 3: inc in next 2 sts, 1 ch, turn [4]
Row 4: inc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [6]
Row 5: inc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st,1 ch, turn [8]
Row 6: sc in all 8 sts, 1 ch, turn [8]
Row 7: inc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [10]
Row 8: sc in all 10 sts, 1 ch, turn [10]
Row 9: inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [12]
Row 10: sc in all 12 sts, 1 ch, turn [12]
Row 11: inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, inc in next st [14]
(Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing)
Inner Ears (make 2 - light pink )
Non spirals.
Row 1: start 1 sc in magic ring, 1 ch, turn [1]
Row 2: inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [2]
Row 3: inc in next 2 sts, 1 ch, turn [4]
Row 4: inc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [6]
Row 5: inc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [8]
Row 6: sc in all 8 sts, 1 ch, turn [8]
Row 7: inc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, 1 ch, turn [10]
Row 8: sc in all 10 sts, 1 ch, turn [10]
Row 9: inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st [12]
(Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing)
Put the pink ear in front of the red one and sew (or glue) them together. Sew the ears on the head in the same direction as the eyes between rounds 14 and 19 of the head.
Arms (make 2 - red)
Spirals.
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 6 [18]
Rnd 4-10: sc in all 18 sts [18] 7 rounds
Rnd 11: (sc in next 4 sts, dec) x 3 [15]
Rnd 12-13: sc in all 15 sts [15] 2 rounds
Rnd 14: (sc in next 3 sts, dec) x 3 [12]
Rnd 15: sc in all 12 sts [12]
Rnd 16: (sc in next 2 sts, dec) x 2, sc in next 2 sts, inc in next 2 sts [12]
Rnd 17: sc in next 9 sts, inc in next st, sc in next st, inc in next st [14]
Rnd 18-20: sc in all 14 sts [14] 3 rounds
Rnd 21: dec x 7 [7]
(Stuff a bit only the hands leaving the arms flat. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread the yarn tail into a tapestry needle and weave it through the front loop of each stitch remaining. Pull tight to close. Use this strand of yarn to sew the arms on the body later.)
Legs (make 2 - red)
Spirals.
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 6 [18]
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [24]
Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [30]
Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [36]
Rnd 7-12: sc in all 36 sts [36] 6 rounds
Rnd 13: (sc in next 7 sts, dec) x 4 [32]
Rnd 14: (sc in next 6 sts, dec) x 4 [28]
Rnd 15: (sc in next 5 sts, dec) x 4 [24]
Rnd 16: (sc in next 4 sts, dec) x 4 [20]
Rnd 17: (sc in next 3 sts, dec) x 4 [16]
Rnd 18: (sc in next 2 sts, dec) x 4 [12]
Rnd 19-24: sc in all 12 sts [12] 6 rounds
Rnd 25: dec x 3 leaving the rest of stitches unworked.
(Stuff a bit only the feet leaving the legs flat. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread the yarn tail into a tapestry needle and weave it through the front loop of each stitch remaining. Pull tight to close. Weave it through one or two stitches to secure the tail. Use this strand of yarn to sew the leg on the body later)
***The pattern with explanations pictures and special tips can be purchased here.***
Body (red)
Spirals.
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 6 [18]
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [24]
Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [30]
Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [36]
Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [42]
Rnd 8: (sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [48]
Rnd 9: (sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [54]
Rnd 10: (sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st) x 6 [60]
Rnd 11-23: sc in all 60 sts [60] 13 rounds
Rnd 24: (sc in next 8 sts, dec) x 6 [54]
Rnd 25-27: sc in all 54 sts [54] 3 rounds
Rnd 28: (sc in next 7 sts, dec) x 6 [48]
Rnd 29-31: sc in all 48 sts [48] 3 rounds
Rnd 32: (sc in next 6 sts, dec) x 6 [42]
Rnd 33: sc in all 42 sts [42]
Rnd 34: (sc in next 5 sts, dec) x 6 [36]
Rnd 35: (sc in next 4 sts, dec) x 6 [30]
Rnd 36: sc in all 30 sts [30]
Stuff the body
(Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Put the head on top of the body and sew them together)
Belly (off-white)
Non spirals.
Row 1: Make 25 chs, start at 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 23 chs, 3 sc in the last ch, continue working on the other side of chs, sc in next 23 chs, 1 ch, turn [49]
Row 2: sc in next 23 sts, (inc in next st) x 3, sc in next 23 sts [52]
Row 3: sc in next 23 sts, (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 3, sc in next 23 sts [55]
Row 4: sc in next 23 sts, (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) x 3, sc in next 23 sts [58]
Row 5: sc in next 23 sts, (sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) x 3, sc in next 23 sts [61]
Row 6: sc in next 23 sts, (sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) x 3, sc in next 23 sts [64]
(Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the belly in the front of the body later)
Tail (red)
Spirals.
Rnd 1: start 6 sc in magic ring [6]
Rnd 2: inc in next 6 sts [12]
Rnd 3: (sc in next st, inc in next st) x 6 [18]
Rnd 4: (inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts) x 2 [20]
Rnd 5: sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts [22]
Rnd 6: sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts [24]
Rnd 7: sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts [26]
Rnd 8: sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts [28]
Rnd 9: sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 13 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts [30]
Rnd 10: sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts [32]
Rnd 11: sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts [34]
Rnd 12: sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts [36]
Rnd 13: sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 17 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts [38]
Rnd 14: sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 18 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts [40]
Rnd 15: sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 19 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 11 sts [42]
Rnd 16-40: sc in all 42 sts [42] 25 rounds
Rnd 41: (sc in next 5 sts, dec) x 6 [36]
Rnd 42: (sc in next 4 sts, dec) x 6 [30]
Rnd 43: (sc in next 3 sts, dec) x 6 [24]
Stuff slightly
Rnd 44: (sc in next 2 sts, dec) x 6 [18]
Rnd 45: (sc in next st, dec) x 6 [12]
Rnd 46: dec x 6 [6]
(Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. The pattern starts from the tip of the tail and continue to its bottom)
Joining Parts (sewing):
The head should be sewed on the body by now. Pin the belly on the body's front and sew it on the body. Pin the legs on the body, the leg's bottom will be sewed around round 6 of the body. Stuff slightly between the body and the leg. Make sure Olly can stay in a sitting position before you sew the legs on the body.
After sewing the legs, pin the arms next to the neck, between rounds 27 and 35 of the body. When you like the position, sew them on the body. Pin the tail on the body's back. When you are satisfied with the location, sew the tail on the body.
***The pattern with explanations pictures and special tips can be purchased here.***
Thank you so much for all your support for my small business! I hope you enjoyed making Olly!
Let me know what did you think of the pattern and how your Squirrel turned out!
You can check my website here.
Warm hugs,
Larissa Soares
