Fall is in full swing this 2019 and it has not been a let down among the yarn community. Designers are coming up with amazing patterns left and right and Lisa over at StringsAway has brought us something unique to make this fall. Thanks to Dug, the dog, from the Disney movie Up, you will definitely be shouting “SQUIRREL!” whenever you pass by this fella. Give a big welcome to Lisa.
Hi Lisa!
I’m Lisa from StringsAway! I’m from Cambridge Ontario, Canada, a place that you may not have heard of, but have perhaps already seen, if you watch ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ TV series.
Here in the Great White North, we have long, cold, and tedious winters that drag on forever. Perhaps I have those winters to thank for learning how to crochet-it was because of a bad bout of snowy weather that I found myself with a day full of cancellations at work (I am an Optometrist), and stumbled across an amigurumi tutorial on YouTube. Now, I crochet year-round, indoors, outdoors, while waiting in line, and even in the car when our destination is only 5 minutes away. “You know you are addicted when…” said my husband once, in reference to my impulsive crocheting-behavior.
Over the last few years, I’ve expanded from not only making amigurumi, but designing my own original patterns and sharing them on my blog. Like all of the other millennial’s I also love travelling, vlogging, and photography and will sometimes bring my amigurumi on trips to get that epic photo. I mostly design Pokemon, but have recently started creating other characters- like this basic fall squirrel with a pumpkin spice latte. I’m so excited to share this with everyone here on the Yarn Punk blog, and hope you enjoy this fuzzy ball of sass and spice. Thanks for having me here!
Social Media
Instagram: @StringsAway
Website: www.stringsaway.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StringsAway/
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Materials:
- Yarn: Brown, Tan, Orange (medium weight was used)
- 3.5 mm crochet hook
- Fiber-fill stuffing
- Felt: black, white, tan, grey (for nose, eyes) dark brown (for coffee), Felting needle if desired
- Scissors, yarn, embroidery needle for assembly
Abbreviations
R(#): Round number
MR: magic ring
Sc: single crochet
Inc: increase
Dec: decrease
Ch: chain
f/o: fasten off
The Basic Fall Squirrel Amigurumi
Head
Using brown:
R1. 6 Sc in MR (6)
R2. Sc around (6)
R3. Inc around (12)
R4. Sc around (12)
R5. ‘Sc 1, inc’ around (18)
R6-R7. Sc around (18) two times
R8. ‘Sc 2, inc’ around (24)
R9-R11. Sc around (24) three times
R12. ‘Sc 2, dec’ around (18) Begin adding stuffing
R13. ‘Sc 1, dec’ around (12)
R14. Dec around (6) Stuff full. f/o and close loop.
Body
Using brown:
R1. 6 Sc in MR (6)
R2. Inc around (12)
R3. ‘Sc 1, inc’ around (18)
R4. ‘Sc 2, inc’ around (24)
R5-R14. Sc around (24) ten times
R15. ‘Sc 2, dec’ around (18) Add some stuffing
R16. ‘Sc 1, dec’ around (12) Stuff full, f/o. Do not close opening– the head will cover it.
Ears
Make 2- Using brown:
R1. 4 Sc in MR (4)
R2. Sc around (4)
R3. ‘Sc 1, inc’ around (6)
R4. ‘Sc 2, inc’ around (8)
R5. Sc around (8) F/o, do not close opening, do not stuff, press flat.
Arms
Make 2- Using brown:
R1. 4 Sc in MR (4)
R2. ‘Sc 1, inc’ around (6)
R3-R4. Sc around (6) twice
R5. ‘Sc 2, inc’ around (8)
R6. Sc around (8) F/o, do not close opening, stuff lightly.
Feet
Make 2- Using brown:
Repeat instructions for Arms R1-R4. F/o, do not close opening.
Hair Curl
Using tan
Make a curly-cue: Chain 21. Turn, beginning in 2nd Ch from hook: ‘Sc 4, inc’ – repeat 3x. F/o and leave a tail to sew to head.
Coffee Cup
Using orange:
R1. 6 Sc in MR (6)
R2. ‘Sc 2, Inc’ around (8)
R3. ‘Sc 3, Inc’ around (10)
R4-R5. Sc around (10) twice Chain 3, sl st into any stitch near R2. F/o, weave in end. Stuff opening with dark brown yarn.
Tummy
Using tan
Make an oval: Chain 5. Turn, beginning In 2nd ch from hook, Sc 4. Continue onto the other side of the foundation chain: Inc (Note there should be 3 sc in the 1st foundation chain), Sc 2, Inc. You should have an oval with 10 stitches. Continue on, working in rounds:
R2: Inc, Sc 2, Inc 3, Sc 2, Inc 2 (16)
R3: Sc, Inc, Sc 2, ‘Sc 1, inc’ 3 times, Sc 2, ‘Sc 1, inc’ 2 times (22) F/o, leave a long tail for sewing to the body.
Tail
Using brown:
Chain 7. Turn, beginning in 2nd ch from hook, Sc 6. Continue onto the other side of the foundation chain: Sc 6. You should have an oval with 12 stitches. Continue on, working in rounds: R2-24. Sc around (12) 24 times. F/o, do not stuff. Press flat.
Assembly
Head: attach the ears to the top of the head, and base of the hair curl at the top of the head, next to the squirrel’s right ear.
Body: Attach the head to the body covering the hole. Attach the belly to the front of the body, and frame the belly with the feet and arms (facing forward). Attach the tail to the back of the body- note the squirrel is balanced by the base of the tail and the two feet.
Tail: For a fuzzy tail –use a brush (pet brushes work great!) to brush out the yarn of the tail. Curl the end of the tail as desired. (Picture Below)
Coffee cup: attach in between the two arms.
Details: I used leftover yarn ends and a felting needle to apply the details. Attach black felt to the tip of the snout for the nose, and eyes to either side of the head at approximately rows 6-8 on the head.
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 it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.
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