The Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly Crochet Pattern



The Old Lady who swallowed a fly.
Why did she swallow a fly? I don't know why!

This Old Lady is a special because her body is hollow and can be opened and closed. She can swallow a fly! Or if you prefer, she can hold treasures that aren't bug related in her tummy.
I first introduced her just before Easter this year 2015. If you missed that post see it here. You can pick up the Fly pattern here.

Without the egg!

I also wrote up a pattern for the same lady that has no egg inside. She prefers to walk her pet fly. You can find both patterns below, please read through all the instructions and information I've provided first, this will help you along as smoothly as possible.


Copyright 2015 Author: Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go, All rights reserved

Supplies:
Red Heart Comfort yarn in Grape 3200 for the dress. Cream 3240 for the head and hands. Grey 3150 for the hair and different colors of your choice for the embellishments.
4.0 mm hook - use a smaller hook if you crochet fairly loose
blunt end yarn needle for sewing
scissors
2 buttons, felt, paint, French Knot or whatever you choose for eyes. The eyes in the ladies pictured are 7.5mm.
Thin wire for glasses. I used 24 gauge. I don't show how to make the glasses in this post but I do have a how to video tutorial here
1 plastic Easter egg similar in color to the yarn used to make the body (C = 9" or see size pictured below)
no egg needed if you make a solid body
a small amount of polyester stuffing
emery board or sand paper
fabric fusion or tacky glue
2 buttons for feet, these will also help your lady stand on her own. No buttons needed for the lady with no egg.

Abbreviations:
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
2tog = crochet 2 stitches together
FLO = front loops only
f/o = finish off

Magic ring:
Many parts of this amigurumi begin with a magic ring. I have 2 short video tutorials that will show you 2 different methods of making a magic ring. Use the one that is
easiest for you. View 1st method here and 2nd method here.

How to read the rows:
Add a maker at the end of row 2 and move that marker each time you finish a row. Each row has a sequence. Example: 1sc then 2sc in next st means repeat that sequence 1sc then 2sc in next st followed by 1sc then 2sc in next st over and over to the end of that row. When you land on the marker you should be putting in 2sc. The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.

IMPORTANT
-
The arms need to be sewn on and the flowers put in before the egg is glued in place. Using the emery board or sand paper rough up the entire egg, making sure you rough up all around the edges.




Arms make 2 with dress color:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (8)
3-10) 1sc in each st for 8 rows
11) (ch1 then 1sc) in each st for 1 row
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff arms. Add in decorations. You can add in as I did on the topside of the arm only since the other side will be sewn flat to the body and will not be seen. Using lengths of yarn (knotted on one end) and a yarn needle, go through the inside of the arm first then out through the front, back in and out until you have 4 "petals". For the green I made 2 "petals". Put in as many or as little as you want. Always knot off when done with a length of yarn.


Hands make 2 with cream color:
1) magic circle or adjustable loop with 6st (6)
2-4) 1sc for 3 rows
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing
weave in and out of the FLO of each stitch and pull tight to close. Put the hand into the end of the arm and carry the yarn tail up to the end of the arm, make sure not to bunch the arm up. Knot off on the underside of the arm where the knot will not be seen and then hide the yarn tail inside the arm.


Hair Cap with Grey:

1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (28)
6-11) 1sc in each st for 6 rows
12) 1sc in the FLO for 1 row
13) 3hdc in next st then sl st next st for 1 row
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold row 13 upwards and sew into place. Stretch out the cap from side to side before putting it on the head to make it easier to get on.


Starting at the top of the head with cream:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5-9) 1sc in each st for 5 rows
add the eyes in between the 7th and 8th row with 2 visible stitch holes between them. (Placement and spacing is a matter of preference so feel free to play around with this part).
10) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
11) 1sc then 2tog switch to dress color on last 2tog (12)  add in a mouth. I split a piece of red yarn for this part.
12) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
13) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff head, shape as you stuff
14) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
15) 1sc in next 5st then 2sc in next st (28)
16) 1sc in next 6st then 2sc in next st (32)
17-22) 1sc in each st for 6 rows. You may need less rows or more rows depending on yarn you used. Place the top half of the egg inside the body when you have finished row 22 and see if the bottom edge of row 22 reaches the edge of the egg and the egg is completely inside the body, you might have to stretch it a bit. If it doesn't reach then add rows as needed or if it hangs over and you can't get the edge even with the egg by bunches it upwards then take out a row or more as needed.
sl st next st and f/o. Weave in yarn tail. Sew in the arms and add in decorative flowers before gluing the egg in place.


I have a tutorial for making glasses here. You will need thin wire. I used 24 gauge

Bottom half of body with dress color:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
6) 1sc in next 14st then 2sc in next st (32)
7-11) 1sc in each st for 5 rows
sl st next st then f/o and weave in yarn tail. Add in decorative flowers before gluing the egg in place.
When you're ready to glue the egg in do not make any glue puddles or the glue will seep through the yarn and be visible. Instead spread the glue around evenly, making sure to also get the glue right around the edge but not over the edge.
The top half of egg should go all the way inside the body. You might have to stretch the body a bit to ensure that the bottom edge is completely in line with the top edge of the egg.
The bottom half of the egg has a ridge, make sure this ridge is completely visible as pictured below and the crochet edge is below that ridge line or the egg will not close properly. Test the egg first to see how it opens and closes.


Leave the egg halves apart and check on them after 10 minutes to see if the all the edges are still as they should be and haven't drifted up or down. Let the glue completely dry before putting the halves together.

Button Shoes:
(Read to the end for an alternative way to attach the shoes)
Use 2 buttons that have a flat side. Add a good size dot of glue for each button. (View the photos) I put down a piece of wax paper and set the doll down on top of the buttons. You can see the front of the button sticking out from under the doll. Adjust the buttons as needed until the doll stands by itself. Pushing down on the doll, I gently pushed the buttons in with my finger until they wouldn't go any further. Leave the doll now until the glue is completely dry. It does help to also remove the top of the doll, add something heavy into the bottom half so that the weight keeps the doll and buttons together until the glue dries.The buttons will help the doll stand on its own and also look real cute :)
And here's my small confession. The first doll I made with button shoes dried perfectly and very solid but I may have left it overnight.. I can't remember now! Ok, so this doll in the photo probably would have dried perfectly too but I picked it up too many times to check and the buttons fell off. I was impatient because I wanted to take photos for this tutorial. So what I did to speed things along was just hot glue the buttons on and that worked like a charm and so fast too! So you decide how to attach the button shoes, both ways work but the fabric glue might have to be left overnight to dry.


Rub a q-tip in blush then rub lightly on the lady's face. Make it as dark or as light as you like


Shawl with fingering or light fingering weight yarn and a 4.0mm hook:
1) ch21
2) start in the 2nd st from the hook, 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (25)
3) ch3 turn, start in the 4th st from the hook, 1dc in next 4st then 2dc in next st (30)
4) ch3 turn, repeat row 3 (36)
5) ch3 turn, start in 4th st from hook, 1dc in next 8st then 2dc in next st (40) - continue up the side now and put 1sc in next 4 spaces. (This row now has 44st)
6) (ch1 turn, 1sc in next 4st, this ends this part of the row, continue on with the next sequence) 2hdc in next 2st then sl st next st and repeat this sequence until there is 1st left in the row. Put 1sc in that last st. Continue up the side and put 1sc in the next 5 spaces then sl st into the corner. f/o and weave in yarn tails
Feel free to add a button or a snap closure. It's not needed though and the shawl should drape over the shoulders without any closure to hold it in place

photo shows the last steps of row 6. click on photo to enlarge it


The yellow shawl was made with worsted weight yarn, the same weight I used to make the dress. I showed them together so you can see how large the shawl will turn out f you don't use fingering weight yarn to make the shawl. You can use the same hook size you made the doll with but the shawl will look better (better size, not so bulky) if you use the lighter weight yarn.


Head and Body for Old Lady Without the Egg
Starting at the top of the head with cream:
1) magic circle  with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5-9) 1sc in each st for 5 rows
10) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
add the eyes in between the 7th and 8th row with 2 visible stitch holes between them. (Placement and spacing is a matter of preference so feel free to play around with this part). You can also add in a mouth. I just split a piece of red yarn and used that.
11) 1sc then 2tog switch to dress color on last 2tog (12)
12) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
13) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff head, shape as you stuff
14) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
15) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
16) 1sc in each st for 1 row
17) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (36)
18-22) 1sc in each st for 5 rows. At the end of row 22 you can sew in the arms and also add in the decorative flowers.
23) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (30)
24-28) 1sc in each st for 5 rows.
29) 1sc in each of the FLO for 1 row.
30) sl st next st then 2hdc in next st, repeat to end of row
sl st next st and f/o. Weave in yarn tail. Add in the rest of the decorations then stuff the body.

Plug to close the dress hole. Using dress color:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew the plug to the underside of the dress. I whip stitched the plug to the outer loops of row 29 of the dress. For the photo I used white yarn to sew the plug in just to show you that I sewed the plug and the outer loops of row 29 together and in doing so you don't see any of the sewing stitches on the outside of the doll.




Why donating is important and my thank you here.



Copyright Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go All rights reserved 



Comments

  1. I'm searching for easter egg right know! This one is great! Thanks for the pattern ;)
    Greetings, Wendy
    Wendy's Mhaaksels

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much for offering your patterns for free! I can enjoy this craft because of the talents that people such as you and other's have and their willingness in sharing without wanting the all consuming dollar bill!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you're so welcome! And thank you, your comment means a lot to me. I actually was taught to crochet the same way, for free, and it changed my life! I feel so much joy to be able to pay it forward in the same manner.

      Happy Crocheting!

      Delete
  3. Geweldig gedaan! Super idee! Bedankt voor het delen van het patroontje. Nu nog de verrassingseitjes vinden :-)

    Fijne avond, lieve groetjes Tinne

    ReplyDelete
  4. So funny to think about an old lady swallowing a fly. Thanks for the pattern of this cute lady.

    Have a nice day, Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  5. There Was An Old Woman

    There was an old woman who swallowed a fly,
    I don't know why she swallowed a fly,
    Perhaps she'll die.
    There was an old woman who swallowed a spider,
    That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
    She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
    I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
    Perhaps she'll die.

    There was an old woman who swallowed a bird,
    How absurd! to swallow a bird,
    She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
    That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
    She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
    I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
    Perhaps she'll die.

    There was an old woman who swallowed a cat,
    Imagine that! to swallow a cat,
    She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
    She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
    That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
    She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
    I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
    Perhaps she'll die.

    There was an old woman who swallowed a dog,
    What a hog! to swallow a dog,
    She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
    She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
    She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
    That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
    She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
    I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
    Perhaps she'll die.

    There was an old woman who swallowed a goat,
    Just opened her throat! to swallow a goat,
    She swallowed the goat to catch the dog,
    She swallowed the dog to catch the cat,
    She swallowed the cat to catch the bird,
    She swallowed the bird to catch the spider,
    That wriggled and jiggled and tickled inside her,
    She swallowed the spider to catch the fly,
    I don't know why she swallowed the fly,
    Perhaps she'll die.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My grandmother knew this whole poem, and I hadn't thought of it in years. Thank you so much for the reminder and the journey back to my younger days.

    ReplyDelete

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