Meet the Mini Forest Friends,
The Fox, Raccoon and Beaver are modified Mini Bears. I just released the bear pattern last week, here, along with video tutorials for each part of the bear pattern. If you need help with making a Forest Friend you can follow the same videos that show you how to make the muzzle, the head and body, the arms and legs and how to sew it all together. The only parts that are different from the bear are the ears and tails.
See the playlist of videos here
The Forest Friends are 4.5 inches from bum to top of ears. The perfect size for little hands! I do believe they are the perfect size to be made into a mobile. Get creative and have fun!
How to print the pattern,
Use the free print friendly service here
Supplies:
worsted weight acrylic yarn
4mm to a 4.25mm hook
blunt end yarn needle for sewing
scissors
polyester stuffing
9mm - 12mm safety eyes
Abbreviations:
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
ch1 = chain one
sl st = slip stitch
2tog = crochet 2 stitches together
f/o = finish off
How to read the rows: Mark off the last st of row 2 and move that marker at the end of each 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 particular row. The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.
Make the muzzle first, you will sew this on after you finish row 10 of the head
Muzzle: using cream or off white
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing
Whip stitch a nose in place then set the muzzle aside until we're ready to sew it on. The Beaver has a larger nose than the others.
Add 2 pieces of white felt for the beaver's teeth. You can glue or sew these on.
After I glued the teeth on the beaver snout I wrapped yarn over the tops of them (see picture). You can do the same or leave the teeth by themselves.
Head and Body:
Starting at the top of the head working down to bottom of body:
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)
Now place the top of the muzzle just below row 5 and sew it in place. Sew on the inside edge, not the outside, for a cleaner look. Knot off, cut the yarn tail shorter and leave it inside the head.
Install the eyes on each side of the muzzle in between the 6th and 7th row.If you're following the bear video, the eyes are closer together than I did for the fox and raccoon. You place them where you wish.
11) 1sc then 2tog (12)
12) 1sc in each st for 1 row
13) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
14) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
stuff and shape head. Add more stuffing into the head over the next few rows as needed
15) 1sc in each st for 1 row
16) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
17-18) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
19) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (24)
20) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
21) 1sc then 2tog (12)
stuff the majority of the body
22) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
f/o leaving a tail for sewing. Weave in and out of the remaining stitches then stuff the body. Make sure to shape the body as you stuff. Once done, pull yarn tail tight to close up the body, knot off and hide yarn tail inside body.
Legs: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in 3st then 2sc in next st (15)
4) 1sc in each st for 1 row
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (12)
6) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
7) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff the first 4 rows of the foot
8) 1sc through both sides across to close up the leg
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing
Arms: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
4) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff to the top edge of arm
5) 1sc through both sides to close up the arm
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing
Fox and Raccoon Ears: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (8)
3) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (10)
4) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (12)
5) 1sc in each st for 1 row
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
Fox Tail: starting with alternate color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (8)
3) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (10)
4) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (12)
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (15)
6) 1sc in each st for 1 row
7) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (12)
8) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (10)
9) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (8)
stuff. This is the only part of the tail that gets stuffed.
10) switch colors on first st then 1sc in next 7st (8)
11-14) 1sc in each st for 4 rows
15) 1sc through both sides to close up the tail
f/o leaving a long tail for sewing.
Raccoon Tail: starting with alternate color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in each st for 1 row
4) switch colors on first st then 1sc in next 11st (12)
5) 1sc in each st for 1 row
6) switch colors on first st then 1sc in next 11st (12)
7) 1sc in each st for 1 row
8) switch colors on first st then 1sc in next 11st (12)
9) 1sc in each st for 1 row
10) switch colors on first st then 1sc in next 11st (12)
11) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (10)
stuff tail
12) switch colors on first st then 1sc in next 9st (10)
stuff tail
13) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (8)
14) 1sc through both sides to close up the tail
f/o leaving a tail for sewing
Beaver Ears: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
sl st next st and f/o leaving a tail for sewing.
Beaver Tail: with darker color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in the next st (18)
4) 1sc in each st for 1 row
5) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
6) 1sc in each st for 1 row
7) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (20)
8) 1sc in next 8st then 2tog (18)
9) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (15)
10) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (12)
11) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (10)
12-13) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
sl st next st and f/o leaving tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Stretch out and flatten the tail.
Bear Ears:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in each st for 1 row
4) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (10)
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
Bear Tail:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2tog (8)
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff.
Assembly:
If feeling unsure about the assembly please watch the video here It is the bear assembly video but the sewing is the same.
1) It's important to sew the legs on first. Make sure the stuffing is still in the first four rows, squish it around with your fingers and arrange the stuffing best you can. The legs are placed in a "V" shape as pictured. Whip stitch the edge to the body then tack down both sides so the legs stay in position. About 3 minutes into the assembly video I give you a tip on how to get it to sit up, if it falls over, before you get the tail sewn on.
2) Place the fox and raccoon on the table top and slide the tail into position, hold in place then sew. The beaver tail should be pinned in place first, make sure it sits okay, then sew it in. I made a video on sewing 2 colors together using this beaver tail as an example. View that video here
3) Sew the arms on. Refer to picture in step 1 or the assembly video.
4) Pin the ears in place if need be. The beaver's ears are sewn in between the 3rd and 4th row. The top corner of the bear, fox and raccoon ears are sewn in between the 2nd and 3rd row.
You're done! I hope you enjoyed making your own mini Forest Friends.
can you make a pattern for clothes for them and make them standing
ReplyDeleteCould you tell me what yarn brand\colour you used for the fox?
ReplyDeletered heart comfort in orange. I believe it's just called orange.. might be called bright orange
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