Free Crochet Plushie Carrot Teether Pattern

Copyright 2008. This crochet pattern is free for your personal use. Please do not copy this onto your own website, because Associated Content pays me for each unique page view. Also, please do not sell items made from my crochet patterns or try to pass my patterns off as your own.

It goes without saying that no matter how well you make any crochet item, you should always supervise babies and small children when they are playing with any toy.

My crochet patterns are for people with some knowledge of crochet and sewing basics. I use a size "I" hook because my stitches tend to be tight. If you crochet loosely, you may want to use a smaller hook in order to get a tighter finish. Tighter stitches will hold their shape better when you are crocheting toys. If you are crocheting clothing, a looser stitch will be softer and have more stretch.

Gauge is not important for my crocheted toys and plushies. I go by inches instead of stitches.

Recommended Yarns

If you want your crocheted toy or plushie to maintain its shape, I recommend Red Heart yarns, available practically everywhere and very inexpensive. This acrylic yarn comes in a wide variety of colors and makes a stiff form. Cotton yarns also make a stiff shape. For softer plushies, blankets or clothes, Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn is a little bit cuddlier. It comes in less colors, but the colors are delicious.

If you prefer wool, I recommend Wool-Ease, which is not 100% wool but is washable, which I think is important in a toy. 100% wool tends to felt up, even if you wash it gently in cold water. Wool will not keep its shape as well as acrylic but makes a super soft toy.

If you use a finer yarn to make your item, you will want to use a smaller hook, such as an "F" or "G" hook. A larger hook will leave too much space between stitches and the fiberfill inside will start coming out.

Crochet Plushie Carrot Teether Pattern

Supplies:

Orange and Dark Green worsted weight yarns

Size "I" hook or smaller

Large yarn needle

Fiberfill

Abbreviations:

St - Stitch

Sl - Slip stitch

Sc - Single Crochet

Ch - Chain

Carrot Body, Orange Yarn

Round 1: Ch 2, 8 Sc in the beginning chain to make a round. 8 Sts.

Round 2: Without turning, crochet 2 Sc in the first Sc and in every St around. 16 Sts.

Round 3: In the back loops only, crochet 1 Sc in each St. 16 Sts.

Round 4 - ?: Going back to using both loops, crochet 1 Sc in each St around and around until your carrot is a little shorter than your pointer finger. Using small pieces of fiberfill, stuff the carrot. Smaller pieces make it easier to control the shape of your carrot.

Next Rounds: Begin decreasing Sts as you crochet about every other St: Sc, decrease, Sc, decrease. This will gradually bring your carrot to a point. Stop short of finishing so that you have a hole large enough to stuff in the last amounts of fiberfill. I use the back end of a large size "K" to push in the stuffing.

When you are happy with the shape and amount of fiberfill, decrease each St until you close the carrot, and finish by tying a knot. Leave about a 4 inch tail. Using your yarn needle, poke into the tip of the carrot and push up into the carrot body to make the knot tuck in. Pull your needle out from the side of your carrot and cut off the excess yarn. If this doesn't make sense, just weave in your end like you normally do.

Adding the Green Top

The carrot top is made a several tassels knotted around the wide part of the carrot (Round 1).

Cut 12 pieces of dark green yarn about 4 inches long.

Using two pieces at a time, pick a spot toward the center of Round 1 and insert your hook. Pull up the middle of the yarn and pull it through just about half an inch. Wrap the 4 ends of the yarn pieces around your hook and pull them through the half inch loop. Pull them tight, and you have made a tassel. Do this all around Round 1. You can trim them when you are done if you prefer the green top to be shorter.