Little “Pillow Monster” Doll

Based on http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=147259.0 and http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=147816.0

I have been seeing these around and decided to do my own version for a CAL I am doing on Ravelry.com. I am doing it as more of a tutorial than a pattern so you can see how to make one but chose your own size for it.

Wouldn't he make a great tooth fairy pillow for a little boy? Just add a small pocket and he is good to go!

You will need some worsted weight yarn and a crochet hook. I used Red Heart Super Saver with a size “H” hook You will also need a length of contrasting scrap yarn to use as a row marker and a couple of other pieces to use as stitch markers. (Of course, you can use stitch markers as well.) I can not give you yardage on the project as I do not know what size you are going to make your doll.

The first thing to do is decide what size you want your creature to be and make a starting chain just a bit shorter than the width you wish for your body. This will form the top of the head. Do an even number of chain stitches in any case. To start my monster, I did a chain 16. The width of my monster is about 4 1/2 inches. This pattern is worked amigurumi style or “in the round”. This means you do not join with a slip stitch, but place the next stitch into the top of the first stitch of the last row.

Decrease Single Crochet – pull up a loop in the next stitch, insert hook in next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull off all loops on the hook at once.

Round 1 - work a single crochet in the second chain from the hook and each chain until you get to the last chain. Do 3 single crochets in the last chain and place a marker in the middle single crochet of the three. This will mark your increase point for the next row. You will now work a single crochet in each chain, up the back side of the base chain until you reach the end and do 2 single crochets in the last stitch. Place a marker in the second stitch. This will mark the end of the row and the increase point for the next row.

Increase Rounds

Round 2, 3 – work one single crochet in each stitch until you reach the first marker. Place marker in the 2nd single crochet. Work 2 single crochet in that stitch and then one stitch into each stitch until the next marker. Work 2 single crochet in the last stitch of that row and place a marker. Depending on the size of your doll, you may want to work one more increase row to shape the top of your head. I did 2 for mine, but if you want more of a pillow size, you may like to make three or four increase rounds.

Body

Work a single crochet into each stitch, working in the round and being sure to keep marking your row ends. Continue until you have the length you wish for your body.

Stuff Body.

Legs

Flatten your body and determine where the middle of it is. For me it was the 10th stitch. Notice: the row end will not necessarily be the side of the monster. Working in the round causes some distortion of line. Do not worry about that, just make sure you have your body lying nice and flat. Place a marker on both the front and back in the middle. Remove other markers.

Important: Make sure you keep notes on how many rows and where you start your decreases so you can match the second leg. (Unless, of course, you do not wish them to match!)

Work 1 single crochet into each stitch until you reach the first marker. Your next stitch will be worked through both the front and back side middle stitch. Continue this row on the opposite side of your work. This makes the base for the first leg. Continue working one single crochet into each stitch until your leg length is where you want it, before the decrease rows.

Stuff leg.

To decrease for the foot, work decrease single crochet stitches around. Continue until you have less than five stitches and then finish off like this. Pull up a loop in each remaining stitch and yarn over. Pull off all loops at once and fasten off.

For the second leg, attach your yarn into the middle stitch and work one single crochet into each stitch around the opposite side to make your base for the leg. Be sure to follow your design for leg #1 if you want them to match!

At this point you may decide you are finished or you could make arms for your monster.

Arms

Chain 3 and work 6 single crochet in the bottom chain of your base. Place a marker.

Round 2 - Work in the round increasing one stitch in the first single crochet and one stitch in the third single crochet. Place marker

Round 3 work increase in every other stitch around. Place marker

If this is wide enough for your arm, then continue to work rounds of one stitch in each stitch and placing a marker at the end of the row until you get the length you wish, then fasten off. Stuff and sew to body.

Embellish as you see fit!

If you need help with this, please e-mail me.

Jane