Possum Pattern [PDF]

Zitiervorschau

Posie the Possu m

Did you know? Opossums are the only marsupials (mammals with a pouch in which they carry their young) that can be found outside of Australia and its surrounding islands. • When threatened, opossums will “play possum” – mimicking the appearance and smell of a dead or sick animal. Interestingly enough, though, this is an involuntary act (like fainting) rather than a conscious act. Opossums will regain consciousness after 1-4 hours. • Male opossums are called “jacks,” females are called “jills,” and their babies are called “joeys.” Please note: The pattern and images contained in this document are the sole property of Theresa's Crochet Shop. This written pattern is for personal use only. Please do not redistribute or sell this pattern in whole or in part. You may sell the finished product, but please credit Theresa's Crochet Shop as the designer.

Welcome! I hope you will enjoy the creation of this little possum! Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have along the way. Have fun! Materials You Will Need: • Crochet hook size: G/4mm • Worsted weight yarn: gray, dark gray, white, pink, and one strand of black yarn • Yarn needle • One pair of 12 mm safety eyes* • Polyester fiber fill stuffing *Safety eyes can be found on Etsy, Amazon, eBay, or your local craft store. The safety eyes are highly recommended, but they can be substituted with black buttons or yarn if you prefer. Final measurement for the finished possum will be 5 inches (13 cm) tall. Abbreviations: ch(s) – chain(s) sc – single crochet sts – stitches inc – increase* dec – sc decrease st* sl st – slip stitch *Increase stitch explanation: Work 2 single crochet stitches into the designated stitch. *Single crochet decrease stitch explanation: Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 2 loops on the hook. Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over again and pull the loop of yarn through all 3 loops on the hook. Changing colors explanation: You will need to change colors in the round to make the gray “V” on the opossum’s head. When changing colors, always change at the end of the previous stitch. For example, when changing to gray for the first time in R9 of the head, you will change to gray in the final step of the sc 1 right before the color change. So, when you have 2 loops of the old color on the hook, pull the new color through the 2 loops to change and then continue working with the new color. When changing colors, drop the old color to the inside of the head and then pick it up again when it’s needed. This will leave strands on the inside of the head; just make sure to leave these strands loose so they do not pucker the head. Note #1: This pattern is crocheted in continuous rounds (you will not join each round). Note #2: In my patterns, I begin each circle with “ch 2, 6 sc in first ch.” Another way of beginning is to start with a magic circle. If you are more familiar with this method, just do 6 sc into your magic circle.

Head Note: Refer to the “changing colors explanation” if you need further detail on how to change back and forth between the white and the gray in R9-13 of the head. With white yarn, R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts) R2: (Sc 2, inc), 2 times. (8 sts) R3: (Sc 3, inc), 2 times. (10 sts) R4: Sc 4, inc, inc, sc 4. (12 sts) R5: Sc 4, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 4. (14 sts) R6: Sc 6, inc, inc, sc 6. (16 sts) R7: Sc 4, (inc, sc 1), 3 times, inc, sc 5. (20 sts) R8: (Sc 4, inc), 4 times. (24 sts) R9: (Sc 3, inc), 3 times, sc 1, change to gray, sc 1, change to white, sc 1, inc, (sc 3, inc), 2 times. (30 sts) R10: (Sc 4, inc), 3 times, change to gray, sc 4, change to white, inc, (sc 4, inc), 2 times. (36 sts) R11: Sc 16, change to gray, sc 1, inc, sc 6, change to white, sc 11, inc. (38 sts) R12: Sc 16, change to gray, sc 10, change to white, sc 12. (38 sts) R13: Repeat R12. You will now change to gray for the rest of the opossum’s head. Here, pause on making the head to insert the eyes and sew on the nose and eye “line.” Insert the eyes between R8 and R9 of the head, with about 10 sts in between across the top. Then for the nose, thread a long strand of pink yarn onto your yarn needle. Then going through the inside of the head, pull the yarn needle out through the center of your beginning circle. Insert the needle back into the nose 2 rounds up (as pictured to the right). Repeat this stitch about 15-16 times or until you are happy with the thickness of the sewn nose. Secure the strand with a knot inside the head. Then stuff the leftover yarn into the tip of the opossum’s snout. To make the eye line, cut a strand of black yarn and pull it apart into two strands so that you are only working with half of the original thickness of the yarn. Thread that half strand onto your yarn needle and sew a small line at the back of either eye, as pictured to the right. Now, proceed with making the head… R14-17: Sc 38. (4 total rounds) R18: (Sc 17, dec), 2 times. (36 sts) R19: (Sc 4, dec ), 6 times. (30 sts) R20: (Sc 3, dec), 6 times. (24 sts) R21: (Sc 2, dec), 6 times. (18 sts) Begin stuffing the head. R22: (Sc 1, dec), 6 times. (12 sts) R23: Dec 6 times. (6 sts) Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Finish stuffing the head. Use the yarn tail to weave through the front loops of the 6 sts (as pictured above) and pull tight to close the hole. Secure with a knot and weave in the end.

Ears (make 2) With white yarn, R1: Ch 2, 4 sc in first ch. (4 sts) R2: (Sc 1, inc), 2 times. (6 sts) Switch to dark gray yarn, R3: (Sc 2, inc), 2 times. (8 sts) R4-5: Sc 8. (2 total rounds) Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Sew the ears to the head, right at the edge of the white and gray border, and on either side of widest part of the gray V (on R13 of the head.) Body With gray yarn, R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts) R2: Inc 6 times. (12 sts) R3: (Sc 1, inc), 6 times. (18 sts) R4: (Sc 2, inc), 6 times. (24 sts) R5: (Sc 3, inc), 6 times. (30 sts) R6-9: Sc 30. (4 total rounds) R10: (Sc 3, dec), 6 times. (24 sts) R11: (Sc 2, dec), 6 times. (18 sts) R12: (Sc 4, dec), 3 times. (15 sts) R13-14: Sc 15. (2 total rounds) Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Stuff body firmly. Sew the body to the head, as pictured above. Arms (make 2) With gray yarn, R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts) R2: (Sc 2, inc), 2 times. (8 sts) R3-5: Sc 8. (3 total rounds) Switch to pink, but leave a long gray yarn tail for sewing and weave it through to the top of the arm, R6: Sc 8. (8 sts) R7: Inc, sc 7. (9 sts) Wait to fasten off. Stuff the arms. Then single crochet through both layers across the top of the arm to create the “fingers:” R8: Ch 1, then *sc, ch 2, sc* together in the first st, and repeat 2 times across to create the 3 fingers. Fasten off, leaving a short yarn tail for weaving in. Weave in the pink yarn tail. Weave the gray yarn tail through to the top of the arm and then sew the arms facing forwards to the sides of the body right below the head.

Feet (make 2) With pink yarn, R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts) R2: (Sc 2, inc), 2 times. (8 sts) R3: Sc 8. (8 sts) R4: Inc, sc 7. (9 sts) As with the arms, wait to fasten off. Then single crochet through both layers across the top of the foot to create the “toes:” R5: Ch 1, *sc 1, ch 2, sc 1, sl st* together in the first st, and repeat 2 times across to create the 3 “toes.” Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Now sew the feet to the bottom of the body, on either side of the beginning circle of the body, as pictured below. Tail With pink yarn, R1: Ch 27, turn and starting in the 2nd ch from your hook, sc 26. (26 sts) Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Sew to the bottom of the opossum’s body, 1 round back from the backs of the feet, or between R3 and R4 of the body, as pictured to the right. Optional: As a finishing touch, I added a bit of blush to my opossum’s cheeks with a little makeup brush and rouge. And there you go, you are done! Thank you so much for joining me in making a cute little possum!