Bear ragdoll

This characterful children’s toy makes a perfect stocking filler. By Magali Poumeyrol

■ DROPS Cotton Merino Uni Colour (50% wool, 50% cotton, 50g/110m), 1 ball of each: Mustard Yellow (15), Forest Green (11), Powder Pink (05), Red (06)

■ A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook

■ A 4mm (US G/6) hook for Scarf

■ Polyester toy stuffing

■ Black thread, for embroidery details

TENSION

Tension is not critical for this project but may affect yarn quantities required

MEASUREMENTS

19cm (7 in) tall and 16cm (6 in) from tip of left Arm to tip of right Arm

NOTES

Most of the Bear is worked back and forth in rows. to make 2 Body pieces which are seamed together. Change colour in the last yrh of the previous st. The Nose uses the amigurumi method of working in a spiral.

BEAR

BODY (MAKE 2)

Using a 2.5mm hook and Mustard Yellow, ch13.

Row 1 (RS) Dc in second chain from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn. [12 sts]

Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st here and throughout), 2dc in first st, dc in each st to last st, 2dc in last st, turn. [14 sts]

Row 3 As Row 2. [16 sts]

Row 4 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

Rows 5-7 As Row 2. [22 sts after Row 7]

Rows 8-9 As Row 4, turn.

Change to Red.

Row 10 Ch1, dc in bl only of each st to end, turn.

Row 11 Ch2 (does not count as st), tr in st at base of beg ch-2, tr in each st to end, turn.

Row 12 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn. Change to Powder Pink.

Row 13 Ch1, ss in fl of each st to end, turn. Change to Red.

Row 14 Working in rem loops of Row 12, ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

Change to Powder Pink.

Row 15 As Row 13.

Row 16 As Row 14, working in rem loops of Row 14, keep the same yarn (Red).

Rows 17-18 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

Row 19 Ch1, dc2tog, 18dc, dc2tog, turn. [20 sts]

Row 20 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn. Change to Powder Pink.

Row 21 Ch1, ss in fl of each st to end, turn. Change to Red.

Row 22 Working in rem loops of Row 20, ch1, dc2tog, dc in next 16 sts, dc2tog, turn. [18 sts] Change to Powder Pink.

Row 23 Ch1, ss in fl of each st to end, turn. Change to Red.

Row 24 Ch1, in rem loops of Row 22, dc2tog, dc in next 14 sts, dc2tog, turn. [16 sts]

Row 25 Ch2 (does not count as st), tr2tog, tr in next 12 sts, tr2tog, turn. [14 sts]

Row 26 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn. Change to Mustard Yellow.

Row 27 Ch1, working in bl only, 2dc in bl of first st, dc in bl of next 12 sts, 2dc in bl of last st, turn. [16 sts]

Row 28 Ch1, 2dc in first st, dc in each st to last st, 2dc in last st, turn. [18 sts]

Rows 29-30 As Row 28. [22 sts after Row 30]

Row 31 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

Row 32 As Row 28. [24 sts]

Row 33 As Row 31.

Rows 34-35 As Row 28. [28 sts after Row 35]

Rows 36-40 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

Row 41 Ch1, dc2tog, dc in each st to last 2 sts, dc2tog, turn. [26 sts]

Row 42 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

Rows 43-46 Rep Rows 41-42 twice more. [22 sts]

Rows 47-49 As Row 41. [16 sts after Row 49]

Row 50 Ch1, dc2tog, htr in next 3 sts, tr in next 6 sts, htr in next 3 sts, dc2tog. [14 sts]

Fasten off.

Using Red and with RS facing, ss in rem loop of each st of top and bottom rows of sweater, on Rows 10 and 26.

Fasten off.

ARMS (MAKE 4; 2 FOR EACH ARM)

Using a 2.5mm hook and Mustard Yellow, ch6.

Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn. [5 sts]

Rows 2-4 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in next 5 sts, turn. Change to Red.

Row 5 Ch1, dc in fl only of each st to end, turn.

Row 6 Ch1, dc in next 5 sts, turn. Change to Powder Pink.

Row 7 Ch1, ss in fl of each st to end, changing to Red on last ss, turn.

Row 8 Working in rem loops of Row 6, ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

Change to Powder Pink.

Row 9 As Row 7.

Row 10 As Row 8, working in rem loops of Row 8, keep the same yarn (Red).

Row 11 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn.

[5 sts]

Fasten off.

Using Red, join with a ss on the first front loop from Row 4, then (ss, ch1) 4 times, ss in last st. [5 ss, 4 ch]

Fasten off for first piece. Do not fasten off for second piece.

For each Arm, put both Arm pieces WS together and work a dc seam around edges, with (dc, ch1, dc) in each corner and leaving the top of the Arm open.

Change colours where appropriate.

Stuff lightly.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

NOSE

Using a 2.5mm hook and Mustard Yellow, ch6.

Round 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in next 3 sts, 3dc in last st, rotate and work along opposite side of foundation chain, dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in last st. [12 sts]

Round 2 2dc in next st, htr in next st, tr in next st, htr in next st, 2dc in next 3 sts, htr in next st, tr in next st, htr in next st, 2dc in next 2 sts. [18 sts]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

EARS (MAKE 4: 2 FOR EACH EAR)

Using a 2.5mm hook and Mustard Yellow, ch2.

Row 1 (RS) 4dc in second ch from hook, turn. [4 sts]

Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 2dc in each st to end, turn. [8 sts]

Row 3 Ch1, (dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 4 times, turn. [12 sts]

Row 4 Ch1, (dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [16 sts]

Fasten off for first piece. Do not fasten off for second piece.

For each Ear, put both Ear pieces WS together and work a dc seam around edges leaving the base of the Ear open.

Do not stuff.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

SCARF

Using a 4mm hook and Forest Green, ch74.

Round 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in next 71 sts, 3dc in last ch, rotate work and continue along opposite side of foundation chain, working dc in next 71 sts, 2dc in last st, ss to first dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

TO FINISH

Using black thread, embroider a triangle upside down and a smile on the Nose. Choose one Body panel as the front panel and sew the Nose to the middle of the face on RS, 5 rows above the neck. Embroider eyes on each side of the Nose, using image as a guide.

Pin Ears and Arms in position on the WS of the back Body panel and sew in position through bottom layer of openings only, leaving tails of yarn in case they are needed for completing the seams later.

BORDER

With front and back Body panels aligned and RS of front towards you, work a dc seam around to join, with (dc, ch1, dc) in each st at corner and changing colours as appopriate. When you reach the opening of an Arm or Ear join through the top layer only. Stuff as you go, and cont around, ss to first dc.

Adjust the closings on the Arms and Ears using the tail ends of yarns if necessary.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

TO FINISH

Place Scarf around neck and tie in a bow then sew in place with a few stitches to secure.

Inspire yourself (or someone else) to finally start that story with this bright cover, designed by Samantha Osmond

■ DROPS Cotton Merino Uni Colour (50% wool, 50% cotton, 50g/110m), 1 ball of each: Mustard Yellow (15), Forest Green (11), Powder Pink (05), Red (06)

■ A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook

■ A notebook measuring 14x21x1cm

TENSION

21sts and 26 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over double crochet using a 3.5mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension

MEASUREMENTS

Journal Cover measures 40x24cm (15 x9 in) To fit a notebook measuring 14x21x1cm (5 x8 x in)

NOTES

Journal Cover is made as a flat piece with the front and back flaps being stitched at the end. Always change colour on last yrh of previous stitch.

JOURNAL COVER

Using Mustard Yellow, ch83.

Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn. [82 sts]

Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each st to end, turn.

Rows 3-14 As Row 2.

Change to Forest Green.

Rows 15-28 As Row 2.

Change to Powder Pink.

Rows 29-38 As Row 2.

Change to Red.

Rows 39-56 As Row 2.

Do not fasten off. Rotate work 90 degrees and continuing in Red, ss surface crochet evenly just inside the edge of the cover.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

TO FINISH

Place the cover WS up and place book on top centrally. Fold in the left and right panels by approx 5cm, or to fit book.

Sew panels in place along the top and bottom edges, through both thicknesses.

Fasten off and weave in ends.