SHELF BUDDY

A smiling sidekick to keep you going. By Kate McCully

■ Rico Baby Cotton Soft DK (100% cotton, 50g/125m), 1 ball of each: White (001), Emerald (032), Saffron (059), Flamingo (053), Lobster (029)

■ A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook

■ 2 safety eyes, 8mm

■ Stitch markers

■ Toy stuffing

TENSION

Tension is not critical for this project

MEASUREMENTS

Shelf Buddy measures 19cm (7 in) long

NOTES

Shelf Buddy is worked using the amigurumi method. Work stitches continuously in a spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. It may help to use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round, moving it up as you work.

Change colour on the final yrh of st before colour change is indicated.

SHELF BUDDY

Using Emerald, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (doesn’t count as a st throughout), 6dc into loop. [6 sts]

Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]

Round 3 (2dc in next st, dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts]

Round 4 (2dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts) 6 times. [24 sts]

Round 5 (2dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts) 6 times. [30 sts]

Rounds 6-10 Dc in each st around.

Round 11 (Dc2tog, dc in next 3 sts) 6 times. [24 sts]

Round 12 (Dc2tog, dc in next 2 sts) 6 times. [18 sts]

Position safety eyes between Rounds 7-8, approx 11 sts apart.

Stuff Buddy as you work.

Round 13 (Dc2tog, dc in next st) 6 times. [12 sts]

Round 14 (Dc2tog) 6 times. [6 sts] Change to Lobster.

Rounds 15-27 As Rounds 2-14. Change to Saffron.

Round 28-40 As Rounds 2-14.

Change to White.

Rounds 41-53 As Rounds 2-14. Change to Flamingo.

Round 54-66 As Rounds 2-14.

Fasten off.

Thread tail through final 6 sts, and pull tight to close.

TO FINISH

Refer to the images for the finishing touches to the Shelf Buddy.

For the mouth, use Lobster to sew a backstitch between Rounds 4-5, approx 10 sts long. For each of the antennae, cut 3 lengths of Saffron about 25cm long. Secure the three lengths to the Head, approx 3 sts around from one eye. Plait the strands and secure with a small amount of Saffron yarn. Repeat for the second antennae on the opposite side of the Head.

Weave in any remaining ends.