Let's Learn Our ABCs!
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Apple: 71/2 inches wide x 6 inches high Bee: 6 inches wide x 71/2 inches tall Cat: 91/2 inches from nose to Tail x 61/2 inches to top of Tail
MATERIALS
• Red Heart Classic medium (worsted) weight acrylic yarn (31/2 oz/190 yds/100g per skein): 1 skein each #1 white, #12 black, #230 yellow, #339 mid brown, #401 nickel, #676 emerald, #686 paddy green and #902 jockey red • Size G/6/4mm crochet hook or
size needed to obtain gauge • Tapestry needle • Stitch marker • Polyester fiberfill • Dried beans* • Small, plastic zipper bags: 3*
*Optional
GAUGE
3 sc = 1 inch; 4 rows = 1 inch
PATTERN NOTES
Weave in loose ends as work progresses. Do not join rounds or turn unless otherwise stated. Use stitch marker to mark beginning of rounds and move up as each round is completed. To stabilize each toy, fill small zipper bag with dried beans, seal and insert in bottom of each before stuffing. If making project for a child under 3 years of age, do not use dried beans as a weight in toy; it may present a choking hazard. Join with slip stitch as indicated unless otherwise stated. Refer to photo as a guide for placement of all pieces and facial features.
SPECIAL STITCH Single crochet join (sc join):
Place slip knot on hook, insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull up a lp, yo and draw through both lps on hook.
APPLE
Rnd 1: Beg at bottom, with red, ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook, place marker (see Pattern Notes). (8 sc) Rnd 2: Sc in each st around. Rnd 3: 3 sc in each st around. (24 sc) Rnd 4: [Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around. (36 sc) Rnds 5–19: Sc in each st around.
Insert beanbag if desired (see
Pattern Notes), and stuff firmly with fiberfill. Continue stuffing as work progresses.
Rnd 20: [Sc in next st, sk next st, sc in next st] around. (24 sc) Rnd 21: Rep rnd 20, join (see Pattern Notes) in beg sc. Fasten off. (16 sc)
STEM
Rnd 22: Sc join (see Special Stitch) brown in first st, sc in each of next 2 sts, [sk next st, sc in each of next 3 sts] 3 times, sk last st, place marker. (12 sc) Rnds 23–61: Sc in each st around. Rnd 62: Sc in next st, [sk next st, sc in next st] around, sk last st. (6 sc) Rnd 63: [ Sc dec (see Stitch Guide) in next 2 sts] around, join in beg sc. Leaving an 8-inch tail, fasten off. (3 sc) Weave tail through last rnd and pull gently to close opening.
WORM
Rnd 1: With emerald, ch 4, sl st in first ch to form ring, ch 1, 2 sc in each ch around, place marker. (8 sc)
Rnd 2: Rep rnd 4 of Apple. (12 sc) Rnds 3–13: Sc in each st around. Rnds 14 & 15: Rep rnd 63 of Apple. Leaving an 8-inch tail, fasten off. (3 sc)
LEAF
With paddy green, ch 12, 2 tr in 5th ch from hook (4 sk chs
count as first tr), 2 tr in next ch, 2 dc in each of next 2 chs, 2 hdc in each of next 2 chs, sc in each of last 2 chs, ch 3, working on opposite side of foundation ch, sc in each of first 2 chs, 2 hdc in each of next 2 chs, 2 dc in each of next 2 chs, 2 tr in each of last 2 chs, join in top of beg ch-4. Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off.
FINISHING
Sew Leaf to last rnd of Apple and first rnd of Stem. For eyes, with black, make French knots (see illustration) 1/2 inch apart on rnd 13 of Worm.
French Knot
For nose, with red, centered below eyes, make a French knot on rnd 12, embroider V-shaped mouth centered below nose with straight stitches (see illustration) over rnds 10 and 11.
Straight Stitch
Stuff firmly with fiberfill. Weave tail through last rnd and pull gently to close opening. Sew rnd 1 of Worm to rnds 11–14 on left side of Apple. Bend Stem down to left. Sew back of Worm’s head to rnds 26–29 of Stem.
BEE HEAD
Rnd 1: Beg at top, with black, rep rnd 1 of Apple. (8 sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around. (16 sc) Rnd 3: Rep rnd 4 of Apple. (24 sc) Rnds 4–11: Sc in each st around. Rnd 12: Rep rnd 20 of Apple, join (see Pattern Notes) in beg sc. Fasten off. (16 sc)
Stuff firmly with fiberfill and continue stuffing as work progresses.
BODY
Rnd 13: Sc join (see Special
Stitch) yellow in first sc, 2 sc in next st, [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] around. (24 sc)
Rnd 14: Sc in each st around, join in beg sc. Fasten off.
Rnd 15: Sc join black in first st, sc in each st around.
Rnd 16: Sc in each st around, join in beg sc. Fasten off.
Rnd 17: Sc join yellow in first st, sc in each st around.
Rnds 18–27: [Rep rnds 14–17 consecutively] 3 times, ending last rep with rnd 15.
Rnds 28 & 29: Sc in each st around. Rnd 30: Rep rnd 20 of Apple. (16 sc) Insert beanbag if desired (see Pattern Notes). Rnds 31 & 32: Rep rnds 62 and 63 of Apple. Fasten off. (4 sc)
WING
Rnd 1: With white, ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook, place marker. (8 sc)
Rnds 2–50: Sc in each st around. Stuff firmly and continue stuffing as work progresses.
Rnd 51: Rep rnd 63 of Apple. Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off. (4 sc) Sew rnd 1 of Wing to rnds 23–29 of Bee. Sew rnd 51 of Wing to rnds 13 and 14 of Bee. Tack rnd 25 of Wing to rnd 19 of Bee.
ANTENNA
Make 2.
Row 1: With black, ch 7, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc in each of next 2 chs, 3 sc in next ch, 2 sc in each of last 2 chs. Fasten off. (14 sc) Sew Antennae to rnd 3 of Head 11/4 inches apart referring to photo (see Pattern Notes).
LEG Make 6.
Work same as Antenna. Sew 2 Legs to each black stripe of Body 1 inch apart on opposite side of Body from Wings.
FINISHING
For eyes, with 2 strands of black held tog, make French knots 1 inch apart between rnds 6 and 7 of Head. Embroider straight stitches (see illustration) with white around each eye. For nose, with red, centered below eyes, embroider satin stitches (see illustration) over rnd 8. For mouth, with red, centered below nose, embroider fly stitch
(see illustration) over rnd 10.
CAT TAIL
Rnd 1: Beg at tip, leaving 16-inch tail, with nickel, rep rnd 1 of Apple. (8 sc) Note: Carry 16-inch tail along WS of piece until instructed to pull it. Rnd 2: Rep rnd 4 of Apple. (12 sc) Rnds 3–34: Sc in each st around. Insert beanbag (see Pattern Notes) along length of rows if desired and stuff firmly with fiberfill. Continue stuffing as work progresses.
BODY
Rnd 35: 2 sc in each st around. (24 sc) Rnds 36–53: Sc in each st around. Rnd 54: Rep rnd 63 of Apple. (12 sc)
HEAD
Rnd 55: 2 sc in each st around. (24 sc) Rnds 56–62: Sc in each st around. Rnd 63: Rep rnd 20 of Apple. (16 sc) Rnds 64 & 65: Rep rnds 62 and 63 of Apple. (4 sc at end of rnd 65) To form letter C, pull 16-inch tail to curve and shape Tail and Body, secure end. Sew opening closed.
EAR
Make 2. With nickel, ch 5, (2 tr, dc, hdc, sc) in 5th ch from hook. Fasten off. Sew Ears 1/2 inch apart at rnd 60 on top of Head.
BACK LEG
Make 2. Rnd 1: With nickel, rep rnd 1 of Apple. (8 sc) Rnd 2: Rep rnd 4 of Apple. (12 sc) Rnds 3–6: Sc in each st around. Stuff firmly with fiberfill and continue stuffing as work progresses. Rnd 7: Rep rnd 20 of Apple. (8 sc) Rnds 8–14: Sc in each st around. Rnd 15: Rep rnd 63 of Apple.
Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off. (4 sc) Sew rnds 1–5 of Back Legs to rnds 36–42 of each side of Body.
FRONT LEG
Make 2. Rnd 1: With nickel, rep rnd 1 of Apple. (8 sc)
Rnds 2–11: Sc in each st around. Stuff firmly with fiberfill and continue stuffing as work progresses.
Rnd 12: Rep rnd 63 of Apple. Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off. (4 sc) Sew rnds 1–3 of Front Legs to rnds 49–51 of each side of Body.
FINISHING
For eyes and mouth, with black, embroider straight stitches (see illustration). For nose, with black, embroider satin stitches (see illustration). For whiskers, with black, cut 2 3-inch strands. Fold 1 strand in half, insert hook around st between eye and mouth on side of nose, place fold on hook and pull through st, pull ends through fold and tighten. Rep on other side of nose.