Spheal the Love

Finally!    I know  -  it's been forever.

This guy is smaller than most of the pokemon dolls I've made.  I really had very little of the blue yarn left,  and I was wanting a small and easy project to 'test' my wrist out before diving head-first into crocheting again.  I think I'll be ok if I take it easy and don't try to do too much at once,  at least so far.

This particular doll will be well suited to the 'advanced beginner' at crochet -  one who's got a few easy projects under their belt,  but looking for some 'new' techniques to do.   Kind of like line dancing - and adding a little extra swish to your skirt when you spin.... it's not hard to do but sure makes you look good on the dance floor  :D

Anyway...  to the pattern,  and as always,  if you notice any typoes or just find yourself a little confused,  post or email me,  I'll get back to you as soon as I can  :D



Spheal

MATERIALS:

WW yarn in blue and white
G Hook
Fiberfill
10.5 mm safety eyes  (or similar sized shoe button or felt scraps in black)
Scraps of white felt
Yarn needle for weaving in ends


NOTES:

Gauge isn't very important for this project.

This particular doll is rather small,  making it a quick and easy project to accomplish in a day or even an evening watching a movie.    The small number of 'parts'  and the easy nature of the construction makes this an excellent choice for the 'advanced' beginner -  one who has a couple of simpler projects under the belt and is ready to stretch out with a couple of new techniques.

Numbers in ( ) at the end of each round or row indicates how many stitches should be in each round or row.

I would recommend that you join your rounds when crocheting the 'body' of the doll instead of using the 'continuous' rounds method commonly used in amigurumi.  If you do use the continuous rounds method,  your color changes will be very evident and likely uneven.

BODY

Begin with white:

Rnd 1:  7 sc in magic ring  (7)
Rnd 2:  *2 sc in each sc - repeat from * around  (14)
Rnd 3:  *sc in next sc,  2 sc in next sc - repeat from * around   (21)
Rnd 4:  *sc in next 2 sc,  2 sc in next sc - repeat from * around  (28)
Rnd 5:  *sc in next 3 sc,  2 sc in next sc - repeat from * around   (35)
Rnd 6:  *sc in next 4 sc,  2 sc in next sc - repeat from * around  (42)
Rnd 7:  *sc in next 5 sc,  2 sc in next sc - repeat from * around  (49)
Rnd 8-10:  sc in each sc around - change to blue in the final sc of round 10  (49)
Rnd 11-14:  sc in each sc around  (49)

If using safety eyes,  they should be placed between rounds 12 and 13 with about 5 sc between them,  however you may wish until you've completed to round 18 or so,  and mostly stuff the body before deciding where to place them,  then finish stuffing and shaping the body after securing the safety eyes.

Rnd 15:  *sc in next 5 sc,  dec over next 2 sc - repeat from * around  (42)
Rnd 16:  *sc in next 4 sc,  dec over next 2 sc - repeat from * around  (35)

Begin stuffing at this point.  Stuff body firmly, without overstuffing.  Shape the body as you go and continue to stuff as you work the remainder of the body.

Rnd 17:  *sc in next 3 sc,  dec over next 2 sc - repeat from * around  (28)
Rnd 18:  *sc in next 2 sc,  dec over next 2 sc - repeat from * around  (21)
Rnd 19:  *sc in next sc,  dec over next 2 sc - - repeat from * around  (14)
Rnd 20:  *dec over next 2 sc - repeat from * around  (7)
F/O.  Weave tail through last round of sc,  pull gently to close.  Secure and weave in end.

EARS:

In a Magic Ring,  7 hdc,  ch 1,  slip stitch in ring.    Do not join as for a round.   Pull ring tight.   F/O - secure yarn and weave in ends.

JOWLS/MUZZLE:

Chain 13.   Slip stitch in second chain from hook.  hdc in next chain,  2 dc in each of next 2 chs, hdc in next ch,  slip stitch in each of next 2 chs,  hdc in next ch,  2 dc in each of next 2 chs, hdc in next ch,  slip stitch in last chain.      F/O,  weave in ends.

FRONT FLIPPERS:

Rnd 1:  4 sc in magic ring  (4)
Rnd 2:  sc in next sc,  2 sc in next sc,  sc in next sc,  2 sc in last sc  (6)
Rnd 3:  sc in next 2 sc,  2 sc in next sc,  sc in next 2 sc,  2 sc in last sc  (8)
Rnd 4:  sc in next 3 sc,  2 sc in next sc,  sc in next 3 sc,  2 sc in last sc  (10)
Rnd 5:  sc in each sc around  (10)
F/O.  Front flippers are not stuffed.  Flatten and weave in ends.

TAIL FINS:

Ch 15.

Rnd 1:  sc in second chain from hook.  sc in each chain to last ch.   Turn work and begin working down the       other side of the chain.  Sc in each 'loop' of chain to end  Join or mark for round  (28)
Rnd 2-3:  sc in each sc around  (28)
Rnd 4:  sc in next 12 sc,  dec over next 2 sc,  sc in next 12 sc,  dec over last 2 sc  (26)
Rnd 5:  sc in each sc around  (26)
Rnd 6:  sc in next 11 sc,  dec over next 2 sc,  sc in next 11 sc,  dec over last 2 sc  (24)
Rnd 7:  sc in each sc around  (24)
*LIGHTLY* stuff the piece.  Sc evenly across the opening,  keeping your stuffing as evenly distributed as possible.
F/O and weave in the ends.   Using yarn needle and a length of the blue yarn,  create the 'separations' in the tail.  Tug them a little tight to accentuate the divisions. and give some 'curve' to the end.

FINAL ASSEMBLY:

I always recommend that you pin all your pieces together BEFORE sewing them on,  to ensure that you're happy with placement and sizes.   Once you're pleased with the overall look,  begin sewing your pieces on.

If using buttons or felt for eyes,  place eyes approx as shown.

Sew the 'muzzle' as shown, centered just below the eyes.   Sew ears to the top of the head as shown.

Front flippers are sewn to the bottom of the front of the body as shown.  Tail Fins are sewn to center of back of body.

Cut small triangle shaped pieces of white felt for the 'tusks' and attach to bottom side of curve of muzzle on each side as shown.   Cut four larger and two smaller circles (freehand is fine,  as the 'markings' on spheal are not perfectly round) and sew (or glue) to each side of spheal as shown.  

Using a scrap of dark yarn or embroidery thread,  make two small 'marks' on the muzzle in the center to indicate nostrils.


Spheal and Pokemon are copyright of Nintendo.


This pattern is an original pattern and is © by Linda Potts (January 2011).  Please do not claim this pattern as your own.  If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint/repost it on your site.  You may print and keep a copy for your own personal use but you may not sell or distribute it, or sell items made from this pattern.