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Friday, May 22, 2015

Free Crochet Pattern: Little C's Silly Hand Puppets


I am so excited to share this pattern! It's 100% inspired by my youngest son who recently approached me with a sock on his hand asking how we can make it have eyes. From there these fun puppets were born! These would be a great way to use up scrap yarn and you can customize them in many ways. 

If you give the pattern a try, we'd love to see how your puppets turn out! Feel free to share on Google+, Instagram (using either @byjennidesigns or #byjennidesigns), upload to Ravelry as a project or share on my Facebook wall. 

If you have any questions please do ask, thanks so much for stopping by!
-Jenni


Here's my Little C with his puppets!
(He's laying on my current WIP, the As We Go Stripey Blanket by Hannah Davis)


Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: Youth-Women's, as a guide my hand measures from the top of the middle finger to the bottom of my hand measures about 7" and my son's measures 5".

Supplies:
Size H (5.0mm) Crochet Hook
Worsted Weight Yarn in choice colors (I mixed & match many brands: Red Heart Super Saver, Red Heart With Love, I Love This Yarn!, Vanna's Choice & Caron United)
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Optional: buttons or safety eyes

Abbreviations (US Terms):
BLO - Back Loop Only
Ch - Chain
Dc - Double Crochet
Dc2tog - Double Crochet 2 Together
Fpdc - Front Post Double Crochet
Hdc - Half Double Crochet
Sc - Single Crochet
Sc2tog - Single Crochet 2 Together
Sk - Skip
Sl st - Slip Stitch
Slst2tog - Slip Stitch 2 Together (explanation below)
Sp - Space

Stitch explanation:
Slst2tog - Insert hook in first sp, pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next sp, pull up a loop and pull loop through both loops on hook. Stitch complete.

Notes:
-Ch 2's do not count as a dc unless otherwise stated.
-Joins are made with a sl st to the first stitch, not the beginning ch.
-Be sure to always pull your beginning magic circles tight before sewing in the end.

Gauge:
4 dc & 2 rows = 1"

Puppet
With desired main color:

Row 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 11 dc in circle. Join. (11 dc)
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in same and in each around. Join. (22 dc)
Row 3: Ch 2, 2 dc in same, dc in next. *2 dc in next, dc in next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (33 dc)
Row 4-10: Ch 2, dc in same and in each around. Join. (33 dc)
Row 11: Ch 2, dc in same and in 22 more, place a stitch marker in the top of this last dc you made. You will be coming back to this space later. Now continue to to dc around to the end. Join. (33 dc)
Row 12: Ch 2, dc in same and in 21 more, ch 11, sk 11. Join to first dc. (22 dc, 11 ch)
Row 13: Ch 2, dc in same and in each around, work 11 dc over the ch 11 from previous row. Join. (33 dc)
Row 14-18: Ch 2, dc in same and in each around. Join. (33 dc)
Fasten off & sew in ends.

Now join with a new color for the cuff:

Row 19: In BLO: Ch 2, dc in same and in each around. Join. (33 dc)
Row 20-22: Ch 2 (counts as dc), Fpdc around next. *Dc in next, fpdc around next.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (17 dc, 17 fpdc)
Row 23: In BLO: Ch 1, sc in same and in each around. Join. (33 sc)
Fasten off.


Mouth
With main color:

Attach yarn with a sl st in the dc you placed a stitch marker in earlier and you can now remove the stitch marker.

Row 1: Ch 2, dc in same and next 10. Rotate piece so you can work 2 dc over the dc post that is the corner of the opening.

Now rotate your piece again and you will now need to work between the dc's.


and then work 2 dc over the other corner of the opening. Join. Please be sure you check your stitch count. (28 dc)
Row 2-3: Ch 2, dc in same and in each around. Join. (28 dc)
Row 4: Ch 2, dc in same and in 10 more, dc2tog, dc in 13, dc2tog. Join. (24 dc, 2 dc2tog)
Row 5: Ch 2, starting in the same sp as the ch 2; dc2tog, dc in 8, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc in 10, dc2tog. Join. (18 dc, 4 dc2tog)
Row 6: Ch 1, starting in the same sp as the ch 1; *sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (11 sc2tog)
Row 7:  Ch 1, starting in the same sp as the ch 1; sc2tog, *sc in next, sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (3 sc, 4 sc2tog)
Fasten off leaving a long end. Turn piece inside out and sew shut the hole, also sew in any other ends at this time too.


Spots
With desired contrast color for spots:

Large Spot
Row 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 8 hdc in circle. Join. (8 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in same and in each around. Join. (16 hdc)
Fasten off leaving long end to sew on to puppet

Small Spot
Row 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 8 hdc in circle. Join. (8 hdc)
Fasten off leaving long end to sew on to puppet.

Sew any spots you've made on to desired area on puppet now, sew in ends.


Nose
With desired color for nose:

Row 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 6 sc in circle. Join. (6 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in same and in each around. Join. (12 sc)
Row 3-4: Ch 1, sc in same and in each around. Join. (12 sc)
Stuff the nose now with poly fil or small bits of yarn.
Row 5: Ch 1, starting in the same sp as the ch 1; *sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (6 sc2tog)
Fasten off. You will have a small hole, just sew it shut and then sew on to the puppet. Sew in ends.


Eyes

Flat Eyes
With White (make 2):


Row 1: Magic circle, ch 2, 10 dc in circle. Join. (10 dc)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in same and in each around. Join. (20 sc)
Fasten off leaving long end for sewing on to puppet.

Now you can add a button to each eye or crochet the rest of the eye:

With Black or any other desired color (make 2):
Row 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 8 hdc in circle. Join. (8 hdc)
Fasten off leaving long end for sewing on to white part of eye.

Sew eyes on to puppet and sew in ends.

Googly Eyes
With white and 15mm safety eyes (2) or buttons (make 2):


Important note: Insert your safety eyes before pulling your magic circle shut, I did this after row 2.

Row 1: Magic circle, ch 1, 8 sc in circle. Join. (8 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in same and in each around. Join. (16 sc)
Row 3-5: Ch 1, sc in same and in each around. Join. (16 sc)
Row 6: Ch 1, starting in the same sp as the ch 1; *sc2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (8 sc2tog)
Row 7: Ch 1, starting in the same sp as the ch 1: *slst2tog.* Repeat *to* around. Join. (4 slst2tog)
Fasten off leaving long end for sewing on to puppet, after sewing on sew in ends.


Tongue
With Red or Pink

Big Tongue

Leave a long end in the beginning for sewing on to the puppet.
Row 1: Ch 7, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across. Ch 1, turn. (6 hdc)
Row 2-3: Hdc in same and in each across. Ch 1, turn. (6 hdc)
Row 4: Sc2tog, sc in 2, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (2 sc, 2 sc2tog)
Row 5: Sc2tog, sc2tog. Ch 1, turn. (2 sc2tog)
Row 6: Sc2tog. Sl st around the entire edge of tongue, fasten off leaving long end for sewing on to puppet.
When sewing this tongue into the mouth you will need to sew down about half of it so it lays nicely.

Small Tongue

Leave a long end in the beginning for sewing on to the puppet.
Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2. Turn. (3 sc)
Row 2-4: Sc across. Turn. (3 sc)
Row 5: Sl st, sc, sl st. Sl st around entire edge of tongue, fasten off leaving long end for sewing on to puppet.


Hair

Cut strands of yarn and double knot on to the top of the head of the puppet or add longer strands and braid them together, add multiple colors or keep your puppet bald.
You can also make cute curls (my favorite) by doing the following: Attach yarn with sl st where you would like the curl to start, chain as long as you would like (my chain is 15).

Work 3 sc into the 2nd ch from hook and in each chain down except the last. When you get to the end of the chain sl st to the head and either start another curl (I made 3 curls) or fasten off. Sew in ends.

36 comments:

  1. These hand puppets are adorable. Thanks for sharing. I will make some for my grandchildren.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome Janet, thanks for taking the time to leave me a comment! I hope your grandchildren enjoy their puppets!

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  2. Thank you for this free pattern... I'm planning on making these for OCC shoeboxes. Bless you! Sharon

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    1. Your welcome and what a great idea Sharon!

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    2. Yes, I love to make things for OCC and I'm also thinking about adding these to what I normally make

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  3. These are just to sweet! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  4. Love the pattern!! Am going to make them as a farewell-present for when my son leaves to kindergarten. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Oh hoe cute. I think I will makeep some for my grandkids and their friends

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  6. These puppets are so adorable. My grandsons would love these. Gotta go yarn shopping... :-) Thank you for sharing!

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  7. thank you for the patterns my great niece loves puppets. she saw these and really liked them i see many hours of puppet play ahead with this 2yr old. hope to send you pics when i get them done thanks again.

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  8. These are really cute I made one it only took me 3 hours give or take a few minutes.... only 3 more to go for my great grandbabies..... Thanks for sharing your pattern.

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  9. Thanks for the pattern I have made 2 of them already one more to go I am making them for my great grand kids they love them.......

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  10. Just found your pattern - what a fun project to do for my grandson - thanks for sharing

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  11. Thank you for the detailed instructions.

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  12. I just made one of your puppets to help in teaching my Chinese students English. Thanks for sharing! It turned out great!!

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  13. So easy...so cute...and what a great way to use all those left-over yarn bits! Thanks for sharing your pattern. My grandson went nuts over this!

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  14. Hi Jenny, thank you for sharing this and other lovely designs. This one will make my kids happy und me too :-) My to do list becomes longer and longer...

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  15. I love this pattern and can't wait to try it! They will be so much fun for the grandkids!Thanks for sharing.

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  16. making these for christmas presents would love to feature this pattern on my blog if that is ok with you i will share the finished piece on my blog and anywhere else you would like me to thank you for the pattern can't wait to get started

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  17. I have been searching for a pattern like this for months. Thank You, Jenni. Cannot wait to get started and to use my many scraps. Kids of all ages will love these. Just in time for Christmas giving.

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  18. Great pattern,I can’t wait to finish up for my grandson. He is bored to death with this stay at home order during the pandemic.

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  19. Hi I am just wondering if one could use a different color for the mouth? Maybe Pink? I have a daughter who is a speech pathologist and she does speech therapy with children. She is currently doing it via teletherapy due to the current situation. These would be awesome for her to use the hand puppets as a tool, to keep the attention of 2 - 5 year old children interested and engaged over the computer and video.
    Would I add a couple of rows to make the mouth larger?
    My daughter sent me the idea as she knows that I crochet.

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    Replies
    1. Hi! I'm so sorry that I am only just now seeing your question! Yes, you can use any colors you like. I haven't tried making the mouth larger but that sounds like it would probably work! I suggest adding those additional rows after row 3 of the mouth. :)

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  20. l love these puppets thank you for sharing guess what l'm making next ? puppets!

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  21. Thank you for sharing this pattern. Made some for all the kids in my granddaughter's kindergarten class (only 7 kids lol).She is so excited to give them to her classmates.

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    Replies
    1. Aw, that is so great! So sweet, thanks for sharing with me! :)

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  22. If I wanted to make this for a child, would you just do half the stitches or less?

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    1. This size works pretty well for children but if you are trying to make it for a young toddler you could try and work with less stitches. Maybe try 5 less stitches in row 3? The entire pattern will need adjusting though.

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  23. This was such a great pattern, easy to follow! I did make it 2 rows longer and decreased a bit in the last round on MC. Just finishing up a dog for my great-nephew! Thank-you!

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