Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 20″ x 24″ including dowel-rod hanger

Gauge: Rnds 1-3 of squirrel pattern front = 1½″ in diameter using US size G/6 (4.00 mm) hook

Materials (complete Part 3)

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (100% Acrylic; 315 yards [288 meters]/170 grams): Bone (A), 1 skein; Chocolate (B), 1 skein; White (C), 1 skein; Black (D), 1 skein; Mango (E), 1 skein; Harvest Red (F), 1 skein; Dark Sage (G), 1 skein

Hook: US size G/6 (4.00 mm); US size H/8 (5.00 mm)

Notions: Tapestry needle; polyester stuffing; three 1½″ (38 mm) yellow buttons; thread or embroidery floss; sewing needle; pins; 3/8″ diameter dowel rod (at least 20″ long); hand saw or scissors; sand paper or emery board (optional); two 1-1/8″ acorn dowel caps with 3/8″ opening; wood or white craft glue

Abbreviations

blo = back loop only

dc2tog = decrease by double crocheting 2 stitches together

flo = front loop only

rep = repeat

RS = right side

Squirrel

Materials

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (100% Acrylic; 315 yards [288 meters]/170 grams): Bone (A), 4 yards; Chocolate (B), 29 yards; White (C), 4 yards; Black (D), 2 yards

Hook: US size G/6 (4.00 mm)

Notions: Polyester stuffing; tapestry needle

Special Stitches

Standing dc join

Begin by placing a slip knot on your hook. Yarn over and insert hook in the specified stitch. Yarn over and pull through the stitch, yarn over and pull through two loops on hook, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops on hook.

Double crochet 2 together (dc2tog)

Work a double crochet in the specified stitch until two loops remain on hook. Keeping these loops on hook, work another double crochet in the next stitch until three loops remain on hook. Yarn over and pull through all remaining loops.

Pattern

Squirrel Front

With A, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join – 6 sc.

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around, join with sl st to first sc – 12 sc.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * 5 more times, join with sl st to first sc – 18 sc.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next 4 sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next 4 sc, sc in next 3 sc, join with sl st to first sc – 26 sc.

Break yarn.

Rnd 5: With B, ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc**; rep from * 3 more times, sc in next 5 sc; rep from * to ** 4 times, sc in next 3 sc, join with sl st to first sc – 34 sc.

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc**; rep from * 3 more times, sc in next 5 sc; rep from * to ** 4 times, sc in next 3 sc, join with sl st to first sc – 42 sc.

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, hdc in next 2 sc, dc in next 8 sc, hdc in next 2 sc, sc in next 2 sc, join to next st.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Weave in other ends.

Squirrel Back

With B, rep Rnds 1-7 of Squirrel Front. Do not break yarn after Rnd 4.

Row 8: Reattach B with standing dc join in 2nd hdc of Rnd 7, dc in next 10 sts, turn – 11 dc.

Row 9: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next dc, *2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc; rep from * twice more, turn – 14 dc.

Row 10: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each st across, turn.

Row 11: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st, dc2tog, dc in next 6 sts, dc2tog, dc in last 2 sts, turn – 12 dc.

Row 12: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st, dc2tog, dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog, dc in next st, ch 3, join with sl st to last st – 10 dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Ears

Attach B with sl st to first dc of Rnd 7 of Front. Ch 1, 3 dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in next st. Fasten off. Sk next 4 sts and reattach B with sl st in next st. Ch 1, 3 dc in same st, ch 2, sl st in next st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Eyes (make 2)

With C, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join – 6 sc.

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around, join to first sc – 12 sc.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Weave in other end.

Thread a 3-foot length of black yarn onto tapestry needle and embroider the pupil in the center of Eye, toward the bottom. One easy way to do this is to come up through the center of Eye and down through any stitch of Rnd 2. Repeat, coming up and going down through these same holes until the pupil achieves the desired thickness. Tie off at the back of Eye and trim ends.

Arms (make 2)

With B, ch 3.

Row 1: Work 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, turn – 3 dc.

Row 2: Ch 3 and sl st in same st, (sl st, ch 3, sl st in next st) twice.

Fasten off, leaving a 2-foot long tail for sewing.

Assembly

With RS facing out, use long tail to sew Front and Back of the Squirrel together. When you are about 3/4 of the way around, stuff Squirrel lightly. At the top of the Squirrel’s head, sew Front piece to the sts of Rnd 6 on Back piece. The tail will stick up above the head. Using long tail on Eye, sew each Eye to front of Squirrel. Using long tail on Arm, sew each Arm to front of Squirrel. Using a 2-foot length of D and a tapestry needle, embroider a Nose and Mouth to Squirrel’s face.

Flowers (make 3)

Materials

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (100% Acrylic; 315 yards [288 meters]/170 grams): Mango (E), 12 yards; Harvest Red (F), 18 yards.

Hook: US size G/6 (4.00 mm)

Notions: Tapestry needle

Pattern

With E, ch 14 and join with sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 21 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc – 21 sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * 6 more times, join with sl st to first sc – 28 sc.

Break yarn.

Rnd 3: With F, ch 1, *2 dc in next st, (tr, ch 1, tr) in next st, 2 dc in next st, sl st in next st; rep from * 6 more times, join to beg ch-1 – 7 petals made.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Flower Stem with Leaves (make 2)

Materials

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (100% Acrylic; 315 yards [288 meters]/170 grams): Dark Sage (G), 10 yards

Hook: US size G/6 (4.00 mm)

Notions: Tapestry needle

Pattern

Ch 25.

*Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, tr in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in next ch** – First leaf made.

Ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 8 ch.

Ch 10, rep from * to ** – Second leaf made.

Sl st in the sl st at the base of the opposite leaf, sc in each remaining ch.

Fasten off, leaving a 3-foot long tail for sewing.

Weave in other end.

Leaf Pockets (make 3)

Materials

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Solids (100% Acrylic; 315 yards [288 meters]/170 grams): Dark Sage (G), 30 yards

Hook: US size H/8 (5.00 mm)

Notions: Tapestry needle

Pattern

Ch 15.

Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, *hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 3 ch, tr in next 2 ch, dc in next 3 ch, hdc in next 2 ch**, (sc, ch 2, sc) in turning ch; rep from * to ** down the opposite side of the foundation chain, (sc, ch 2) in last ch, join with sl st to first sc. Do not turn.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sk first st, sc in next st, (sk next st, 6 dc in next st, sk next st, sl st in next st) twice, sk next st, 6 dc in next st, sk next st, sc in next st, (hdc, dc, hdc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * once more, join with sl st to first sc – 6 Shells made. Fasten off, leaving a 3-foot long tail for sewing.

Finishing

Arrange each of the animals on Treetop to help you determine where to place the leaf pockets. (You may find it helpful to sew the leaves to the background while the amigurumi are in their pockets.) Position and pin the leaf pockets to Treetop. Using the long tails and a tapestry needle, whip stitch each Leaf to Treetop along the bottom and sides, leaving the top open. If needed, tack down the shell on either side of the top of Leaf to provide more support.

Whip stitch around outer edge to sew each Flower Stem to the Background, on either side of Tree.

Using thread or embroidery floss and a sewing needle, sew a button securely above each stem. Use a Flower to help you position the button. Sew the remaining button to Treetop. Add Flowers by working the buttons through the hole in the middle of each Flower. Weave in all ends.

Measure the width of Background fabric and add 1″. With a hand saw or sharp scissors, carefully cut your dowel rod to this length. Sand the end if it is particularly rough.

Carefully insert the dowel rod through the sleeve at the top of Background. Place a drop of wood or craft glue on each end of the dowel rod and insert each end into an acorn dowel-rod cap. Let dry before hanging.

Part 1 and Part 2