Baxter is a different dog. True, he is a lovable mutt, with all the charm and ingenious appearance that only a mixed-breed can have, but there is more to Baxter.
Baxter will teach you how to make a needle sculptured expression! So this is a little more than just a pattern, this is a tutorial that I hope you will enjoy and at the same time teach you something you can use in other toys.
I suggest this pattern for intermediate crocheters. Although the basic pattern is very easy, there is a tiny bit of needle sculpting and a composite muzzle to make and that might be a little complicated for a beginner, otherwise, go for it,
it is a fun project and the result is a very nice Funmigurumi!
Materials:
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Gold
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Cafe (scraps)
Red Heart worsted weight Coffee (scraps)
Red Heart worsted weight Black (scraps)
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Soft Brown
Red Heart worsted weight yarn White (scraps)
Red Heart worsted weight yarn Linen
Crochet size H hook
Fiberfill
Scissors
Blunt needle
cardboard or ruler
Pins
measuring tape
Note: Baxter's muzzle is somewhat complex because it is is a composite, so please, read the instructions carefully so that you can follow them well and come up with a successful and satisfactory result!
Body- (Make 2): With Gold, ch 31. Row 1- 1 sc in third ch from hook and in each ch across (31 sc). Ch 1, turn. Row 2- 1 sc in each sc across.
Ch 1, turn. Row 3 to 15- Rep row 2. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.
Row 16- Join Cafe. Make 1 sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn. Rows 17 to 30- Rep row 16. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.
Place both right sides of body facing, sew sides and bottom, leaving top open. Fasten off.
Eye Patch- With White, ch 11. Row 1- 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1, turn (10 sc made). Row 2- 1 sc in each sc across.
Ch 1, turn. Row 3 to 7 Rep row 2. Fasten off. Join Black. Round 8- 1 sc in each sc across till you reach last sc, make 2 sc in last sc, turn the corner and work across the narrow end of patch, making 1 sc per row, make two sc in last row as you turn the corner, then make 1 sc in
each loop of foundation chain until you reach the end, make 2 sc in that last loop, turn the corner again and working on narrow end of patch, make 1 sc per row until you reach beginning sc, add 1 sc in that spot. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.
Brown Circle Spot- With Coffee, ch 24, sl st to join round. Rnd 1- Ch 1, 1 sc in first ch, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 6 ch, 2 sc in next ch, *1 sc in each of next 5 ch, 2 sc in next ch, rep from * around. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with. Sew this circle onto eye patch as seen in photos.
Muzzle- (Central piece) With Linen, ch 7. Row 1- 1 sc 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across (5 sc). Ch 1, turn. Row 2- 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 1 sc in each of last 2 sc, turn around and make 2 sc in first
loop of foundation chain, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in last loop of foundation ch, sl st to join rnd. (14 sc)
Rnd 3- 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in first ch 1 sp, sl st to join rnd. (18 sc)
Row 4- 1 sc in each of first 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in front of brginning ch 1, sl st to join rnd. (20 sc)
Rnd 5- 1 sc in each of first 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc 1 sc jn front of beginning ch 1, sk st to join rnd. (23 sc)
Rnds 6 to 8- 1 sc in each sc around. Sl st to join rnd. (23 sc)
Semi Rnd 9- Ch 12 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 7 sc, 2 sc im next sc, sl st in next sc. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with. (The extra half rnd is to add height to the upper portion of the muzzle for additional cuteness.) Set aside center of muzzle.
Sides of Muzzle- (Make 2)- With Linen, ch 7.
Rnd 1- 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. (5 sc) Turn around, 2 sc in first loop of foundation chain, 1 sc in each loop of foundation chain to end of round, sl st to join rnd. (11 sc)
Rnd 2- 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next of 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in front of first ch 1, sl st to join rnd.(15 sc)
Rnd 3- 1 sc in each of first 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc 1 sc in front of beginning ch 1, sl st to join rnd.(18 sc)
Rnd 4- 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 1 sc in front of beginning ch 1, sl st to join rnd.(21 sc)
Rnd 5- 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in front of beginning ch 1, sl st to join rnd. (25 sc)
Rnd 6- 1 sc in each of 1st 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 1 sc in front of beginning ch 1, sl st to join rnd.(29 sc)
Rnd 7- Ch 1, 1 sc in each of next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc, 1 sc in front of brg ch 1, sl st to end of round. (33 sc) Fasten off leaving long tail to sew with.
Repeat on second one. Pin these two pieces to the sides of the main muzzle and sew. Stuff them firmly. follow photos to put muzzle together.
Nose- With Black, ch 6. Row 1- 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 sc in each ch to end of row. Ch 1, turn. Row 2- 1 sc in each sc across. Ch 1, turn. Row 3- 1 sc in each sc across. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.
Pin to muzzle and sew all around. Embroider mouth. Stuff lightly. Measure Baxter's face and center this composite muzzle to the dog's "face" as seen in photos, pin down and thread a blunt needle with the long tail left and begin to sew. As you sew, try to shape the "wrinkles" on both sides of the nose as the cute "drooping cheeks" form on both sides of the nose, stuff a little more if you have to and as you continue to sew, use your fingers to continue to shape the hanging "cheeks" and gently stitch the "wrinkles" in place with tiny stitches that will not pull on the sc stitches that form the fabric but will disappear into them.
Additional explanatory note- Please, look carefully at the pictures. They show that the hanging pouches are sewn in a vertical direction. You crochet the whole muzzle in sections, stuff it, and sew the individual pieces to each other before you pin it to the face and sew all around.
In comparison to the center of the muzzle, the side pouches hang vertically.Eyes- (Make 2)- With Black, ch 2. Make 6 sc into 2nd ch from hook, sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.
Measure where the eye should go within the eyepatch, pin in place and sew using the tail you left. Fasten off. Sew the other eye at same level on the other side of the one in the eyepatch.
Sculptured Eyebrow- With Gold, thread a blunt needle. With your fingers, create the "arched ridge" of the brow as seen in photos, then, inserting the needle from the top to the bottom, in a downward, vertical motion,
start stitching, go upwards and then again downwards, pulling ever so gently as you come in and out with your needle, until you finish going across and a protruding, somewhat arched eyebrow forms. Turn the top of the toy inside out, and stitch these eyebrow stitches together thus securing the "ridge" so that wear and handling of the toy will not break it up. Fasten off.
Second Eyebrow- Thread a needle with Cafe, and stitch inside the white area of the eye patch, embroider an eyebrow. Fasten off.
Tail- With Warm Brown, ch 2.
Rnd 1- 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to join rnd. Rnd 2- 2 sc in each sc around. Rnds 3 to 8- 1 sc in each sc around. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.
Stuff lightly. Measure to center in the back of Baxter's body. Pin and sew in place. Fasten off.
Legs- With Soft and H hook, ch 2. Rnd 1- Make 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, slip st to close rnd. Rnd 2- Make 2 sc in each sc around.
Rnd 3- 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep around. Rnds 4 to 7-1 sc in each of first 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep around.
Rnds 8 to 10- Make 1 sc in each sc around. Rnds 11 to 13- Make 1 sc in each sc around. Fastn off, leaving long tail to sew with. Stuff legs with Fiberfill and sew to bottom of body as seen in photos. Arms- With Soft Brown, and H hook, Ch 2. Rnd 1- Make 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, slip st to close round. Rnd 2- Make 2 sc in each sc around.
Rnd 3- Make 1 sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep around. Rnd 4- Make 1 sc in each of first 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep around. Fasten off.
Rnd 5- Make 1 sc in each sc around. Rnds 6 to 11- Join Gold. Make 1 sc in each sc around. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with. Stuff arms and attach to body as seen in photos (about half way down to give some room to fluffy ears).
Stuff legs and sew in place. Fasten off. Stuff arms and sew in place. Fasten off.
Ears- (Make 4 pieces)- First 2 pieces- With Soft Brown, ch 3. Row 1- 1 sc in 2nd ch from hk, ch 2, turn. Row 2- 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 2, turn.
Rows 3 to 9- Rep row 2. Fasten off, leaving long tail to sew with.
Second 2 pieces- Repeat what you did for the first two pieces, but this time use Gold yarn.
Sew one Soft Brown piece to a Gold piece together, to make each ear.
As you are getting ready to sew ears tohead, stitch across ear, gathering a bit as you go to make the ear fit on the side of the head. Pin each ear in place and sew, one with Gold facing upwards and the other with Soft Brown facing upwards.
Stuff Baxter's body and sew top. Fasten off. Place ears at the sides of the head as seen in photos, pin down and sew in place. Fasten off.
You're done!
Not only do you have a pretty cute doggy, but you have learned how to make sculptured cheeks for your Amis!
Muzzle revised Nov. 2011.
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Posts
That is so cute!! Awwww!
ReplyDeletehe is so cute.
ReplyDeletewhat a cute one..
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!
ReplyDeleteYou are right it is complex! Great piece of art. thank you for teaching and sharing
ReplyDeleteI added this project and thumbnail to our site and linked to you. We are looking for more amigurumi as well as other crochet patterns, so if you have any similar projects please feel free to let me know.
ReplyDeleteChristine
cweiher@primecp.com
Editor, www.AllFreeCrochet.com
I need help on the muzzle. I must be mis-reading the instructions, because after 40+ years crocheting I feel I am capable.
ReplyDeleteKay
http://nanakay13.blogspot.com/
Hi NanaKay! Baxter is one of the most complex funmigurumi I have made. I am sorry you started with him! I don't want you to get discouraged. The muzzle is a 3-piece job that is sewn together. You start witht he top, the place where the nose goes, then you crochet twice the sides that hang down, they are simply two rounded pieces that are stuffed and sewn to the top and then you sew on the nose and embroider the mouth. Read the pattern carefully, I wrote it as I myself was working on him and actually producing the toy. Think about the muzzle as 3 pieces, worked separately and sewn together to form this amazing face for a little cheeky bulldog. Each is worked all by itself and then joined. Each is worked in the round as you would any other animal muzzle. Think about it all in terms of crocheting little round puches for stuffing which you will then assemble as you sew them into one piece. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answer. My problem is your use of the term "turn around" in Rnd 2. I am assuming that this means to turn the piece a quarter turn to create the round. But my count is never correct when I do that. I think I may be missing placement of the stitches on the short sides. Also at the end of Rnd 2 the instructions read "1 sc in each of last <> sc, sl st to join rnd." Is there a number missing <>?
ReplyDeleteAlso, my Rnd 3 ends several stitches from where it started. And Rnd 4 only goes about half way around the piece.
This is not a simple fluke. I have attempted the same piece 7 or 8 times with about the same result.
HELP!!
Hi nanaKay. I'm sorry you are having such trouble. As I said before, Baxter is one of my most difficult Funmigurumi. No, turn around does not mean to turn a quarter round. It means simply that when you reach the end of that round, you restart again. At end of rnd 2 there is no number missing I have fixed it, it should have said 1 sc in last sc, sl st to join rnd. Rnd 3 is as follows: Rnd 3- 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc
ReplyDeletein each of next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc.
Rnd 4 (I have changed it to row 4) it goes only half way around the muzzle to make it higher on the top than on the bottom, for the sake of the toy's expression. You will go all around again before you end it. No, it is not a fluke. The top will have an extra row that the bottom of the muzzle does not have, then you will just crochet all around, otherwise, when you stuff it, it's too tight and it loses in cuteness. Hope this helps!
I saw this on a bag...I'm so happy to have found the pattern! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWas it at Zazzle? I had special offers of bags and kids' T-shirts with my Funmigurumi there some time ago. Glad you like Baxter.
ReplyDeleteI have read the muzzle over and over. I am having trouble with your wording. Am I to be going around (in an oval shape) or am I to be doing a row, turning around and following along. I have been crocheting for years and never read a pattern like this. It looks like it should be easier than it is written. Could there possibly be an easier way to word it? Sorry if this seems critical but I am struggling to understand the muzzle section.
ReplyDeleteHi Crochetforhim! I'm sorry you're having a hard time understanding Baxter's muzzle. he's a bulldog, so I wanted his muzzle to be 3-Dimensional and I made it in sections, so that it would stick out of the face, giving him the characteristic look of a pudgy bulldog. You picked a toughie to start with my Funmigurumi! This is sheer advanced. But since you sound like you are an experienced crocheter, I have all confidence that you will be able to make him. I do not remember what I did since I made him 2 years ago! Right now, a member of our household is sick and I'm going around dispensing medicine, etc., give me a few days till things settle down back into a routine and I will sit down and make the muzzle again, following my instructions and see if I can simplify it. If you read my explanations to nanaKay, who had, I believe, your same problems, you might be able to understand the pattern better before I get to have a change to make the muzzle again. The muzzle is worked in 3 separate pieces, they are each an individual little pouch which you later on sew together and stuff to form a bulldog's muzzle, each is worked in the round individually. That is all I can remember. Perhaps if you read what I told nanaKay it would help you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the response. I hope things have improved for you. I have since followed directions for something similar on another site and now understand what you need done. I guess I just needed it explained differently first. Thanks again. He's a very cute puppy!
ReplyDeletehi Crochetforhim, I'm glad you were able to resolve the problem. Things have gotten much better here, thanks to Him! I do my best effort to share my patterns the way that they come out for me, but since I'm an artist, and look at my patterns as a blank canvas, I might not "go by the book" when it comes to the way I explain them. I really cannot explain them any other way than how they come out as I make them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the free pattern.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome. Enjoy!
ReplyDelete