Sleepy Baby Bear and Bunny Stick Rattle

If you’re a blog regular, my guest today will need no introduction. The lovely Alanna from Theodore & Rose is returning, after sharing her wildly popular Bear and Bunny Lovey Blanket previously. I’m absolutely thrilled to share with you that she’s created this ADORABLE companion pattern for a sweet little stick rattle.

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“As this is a guest post, Bella Coco Crochet is unable to answer any queries. If you have a question, please contact the designer directly and they will be happy to help you.”

Alanna says, “I was so delighted to hear from Sarah-Jayne that my Sleepy Baby Bear and Bunny Lovey was such hit with you all, that I decided to come up with a pattern that can partner with the loveys for a complete gift set option.

So here it is…my Sleepy Baby Bear and Bunny Stick Rattle . I hope you enjoy making these little cuties, just as much as I enjoy creating them for you!“

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MATERIALS & TOOLS

Yarn: 4 ply (fingering weight yarn) 25g per rattle

Pink yarn for cheeks. Only small amounts of yarn is required for the cheeks so leftover yarn can be used.

Black embroidery thread for eyes and nose

Hook: 2.25mm (US B/1)

Toy stuffing approx 35-40g

Noise maker

Stitch marker

Scissors

Darning needle

GAUGE & SIZE

Amigurumi gauge : 5 rounds = 3.7cm across (Note: crochet the first 5 rounds of the head pattern to use as a gauge swatch)

The finished stick rattle is approx 14cm tall from the top of the head to the base (not including the ears).

NOTES

Written in UK terms

I have chosen to use an X stitch which gives a tighter, neater finish. The standard V stitch can be used, however if used it will result in a slightly larger size.

When working amigurumi, work in continuous spirals, without closing off the rounds with a slip stitch.

Use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round. This helps when counting your stitches to compare it with the pattern.

Stuff the head and stick firmly. Insert small amounts at a time until you get the right shape. Stuffing your toy can be tricky, but it is a very important step in getting the right shape and look for your toy: overstuffing might stretch the fabric too far and show gaps and under stuffing will give your piece a deflated look. Take your time with this step.

If you intend to sell your finished item, as the maker of these items, you are responsible for marketing a safe toy. Please make sure they comply with the legal requirements of the respective country in which the toy is going to be sold.

TERMS & ABBREVIATIONS

Back loop only (BLO): Insert hook into back loop of the stitch only.

Beginning (beg): Beginning.

Chain (ch): Yarn over, pull through.

Double crochet (dc): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops.

Double crochet increase (dc inc): Make two complete double crochets (dc) into the same stitch.

Double crochet invisible decrease (dc dec): Insert hook into front loop only of next two stitches, yarn over, pull through, you will have two loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

Magic ring/circle (MR)

Slip stitch (sl-st): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both stitch and loop on hook.

Space (sp)

Stitch(es) (st/s)

If you need a quick reminder of magic ring/circle:

Unsure of the differences between UK and US terms? Need a refresher on how to do your stitches? In my ‘How to crochet: A handy reference guide’ EBook I help you with all of these terms and you can always have them to hand! You will also get exclusive access to free video instructions. You can find my EBook HERE.

SLEEPY BABY BEAR AND BUNNY STICK RATTLE PATTERN

The Head

Using a 2.25mm (US B/1) hook and chosen yarn, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: ch1, dc 6 into ring. Pull the ring tightly closed. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: dc inc in all 6 sts (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [dc in next st, dc inc in next st] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: [dc in next 2 sts, dc inc in next st] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 5: [dc in next 3 sts, dc inc in next st] x6 (30 sts)

Rnd 6: dc in next 2 sts, dc inc in next st, [dc in next 4 sts, dc inc in next st] x5, dc in next 2 sts (36 sts)

Weave in starting yarn tail.

Rnd 7: [dc in next 5 sts, dc inc in next st] x6 (42 sts)

Rnd 8: dc in next 3 sts, dc inc in next st, [dc in next 6 sts, dc inc in next st] x5, dc in next 3 sts (48 sts)

Rnd 9-19: dc in all 48 sts (11 Rnds)

Rnd 20: dc in next 3 sts, dc dec, [dc in next 6 sts, dc dec] x5, dc in next 3 sts (42 sts)

Rnd 21: [dc in next 5 sts, dc dec] x6 (36 sts)

Rnd 22: dc in next 2 sts, dc dec, [dc in next 4 sts, dc dec] x5, dc in next 2 sts (30 sts)

Rnd 23: [dc in next 3 sts, dc dec] x6 (24 sts)

Stuff the head with toy stuffing, placing the noise maker in the middle.

Rnd 24: [dc in next 2 sts, dc dec] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 25: [dc BLO in next st, dc dec BLO] x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 26: dc dec x6 (6 sts)

Break the yarn and pull through. Weave the yarn tail through the FLO of round 26 and pull firmly to close off the head. Weave in end.

Bunny Ears (make 2)

Using a 2.25mm (US B/1) hook and chosen yarn, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: ch1, dc 6 into ring. Pull the ring tightly closed. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: [dc in next st, dc inc in next st] x3 (9 sts)

Rnd 3: [dc in next 2 sts, dc inc in next st] x3 (12 sts)

Rnd 4: [dc in next 3 sts, dc inc in next st] x3 (15 sts)

Rnd 5: [dc in next 4 sts, dc inc in next st] x3 (18 sts)

Weave in starting yarn tail.

Rnd 6-23: dc in all 18 sts (18 sts) (18 Rnds)

Leaving a long tail of yarn for sewing the ears to the head, break the yarn and pull through. Pinch the base of the ears together and secure with a few stitches. Next, sew the ears centered on the top of the head between rounds 4 and 6 either side. Sew around the ears a few times until very secure. Weave in yarn tail.

Bear Ears (make 2)

Using a 2.25mm (US B/1) hook and chosen yarn, make a magic ring.

Rnd 1: ch1, dc 6 into ring. Pull the ring tightly closed. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: dc inc in all 6 sts (12 sts)

Rnd 3: [dc in next st, dc inc in next st] x6 (18 sts)

Rnd 4: dc in all 18 sts (18 sts)

Weave in starting yarn tail.

Rnd 5: [dc in next st, dc dec] x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 6: dc in all 12 sts (12 sts)

Leaving a long tail of yarn for sewing the ears to the head, break the yarn and pull through. Sew the ears centered on the top of the head between rounds 6-10 either side. Sew around the ears a few times until very secure.

Weave in yarn tail.

Related Post: Sleepy Baby Bunny & Bear Lovey

Embroidery Work

Embroider the eyes, nose and eyebrows on to the head with black thread. I placed the eyes and the top of the nose between rounds 16 and 17 with 9 stitches between the eyes. Use pink yarn to add little pink cheeks under the eyes.

TIP: Bring the yarn up from the base of the head and return thread to the base when finished. Here you now can easily secure the yarn tails and the stick will hide it all later.

Stick

Note: If you want to add stripes to your stick rattle, just alternate colours with each round as you please

Attach yarn with a ch1 to the first loop left exposed in round 25 of the head pattern.

Rnd 1-2: dc in all 18 sts (18 sts) (2 Rnds)

Weave in starting yarn tail.

Rnd 3: [dc in next 2 sts, dc inc in next st] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 4-10: dc in all 24 sts (24 sts) (7 Rnds)

Rnd 11: [dc in next 3 sts, dc inc in next st] x6 (30 sts)

Rnd 12-21: dc in all 30 sts (30 sts) (10 Rnds)

Rnd 22: [dc in next 3 sts, dc dec in next st] x6 (24 sts)

Rnd 23: [dc in next 2 sts, dc dec in next st] x6 (18 sts)

Stuff the stick firmly with toy stuffing.

Rnd 24: [dc in next st, dc dec in next st] x6 (12 sts)

Rnd 25: dc dec x6 (6 sts)

Break the yarn and pull through. Weave the yarn tail through the FLO of round 25 and pull firmly to close off the end. Weave in yarn tail.

Congratulations! Your sleepy baby rattle is finished. I hope you enjoyed making them as much as I enjoyed creating them for you.

Don’t forget – this is a companion pattern to the Sleepy Baby Bear and Bunny Lovey pattern. They make a great pairing and the perfect gift!

If you love to make baby makes you might also like these patterns:

• Easy Baby Beanie
• Baby Bolero
• Crochet Baby Bloomers
• Baby Booties
• Easy & Easy Baby Blanket

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