As the Woodland Blanket is being made for Little Bro aged 5, I wondered if he would like a few leaves and squirrels.
He would!
and so it seems would some of you!
I was pleasantly taken aback by the squirrel-love that poured in when I posted a picture on Facebook and Instagram, with lots of people asking for the pattern.
Oh my goodness – creating a squirrel is relatively quick and easy compared with creating a pattern for others to follow.
These mischievous little creatures have led me a merry dance, but at last I have arrived at a pattern.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Pattern for the Squirrel Motif
Stylecraft Double DK
4.5mm hook
US crochet terms. I am left-handed so the photos will show work from a LH perspective, but the pattern should work just fine for right-handers. Working with the right hand the squirrels will face the other way.
Starting with the back leg
Make a magic loop, Ch1, 8sc into the loop, pull loop together, sl into the 1st ch. to join. 8 sts
2nd Round
Ch1, 2sc into each st, sl into the first ch. to join. 16 sts
3rd Round
Ch1, 2sc, 2sc into next st,
(back foot) ch4,
sc into 3rd and 4th st from the hook, sc into same st as the 2scs
sc into the next 4sts.
2sc into each of the next 3sts, sc, 2sc into next st, 2hd into next st, 2dcs into next st, 2 tr into next st.
(neck) Ch4
work 4dc into the 4th ch from the hook
** please note that is between the bottoms of these stitches that you will work scs in Round 4. See Picture 6 in Round 4**
sl into same st of Round 2, 2sl, sl to join.
4th Round
Sl into next 3sts. sl into next 2 loops (back foot)
Picture 1
2sl into next st, which takes you round the end of the ‘foot’,
Sl into next 9sts, 4sc,
Picture 2
(tail) 4sc into back loops (if you can find another loop lower down, at the back of the work, to work into as well this stabilises the back loop stitches), 2hd into back loops, ch7,
Picture 3
3hd in 3rd ch from hook,
2dc, 2tr, dtr (yarn 3 times round the hook) in next ch,
miss 1ch,
Picture 4
2dtr, tr in next ch
2tr, dc, in next ch, sl into next st of Round 3
Picture 5
2sl, Work 5 sc in the gaps between the next sts. (also covering the thread at the base)
Picture 6 **
Here are a few more photos to explain where the single crochets go
and in a different colour for clarity
Hope that helps.
Picture 7
At last it begins to look like a Squirrel
(head) ch3, sl in 3rd ch from hook,
sl into one of the ch3 (into, not over), sl into first dc of the neck,
Working into the gap between: 4sc, hd, sc.
Picture 8
2sl, hd.
Picture 9
(front foot)
2sl, ch2, sl in 2nd from the hook, sl into the body at base of front foot . Cut yarn and pull through to the front, then take the end to the back (leave a long tail of thread if you will be sewing this on as applique), or sew in the ends.
Pin to shape and block.
How did you get on? I’d love to know. 🙂
See the finished blanket here: Squirrel Nutkin and Old Brown
Pingback: Lockdown Display Roundup Days 41 – 50 – Zola Makes Things
This is a fantastic pattern and what a unique and perfect squirrel applique. Thank you SO much for sharing and the great pics/tutorial. I’m making an alphabet applique baby blanket and this squirrel is perfect. I didn’t have any trouble with the neck and wonder if it is because I am also left handed. What a treat to have a left-handed pattern. I tried a darker brown for the tail and like the look too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Anne, thank you so much for your comment.
I’m so glad to know you had no trouble following the pattern.
Your blanket sounds delightful.
Nice to hear from a fellow lefty. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi ….can you tell me the size of this squirrel?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Kathy, it is about 7 x 8.5cm or 3 x 3.5 inches.
LikeLike
Pingback: 15 Häkelanleitungen für den Herbst – Eine Link-Sammlung – yippieyippieyarn
Thank you so much for going to the extra trouble – that looks very clear – I will give it a try!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let me know how you get on.
I am grateful to you for letting me know you were finding the instructions tricky to follow, I’m sure you are not the only one. ❤
LikeLike
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly! I don’t really understand where the 5 sc in the gaps are placed. It’s the photo with the red arrows. After that photo, the neck looks so long and mine is not…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, I understand Fran. I will do a more detailed photo tomorrow to show you, more clearly, where the sts go.
LikeLike
I have put in a few more photos. Please let me know if they make sense and if they help.
LikeLike
Well, this has got to be the BEST squirrel applique out there! It is so cute! I read all the comments so see what others have said – I am having a problem with the neck area. It goes from looking one way, and then all of a sudden it has a square end. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you like the look of the motif Fran.
Can you tell me where you have got to in the pattern. are you on the 4th Round?
In the 7th photo down of the 4th Round pictures the neck does have a square end whilst it waits for the head.
Is that where you are?
LikeLike
Love this, so cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Rachel – glad you like them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh wow these are so so cute! I’m so excited to try this pattern!
https://dressupparty.wordpress.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! Let me know how you get on. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg these little squirrels are too adorable! Definitely gotta try making these this weekend
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you have fun with them – any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
LikeLike
Pingback: Squirrel Nutkin Woodland Blanket | Wild Daffodil
Pingback: Crochet Oak Leaves and a Finger Puppet | Wild Daffodil
Hi, I love your squirrel pattern which I am attempting to make right now. One question, on rnd 7 after the ch7, 3hdc in 3rd ch from hook, when doing the various stitches: 2 dc, dtr, miss 1 ch, 2 dtr, tr in next ch, 2tr, dc and so on — are these stitches done in individual stitches and/or chains, or are the stitches such as 2 dc, 2 dtr, each done into one stitch or chain? I’m thinking they are done individually but not sure. Also, after stitching in all the chains, I would now be putting my stitches into single crochets or other actual stitches, not chains, is that correct? I hope you understand my questions. I will continue doing as I think it should be and hope my squirrel comes out as cute as yours. Thanks for any help you can give me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Gigi
2dc, 2tr, dtr are all done in one chain. I have put each group of stitches that are done in the same chain on a different row. If you look at the photo you can see a ‘bar’ at the bottom of each chain that has multiple stitches in it.
Making several stitches in one chain causes the tail to curve round.
I hope that makes sense.
Good luck.
Let me know how you get on.
❤
LikeLike
I restarted my squirrel and reread over your instructions and it worked! I have a squirrel which is now pinned and blocked. Can’t wait to make some more. I really appreciate your reply. Thank you so much for this sweet pattern.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes me very happy Gigi. I’m so glad you got there in the end. They are mischievous little imps aren’t they!
LikeLike
Ooh, these look cute – my eldest is a squirrel lover and I have lots of odd bits of Stylecraft DK hanging about as I have made (am making!) two blankets using it. I look forward to rustling up a squirrel or two when I fancy a change from the current project. Thanks for sharing the pattern.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure Tialys. Do let me know how you get on if you do try out the pattern. Although the pattern was tricky to get right, I’m loving seeing the squirrels scampering across my blanket!
LikeLike
Pingback: friday’s knit & natter | Curls n Skirls
Pingback: Squirrel Nutkin and Old Brown | Wild Daffodil
Of all the wonderful things of yours I’ve seen, I think these are my favourite. Very cute, and nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww! Thank you Valerie! I’m so glad you like them. They took ages to get right, but I’m happy with them now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see you generating so much enthusiasm, Sandra – you must be chuffed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am very chuffed Cathy. I enjoy writing this blog as a creative diary for myself, so that I can remember what I make and how I make it. If others are interested in or inspired by anything I create that makes me an extrememely happy bunny, or squirrel in this case! ❤
LikeLike
Oh yes, this blog was started for the same eeason, so I know just what you mean about the joy of knowing others are inspired by something, never mind just interested!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is such an unexpected delight of blogging. 🙂
LikeLike
What little boy wouldn’t want squirrels?! Congrats on the pattern. A great accomplishment that’s not as easy, or fun, to write as often is to create.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was never so good at recording what I had done – just too eager to DO it! 🙂
LikeLike
Cute squirrels! Pattern might not take as long as the sea-horses eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right RJ, not quite so long as the seahorses 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
So cute! Will have to give them a try – thanks so much for including the pattern!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you like them Del. I’d be interested to see how you get on with the pattern of you do try it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will be sure to let you know!
By the way, how have your Stylecraft Attic24 blankets laundered? Can you bung ’em in the dryer? We can’t peg out over here so that’s my only option for something so large. (I’ve been drooling over your latest blanket’s colours!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have given all my blankets away so I have never washed one. However my Mum has one in her Care Home and it is constantly being washed and tumble-dried and seems as good as the day I gave it to her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know – thank you, Sandra,
And Happy Monday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sweet 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really are a closer clogs – these are so cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess you mean ‘clever clogs’ – predictive text!!
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
I did indeed!!
LikeLike
I’ve never followed a pattern without a photo tutorial before, and I’ve never used US crochet terms before, not to mention that I had to Google some of the stitches – but I’ve managed to produce something that looks like a squirrel!
I think I put a couple of stitches in the wrong places, but that’ll be my lack of experience.
So, thank you for the pattern!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t tell you how thrilled I am to know you had the patience and tenacity to get to the end of the pattern, despite all of the circumstances that could have put you off! Thanks so much for letting me know Gayle! It means a lot. ❤
LikeLike
Loads of love for the squirrels and yes they are pesky I have one who has moved into my barn owl box!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that is very cheeky! Naughty squirrel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh – well done!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you – I won’t pretend it was easy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it looked so complex, my mind boggles sometimes at how clever folk are 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved them when I saw them over on Attic 24 and still love them today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the Squirrel ❤
LikeLike
Oh,oh,oh, ♥️♥️♥️they are adorable, maybe even better than the real thing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 the real thing can be a nuisance can’t they! They raid bird feeders here, pesky little devils.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, ours are mainly OK, but the ones at Girl #1’s campus were quite aggressive, they did not accept no as an answer when they wanted treats. 😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Golly, it looks SO much like a squirrel! I don’t know why I’m surprised:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha!Ha! It always amazes me to see what crochet can do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me, too, it’s so much more freeform-able than knitting – much as I love knitting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel the same way. I learnt knitting first and I still find it the most relaxing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not surprised they got so much love, they’re adorable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Mrs C. 🙂
LikeLike
These are super cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Julia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Adorable!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Laurie.
LikeLike