Brett Bara LOVES yarn

Brett Bara, is the host of the PBS television show Knit and Crochet Now, and the former editor-in-chief of Crochet Today magazine. She blogs about knit, crochet, and all kinds of crafty fun at www.brettbara.com. An avid multi-crafter, Brett is also the author of the new book Sewing in a Straight Line.

Below are TWO of Brett’s creations—Crochet Fifi and Crobots.

Brett Bara

“I love yarn because it allows me to do so many different creative things…whether it's crocheting or knitting, or even weaving or making pom-poms, yarn is the perfect material for expressing myself and making just about anything. From soft baby blankets and luxurious sweaters to pot holders or amigurumi — yarn allows you to do it all!”

Brett Bara's Crochet FifiBrett Bara's Crobots

Click on photos to download instructions.

Crochet Fifi

Brett Bara's FifiAn amigurumi version of my crabby-looking (but very sweet) little cat, Fifi.

By Brett Bara
www.brettbara.com

Download the instructions

What You’ll Need

Red Heart With Love:
1 skein Pewter
small amount Black
small amount Aran
Size G(6) crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
2 12mm safety eyes
Yarn needle
Fiberfill

Gauge

Gauge is not crucial for this project; work stitches tightly enough so that the stuffing doesn't show through.

Measurements

Finished cat is 8" (20cm) tall when seated.

Instructions

Ears (make 2)

Row 1: Chain 6. Sc into 2nd chain from hook and each ch across—5 sc.
Rows 2–5: Ch 1, turn; sc into each sc across—5sc. Fasten off.

You will have a small crochet square. Fold the square in half diagonally to form a triangle, and use the yarn tail and a yarn needle to sew the two short sides of the triangle to each other, forming a double-thick triangle that is folded on one side and sewn closed on the other two sides. Set ears aside.

Head

Worked in the round in a continuous spiral.

Round 1: Make an adjustable loop and work 6 sc into the loop. Tighten loop.
Round 2: Work 2 sc into each sc around—12 sc.
Round 3: Work 2 sc into each sc around—24 sc.
Round 4: Work 1 sc into each sc around—24 sc.
Round 5: *1 sc in the next sc; 2 sc in the next sc; repeat from * around—36 sc.
Rounds 6–12: 1 sc in each sc around—36 sc.
Round 13: *1 sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog; repeat from * around—30 sc.
Round 14: Repeat Round 13—24 sc.
Round 15: Work 1 sc in each sc around—24 sc.
Round 16: *1 sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog; repeat from * around—18 sc.
Round 17: *1 sc in next sc, sc2tog; repeat from * around—12 sc.
The crochet will now pause while the face is made and head is stuff. Leave your working yarn attached (secure the last loop on your hook with a stitch marker or safety pin while you work on the face).
Attach the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11. With yarn needle and Black yarn, embroider a triangle nose, two slanted lines for a mouth, and eyebrows if desired. With Aran yarn, embroider a triangle chin.
Sew the ears to the head. Stuff head firmly with fiberfill.

Neck and Body

Pick up the working yarn and the loop you left off with, and continue crocheting.
Round 18: 2 sc in each sc around—24 sc.
Rounds 19–21: 1 sc in each sc around—24 sc.
Round 22: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around—36 sc.
Round 23–25: 1 sc in each sc around—36 sc.
Round 26: *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around—48 sc.
Round 27: 1 sc in each sc around—48 sc.
Round 28: *1 sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog; repeat from * around—36 sc.
Round 29: 1 sc in each sc around—36 sc.
Round 30: *1 sc in next sc, sc2tog; repeat from * around—24 sc.
Round 31: *1 sc in next sc, sc2tog; repeat from * around—16 sc.
Stuff neck and body firmly with fiberfill before crocheting the final round.
Round 32:  Sc2tog around—8 sc. Fasten off and weave yarn through remaining 8 sts; pull to tighten. Weave in end.

Arms and Legs (make 4)

Worked in the round in a continuous spiral.
Round 1: Make an adjustable loop and work 6 sc into the loop. Pull yarn tail to tighten.
Rounds 2–9: Work 1 sc in each sc around—6sc. Fasten off. Use the yarn tail and a yarn needle to sew the open end of each arm/leg to the body. Weave in ends. (Do not stuff the arms and legs; leaving them unstuffed makes them  little softer instead of stiff.)

Tail

Ch 18. Fasten off.

Cut approximately six 3" (8cm) lengths of yarn. Weave each piece through the last chain. Wrap another piece of around the whole bunch of yarn pieces, making a tassel-like lion tail. Trim yarn ends to roughly the same length. Sew other end of tail to the body and weave in ends.

The information on this instruction sheet is presented in good faith and without warranty. Results are not guaranteed.

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