Potato Friend Pattern

By Thien Nguyen August

Skills Level: Easy

Skills Required: slip knot chain single crochet (sc) increase (inc) decrease (dec)

Materials Required: Bulky or worsted weight Size H (5mm) Tapestry needle Polyester stuffing 2 - 9mm plastic safety eyes Small amount of contrasting color yarn for mouth

Abbreviations: st = sts = stiches sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (to decrease)

To make a Small Potato: You will be working in continuous rounds.

Chain 2 Round 1: work 6 sc in first chain Round 2: work 2 sc in each sc around (12 sts) Round 3: 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, repeat around (18 sts) Round 4 -12: sc in each st around Round 13: sc2tog, sc in next st, repeat around (12 sts) Place eyes, you may also sew on the mouth at this point Begin stuffing now Round 14: sc2tog around (6 sts) Finish stuffing the potato Cut the yarn leaving a long tail about 10 inches long. Thread the needle and weave through the opening and pull tight to close completely. Keep the needle on the yarn.

To make the dimples on the potato insert the needle back through the opening that you just closed and push it out through a random spot. Re-insert the needle back into the potato taking one stitch, coming out on the other side of the potato. Pull through tightly to create a dimple. Continue making as many dimples all over the potato as you would like. On the last dimple simply tie a knot and cut yarn.

To make a Large Potato: You will be working in continuous rounds.

Chain 2 Round 1: work 6 sc in first chain Round 2: work 2 sc in each sc around (12 sts) Round 3: 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, repeat around (18 sts) Round 4: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, repeat around (24 sts) Round 5-16: sc in each st around Round 17: sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, repeat around (18 sts) Round 18: sc2tog, sc in next st, repeat around (12 sts) Place eyes, you may also sew on the mouth at this point Begin stuffing now Round 19: sc2tog around (6 sts) Finish stuffing the potato Cut the yarn leaving a long tail about 10 inches long. Thread the needle and weave through the opening and pull tight to close completely. Keep the needle on the yarn.

To make the dimples on the potato insert the needle back through the opening that you just closed and push it out through a random spot. Re-insert the needle back into the potato taking one stitch, coming out on the other side of the potato. Pull through tightly to create a dimple. Continue making as many dimples all over the potato as you would like. On the last dimple simply tie a knot and cut yarn. Crochet Resources

Beginner crochet tutorials: And Sew We Craft offers a how-to for beginners with videos: http://www.andsewwecraft.com/2015/04/crochet-for-beginners-part-1/

Moogly is a great website overall and has a comprehensive beginner’s guide including one for lefties: http://www.mooglyblog.com/learn-how-to-crochet/#_a5y_p=1898452

Learn crochet basics and make a cute pair of fingerless gloves: https://makeanddocrew.com/how-to-crochet-beginners-video-course-giveaway/

Video tutorial for Magic Ring via Planet June: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLUaywX0-WE

Amigurumi websites: All About Ami has cute and inspiring patterns with a helpful beginner’s guide to amigurumi: http://www.allaboutami.com/amigurumiforbeginners/

Amigurumi Today has lots of free patterns that you can choose by skill level: https://amigurumi.today/

More free amigurumi patterns via Craftsy: https://www.craftsy.com/crocheting/shop/free-amigurumi-patterns

My favorite websites: Repeat Crafter Me has lots of FREE and fun patterns that are easy to follow: www.repeatcrafterme.com

Ravelry requires an account but it’s free and contains a seemingly infinite collection of knit and crochet patterns. The online community is a great resource. www.ravelry.com

Whistle and Ivy is another site with pretty patterns (most are free): https://www.whistleandivy.com/

Crochet supplies and yarn: Cove & Yarn Shop – Port Jefferson, Main Street Michael’s Arts and Crafts – various locations Joann Fabrics – various locations AC Moore – various locations Knitty City – 208 W 79th Street, NYC Purl Soho – 459 Broome St., NYC