Crochet Teddy Bear Lovey (Doudou)

Instructions

Tap a section when you finish it.

1. 1Square blanketWith the 3.5 mm hook and main colour: Round 1: in a magic ring ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2* 3 times; sl st to 3rd ch (12 dc). Round 2: ch 3 (first dc), dc in next 2 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner space, *dc in next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner* 3 times; sl st (7 dc per side, 28 in total). Following rounds: in the same way work 1 dc in each dc and (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner; each round adds 4 dc to every side. At the end of round 12 there are 47 dc per side (188 in total).
2. 2Blanket edgeRound 13: ch 1, sc in each dc, 3 sc in each corner space; sl st (200 sc). Round 14: ch 1, rev sc in each st; join with sl st and fasten off. The crab stitch makes a soft, thick frame.
3. 3HeadWith the 3 mm hook and second colour, work in a spiral (do not join rounds; track them with a marker). Round 1: 6 sc in a magic ring. Round 2: 6 inc (12). Round 3: *sc 1, inc* (18). Round 4: *sc 2, inc* (24). Round 5: *sc 3, inc* (30). Round 6: *sc 4, inc* (36). Rounds 7-12: sc 36. Round 13: *sc 4, dec* (30). Round 14: *sc 3, dec* (24). Round 15: *sc 2, dec* (18). Embroider the face and stuff firmly. Round 16: *sc 1, dec* (12). Round 17: 6 dec (6). Thread the yarn through the remaining sts and pull closed.
4. 4Ears and muzzleEars (make 2, second colour): 6 sc in a magic ring; round 2: 6 inc (12); rounds 3-4: sc 12. Flatten without stuffing and leave a 25 cm tail. Muzzle (main colour): 6 sc in a magic ring; round 2: 6 inc (12); round 3: sc 12. Leave a 25 cm tail.
5. 5Embroidering the faceEmbroider the eyes between rounds 9 and 10, 6 sts apart, with 4-5 straight stitches on top of each other in dark brown. Sew the muzzle centered between the eyes, one round lower, with a little stuffing, then embroider a small triangle nose and a mouth line on it. Never use plastic safety eyes on baby toys; embroidered eyes cannot be pulled off.
6. 6AssemblySew the ears to the top of the head at rounds 3-6, with close stitches along their entire lower edge. Pinch up the center of the blanket about 3 cm, place it under the bottom of the head and sew the head firmly to the blanket with two rounds of stitches around the closed point.
7. 7FinishingWeave all ends into the head or the blanket, leaving knots inside. Wash the lovey in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle and dry flat, reshaping it.