Duck Lovey Puppet
Earlier this week, I release my first lovey puppet design, the pig lovey puppet. I can’t even begin to explain to you how nervous I was about that, and I had already invested time into this duck lovey puppet. My children have often played with toys in unique ways, sparking creative ideas. However, what if others were not on board with this unique crossbreed of blanket and puppet? Just because my son used to put his hand under the blanket of his lovey, and pretend with it, doesn’t mean everyone else did. Maybe I have weird kids. Who knows?!
I had no reason for my nerves, it would seem. The pattern was so well received, I have been hearing from people who have already made a couple! Now, I am excited to share more of these ideas with you! I love coming up with unique and creative toys for little ones, and finding different ways to make an otherwise common toy. This duck lovey puppet is another simple one-skein project, great for a last minute baby gift! From the tiny fingers that grasp on to new and different textures, to the toddler hands that love to explore, this is a toy that can provide both comfort and creativity, and be loved for years to come.
You can purchase a printer-friendly PDF of this pattern from my Ravelry or Etsy shops to help support my business. Thank you!
Materials:
The Hook Nook, Main Squeeze – Mustard Yellow – 1 skein, 3.5 oz, 175 yds
The Hook Nook, Main Squeeze – Marigold Fields – 2 yds
The Hook Nook, Small Stuff – Tattoo Ink – for eyes and nostrils
Crochet Hook, I – 5.5mm, from The Hook Nook Designer Interchangeable Hook Set
Scissors
Terms and abbreviations to know:
magic ring
rnd, rnds – round, rounds
ch, chs – chain, chains
sp, sps – space, spaces
st, sts – stitch, stitches
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
hdc – half double crochet
dc – double crochet
inc – make 2 sc together into same st (only used in reference to sc sts)
invsc2tog – invisible single crochet 2 together; this is essentially a decrease, but done in such a way as to make the continuous stitching smoother, and the decrease not as noticeable.
- Insert hook into front loop only of next stitch, DO NOT yarn over.
- Insert hook into front loop of second stitch.
- Yarn over. Pull through 2 loops.
- Yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
Notes:
This pattern is worked from the head down through the blanket in one piece, with the wings and beak are sewn on separately. The head is worked up in sc, in continuous rnds, with no joining. The blanket portion is worked up in dc, with joining. Chs do not count as sts. Gauge is provided for both sections, and is only important if you wish to keep this to a one-skein project. It is designed to be both a lovey and a puppet for little ones to play and snuggle with! There is no stuffing, so they are easily washed. Pages 2-4 are your printer-friendly pages with just the written pattern. Page 5 has all process pictures.
Gauge for head: 7 sts and 7 rnds = 2 inches
Gauge for blanket: 6 sts and 4 rnds = 2 inches
Finished size: approximately 11 inches tall, corner to corner = 18 inches
Duck Lovey Puppet
beginning with head, in Mustard Yellow
Begin with magic ring. Work in continuous rnds, no joining.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring; 6 sts
Rnd 2: inc in each st around; 12 sts
Rnd 3: (inc, sc in next st)6x; 18 sts
Rnd 4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts)6x; 24 sts
Rnds 5-10: sc in each st around; 24 sts
Rnd 11: (invsc2tog, sc in next 2 sts)6x; 18 sts
Rnd 12: (invsc2tog, sc in next st)6x; 12 sts
Beginning with the blanket portion, you will now be joining rnds. Chs will not count as sts.
Rnd 13: FLO this rnd only (2 dc in next st, ch 3, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st)4x, sl st in first st to join; 20 sts, 4 ch-3 sps
Rnd 14: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next st, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-3 sp, dc in next 5 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-3 sp, dc in next 3 sts, sl st in first st to join; 36 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 15: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next 3 sts, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 9 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 5 sts, sl st in first st to join; 52 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 16: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next 5 sts, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 13 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 7 sts, sl st in first st to join; 68 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 17: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next 7 sts, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 17 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 9 sts, sl st in first st to join; 84 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 18: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next 9 sts, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 21 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 11 sts, sl st in first st to join; 100 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 19: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next 11 sts, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 25 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 13 sts, sl st in first st to join; 116 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 20: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next 13 sts, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 29 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 15 sts, sl st in first st to join; 132 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 21: ch 2, dc into same st as joining, dc in next 15 sts, [(2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 33 sts]3x, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 17 sts, sl st in first st to join; 148 sts, 4 ch-1 sps
Rnd 22: ch 1, hdc into same st as joining, sl st in next st, (hdc in next st, sl st in next st)8x, 3 hdc in ch-1 sp, [sl st in next st, (hdc in next st, sl st in next st)18x, 3 hdc in ch-1 sp]3x, sl st in next st, (hdc in next st, sl st in next st)9x; 160 sts
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
Beak
in Marigold Fields
Begin with magic ring.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring; 4 sts
Rnd 2: sc in each st around; 4 sts
Rnd 3: (inc, sc in next st)2x; 6 sts
Rnd 4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts)2x; 8 sts
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew onto the head of the duck, on the front of the face, just above on of the ch-3 sps.
Wings
in Mustard Yellow
Begin with magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring; 6 sts
Rnd 2: inc in each st around; 12 sts
Rnd 3: (inc, sc in next st)6x; 18 sts
Rnd 4: (inc, sc in next 2 sts)6x; 24 sts
Rnd 5: sc in each st around; 24 sts
Fold into half circle to close, and sc through both sides of it 7 times; 7 sts
This will leave 10 sts open. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew the opening into the ch 3 sps to each side of the head, as the finger holes for the puppet.
Eyes
in black
The eyes are placed at about rnd 6 and 7 of the head, above the snout, with approximately 3 sts between them. They cover about 3 sts. Wrapping the yarn around itself is a great way to keep it in place. Please see THIS VIDEO to see how I create the eyes for my loveys and puppets!
I hope you have enjoyed making the lion lovey puppet! Don’t forget to check out the pig, lion, giraffe, unicorn, and elephant lovey puppets as well! If you loved making these puppets and show them off on Instagram, please be sure to tag @ekaygdesigns to let me know, and I will share in my stories!