There’s something really fun about making a nontraditional looking animal even more nontraditional! The axolotl is already an interesting looking character, but to make him into a Puffy Stuffy Axolotl, with exaggerated features and sparkly yarn, is something so bizarre looking, it’s adorable!
If you’re interested in a printer-friendly PDF of the Puffy Stuffy Axolotl Pattern, you can find the design in my Ravelry or Etsy shops! If you prefer to use the free blog copy below, I still appreciate you being here! And another great way to support my blog is simply by sharing! Thank you for supporting my business!
Materials:
Bernat Baby Blanket Sparkle, Moonlight (A) – approximately 50 yds
Bernat Baby Blanket Sparkle, Rose Glow (B) – approximately 15 yds
*optional: If double stranding – Red Heart Super Saver, Retro Stripes – approximately 25 yds
Small amount of worsted weight yarn in black for the eyes and mouth.
THE HOOK NOOK Crochet hook, K-6.5mm
*IF double stranding, you can still use the K hook, but you might want to go up to an L-8mm for a puffier stuffy!
Polyester Fiberfill
Yarn needle
Scissors
Terms and abbreviations to know:
magic ring
rnd, rnds – round, rounds
st, sts – stitch, stitches
sc – single crochet
inc – increase, work 2 sts into same st
dc bobble – double crochet bobble
- Yarn over, and insert hook into designated st.
- Pull up a loop.
- Yarn over, and pull through 2 loops, leaving 2 loops left on hook.
- Yarn over and insert hook into same st.
- Pull up a loop.
- Yarn over, and pull through 2 loops, leaving 3 loops left on hook.
- Yarn over, and insert hook into same st.
- Pull up a loop.
- Yarn over, and pull through 2 loops, leaving 4 loops left on hook.
- Yarn over, and insert hook into same st.
- Pull up a loop.
- Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, leaving 5 hoops left on hook.
- Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops.
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 st.
- Yarn over. Pull through 2 loops.
- Yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.
Notes:
The Puffy Stuffy Axolotl pattern is worked in a round from the top, down, with no joining. Use a st marker to mark each rnd. The body, arms, and legs are made all in one piece. The external gills are made separately and sewn on. You can make it with just the blanket yarn OR you can double strand it with a worsted weight yarn to add more colors! The blanket yarn can be tricky to work with, so here are some tips: to be sure you’re not missing any sts, always count each rnd, until you’re more comfortable. Because the yarn is so thick, the sts will be very close together, especially during the increasing rnds. Do NOT pull yarn too tightly while sewing or closing, because it can break. Pull gently.
Puffy Stuffy Axolotl
Body, in A (remember, you can double strand with Retro Stripes!)
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 in each st around; 24 sts
Rnd 4: (inc in next st, sc in next 3 sts)6x; 30 sts
Rnd 5-11: sc in each st around; 30
Rnd 12: (dc bobble, sc in next 14 sts)2x; 30 sts
Rnd 13-14: sc in each st around; 30 sts
Rnd 15: sc in next 3 sts, dc bobble, sc in next 8 sts, dc bobble, sc in next 17 sts; 30 sts
Before you continue on to close, sew your eyes in place between rnds 7 and 8. The sewn eyes span about 4 sts, with 2 sts between them, covering the span of 1 rnd. Sew the mouth centered between rnds 12 and 13. You can make it straight or a V. *optional: Sew a little of the pink yarn under each eye for some cheeks. Knot and fasten off all pieces inside the body.
Rnd 16: (invsc2tog, sc in next 3 sts)6x; 24 sts
Rnd 17: invsc2tog 6x; 12 sts
Rnd 18: invsc2tog 6x; 6 sts
Complete stuffing, if you can put anymore through the middle.
Fasten off and weave the end around the hole to close.
External Gills in B – Make 6, (I have done these double stranded or not, and they fit and work out either way!)
Begin with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring, do not join, work in continuous rnds; 4 sts
Rnd 2: (inc, sc in next st)2x; 6 sts
Rnd 3: (inc, sc in next 2 sts)2x; 8 sts
Rnd 4: sc in each st around; 8 sts
Rnd 5: (invsc2tog, sc in next 2 sts);6 sts
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew them to the head, in line with the bobbles from rnd 12, with rnd 1 and 2 at the top, open between the top two gills. Weave in ends.
I hope you have enjoyed making the Puffy Stuffy Axolotl! If you love this design, be sure to check out some of my other free patterns on the blog! Follow me along on Instagram for more sneak peeks and new pattern releases! If you loved making any of my patterns, and show them off on Instagram, please be sure to tag @ekaygdesigns to let me know, and I will share in my stories!