Crochet Leprechaun Cuddle Buddy

My kids love leprechauns almost as much as they love Santa! They get excited every year for St. Patrick’s Day. We read the book “How to Catch a Leprechaun” and then the kids construct leprechaun traps out of shoe boxes! It’s become a fun tradition. This year I crocheted a friendly leprechaun cuddle buddy. The kids named him Lucky!

Materials:
-Bernat Super Value Yarn in Fern
-Bernat Super Value Yarn in Black
-Bernat Super Value Yarn in Natural
-Bernat Super Value Yarn in Pumpkin
-Bernat Super Value Yarn in Soft Fern (for the shamrock – optional)
-Bernat Super Value Yarn in bright yellow (just a long strand for the hat detail)
Shop Yarn on Yarnspirations.com
-Size H Crochet Hook
-Poly-fil Fiber Stuffing
-Tapestry Needle
-Black Safety Eyes

Size: 17 inches tall x 5 inches wide

Leprechaun Head (make 2)
with natural yarn..
Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 10 SC in ring, join to first SC, chain 1
Round 2: 2 SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Round 3: 2 SC in first, SC in next, repeat around, join, chain 1
Round 4: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Round 5: 2 SC in first, SC in next 2, repeat around, join, chain 1
Round 6: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
Fasten of weave in ends.
Add safety eyes, nose, and stitch on a little smile to one of the circles
Nose: Magic Ring, chain 1 and make 8 SC in ring, join, fasten off leaving long tail.

Place both head pieces on top of one another and SC the edges together with natural color yarn. Stuff lightly with poly-fil before closing.

Beard:
Now join in orange yarn on side of head (parallel to where the eyes are), SC in 25 stitches (about half way around the head), chain 1, turn
Row 2: Slip stitch, skip a stitch, 5 DC in next stitch, skip a stitch, slip stitch to join to next. Repeat around making 6 scallops for the beard. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Body (make 2):
with lush green
chain 15, SC in second chain from hook and the rest of the way down chain, chain 1, turn (14 SC)
Row 2- 15: SC in each stitch across, chain 1, turn.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Place the two body pieces on top of each other and SC the edges together. Stuff lightly with poly-fil before closing.

Tiny Shamrock:
with fern green yarn
Magic ring, [chain 3 + DC +SC+DC + chain 3 + slip stitch] 3x in ring, pull ring tight, chain 4, slip stitch down chain and fasten off (to make the stem), weave in ends.

Arms and Legs (make 2 of each):
Start with natural yarn for arms and black yarn for legs.
chain 5, SC in second chain from hook and the rest of the way down chain, now working on other side of chain, SC in each chain, join, chain 1 (8 SC around)
Round 2-4: SC in each stitch around, join, chain 1
join in green yarn
Round 5-14: SC in each stitch around, join chain 1
Fasten off, leaving long tail
Stuff lightly with poly-fil and stitch arms and legs onto body

Hat (Top) make 2:
With lush green
chain 11, SC in second chain from hook and the rest of the way down chain, chain 1, turn
Row 2-9: SC in each stitch across, chain 1, turn (10 SC)
Add in black yarn
Row 10-12: SC in each stitch across, chain 1, turn (10 SC)
Fasten off weave in ends.

Stitch square “belt buckle” onto one side of hat with yellow yarn
SC the edges of the hat together. Stuff lightly before closing

Hat (Brim) make 2:
Chain 17, SC in second chain from hook and the rest of the way down, chain 1, turn
Row 2-3: SC in each stitch across, chain 1, turn (16 SC)
Fasten off leaving long tail on one of the pieces.

Place brim peices over bald part of head and stitch together using tapestry needle.
Place top hat part between brim and stitch that together as well.
Use picture below for guidance.

Lastly, stitch head onto body with tapestry needle and long strand of natural color yarn!

Zoe could not handle the fact that I asked her brother to take a photo with the Leprechaun. She insisted that she be in a picture too!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!