FREE PATTERN: Small Alien

These small aliens make great keychains or bag charms or just cute little toys. They are not difficult to crochet, but do include very small details that take quite a bit of patience to make.

Size

9 cm (3 1/2”) from head to toe, 12 cm (4 3/4") including antennae, when crocheted with DK weight cotton and bamboo blend and a 2,50 mm crochet hook (US size 2/B).

Tip! You can use the same pattern to make larger or smaller toys by using finer or bulkier yarn. Pick a crochet hook at least a size smaller than suggested on yarn label and crochet tightly enough to achieve a tight gauge that will not allow the stuffing to show through the fabric. You may also need to adjust the size of the safety eyes.

Difficulty

2. Beginner - suitable for novice crocheters, includes small details.

Skills required

You will need

Yarn. I used Katia 'Bamboo', a DK weight cotton and bamboo blend, 50g = 100m (50g = 109yd) / 8 ply / 11 wpi / 3: light. You will need about 25 g or 50 m (55 yd) of yarn.
2,50 - 3,00 mm crochet hook (US hook size 2/C - 3/D) or according to the yarn.
Polyester fiberfill, wool, wadding etc. for stuffing.
Cotton embroidery floss.
15 mm safety eyes or buttons, beads, felt etc.
Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker.

Abbreviations

mr, sc n = magic ring – crochet n single crochet stitches into the adjustable loop.
sk a st = skip a stitch.
ch = chain stitch.
sc = single crochet stitch (double crochet stitch in UK and Australia).
sc n = crochet n single crochet stitches, one in each stitch.
inc = increase – crochet two single crochet stitches in the same stitch.
dec = decrease – crochet two stitches together using the invisible decrease method.
(sc 4, inc) x n = repeat the pattern between parentheses n times.
[36] = number of stitches in a round after finishing round.

Notes

Work in a continuous spiral, without joining rounds or turning your work.
Use a stitch marker or a piece of yarn to mark the end or the beginning of a round. Move the marker up after completing each round.
All stitches are worked into both loops.

Head

1: mr, sc 6 = [6]
2: inc x 6 = [12]
3: (sc, inc) x 6 = [18]
4: (inc, sc 2) x 6 = [24]
5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 = [30]
6: sc, inc, (sc 4, inc) x 5, sc 3 = [36]
7-8: sc in each stitch = [36]

Because we are using oversized safety eyes, it is best to replace two single crochet stitches with chain stitches on round 9 to leave holes for the safety eyes. If you are not using safety eyes, crochet one single crochet stitch in each stitch.

9: sc 13, ch, sk a st, sc 8, ch, sk a st, sc 13 = [36]
10: sc in each stitch = [36]
11: sc, dec, (sc 4, dec) x 5, sc 3 = [30]

Locate the holes left on round 9 and attach the safety eyes.

Start stuffing the head. Keep adding a bit of fiberfill after every rounds, stuffing the head firmly.

12: (sc 3, dec) x 6 = [24]
13: (dec, sc 2) x 6 = [18]
14: (sc, dec) x 6 = [12]

Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Finish stuffing. Embroider nostrils or a smile with cotton embroidery floss or a yarn that will not bleed color. Knot the yarn ends together under the head.

Body

1: mr, sc 6 = [6]
2: inc x 6 = [12]
3: (sc, inc) x 6 = [18]
4-5: sc in each stitch = [18]
6: (sc 4, dec) x 3 = [15]
7: sc, dec, (sc 3, dec) x 2, sc 2 = [12]
8-9: sc in each stitch = [12]

Fasten off and hide the yarn tail. Stuff the body firmly. Sew the head to the body using mattress or whip stitch. Add a bit more stuffing before closing the seam.

Arms (make 2)

1: mr, sc 6 = [6]
2: (sc, inc) x 3 = [9]
3: sc in each stitch = [9]
4: (sc, dec) x 3 = [6]

Stuff the hands firmly. Do not stuff the arms.

5: sc in each stitch = [6]
6: push the top flat and crochet over the opening.

Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Sew the arms to the sides of the body, one row below the head.

Legs (make 2)

1: mr, sc 6 = [6]
2: (sc, inc) x 3 = [9]
3: sc in each stitch = [9]
4: (sc, dec) x 3 = [6]

Stuff the feet firmly. Do not stuff the legs.

5-6: sc in each stitch = [6]

Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Sew the legs to the body on either side of the first round.

Antennae (make 2)

1: mr, sc 6 = [6]
2: inc x 6 = [12]
3-4: sc in each stitch = [12]
5: dec x 6 = [6]

Stuff the tips of the antennae firmly. Do not stuff the stems.

6-9: sc in each stitch = [6]

Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Sew the antennae to the head just below round 4.

Finish sewing and hide all yarn tails. And done!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me or leave a comment below, I am always happy to help.

I would love to see how your little aliens turn out, so do post a photo to my Facebook page or tag me in your social media posts, I'm @kristitullus on Instagram and Facebook.

Please do not post this pattern to your website or blog, instead post a link to https://kristitullus.com/blogs/blog/free-pattern-small-christmas-elves. You MAY use this pattern as a teaching aid in any free class or e-course, or as part of a free crochet pattern, provided you credit me as the designer (Kristi Tullus, http://kristitullus.com).

Feel free to sell items made with this pattern.

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