While we are all on lock-down, trying to stay healthy we can easily find ourselves running out of things to do. So break out that scrap yarn you have tons of and let's get busy with our favorite pass-time - CROCHET!
We're in uncertain times, and what better way to calm our nerves than to give a big hug to a cuddly adorable version of what's killing us off! Yes, it's a free pattern that allows you to crochet your very own Coronovirus, and I guess it's not a bad idea, since you'll probably be home bored for the next few months, and what better way to pass the time than to crochet a souvenir so you'll remember what you've gone through while you're working from home or on lock-down from society.
Yes, I really will crochet anything. Before the Internet starts yelling at me for being insensitive, let me give a bit of background.
I’ve had a phobia of germs since I was a kid. The scary thing about COVID-19 is that it’s invisible, so it isn’t something you can fight. It just lurks until it gets you. I thought it could be a good exposure therapy exercise to make a crochet version of it.
Nothing is scary when you put a silly face on it, and that was my goal here. I thought this pattern might be useful to some of my fellow germaphobes because it makes the scary thing visible, so you can mentally confront it. Or maybe you just want to make it so you can chuck it at your friends and tell them they “caught” the coronavirus. Up to you.
Materials
• Worsted-weight yarn in two colors: base and the spiky bits
• 2 plastic safety eyes (mine were about 12 mm)
• G (4.00 MM) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Small bit of polyfill stuffing. Or fill it with beans so you can chuck it at people.
• Small bit of black yarn to embroider face
Notes
• I use US crochet terms in all of my patterns
• This pattern is worked in one piece for the base, leaving spare loops to attach the red spiky bits. When the base is complete, you go back and crochet onto the loops.
• This pattern is worked in a spiral without joining, amigurumi-style. So use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
• 2-double-crochet cluster: *Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops.* Repeat from * to * one more time, which should leave you with 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over, pull through all 3 loops.
Pattern
Base
Round 1: Make a magic ring, ch 1, 6 sc in ring
Round 2: in back loops only, 2 sc in each sc around
Round 3: in both loops, (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around
Round 4: in back loops only, (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around
Round 5: in both loops, (sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around
Round 6: in back loops only, (sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around: 36 sc
Round 7: in both loops, sc 10, in back loops, sc 26
Round 8: in both loops, sc 36
Round 9-12: Repeat Rounds 7 and 8 two more times.
Round 13: in both loops, (sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog) around
Round 14: in back loops, (sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog) around
Round 15: in both loops, (sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog) around
Work on face: attach safety eyes and embroider eyebrows and mouth.
Round 16: in back loops, (sc in next sc, sc2tog) around
Stuff.
Round 17: in both loops, sc2tog around.
Fasten off. Through back loops, sew the small circle together. That leaves you with 6 loops to work into.
Corona Special Stitch
I’m going to call this “Corona Stem.” Ch 4, make a 2-double-crochet cluster in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in same ch, sl st in next 2 ch.
Start in the leftover loops of Round 17. *Make a Corona Stem, then sl st into the next 2 free loops.* Repeat this twice more.
For the rest of the spare loops, you’re going to *make a Corona Stem, then sl st into the next 3 stitches*, all the way around and around. When you get to the middle section, which leaves a non-adorned part for the face, you’ll be working back and forth in rows. Then when you get back to the top, just start working around and around again.
When you get to the very top, with the 6 loops left over from Round 1, *Make a Corona Stem, then sl st into the next 2 free loops.* Repeat this twice more.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
While all of us are preoccupied with you-know-what, I sincerely hope that you're feeling as healthy and safe as possible. The news can be informative and draining, which is why I've started limiting my daily consumption to preserve some measure of sanity. I'm also leaning more than ever into my crochet and knitting apothecary, using not only my favorite patterns but super soft beautiful yarns that I’ve never worked with before.
We also know that crocheting is vital to our community, especially during uncertain times so we will do our best to continue to provide our products across the world as long as we are able.
Stay healthy, you guys. There’s nothing cute about the real coronavirus, and I don’t mean to make light of it. When things scare us, We crochet. Wash your hands, don’t go to the store unless you can help it, and try not to worry too much. Easier said than done, trust me, I know.
But we’re going to make it through this together.
Please stay safe and focus on the small moments of joy at home.
Find comfort in your passions.
Find structure in your projects.
Find certainty in your routines.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Much love,
The Cuddle Up Creations Team