Introducing Biggs and Smalls - Now with Free Patterns

We have lately become obsessed with the new PS3 game Critter Crunch. How can one possibly resist a high paced game that involves spitting out bugs, collecting jewels and puking up rainbows? That's right, I said puking up rainbows!

Pictured here are our tribute to the game, the father and son duo Biggs and Smalls. I created the patterns and crocheted the critters. The boyfriend, who is both wise and witty, took charge of stuffing them and creating the eyes. They were made with Fimo clay and then hand painted. For Biggs's body I borrowed heavily from heavens_hellcat's Blue Totoro Pattern since these critters look a lot like Totoro's minus the ears and tails. Smalls's body is slightly different, a little flatter on bottom.

Want the Pattern?

Check out the free patterns we've created for Biggs and Smalls. As always, if you have any questions or see any problems with a pattern feel free to contact me through the comments section and don't forget to check out my other free patterns available in the left side bar.

Critter Crunch's Smalls with Free Pattern

Smalls Pattern

Materials

1 skein worsted weight yellow yarn (sample was made with Bernat Satin: Sunrise)
1 skein worsted weight pale yellow yarn (sample was made with Bernat Satin: Banana)
Size E (3.5mm) crochet hook
Quilt batting (or your preferred stuffing material)
Black felt (a very small amount for nostrils)
Polymer clay in white
Light blue, dark blue and white acrylic paint

Body

With yellow 6 sc in magic ring
RND 1: work 2 sc in each st around. (12 stitches)
RND 2: *sc in first st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (18 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 2 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (24 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 3 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (30 stitches)
RND 5: *sc in first 4 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (36 stitches)
RND 6: *sc in first 8 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (40 stitches)
RND 7-9: sc in each st around (40 stitches)
RND 10: *sc in first 3 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (50 stitches)
RND 11: *sc in first 4 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (60 stitches)
RND 12-16: sc in each st around, (60 stitches
RND 17: *sc in first 4 st, dec over next two st*, repeat around (50 stitches)
RND 18: *sc in first 3 st, dec over next two st*, repeat around (40 stitches)
RND 19: *sc in first 2 st, dec over next two st*, repeat around (30 stitches)
RND 20: *sc in first 3 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (24 stitches)
RND 21: *sc in first 2 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (18 stitches)
RND 22: *sc in first st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (12 stitches)
Stuff body firmly.
RND 23: *dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (6 stitches)
Sl st into first into next st to finish off, weave yarn through these last 6 stitches and seal shut.

Stomach

With pale yellow 5 sc in magic ring
RND 1: work 2 sc in each st around. (10 stitches)
RND 2: *sc in first st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (15 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 2 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (20 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 3 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (25 stitches)
RND 5: *sc in first 4 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (30 stitches)
Sl stitch into next stitch to finish off, leave long yarn tail for sewing

Feet (make 2)

With yellow 4 sc in magic ring
RND 1: work 2 sc in each st around. (8 stitches)
RND 2: *sc in first st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (12 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 2 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (16 stitches)
RND 4-6: sc in each st around (16 stitches)
Sl stitch into next stitch. Don’t sew shut, leave long yarn tail for attaching to body.

Eyes (make 2)

Use pictures as a guideline. Cut white eye shape out of polymer clay. Try using a coin to flatten. After pieces have baked and cooled, apply a layer of white paint over whole front of eye. Let dry, then paint on larger dark blue circle, let dry. Paint middle light blue circle, let dry. Paint dark blue centre circle, let dry. Paint small white dots in top right corner of eye.

Assembly

Use pictures as a guideline. Whipstitch stomach to front of body. Stuff feet lightly and sew to body. (You may want to add a bit of extra stuffing to them just before you make your last couple of stitches to sew them to the body.) Use glue gun to attach eyes to body. Cut small round circles for nostrils from black felt and glue gun these to body.

As always, if you have any questions or find any problems in the pattern feel free to contact me by posting a comment. Also don't forget to check out my pattern for Biggs's son Smalls, along with my other free patterns that can be found in the left sidebar.

Critter Crunch's Biggs With Free Pattern

Biggs Pattern

Materials

1 skein worsted weight orange yarn (sample was made with Bernat Satin: Sunset)
1 skein worsted weight pale yellow yarn (sample was made with Bernat Satin: Banana)
Size E (3.5mm) crochet hook
Quilt batting (or your preferred stuffing material)
Black felt (a very small amount for nostrils)
Polymer clay in white
Light blue, dark blue and white acrylic paint

Body

With orange 6 sc in magic ring
RND 1: work 2 sc in each st around. (12 stitches)
RND 2: *sc in first st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (18 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 2 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (24 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 3 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (30 stitches)
RND 5: *sc in first 4 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (36 stitches)
RND 5: *sc in first 5 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (42 stitches)
RND 7: *sc in first 6 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (48 stitches)
RND 8: *sc in first 7 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (54 stitches)
RND 9: *sc in first 8 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (60 stitches)
RND 10-13: sc in each st around (60 stitches)
RND 14: *sc in first 5 st, 2 sc in next st,*, repeat around (70 stitches)
RND 15: *sc in first 6 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (80 stitches)
RND 16-25: sc in each st around (80 stitches)
RND 26: *sc in first 8 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (72 stitches)
RND 27: *sc in first 10 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (66 stitches)
RND 28: *sc in first 9 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (60 stitches)
RND 29: *sc in first 8st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (54 stitches)
RND 30: *sc in first 7 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (48 stitches)
RND 31: *sc in first 6 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (42 stitches)
RND 32: *sc in first 5 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (36 stitches)
RND 33: *sc in first 4 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (30 stitches)
RND 34: *sc in first 3 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (24 stitches)
RND 35: in back loop only *sc in first 2 st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (18 stitches)
RND 36: *sc in first st, dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (12 stitches)
Stuff body firmly.
RND 37: *dec over next 2 st*, repeat around (6 stitches)
Sl st into first into next st to finish off, weave yarn through these last 6 stitches and seal shut.

Stomach

With pale yellow 5 sc in magic ring
RND 1: work 2 sc in each st around. (10 stitches)
RND 2: *sc in first st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (15 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 2 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (20 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 3 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (25 stitches)
RND 5: *sc in first 4 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (30 stitches)
RND 5: *sc in first 5 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (35 stitches)
RND 7: *sc in first 6 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (40 stitches)
RND 8: *sc in first 7 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (45 stitches)
RND 9: *sc in first 8 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (50 stitches)
RND 10: *sc in first 9 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (55 stitches)
Sl stitch into next stitch to finish off, leave long yarn tail for sewing

Feet (make 2)

With orange 6 sc in magic ring
RND 1: work 2 sc in each st around. (12 stitches)
RND 2: *sc in first st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (18 stitches)
RND 3: *sc in first 2 st, 2 sc in next st*, repeat around (24 stitches)
RND 4-6: sc in each st around (24 stitches)
Sl stitch into next stitch. Don’t sew shut, leave long yarn tail for attaching to body.

Eyes (make 2)

Use pictures as a guideline. Cut white eye shape out of polymer clay. Try using a coin to flatten. After pieces have baked and cooled, apply a layer of white paint over whole front of eye. Let dry, then paint on larger dark blue circle, let dry. Paint middle light blue circle, let dry. Paint dark blue centre circle, let dry. Paint small white dots in top right corner of eye.

Assembly

Use pictures as a guideline. Whipstitch stomach to front of body. Stuff feet lightly and sew to body. (You may want to add a bit of extra stuffing to them just before you make your last couple of stitches to sew them to the body.) Use glue gun to attach eyes to body. Cut small round circles for nostrils from black felt and glue gun these to body.

As always, if you have any questions or find any problems in the pattern feel free to contact me by posting a comment. Also don't forget to check out my pattern for Biggs's son Smalls, along with my other free patterns that can be found in the left sidebar.

Mini Medusa

Given enough time I will end up making every creature in Christen Hayden's Creepy Cute Crochet. I attempted a Medusa a few weeks ago, but didn't get the head snakes made in the correct proportion to the body. This time I decided to follow the pattern more closely and, as you can see, things have turned out much better. Lately I'm really keen on making small amigurumis, perhaps because I'm running out of space for the larger ones. This was made with some leftover sport weight baby yarn on the head and some sport weight Red Heart in black.

I've almost got two new free patterns ready to post. My latest creations are just awaiting some eyes. The boyfriend, who is both wise and witty, is making those out of clay for me. The new designs are video game oriented, but that's all I'm going to say about them for now. Feel free to share your guesses as to what they might be in the comments section. I'll try to get them finished and posted before the end of the month.

The mini Medusa hanging with her friend the Tea Ninja.

Oh Christmas Tree - So cute!

I'll forgive PlanetJune for reminding us all that there are just 7 weeks left until Christmas, but only because she's created this charming little Christmas tree pattern. Only seven weeks...and I haven't done any gift buying yet. Okay, mustn't stress by thinking about that...

Isn't this beautiful? It can stand on its own or be stuffed and turned into a hanging Christmas (tree?) ornament. Should we hang trees on our tree, or is that just redundant?

Anyways, the decorating possibilities are endless. I know the local Michael's store sells miniaturized Christmas tree ornaments for a tiny plastic tree that they sell. I'm thinking those ornaments would look even better on this tree than the one they're offering. Click on the link above to see more pictures of June's latest pattern or purchase a copy for just US $4.50.

Fone Bone - Now with Accessories and Backpack Tutorial!

I've made another Fone Bone following the pattern I created a while back. This one's for the boyfriend's mom. She works in an elementary school library and wanted Fone to help encourage the kids to read Jeff Smith's wonderful books.

I've always thought that my little Fone needed his backpack. I know that some of the other people who've taken advantage of the free pattern have taken the time to give him one. So I crocheted up backpacks for the new Fone Bone as well as my original one. We also decided to break out the sculpy and add a few accessories. Now, we're no Geek Central Station, but I think these are pretty good for beginners. The experience also made me a little bit more in awe of Geek Central Station, since I discovered I definitely don't have the patience for painting tiny sculpy items.

Nevertheless, I present our tiny backpack, along with Fone's trusty copy of Moby Dick and a Harvestar medallion. (The medallion and Harvestar crest appear throughout the series, but are most prominent at the climax of Book 6: Old Man's Cave). We actually made two sets of everything, but I'm only showing off pictures of one. The boyfriend, who is both wise and witty, gets credit for making the accessories. I'm most impressed that the books actually look like they have individual pages if you look at them up close.


Backpack Tutorial

This one's pretty simple to crochet. Depending on the thickness of the yarn you've used to make Fone Bone you may want to make the initial chain a couple stitches larger or smaller to create the right sized backpack (and adjust other stitch counts proportionally).

Materials
worsted weight yarn
size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook
1 small button
1 small dome or snap

Chain 8
Rnd 1: Sc in second chain from hook and in next 6 chain spaces, 3 sc in the last chain space. Do Not Turn. Work into other side of chain. Sc in bottom of each chain across, placing two 2 sc in last space. Slip stitch into first stitch to join.
Rnd 2: ch 1, sc crochet around (approx. 16 stitches around).
Rep. Rnd 2 for 8 rows, or until piece measures about 2 1/2 inches.
Rnd 3: chain 24 (or create chain long enough to wrap around Fone Bone's body as the backpack strap is wrapped in photos. Give yourself about half an inch of extra room). Once chain is long enough, sk first 2 chains, then hdc into each chain space all the way back to the base of the backpack.
Rnd 4: sc in first 9 stitches of backpack. Turn.
Rnd5: Ch 1, sc in each st across backpack. Turn (9 stitches)
rep Rnd 5 for approx 7 rows.
Rnd 6: Ch1, sc in first 4 stitches, ch 1, skip next stitch, sc in next four stitches. Turn.
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in 9 stitches across. Finish off.

Sew the button in place to close backpack. Sew one piece of the dome/snap to the end of the strap. Place other piece of dome/snap in lower corner on back of backpack, opposite from the side the strap is attached to. (Use pictures as a guide.)

Enjoy! And look under My Free Patterns in the column on the left for more Boneville related patterns.