Welcome back to the workbench. Today we are tackling a project that demands more than just basic stitches; it requires a deep understanding of character expression and sculptural shaping. This gardener lizard is a study in personality. We will focus on the heavy-lidded eyes and the chubby lower cheeks that give him such a delightful, skeptical air.
Take your time with the assembly. The placement of the eyelids is what transforms a simple toy into a piece of art. Let us begin.
About This Creation
Barnaby is not your average garden inhabitant. He is a guardian of the soil, characterized by his large, thoughtful head and a tiny, hardworking body. This project utilizes asymmetrical shaping to create a natural muzzle and expressive brow ridges. The removable clothing and accessories allow for a variety of storytelling displays.
Project Snapshot
🧶 Difficulty: Advanced Intermediate
🧶 Time to Complete: 8-10 Hours
🧶 Size: Approximately 14cm tall
🧶 Skills Required: Asymmetrical increases, bobble stitches, surface crochet, and precise embroidery.
Materials
🧶 2.5mm Crochet Hook
🧶 Mercerized Cotton Yarn in Grass Green, White, Red, Blue, Beige, Gray, and Terracotta
🧶 12mm Black Safety Eyes
🧶 Polyester Fiberfill
🧶 White Felt (for eye backing)
🧶 2 Small Wooden Buttons
🧶 Sewing Needle and Scissors
Abbreviations
🧶 ch: chain
🧶 sc: single crochet
🧶 inc: increase
🧶 dec: decrease
🧶 hdc: half double crochet
🧶 dc: double crochet
🧶 bo: bobble stitch (4-dc cluster)
🧶 st(s): stitch(es)
🧶 sl st: slip stitch
The Pattern
The Head
We begin with the most important element. We will create volume in the lower half to achieve the “Baby Schema” look.
➡️ Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
➡️ Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
➡️ Round 3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
➡️ Round 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
➡️ Round 5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
➡️ Round 6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
➡️ Round 7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
➡️ Round 8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
➡️ Round 9: [7 sc, inc] x 6 (54)
➡️ Rounds 10-14: sc in each st around (54)
➡️ Round 15 (Cheek Shaping): 18 sc, [inc, sc] x 4, 2 sc, [sc, inc] x 4, 18 sc (62)
➡️ Rounds 16-18: sc in each st around (62)
➡️ Round 19 (Muzzle Taper): 18 sc, [dec, sc] x 4, 2 sc, [sc, dec] x 4, 18 sc (54)
➡️ Round 20: [7 sc, dec] x 6 (48)
➡️ Round 21: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
➡️ Round 22: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
➡️ Round 23: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
➡️ Round 24: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
➡️ Round 25: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
➡️ Round 26: [sc, dec] x 6 (12)
➡️ Round 27: [dec] x 6 (6)
✨ Fasten off and leave a long tail.
The Eyelids (Make 2 Upper, 2 Lower)
Upper Eyelid (Green):
➡️ Row 1: ch 10, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, 7 hdc, sl st in last ch.
Lower Eyelid (Green):
➡️ Row 1: ch 8, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 5 sc, sl st in last ch.
The Scalp Scales
➡️ Row 1: ch 15.
➡️ Row 2: sl st in 2nd ch, [bo, sl st] x 7.
The Tiny Body
➡️ Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
➡️ Round 2: [inc] x 6 (12)
➡️ Round 3: [sc, inc] x 6 (18)
➡️ Round 4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
➡️ Rounds 5-10: sc in each st around (24)
➡️ Round 11: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
➡️ Round 12-14: sc in each st around (18)
✨ Stuff firmly.
Arms and Legs (Make 2 each)
Arms:
➡️ Round 1: 5 sc in magic ring (5)
➡️ Rounds 2-10: sc in each st around (5)
Legs:
➡️ Round 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
➡️ Rounds 2-7: sc in each st around (6)
The Gardener’s Wardrobe
Shirt (Red and White):
➡️ Alternate colors every 2 rounds. ch 20, join with sl st.
➡️ Rounds 1-5: sc in each st around (20)
Overalls (Blue):
➡️ We start with the legs. ch 12, join with sl st. (Make 2).
➡️ Join legs: 12 sc around first leg, 12 sc around second (24)
➡️ Rounds 1-6: sc around (24)
➡️ Front Flap: 8 sc across front, turn, 3 rows of 8 sc.
Assembly
✨ Position 12mm safety eyes between Rounds 13 and 14, spaced 10 stitches apart. Place a small circle of white felt behind the eye before locking the washer.
✨ Sew the upper eyelid so it covers the top third of the eye.
✨ Sew the lower eyelid so it covers the bottom fifth, creating a narrow, sleepy slit.
✨ Attach the Scalp Scales along the center of the head, starting from Round 4 down to the neck.
✨ Sew the head to the body. Ensure the 70/30 ratio is maintained; the head should look impressively large.
✨ Attach arms at Round 13 of the body and legs at the base.
✨ Embroider a simple flat line for the mouth between the cheek increases for that unimpressed expression.
