There is an undeniable magic in heavy chenille yarn. The texture demands respect, but when guided with a steady hand, it yields the most extraordinary volume. Today, we are constructing a true centerpiece for the krocheta.com portfolio. This is not a simple beginner’s toy. We are utilizing structural increases to force the yarn into dramatic waves for our mushroom gills, alongside calculated cheek shaping to achieve that essential, innocent gaze. Precision is required, but the result will be a commanding, plush companion that practically begs to be held.
About This Creation
This project relies heavily on the “Echo of Youth” design principle. The head dominates the composition in a strict 70/30 ratio compared to the body. We maintain the signature squish factor by using super bulky velvet or chenille yarn, keeping the tension tight enough to hide the stuffing while allowing the fabric to remain pliable. The eyes sit low and wide, anchoring the face beneath the massive, ruffled canopy of the mushroom cap.
Project Snapshot
🧶 Skill Level: Intermediate / Advanced
🧶 Time to Complete: 6 to 8 hours
🧶 Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches tall (depending on tension)
🧶 Construction Method: Bottom-up body, separately constructed cap and gills, structural seaming.
Materials
🪡 Super Bulky (Size 6) Chenille Yarn in White (2 skeins)
🪡 Super Bulky (Size 6) Chenille Yarn in Crimson Red (1 skein)
🪡 Super Bulky (Size 6) Chenille Yarn in Tan/Beige (1 skein)
🪡 Super Bulky (Size 6) Chenille Yarn in Olive Green (1 skein)
🪡 Scrap Super Bulky yarn in Blue and Mustard Yellow
🪡 8.0mm Crochet Hook
🪡 24mm Black Safety Eyes
🪡 Two 1-inch Wooden Buttons
🪡 Heavy-duty tapestry needle
🪡 Premium polyester fiberfill
Abbreviations (US Terms)
✨ mr: magic ring
✨ ch: chain
✨ sc: single crochet
✨ hdc: half double crochet
✨ dc: double crochet
✨ inc: increase (2 sc in one stitch)
✨ dec: decrease (sc 2 together)
✨ blo: back loop only
✨ flo: front loop only
✨ st(s): stitch(es)
The Pattern
Head (White Yarn)
We begin at the top of the head and work downward, building the cheeks in Round 15.
➡️ R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
➡️ R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
➡️ R3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
➡️ R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
➡️ R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
➡️ R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
➡️ R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
➡️ R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
➡️ R9-R14: 48 sc (48)
➡️ R15: 14 sc, [inc] x 6, 8 sc, [inc] x 6, 14 sc (60)
➡️ R16-R19: 60 sc (60)
Insert 24mm safety eyes between R14 and R15, spaced exactly 9 stitches apart. Ensure they sit centrally between the cheek increases created in R15. Stuff the top of the head firmly.
➡️ R20: 14 sc, [dec] x 6, 8 sc, [dec] x 6, 14 sc (48)
➡️ R21: [6 sc, dec] x 6 (42)
➡️ R22: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
➡️ R23: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
➡️ R24: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
➡️ R25: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
➡️ R26: [1 sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Finish stuffing the head, ensuring the cheeks are pushed outward to maintain a wide, chubby shape. Embroider a small, straight black line for a mouth directly between the eyes on Round 16. Apply a touch of pink blush beneath the eyes.
Mushroom Cap Top (Crimson Red Yarn)
➡️ R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
➡️ R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
➡️ R3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
➡️ R4: [2 sc, inc] x 6 (24)
➡️ R5: [3 sc, inc] x 6 (30)
➡️ R6: [4 sc, inc] x 6 (36)
➡️ R7: [5 sc, inc] x 6 (42)
➡️ R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
➡️ R9: [7 sc, inc] x 6 (54)
➡️ R10: [8 sc, inc] x 6 (60)
➡️ R11: [9 sc, inc] x 6 (66)
➡️ R12: [10 sc, inc] x 6 (72)
➡️ R13: [11 sc, inc] x 6 (78)
➡️ R14-R17: 78 sc (78)
Fasten off. Leave a long tail.
White Cap Spots (White Yarn – Make 5)
➡️ R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
➡️ R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
Fasten off. Leave a tail. Sew these randomly across the red cap.
Mushroom Gills (Tan/Beige Yarn)
This component requires aggressive increasing to force the fabric to fold upon itself, creating a wavy texture.
➡️ R1: Ch 30, sl st to first ch to form a ring. 30 sc around the ring. (30)
➡️ R2: [1 sc, inc] x 15 (45)
➡️ R3: [inc] x 45 (90)
➡️ R4: 90 sc (90)
➡️ R5: [13 sc, dec] x 6 (84)
➡️ R6: [12 sc, dec] x 6 (78)
Fasten off. Leave a long tail.
Neck Ruff (Tan/Beige Yarn)
➡️ Row 1: Ch 18.
➡️ Row 2: 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc in each ch across. (48 dc)
Fasten off. Leave a tail for sewing.
Arms (White Yarn – Make 2)
➡️ R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
➡️ R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
➡️ R3-R12: 12 sc (12)
Fasten off. Leave a tail. Lightly stuff the bottom half of the arm only. Pinch the top flat.
Legs and Lower Body (White and Olive Green Yarn)
Leg 1 (White):
➡️ R1: 6 sc in mr (6)
➡️ R2: [inc] x 6 (12)
➡️ R3: [1 sc, inc] x 6 (18)
➡️ R4-R6: 18 sc (18)
Fasten off.
Leg 2 (White):
➡️ R1-R6: Repeat R1-R6 of Leg 1. Do not fasten off.
Joining the Legs (White):
➡️ R7: Ch 3. Sc into any stitch on Leg 1. 17 sc around Leg 1. 3 sc along the chain. 18 sc around Leg 2. 3 sc along the opposite side of the chain. (42)
➡️ R8: [6 sc, inc] x 6 (48)
➡️ R9: 48 sc (48)
Change to Olive Green yarn.
➡️ R10-R14: 48 sc (48)
➡️ R15: 10 sc, [dec] x 2, 20 sc, [dec] x 2, 10 sc (44)
➡️ R16: 44 sc (44)
➡️ R17: 10 sc, dec, 20 sc, dec, 10 sc (42)
➡️ R18: [5 sc, dec] x 6 (36)
Fasten off Olive Green. Stuff the legs and lower torso firmly. Change back to White yarn.
➡️ R19: In BLO, 36 sc (36)
➡️ R20: [4 sc, dec] x 6 (30)
➡️ R21: [3 sc, dec] x 6 (24)
➡️ R22: [2 sc, dec] x 6 (18)
➡️ R23: [1 sc, dec] x 6 (12)
Fasten off. Stuff the upper chest firmly.
Overalls Front Bib (Olive Green Yarn)
Hold the body upside down. Locate the front-center 10 stitches on the exposed front loops of R18. Attach Olive Green yarn.
➡️ Row 1: 10 sc across. Ch 1, turn. (10)
➡️ Row 2-5: 10 sc. Ch 1, turn. (10)
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Overall Straps (Olive Green Yarn – Make 2)
➡️ Row 1: Ch 15. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (14)
Fasten off. Leave a tail for sewing.
Front Pocket (Olive Green Yarn)
➡️ Row 1: Ch 7. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1, turn. (6)
➡️ Row 2-4: 6 sc. Ch 1, turn. (6)
Fasten off. Leave a tail for sewing.
Knee Patches (Blue & Yellow Yarn)
➡️ R1: 4 sc in mr. (4)
Fasten off. Make one in Blue and one in Yellow. Use a contrasting thin white thread to stitch an “X” over them.
Assembly Instructions
- Pin the inner circle (R1) of the Tan Gills to Round 5 of the Head. Sew securely around the circumference.
- Lightly stuff the Crimson Cap. Align R17 of the Cap with R6 of the Gills. Sew the edges together stitch for stitch.
- Wrap the Neck Ruff around the neck of the body (R22). Sew the ends together at the back to secure.
- Sew the Head securely to the neck of the body, matching the 12 stitches of both openings.
- Sew the flattened top edges of the Arms to the sides of the white chest, approximately on R21.
- Sew the Front Pocket squarely onto the Overalls Front Bib.
- Sew the Straps to the top corners of the Front Bib. Cross them over the back of the doll in an “X” shape, and sew the ends securely to the back waistline of the overalls (R18).
- Sew one wooden button onto the front of each Strap where it meets the Bib.
- Sew the Blue patch to the left leg and the Yellow patch to the right leg.
