Well hello everyone. All ready for Christmas! Ekk! Not long now! I think I’m all wrapped! Well, kind of. House kind of ish clean & fridge half stocked. So still bits to do, but the fun bits, so that’s good. Every year I say that I will be more organised and every year it doesn’t happen. Heyho. Guess it’s those good intentions that you start off with, but never quite materialise. We’re at home this year, so super excited for that. The kids have made the crackers and there will be a serious amount of pigs in blankets, stuffing and the all important – bread sauce. Yum! My Dad’s bread sauce is the best, so I am hoping to try and make it to his standard!
On to my Christmas pattern. So this year, I couldn’t resist making a cheeky little Smiles Santa. My little Smiles pattern was one pop my first ever PipsRainbow patterns and one that is very close to my heart. This is my first little one that I made for my sister when she set off on her travelling adventures.
It is probably my most made pattern too. Little Smiles have reached far and wide to many people. I’ve made little ones and huge ones for teachers as worry monsters. It’s the first pattern that we teach to our crochet club at school too, so it’s a great pattern to start with for any beginner. So it was only apt that I made a little Christmas addition.
Level – Easy (This pattern is written with UK Crochet terminology.) It uses the simple Amigurimi
method of crocheting in the round and is easy to follow. Hope you enjoy it.
Yarn –
Use 10g DK yarn in green, 5g in red and 5g in white. You will also need a small amount of black DK yarn for the eyes, eyebrows & smile.
(Alternatively for the eyes, you could use a pair of 5mm safety eyes, instead of the black yarn.)
Hook – 3mm crochet hook
Notions –
Scissors, darning needle for ends & toy stuffing.
Finished size – 7cm tall
Abbreviations –
mr – Magic Ring
ch – Chain
st – Stitch
ss – Slip Stitch
dc – Double Crochet
yrh – Yarn Round Hook
Fasten off
Slip Stitch into the next stitch, pull the yarn through the stitch, then cut. Leave long tails, so that you can use them to
attach the different parts of the body together.
Pattern
Body – Make 1
Rnd 1: Make a mr, 1ch (does not count as a st throughout) then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)
Rnd 2: [2dc into next st.] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [2dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [3dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (30)
Rnds 6 – 17 1dc in each st. (30)
Fasten off.
Base – Make 1
Rnd 1: Make a mr, 1ch, then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)
Rnd 2: [2dc into next st.] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [2dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [3dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (30)
Fasten off.
Assembly
Stuff your body with toys stuffing and then using a darning needle and the tail of yarn, sew the base on to the body to seal it up all the way around. (Remember if you are using safety eyes, secure them in place before you see the base on.) Now fasten off and sew in your ends.
Hat – Make 1
Rnd 1: Using your red yarn, make a mr, 1ch, then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)
Rnd 2 & 3: 1dc into next st. (6)
Rnd 4: [2dc, 2dc into next st.] 2 times. (8)
Rnd 5: [1dc, 2dc into next stitch.] 4 times. (12)
Rnd 6: 1dc in each stitch. (12)
Rnd 7: [2dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (16)
Rnd 8: [3dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (20)
Rnd 9: [4dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (24)
Rnd 10: 1dc in each stitch. (24)
Rnd 11: [5dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (28)
Rnd 12: 1dc in each stitch, change colour to white yarn in last stitch. (28)
Rnd 13: Ss into first stitch & ch2 (acts as 1htr) then 1htr in each stitch. (28)
Rnd 14: Ss into top of ch2, ch2 (acts as 1htr) then 1htr in each stitch & then fasten off leaving a long tail to attach to body. (28)
Pom Pom top –
Rnd 1: Using your white yarn, make a mr, 1ch, then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)
Rnd 2: 1dc into next st. (6)
Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dctog.] 2 times, then fasten off leaving a tail to sew onto the top of the hat. (4)
Now see your mini Pom Pom onto your hat and then the hat onto the body. Finally add your eyebrows and smile, using your black yarn.
Alternatives –
Smiles can be made in different weighted yarns, just choose your crochet hook accordingly.
For more detailed instructions of how to sew up your Smiles, go to my tutorials page.
Many of you know, I don’t sell my patterns, they are all for free, but if you would like to donate to my just giving page for Child Bereavement UK, then I would be very grateful. Here’s the link to the Just Giving Page
Care
When washing, ensure you follow the instructions on the label of the yarn you are using & be as gentle as you can.
Reshape where applicable.
All you need to do now, is give it to a loved one to snuggle & don’t forget to share any pics with us on the good old fashioned net.
Well I really hope you have enjoyed this pattern. I hope you all have the best of Christmas festivities & a mega start to 2025!
Happy hooking!
(Don’t forget that this pattern is brought to you from PipsRainbow, it has not been tech edited, but all attempts have been made to ensure it is correct and easy to follow. It is only to be used for personnel use only and not to be shared or used to create items for profit. Thank you.)