FLAREON by Clare Heesh

https://53stitches.com

The most recent version of this pattern can always be found at https://
53stitches.com/ areon/. If you spot any errors or have any questions about the
pattern, get in contact with me at Etsy (https://etsy.com/shop/53stitches/), on
the website (https://53stitches.com/contact) or email (hello@53stitches.com). I
will do my best to reply as soon as possible.
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 MATERIALS AND TOOLS

• 3.00mm crochet • 2 x 10.00 mm • Butter yellow felting

hook (size D will safety eyes wool (optional)
also work) • Polyester lling • Felting needle
• Yarn needle • Fabric glue • Pet brush or comb
• Scissors • Red yarn • Dark blue felt
• Butter yellow yarn

The yarn I use is an 8ply or DK weighted yarn, with a gauge of 22 stitches

x 30 rows.

TECHNIQUES AND ABBREVIATIONS

This pattern comes with a 20 page photo tutorial techniques guide. All page
references refer to that guide. You can also nd these guides or download a
copy at my tutorials page (https://53stitches.com/category/tutorial/). Head to
page 2 of the guide for a more in depth description on how to read my patterns.

ch = chain (page 6)
st = stitch/stitches
sl st = slip stitch (page 11)
sc = single crochet (page 9)
MR = magic ring (page 7)
inc = increase, 2 sc in the same stitch (page 9)
dec = invisible decrease (page 10)
[ sc, inc ]x 2 = repeat stitches within square brackets 2 times i.e. sc, inc, sc, inc
(ct Blue) = change to blue yarn. The stitches after this instruction will be in blue.
(see page 17 for how to change colours)

This pattern is worked in continuous rounds and I suggest using a stitch marker
to help you mark the rst stitch of each round. I like to use bobby pins. At the
start of the round, just move the bobby pin onto the loop that's currently on
your hook to mark it.

You cannot resell any part of this pattern. You may do anything you want with
the items made from it - including selling them yourself. If you do, please
include a link back to the pattern listing on Etsy or my website :)

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HEAD
1. (in Red) MR 6 (6)
2. [ inc ]x 6 (12)
3. [ inc, sc ]x 6 (18)
4. sc, [ inc, sc 2 ]x 5, inc, sc (24)
5. [ inc, sc 3 ]x 6 (30)
6. sc 2, [ inc, sc 4 ]x 5, inc, sc 2 (36)
7-10. sc 36 (36)
11. [ inc, sc 5 ]x 6 (42)
12-13. sc 42 (42)
14. [ dec, sc 5 ]x 6 (36)
15. sc 2, [ dec, sc 4 ]x 5, dec, sc 2 (30)
16. [ dec, sc 3 ]x 6 (24)

Finish off with a slip stitch, and leave a tail approximately 20cm long for
attaching to the body later. At this point, make sure that you have the correct
side on the “outside” of the doll (see page 4 of your techniques guide).

We're using 10mm black safety eyes with metal washers. Insert
the safety eyes between rows 10 and 11, with about 6 or 7 stitches between
them. Now put the washer on the safety eyes to make sure they stay nice and
snug. Stuff the head!

BODY

1. (in Red) MR 6 (6)

2. [ inc ]x 6 (12)
3. [ inc, sc ]x 6 (18)
4. sc, [ inc, sc 2 ]x 5, inc, sc (24)
5. [ inc, sc 3 ]x 6 (30)
6-8. sc 30 (30)
9. [ dec, sc 3 ]x 6 (24)
10. sc 24 (24)
11-12. (change to Cream) sc 24 (24)

Finish off by doing a slip stitch in the next stitch. There's no need to leave a long
tail for the body. Stuff the piece.

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 EARS (make 2)
1. (in Red) MR 4 (4)
2. sc 4 (4)
3. [ inc, sc ]x 2 (6)
4. sc 6 (6)
5. [ inc, sc 2 ]x 2 (8)
6-8. sc 8 (8)
9. [ inc, sc 3 ]x 2 (10)
10. [ dec, sc 3 ]x 2 (8)
11. sc 8 (8)
12. [ dec, sc 2 ]x 2 (6)

Don't forget you may need to turn the piece at some point. For smaller pieces
like ears, you usually want to try doing it early - around row 3. See page 4 of
the guide for info about the “right” vs “wrong” side.

Finish off by doing a slip stitch in the next stitch. Cut the yarn, leaving enough
of a tail to attach to the body later - approximately 15cm. The ears are too small
for stuf ng, so they're ne without it. Squish the ears so they're at.

Next we're going to cut the darker insides of Flareon's ear out of the dark blue
felt. You can cut a paper guide if that makes it easier to do. We're basically
cutting the ear shape, only a little bit smaller. Then, glue this piece in place
using fabric glue. If you don't have fabric glue, you can also use a felting needle
to keep it in place, by stabbing the felt repeatedly. This may cause it to lose it's
shape a little, but you can add to it with the scrap pieces of felt until you're
happy with the shape.

ARMS (make 2)
1. (in Red) MR 6 (6)
2. [ inc, sc 2 ]x 2 (8)
3-4. sc 8 (8)
5. dec, sc 6, (7)

Finish off by doing a slip stitch in the next stitch. Cut the yarn, leaving enough
of a tail to attach to the body later - approximately 15cm. They're small enouhg
that they don't need stuf ng.

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 LEGS (make 2)
1. (in Red) MR 6 (6)
2. [ inc, sc ]x 3 (9)
3-6. sc 9 (9)

Finish off by doing a slip stitch in the next stitch. Cut the yarn, leaving enough
of a tail to attach to the body later - approximately 15cm or 4 inches. Stuff the
legs lightly.

TAIL
1. (in Cream) MR 6 (6)
2. sc 6 (6)
3. [ inc, sc ]x 3 (9)
4. [ inc, sc 2 ]x 3 (12)
5. sc 12 (12)
6. [ inc, sc 3 ]x 3 (15)
7. sc 15 (15)
8. [ inc, sc 4 ]x 3 (18)
9-10. sc 18 (18)
11. [ dec, sc ]x 6 (12)
(stuff tail at this point)
12. [ dec ] x 6 (6)

Finish off with a slip stitch in the next stitch and if the tail needs anymore
stuf ng, you can use the handle end of your crochet hook to poke it through the
small opening. No need to close the end here, since we'll be attaching it
directly to the body and it will look tidy after that. Make sure to leave a tail
about 15cm long to attach to the body.

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 ASSEMBLY
That's all of the crocheting done! The next step is to uf fy the tail. We’re going
around the base of the tail – where it will join to the body later, and attaching
strands of yarn in the cream colour to be brushed out. I’ve added a bunch of
coloured pins to the tail in the picture below to mark where these strands will
go – you want to make it so that they naturally point towards the tip, so insert
your hook towards the base of the tail.

To attach the pieces of yarn to the tail:

1. Insert your hook into the doll as pictured below.

2. Fold one of the pieces in yarn in half, and put it on the hook.
3. Pull the piece of yarn through the stitch.
4. Grab the tails and pull them through the loop you’ve just created.
5. Pull the yarn tight, making sure that the piece of yarn is rmly attached.

Eventually you end up with this mop looking thing. Then, grab a metal pet
brush or ne tooth comb and go to town brushing that yarn out until it is nice
and fuzzy. I nd the pet brush does this much faster, but you can get the same
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 results with a ne tooth comb and patience. Usually you’ll end up with a lot of
leftover uff in the bristles of the comb – don’t throw that out. We’re going to
use it to make Flareon’s hairdo next.

Once the tail is suf ciently uffy, you can smooth it and twist it to help it keep
it’s shape. At this point you could hairspray it to help maintain shape, or glue
the crocheted part of the tail and then smooth the uff over the glue. I usually
prefer to take a felting needle and poke it a little bit to help keep it in place –
not too much, I don’t mind if it’s a little wild.

At this point, you want to attach the ears to the head (see page 19 of the guide
for how to attach limbs), because next comes the slightly tricky part – getting
Flareon’s cool hairdo sorted. Flareon’s head- uff is entirely needle felted on.

For this, you can either use the leftover uff from the tail, or some felting wool. I
rolled it between my hands quickly to compress it and give it an almond shape.
In the picture on the next page, the shape I’ve created is on the left, and the
unshaped uff is on the right.

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To attach it to Flareon's head, I pinned the shaped felt into place, and then
poked away, moving and shaping the uff as I went to get the look that I
wanted. Then I turned another bit of loose uff into the almond shape and
added to the volume. You can watch a video of this process here: https://
youtu.be/qZjyC_AP_sQ

If you're having trouble creating the shape you like on Flareon's head, you can
use the latch and hook method we did for the tail to attach some strands and
brush them out. That method is more secure - the look of the needle felted
version is what I prefer, but it can be a little bit more fragile.

Now that we've uf ed the head and tail, it's time to sew everything else
together. We've already attached the ears to the head, but now it's time to sew
the rest of the limbs to the body. I like to attach the legs rst, then the tail, then
the arms. Finally, attach the head - there are the same number of stitches in the
last row of the head and the body so you should be able to line them up and
whipstitch it closed.

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For the last bit of uff, you’ll need 24 lengths of the cream yarn. We’re basically
going to attach one of the pieces to every stitch around Flareon’s neck. If you
want SUPER uff, feel free to add even more pieces. Try making some diagonal,
so that it covers a little more of the neck.

Attach all the pieces and go at it again with the brush. I’ll usually go back in
with a felting needle for the collar as well to tame and shape it a little bit.

And you're done! I hope you’ve had fun and congratulations on nishing! I love
seeing all of the nished creations, so be sure to tag @53stitches on Instagram!

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 53STITCHES
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