Introduction
Welcome to another cozy creation from my hook to yours! This adorable Mini Sleepy Fox amigurumi has completely stolen my heart, and I'm thrilled to share it with you today. With its curled-up pose, dreamy closed eyes, and soft little paws tucked underneath, this sleepy little friend practically radiates comfort and cuteness. Perfect for beginners looking to try something beyond the basics, this little fox works up surprisingly quickly—you could have this sweet woodland creature finished in just one evening! The simple color scheme and small size make it ideal for using up yarn scraps, and the finished fox makes an adorable desk companion, keychain charm, or thoughtful handmade gift. I've designed this pattern to be as straightforward as possible while still capturing that irresistible sleepy fox charm that's sure to make everyone say "aww!"
Materials
- Yarn:
- Yarn A: Burnt Orange/Fox Color (DK weight) - 25 yards (Suggested: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK)
- Yarn B: White/Cream (DK weight) - 15 yards (Suggested: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK)
- Yarn C: Black (DK weight) - Small amount for embroidery (Suggested: Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK)
- Hook: 3.5mm (US size E/4)
- Notions:
- Fiberfill stuffing (approximately 1 oz)
- 6mm safety eyes (or embroider eyes if making for young children)
- Yarn needle
- Stitch markers
- Small scissors
- Small amount of pink embroidery thread (optional for nose)
Skill Level & Techniques
- Difficulty: Beginner-Intermediate
- Techniques Required:
- Magic ring/adjustable ring
- Single crochet (sc)
- Increases (inc)
- Decreases (dec)
- Color changes
- Slip stitch (sl st)
- Basic embroidery for facial features
- Time Commitment: Approximately 2-3 hours
Abbreviations & Terms
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- dec: invisible decrease (insert hook into front loop of next 2 stitches and sc together)
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- rnd: round
- ( ): stitch count at end of round
- [ ]: repeat instructions between brackets the number of times specified
- BLO: back loops only
Pattern Instructions
Head/Body (worked as one piece in Yarn A - Orange)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times (24)
Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times (30)
Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times (36)
Rnd 7-10: sc in each st around (36)
Rnd 11: [4 sc, dec] 6 times (30)
Rnd 12: [3 sc, dec] 6 times (24)
Rnd 13: [2 sc, dec] 6 times (18)
Insert safety eyes between rounds 8 and 9, approximately 6-8 stitches apart.
Rnd 14: [1 sc, dec] 6 times (12)
Rnd 15: [dec] 6 times (6)
Fasten off, leaving a tail for closing. Stuff firmly but not too tightly. Use the tail to close the remaining hole.
Tail (with Yarn A - Orange)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Rnd 4-5: sc in each st around (18)
Rnd 6: [1 sc, dec] 6 times (12)
Rnd 7: sc in each st around (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff lightly.
Ears (make 2 with Yarn A - Orange)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 4: [dec] 6 times (6)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
Inner Ears (make 2 with Yarn B - White)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 5 sc into magic ring (5)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (10)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
White Chest/Belly Patch (with Yarn B - White)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: [1 sc, inc] 6 times (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
Paws (make 4 with Yarn A - Orange)
Start with a magic ring.
Rnd 1: 6 sc into magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff.
Assembly Instructions
-
Prepare the ears:
- Sew each white inner ear piece onto an orange outer ear piece.
- Fold each ear in half and sew the bottom edges together to create a slight curve.
- Attach the ears to the top of the head, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
-
Add facial features:
- If you haven't already, secure the safety eyes.
- Using black yarn, embroider small eyebrows in a relaxed, sleepy expression above the eyes.
- With pink embroidery thread or yarn, create a small triangular nose.
- Using white yarn, add small whisker dots on either side of the nose.
-
Attach the white chest/belly patch:
- Position the white patch on the front/bottom of the body.
- Sew it in place securely.
-
Attach the tail:
- Sew the tail to the back of the body in a curved position, as if the fox is curled up.
-
Attach the paws:
- Sew two paws to the front of the body, tucked slightly under as if the fox is sleeping.
- Attach the other two paws to the back/bottom of the body.
-
Final touches:
- Use a small amount of orange yarn to create a curved line on the back if desired, to suggest the fox's curled-up position.
- Check that all parts are securely attached and trim any excess yarn.
Technical Tips
- Tension/Gauge: Work your stitches firmly but not too tight to create a dense fabric that won't allow stuffing to show through.
- Stuffing Technique: Use small amounts of stuffing at a time, focusing on filling the head firmly while keeping the body slightly softer for the curled position.
- Joining Components: When attaching parts, use the yarn tail and a whip stitch, catching only the outer loops of stitches to create a nearly invisible seam.
- Troubleshooting: If your fox won't stay in the curled position, try using less stuffing in the body or sewing a few strategic stitches to hold the curl.
- Customization: For a different look, try using rust red, grey, or arctic white colors for different fox varieties.
Conclusion & Care Instructions
Your Mini Sleepy Fox should measure approximately 3.5 inches (9 cm) long when completed. To care for your amigurumi, spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap if necessary. Allow to air dry completely. For more thorough cleaning, hand wash gently in cool water with mild detergent and reshape while damp. Display your sleepy fox on a shelf, desk, or attach a small chain to use as a bag charm or keychain!
For more adorable amigurumi patterns, visit me at trendydecos.com where I share new designs regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My fox won't stay curled up in the sleeping position. What am I doing wrong?
A: The curled position relies on proper stuffing and assembly. Try using less stuffing in the body section and more in the head to help maintain the curl. You can also add a few invisible stitches connecting the head to the back/tail area to hold the shape permanently.
Q: Can I use a different weight of yarn for this project?
A: Yes! Using worsted weight yarn with a 4.5mm hook will create a fox about 25% larger. For a tiny version, try fingering weight yarn with a 2.5mm hook. Just remember that changing yarn weight will affect the amount of yarn needed.
Q: How do I make the embroidered eyes if I don't want to use safety eyes?
A: For embroidered eyes, use black yarn to create small "X" stitches or filled circles where the safety eyes would go, then add small white highlight stitches to create a sweet, sleepy closed-eye look.
Q: The magic ring is difficult for me. Is there an alternative?
A: Absolutely! You can start with a ch 2, then work your first round of stitches into the second chain from the hook. Just be sure to pull the tail tight afterward to close any hole.
Q: My fox's ears look floppy rather than perky. How can I fix this?
A: Try inserting a small piece of pipe cleaner or floral wire into each ear before closing them. Alternatively, use a slightly smaller hook for the ears to create stiffer fabric.
Q: Can I make this fox larger to use as a cuddle toy?
A: Yes! For a larger version, use chunky or bulky weight yarn with a 6.0mm hook. Follow the same pattern, but add 1-2 additional increase rounds for the body to create a fox about 7-8 inches long.
Q: How do I get the tail to look extra fluffy?
A: For a fluffier tail, try brushing the finished tail piece with a wire pet brush or comb to create a fuzzy texture. You can also use a yarn with a slight halo effect for the tail only.
Q: The invisible decrease is tricky for me. Are there alternatives?
A: You can substitute with a regular decrease (sc2tog) if needed, though it may leave small holes. Another option is to simply skip a stitch where decreases are indicated, though this will slightly change your stitch count.
© Patricia Poltera - trendydecos.com
