Reddy Fox Pattern

Update June 14, 2016: This pattern has been removed and is no longer available. Read Copycats? post for explanation. 

Update September 21, 2018: After receiving many supportive comments on my Copycats? post regarding design inspiration versus copying, I am 'reddy' to share this pattern again. Happy crocheting!!

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REDDY FOX PATTERN

PDF Version

Materials used:

1 ball (3.5 oz) of Vanna's Choice yarn in terracotta (red)

1 partial ball (3.5 oz) of Vanna's Choice yarn in crisp white

1 partial ball (3.5 oz) of Vanna's Choice yarn in black

Hook size = 3.25 mm
stitch marker

yarn needles to join pieces

Polyester Fiberfill for stuffing

Small amount of white DK weight yarn (for ear 'fluff')

Stitches used:

ch - chain stitch

ss - slip stitch

sc - single crochet
inc - sc increase
dec - sc decrease (sc2tog - single crochet 2 together)

Magic Circle - see how here (start each piece with magic circle)

Time to Complete - 16 hours (approximately)
Finished size - 14 inches tall

Legs (x2)

Start with black yarn. Work from the bottom up, starting with a magic circle, use stitch marker to mark end of rows (work in continuous rounds with no joining)

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5-R6 - sc around (24)

R7 - sc2tog x4 + 16 sc (20)

R8 - sc2tog x4 + 12 sc (16)

R9-R16 - sc around (16)

R17 - (3 sc inc) x4 (20) 

[Change to red yarn at end of R17]

R18-R20 - sc around (20)

R21 - (4 sc inc) x4 (24)

R22 - sc around (24) Finish off and stuff leg.

Body

Join legs on middle 2 stitches as shown in this tutorial. The instructions are in German but the video alone is enough to understand the technique. Once the legs are joined continue crocheting around both legs to form the body.

R23 - sc around (49)

R24 - sc around (49)

R25 - (5 sc inc) x 7 + 7 sc (56)

R26 - sc around (56)

R27 - (9 sc inc) x 5 + 6 sc (61)

R28 - sc 24 + (sc inc + 2 sc) x6 + 23 sc (67)

R29 - sc around (67)

R30 - sc around (67)

R31 - sc around (67)

R32 - sc around (67)

R33 - (8 sc dec) x6 + 5 sc dec (60)

R34 - sc around (60)

R35 - sc around (60)

R36 - sc around (60)

R37 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54) 

R38 - 14 sc dec dec + 23 sc dec dec + 10 sc (50)

R39 - sc around (50)

R40 - 14 sc dec + 23 sc dec + 9 sc (48)

R41 - sc around (48)

R42 - 15 sc dec + 21 sc dec + 8 sc (46)

R43 - sc around (46)

R44 - 14 sc dec + 20 sc dec + 8 sc (44)

R45 - sc around (44)

R46 - 13 sc dec + 19 sc dec + 8 sc (42)

R47 - sc around (42)

R48 - 12 sc dec + 18 sc dec + 8 sc (40)

R49 - sc around (40)

R50 - 13 sc dec + 17 sc dec + 6 sc (38)

R51 - sc around (38)

R52 - 12 sc dec + 17 sc dec + 5 sc (36)

R53 - sc around (36)

R54 - sc around (36)

R55 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)

R56 - sc around (30)

R57 - sc around (30)

R58 - sc around (30)

R59 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)

R60 - sc around (24)

R61 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)

R62 - sc around (18)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail to attach the head. Stuff body firmly.

Arms (x2)

Start with black yarn

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - sc around (18)

R5 - (4 sc dec) x3 (15)

R6 - sc around (15)

R7 - (3 sc dec) x 3 (12)

R8 - sc around (12)

R9 - (4 sc dec) x 2 (10)

R10-R26 - sc around (10) [Change to red yarn at end of R26]

R27-37 - sc around (10)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff only hands and part way up arm. Optional: Add thumbs by winding black yarn around stitches on hand where thumbs would normally go (R5 facing forward or toward body). 

Head

Use white yarn.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)

R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)

R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)

R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)

R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)

R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)

R11 - sc around (60)

R12 - sc around (60)

R13 - sc around (60)

R14 - sc around (60)

R15 - sc around (60)

R16 - sc around (60)

R17 - sc around (60)

R18 - sc around (60)

R19 - sc around (60)

R20 - sc around (60)

R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)

R22 - sc around (54)

R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)

R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)

R25 - (5 sc dec) x6 (36)

R26 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)

R27 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)

R28 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)

R29 - (2 sc dec) x3 + 6 sc (15)

R30 - sc around (15)

R31 - sc around (15)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff head and neck firmly to hold shape.

Hood

Use red yarn and follow pattern for Head up to Row 24. Check to make sure hood fits head adjusting tension based on fit. You may have to move up a hook size if the hood is too tight.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)

R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)

R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)

R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)

R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)

R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)

R11 - sc around (60)

R12 - sc around (60)

R13 - sc around (60)

R14 - sc around (60)

R15 - sc around (60)

R16 - sc around (60)

R17 - sc around (60)

R18 - sc around (60)

R19 - sc around (60)

R20 - sc around (60)

R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)

R22 - sc around (54)

R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)

R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)

R25 - ss loosely around (42)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Position on head as shown in photos above. After attaching head to body, I like to wrap the tail from the hood around the neck to cover joining stitches.

Ears (x2)

Start with black yarn.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - (sc inc) x3 (9)

R3 - sc around (9)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x3 (12) [Switch to red yarn at end of row.]

R5 - sc around (12)

R6 - (3 sc inc) x3 (15)

R7 - sc around (15)

R8  - (4 sc inc) x3 (18)

R9 - sc around (18)

R10 - sc around (18)

Finish off leaving 8" tail for joining.

Fold ear in half to form a natural curve before adding ear 'fluff'. With long strand (~18") white yarn (DK weight) embroider ear 'fluff' on one side (inside) of fox ear. Strands should point away from head, so work in opposite direction for each ear. Start and finish working strand from inside the folded ear so it can be knotted securely with the knot hidden from view. Refer to photo below for desired look.

Tail 

Start with white yarn.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - (sc inc) x3 (9)

R3 - sc around (9)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x3 (12)

R5 - sc around (12) [Switch to black yarn at end of row.]

R6 - (3 sc inc) x3 (15)

R7 - sc around (15) [Switch to red yarn at end of row.]

R8  - (4 sc inc) x3 (18) 

R9 - sc around (18)

R10 - (5 sc inc) x3 (21)

R11-19 - sc around (21)

R20 - dec + sc around (20)

R21 - dec + sc around (19)

R22 - dec + sc around (18)

R23 - dec + sc around (17)

R24 - dec + sc around (16)

R25 - dec + sc around (15)

R26-28 - sc around (15)

Finish off leaving 10" tail for joining. 

Stuff tail lightly before weaving yarn in opening stitches to pull tighter.

Attach to backside with colour changes and decreases facing down.

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Refer to photos of Reddy Fox above before joining ears, head, arms and tail. I like to pin pieces in place before attaching. A few more photos of Reddy Fox are included in previous posts here and here.

Have fun and share photos if you make one too. I'd love to see them.

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Reddy Fox Tah-Dah!

Last week after making two fox hats to send to our grandchildren, I was inspired to make a fox. I started with the head, hood and ears. Making a foxy-looking ear was challenging, but I finally figured it out. 

Over the weekend, I finished and attached the ears, legs and body. 

I have also been busy preparing for a month-long vacation in Cuba, so didn't expect to have time to finish until my return. My long to-do list included laundry, packing, vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, toilet scrubbing and re-packing yet again. Packing for a month with bikes plus lots of extra things to donate to a school cycling program in Las Tunas takes extra care and planning. Happily, I made it through my list so I could crochet Monday night. Phew, I actually finished. 

Allow me to introduce the newest addition to my crochet critters collection of free patterns... Reddy Fox Tah-Dah! 

 

Reddy Fox loved posing for photos this morning before I left for work.

I'm so pleased I finished Reddy Fox in time to share photos and a pattern before we leave. If you would like to make one too, you can find my Reddy Fox pattern here.

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Making a Fox

I started a new crochet critter this week after making fox hats for our grandchildren. The hats provided inspiration for Making a Fox. 

I am using my Boo Bear pattern with fox colours, different ears and a tail. Making more fox-like ears has presented a challenge. 

The first set looked great until they were securely attached. When they didn't look right, I cut them off and started over.

Next I tried a red triangular ear with white 'fluff' sewn on the inside. This was better, but still not quite right. It was too big and lacking the black bits found on red foxes.

I made a third version slightly smaller than the second incorporating a black tip before sewing white "fluff' on the inside. With the ear pinned in place, you can see I finally got it right. I'll make a matching ear before sewing them in place and finishing the face.

Next I'll make the body and arms saving the tail for last. Let's hope tails are easier to figure out than ears. Making a Fox is fun. 

As always, I will be sure to share the pattern when I finish.

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Crochet Fox Hats

I saw this pattern for a Crochet Fox Hat created by Sarah at Repeat Crafter Me ages ago, but wasn't planning on making it until our daughter 'hinted' it would be perfect for our granddaughter. Our granddaughter loves foxes. She would love a hat just like this one. How could I resist?

One of my plans for 2016 was to crochet using only yarn from my stash. Luckily, my plans are flexible because my stash was lacking fox colours.

I rushed out to Michael's to buy enough yarn for two hats. I couldn't make one for our granddaughter without also making one for our grandson. 

A few years ago, I made our grandson a snowman hat designed by Sarah at Repeat Crafter Me. I'm not sure what size I made, but it's stretchy and still fits. I made my first Fox Hat in toddler/preschool size. It looked big enough to fit our grandson, so I decided to make a slightly smaller more girly version for our granddaughter. 

I love that I now have two different looking Crochet Fox Hats to send. Let's hope I got the sizes right. 

I look forward to seeing photos of our grandchildren wearing their new hats. It would be so much fun to see their faces when they get their package in the mail. I'm sure they will be excited.

Love is ... making stuff for your grandchildren. 

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Another Bear

I finally finished Another Bear following my Boo Bear pattern. I say 'finally' because I started in November. Christmas preparations, vacation planning and spending time with our son who was Home for the Holidays took my attention away from crochet. Nevertheless, I managed to fit in short blocks of time to work on this bear until he was finally finished.

   

Tah-Dah! Meet Boo Bear #3. He fits right in with Boo Bears #1 and #2.

This time I used three 50 g skeins of Patons Angora Bamboo yarn in a warm sandy colour called flax. Patons Angora Bamboo is a luxuriously soft worsted weight yarn. Although it costs a bit more than acrylic yarns, I love using it to make my amigurumi creations feel extra special. For the head and hands, I used cream coloured worsted weight yarn with a small amount of black yarn (for eyes) and pink yarn (for mouth).

You can find my Boo Bear pattern here for free if you would like to make one too. You won't be disappointed if you do.

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Plans for 2016

My Plans for 2016 are simple. I plan to enjoy my day-to-day life and creativity without setting any specific goals. My plans include lots of activities that feel good. In short, my Plans for 2016 will focus on fun. 

I will continue to crochet, just not as much. Although I love to crochet, I also love to be active. Crochet projects necessarily involve many hours of sitting. I find myself wanting to move more; not join a gym or anything regimented, just more movement than crochet provides.

Last year, I added a Free Crochet Patterns page to the blog then added links to patterns I created throughout the year. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. This year, I have added a Previous Posts page. It lists all of my posts by title in reverse date order. This page makes it easy to find posts you may have missed. I also added a Total Pageviews counter to the right side bar. It's nice to know people are actually visiting my blog. 

I will continue to blog because I love writing, but probably not as often. For the past two years, I have written more than one post per week which is amazing considering I work full time. This year we are taking a month off to vacation in Cuba. We have never been away for a whole month. In a way, this trip is practice for retirement. We plan to travel when we retire in a few years and want to see how we manage being away for so long. 

Luckily our parents are retired and able to take care of our house and pets for us. Their help makes this trip possible. We are truly grateful.

I am looking forward to a tech-free holiday involving lots of movement combined with plenty of relaxation. For entertainment, I am taking my bike, journal, sketch pad, a couple books, and snorkel and fins. 

Last year, I enjoyed keeping a journal on our Canbicuba Bike Tour in Cuba. It helped me remember what we had done so I could share it on the blog. If you missed it, you can read about that trip here. I plan to journal again this year and share our travel tales when we return. 

This trip will be different though. We will be staying at an all-inclusive resort Club Amigo Marea del Portillo for a whole month. We plan to explore on our bikes within a 50 km range of the resort. We started training for this trip with indoor biking in December, but my efforts have not been as intense or as structured as last year. 

I want to keep biking so I can ride comfortably without getting a sore butt as tends to happen after an extended break. On the other hand, we won't have the same pressure to keep up with a group or cover set distances. Our pace can be relaxed and distances vary depending on how we feel. We won't have a bus providing bottled water or 'free' rides, so we have to ride smart. It's exactly the sort of riding I love. Yes, I'm excited already.

I am also planning to get back into sketching once I am away from on-line distractions. It's a great way to relax and something I loved doing as a kid.

I haven't read a book in ages, so I'm looking forward to reading these two.

I also haven't snorkeled in ages. It'll be fun getting back in the water.

Writing about our plans for Cuba, makes me realize I am totally looking forward to this trip.

These days, I prefer to make plans rather than set goals. My Plans for 2016 are on track for making this an awesome year at meo my crochet.

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Winter Walking in the Bog

Winter is my favourite time of year for walking in the Bog near our house. I feel lucky to live so close to the Sifton Bog which is one of the most southerly acidic bogs in Canada. From our house to the pond at the end of the boardwalk and back takes about 55 minutes. It's a perfect distance for me and our little dog. We can either take the trails through the bog or walk around on the sidewalk.

We often take the sidewalk to avoid the mud. In the winter when the ground freezes or when it snows, we love to hike the trails. The trees shelter us from the wind and the mud is either frozen or covered.

It finally snowed, so we thoroughly enjoyed our walk in the Bog New Year's Day. It was cold, sunny and clear - my favourite kind of winter day. The Bog looked so bright and cheery under a layer of fresh snow and ice.

I love living near this special place. Winter Walking in the Bog is the best.

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