Edward- The circus elephant rattle Free Pattern

It’s time for some drum rolls again. As I promised you last week here comes the pattern for the rattle I included in my newborn baby boy gift set. Like my first rattle pattern Grace, this is again a collaboration of myself and Dedri from lookatwhatimade and I’m still feeling very privileged to work with her on this side project.

Edward – The circus elephant rattle

Suitable for an advanced beginner

You’ll need:

• Edward :) Or to be more precisely his head ;) Follow Dedris pattern for Edward – the circus elephant Comfort blanket, which you can find here until you reach row 24. Skip row 25, and DON’T fasten off at this point! we’ll be working from there
• DK yarn in a two contrast colours (I went for the same colour combo I used for the blanket but feel free to experiment here)
• 4mm crochet hook
• Rattle insert or jingle bells and a tiny bit of cotton fabric (you can find an instruction of how to make your own rattle insert with jingle bells here)
• tapestry needle

Abbreviations

ch= chain

sc= single crochet (US term); double crochet (dc, UK term)

hdc= half double crochet (US term); half treble crochet (htr, UK term)

dc= double crochet (US term); treble crochet (tr, UK term)

sl st = slip stitch

st= stitch(es)

sc2tog= single crochet decrease (US term); double crochet decrease (dc2tog, UK term)

In my patterns, UK terms are always given in brackets.

Let’s get started:

Take your Edward head and slightly stuff it.

Insert your rattle insert into your head. In the case of the selfmade version make sure that you don’t stuff it too densely into the head, otherwise you’ll end up with a rattle which actually doesn’t rattle at all.

Now it’s finally time to get some crochet going on here:

Rattle pattern

Round 1: sc2tog (dc2tog),  11 times. (11 st)

with contrast colour (do not fasten off main colour!)

Round 2: in front loop only 3 dc (tr) in each st around (33 st)

fasten off contrast colour with a seamless joint (you can find here how to do the seamless join)

with second contrast colour

Round 3: 3 hdc in each st around (99 st), fasten off and join seamlessly.

with main colour in remaining back loops of row 1

Round 4: sc (dc) in each st around. (11 st)

Round 5: 2 sc (dc) in each st around. (22 st)

Now we’re switching from working in round to working in rows

Row 1: sc (dc) in the next 6 st, ch 1 and turn

Row 2- 8: sc (dc) in the next 6 st, ch 1 and turn

R0w 9: fold the piece you just made over and “sew” it on the other side with 6 sl st.

Thats’ the head bit made. From now on we’re working in rounds again :)

Handle

Row 1: 5 sc (dc) in front loops only, 7 sc (dc) evenly spread over the piece of fabric you just created, draw up your last loop a little bit but don’t fasten off at this point.

Row 2: sl st your first contrast colour into the next st, 12 sc (dc) around, draw up your last loop again. As you can see in the picture you’ve got now two “working” loops.

Row 3: sl st your second contrast colour into the next st, 12 sc (dc) around, draw up your last loop again. As you can see in the picture you’ve got now three “working” loops.

Row 4: Insert your hook into your main colour working loop and 12 sc (dc).

continue with changing the colour like this, you’ll see that you’re creating a spiral tube. Stuff your tube along the way until you reached your desired rattle diameter. I made 20 rounds of each colour but that’s totally up to you and also depends on the yarn you’re using and your tension.

fasten off your first contrast colour. Make one last round with the second contrast colour, fasten off second contrast colour.

The last bit is the only really tricky bit of the whole rattle and you’ll notice that it is easier to attach if your diameter is slightly bigger rather than smaller as otherwise there is too much tension on the seam.

make 7 sl st across the back and 5 sl st through the front loops only to turn your ring into a doughnut.

Now Edward is missing his hat. You can find the pattern for his hat here.

That’s how your rattle will look from the back.

Aren’t they making a cute set together with the snuggly blanket? :)

I hope you enjoyed the pattern and would love to see how your rattle turned out so please feel free to post a picture to my Facebook wall or link the project to your Ravelry account. 

Happy Crocheting!

Disclaimer:  This pattern is not for resale so please do not sell it to other people. If you do use it and enjoy it, I’d be grateful for a link back to my blog and the pattern, but please don’t copy and paste it to your website or copy my pictures. You’re allowed to sell finished items created with the pattern, but please do give me and Dedri Uys from lookatwhatImade credit as the designers (link back to our blogs when selling online). Thank you!