5 Little Monsters: Crochet Backpack Buddies- Bear and Koala

Crochet Backpack Buddies- Bear and Koala

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I know I am kind of late on the back to school stuff this year since school has already started back up in a lot of places, but I am trying to squeeze a few last minute projects in before my kids head back to school next week. If I am being completely honest- I am so ready for my kids to be back in school, to get back into the routine of the school year. Laid back summer is nice, but I am ready to get that structure back, as well as some kid free time during the day to get stuff done. And the truth is, they are just as ready to go back. They miss seeing their friends everyday, and luckily all of our kids enjoy school for the most part. 


We have spent the last couple of weeks focusing on back to school shopping, taking the kids out one or two at a time to get all of the things they need. From clothes and shoes to backpacks and school supplies. 


I thought it would be fun to make some little keychain type things that the kids could hang on their backpacks. I know in the past my kids have liked having little things they can clip on their backpacks. I think it started years ago when my now 7th grader was in 1st grade and McDonald's had a Happy Meal toy that was little plush clips that the kids put on their backpacks.  I came up with a couple of different ideas to make some backpack keychains, or zipper pulls, whatever you want to call them. This set of crocheted "backpack buddies" is the first, and I will share another later this week. 


I had a hard time figuring out which animals I wanted to make. I mean, you could pretty much do anything, but I ended up deciding on a bear and a koala. They both have a little keychain clasp attached to the top of the head, perfect for clipping them to backpack zippers. They are small so they work up fast, and are a fun little touch to backpacks for kids heading back to school.


*Purchase an ad-free version of this pattern on Etsy or Ravelry


How to Crochet Backpack Buddies- Bear & Koala


Finished size: about 2.5" diameter

You will need:


Instructions:


The backpack buddy keychains are made by crocheting a ball shape for the head, then sewing on pieces for the ears, nose, etc. 

A keychain clip is attached with a jump ring large enough to fit around the stitches on the top of the head. 

All pieces begin with a magic ring. 

Bear


Head

Make 1 with brown yarn (or the color you want your bear to be)

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc)
Round 3: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 4: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (24 sc)
Round 5: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (30 sc)
Round 6: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 7: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 8: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 9: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 10: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)

Add safety eyes between rows 6 and 7, about 4 stitches apart

Begin stuffing and continue stuffing as you go so that the finished head is firmly stuffed

Round 11: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (24 sc)
Round 12: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 13: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next st] repeat around (12 sc)
Round 14: sc2tog, repeat around (6 sc)

Finish off, cut yarn, stitch opening closed and weave in ends

Muzzle

Make 1 with tan yarn (or the color you want the muzzle to be)

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: [3 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2] repeat (10 sc)
Round 3: [2 sc in each of the next 3 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts] repeat (16 sc)

Finish off and cut yarn, leaving long tail for sewing

Add safety nose to the muzzle just above the center

Ears

Make 2 with brown yarn (or bear color)

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc)
Round 3: 1 sc in each st (12 sc)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing

Assembly

Stitch the muzzle to the front of the face under the eyes. 

Stitch the ears to the top of the head.

Use a split jump ring, large enough to fit around the stitches on the top of the head, to attach the keychain clip to the head. I used an 8mm jump ring and I wouldn't go any smaller than that. Loop the jump ring around a stitch on the top of the head. Then put the keychain through the jump ring and close. 

Koala


Head

Make 1 with gray yarn (or the color you want your koala to be)

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc)
Round 3: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 4: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (24 sc)
Round 5: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (30 sc)
Round 6: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 7: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 8: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 9: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)
Round 10: 1 sc in each st (30 sc)

Add safety eyes between rows 6 and 7, about 4 or 5 stitches apart

Begin stuffing and continue stuffing as you go so that the finished head is firmly stuffed

Round 11: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (24 sc)
Round 12: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 13: [sc2tog, 1 sc in next st] repeat around (12 sc)
Round 14: sc2tog, repeat around (6 sc)

Finish off, cut yarn, stitch opening closed and weave in ends

Nose

Make 1 with black yarn 

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1, sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, sl st to first sc to join (2 sc, 4 hdc, 2 dc)

Finish off and cut yarn, leaving long tail for sewing

Ears

Make 2 with gray yarn (or koala color)

Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc)
Round 3: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 4: 1 sc in each st (18 sc)
Round 5: 1 sc in each st (18 sc)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing

Inner Ears 

Make 2 with white yarn

Round 1: in mr, ch 2, 6 dc (6 dc)

Do not join (leave as a semicircle), finish off and cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing

Assembly

Stitch the nose to the front of the face between the eyes. 

Stitch the inner ears to the ears, matching flat edges.

Stitch the ears to the side of the head.

Use a split jump ring, large enough to fit around the stitches on the top of the head, to attach the keychain clip to the head. I used an 8mm jump ring and I wouldn't go any smaller than that. Loop the jump ring around a stitch on the top of the head. Then put the keychain through the jump ring and close.






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