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When I had a request to make a jungle-themed lovey for a new mom-to-be, I couldn't resist adapting my basic lovey pattern to make a sweet, huggable, monkey friend. This cute lovey is sure to be a favorite with little ones everywhere. And with this free crochet pattern, you can make your own!  The basic structure of the lovey is super simple: a granny square with a head and arms sewn in the middle. There are lots of easy ways to personalize this pattern to make it your own, but no matter what you do to tweak it, I recommend that you do NOT use plastic safety eyes. I'm usually a big of fan of safety eyes and feature them on a lot of my plushy patterns, but in my experience over the years, safety eyes are not secure enough for things given to babies (hello, choking hazard). So save those for another project and stitch the facial features on instead.  Let's take a look at the pattern! If you're interested in an ad-free printable PDF version of this pattern, you can find one on Ravelry. Thank you to everyone who supports my blog and keeps it running! Stitch Glossary (US terminology): st(s) = stitch(es) ch = chain ss = slip stitch sc = single crochet inc = sc increase (work 2 sc into the same st) dec = sc decrease (I prefer to use an invisible decrease st) hdc = half double crochet Materials:
Gauge: After the first 2 rounds, the granny square should measure 2 inches by 2 inches. The final square should be 13 inches by 13 inches. Note: Gauge isn't crucial for this project as long as your stitches are tight enough to keep in the stuffing when making the head and arms. I tend to crochet tightly, so if you're a looser crocheter, I recommend sizing down a hook. Granny Square Base: Note: There are lots of different variations to make granny squares; feel free to substitute your own favorite. If you're new to granny squares, I recommend checking out my Hip To Be Square Tie pattern, which has some photos you might find helpful. Starting with the H hook and Magenta yarn: Ch 4 and ss to form a ring Round 1: ch 3, work 2 dc into the ring, ch 2, *work 3 dc into the ring, ch 2*, repeat from * to * 3 times, ss to top of the ch 3 to join Round 2: ss over to ch-2 space, ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the ch-2 space, ch 1, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the next ch-2 space, ch 1*, repeat from * to * 3 times, ss to top of ch 3 to join Round 3: ss over to ch-2 space, ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the ch-2 space, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1] into the ch-1 space, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the next ch-2 space, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1] into the ch-1 space*, repeat from * to * 3 times, ss to top of ch 3 to join Fasten off yarn. Switch to Charcoal yarn. Join in any ch-2 space (any corner) Round 4: ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the ch-2 space, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1] into each ch-1 space, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the ch-2 space, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1] into each ch-1 space across*, repeat from * to * 3 times, ss to top of ch 3 to join Round 5: ss over to ch-2 space, ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the ch-2 space, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1] into each ch-1 space, *[3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into the ch-2 space, ch 1, [3 dc, ch 1] into each ch-1 space across*, repeat from * to * 3 times, ss to top of ch 3 to join Fasten off. Switch to Magenta yarn. Join in any ch-2 space (any corner) Rounds 6-7: Repeat rounds 4-5 Fasten off. Switch to Charcoal yarn. Join in any ch-2 space (any corner) Rounds 8-9: Repeat rounds 4-5 Fasten off. Switch to Magenta yarn. Join in any ch-2 space (any corner) Rounds 10-11: Repeat rounds 4-5 Fasten off. Switch to Charcoal yarn. Join in any ch-2 space (any corner) Rounds 12-13: Repeat rounds 4-5 Fasten off. Switch to Magenta yarn. Join in any ch-2 space (any corner) Round 14: ch 1, sc in each st and ch space around, ss to join Fasten off.  Arm (Make 2): Note: The arm is made in a continuous round, so I recommend using a stitch marker to keep your place. Using the Charcoal yarn and the F hook: Round 1: Make a magic circle and work 6 sc into the circle (6) Round 2: inc around (12) Round 3: sc around (12) Switch to Magenta yarn Round 4: sc around (12) Round 5: [dec, sc in the next 4 sts] around (10) Round 6: sc around (10) Round 7: [dec, sc in the next 3 sts] around (8) Rounds 8-9: sc around (8) Begin stuffing the arm. Continue to stuff as you go. Round 10: [dec, sc in the next 2 sts] around (6) Round 11: sc around (6) Ss to even off the round, and fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Finish stuffing. Using the tapestry needle, pull the long yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull taut to close off the opening.  Ear (make 2): Using the Charcoal yarn and the F hook: Round 1: Make a magic circle and work 3 sc into the circle, turn (3) Round 2: ch 1, [work 2 hdc in the next st] 3 times (6) Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing  Face: Note: The picture features eyes and a mouth sewn on with the Magenta yarn; I later changed these to black yarn for the final version and moved the mouth to the opposite side Using the Charcoal yarn and the F hook: Round 1: Make a magic circle and work 6 sc into the circle (6) Round 2: inc around (12) Round 3: [sc, inc] 6 times (18) Round 4: [sc in the next 2 sts, inc] 6 times (24) Round 5: *inc, hdc, dc 3 times in the next st, hdc, sc*, repeat from * to *, [inc, sc in the next 3 sts] 3 times, ss in the last 2 sts Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing Using the black yarn and the tapestry needle, stitch on the eyes and mouth. I used french knots for the eyes (between rounds 3 and 4) and straight stitch for the mouth (between rounds 4 and 5). Using a bit of Charcoal yarn, stitch the nose back and forth 3-4 times across round 1 (or as many times as needed to get the look you want).  Head: Note: The head is worked in a continuous round, so I recommend using a stitch marker to keep your place. Using the Magenta yarn and the F hook: Round 1: Make a magic circle and work 6 sc into the circle (6) Round 2: inc around (12) Round 3: [inc, sc] 6 times (18) Round 4: [sc, inc, sc] 6 times (24) Round 5: sc around (24) Round 6: [inc, sc in the next 3 sts] 6 times (30) Round 7: sc around (30) Round 8: [sc in the next 2 sts. inc, sc in the next 2 sts] 6 times (36) Rounds 9-11: sc around (36) Round 12: [sc in the next 2 sts, dec, sc in the next 2 sts] 6 times (30) Round 13: sc around (30) Round 14: [sc in the next 3 sts, dec] 6 times (24) Round 15: sc around (24) I recommend pausing here to sew on the face (across rounds 5-24) and ears (across round 6-10), but if you prefer you can sew them on at the end once the head is finished. Round 16: [sc, dec, sc] 6 times (18) Begin stuffing. Continue to stuff as you go. Round 17: [sc, dec] 6 times (12) Round 18: dec 6 times (6) Fasten off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing. Finish stuffing. Using the tapestry needle, pull the yarn tail through the front loops of the last round and pull taut to close the hole.  Assembly: Using the yarn tails and the tapestry needle, stitch the head to the center of the granny square base. I sewed mine so that it's facing one of the corners of the square, but you can place it so that it faces one of the straight sides of the square if you prefer. Stitch the arms directly beneath the head, slightly off to the side. Be sure to stitch everything securely in place so that nothing will fall off later. Weave in ends.  Great work! I hope that you enjoyed this pattern! If you have any questions or comments about the lovey as you go, feel free to get in touch in the comments section below, by email, or on social media. It can sometimes take me a bit to get back to you (full disclosure), but I'll do my best to give you a prompt response. Happy hooking! Want to make sure you don't miss any future blog posts? Join my mailing list! (Spam-free, I promise!)  ***You're welcome to do whatever you'd like to with finished products made from this pattern but if you do sell them, I ask that you link back to my page. You may not copy this pattern, repost it anywhere (either altered or in its original form), or claim it as your own. You may not use any photos on this site for your own use. ***
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