Ramón was born in Chaco, Argentina. That’s why he is not known as a Giant Armadillo but as a “Tatu Carreta”. As all others specimens of his kind, he should inhabit the deep caves built by his ancestors. But those are not for him. Oh no. He likes color and glitter and confetti! He tried to go to Rio for the Carnival, but it’s hard to dance with those protective bands of his. No one would accept him in their comparsas. So he is now planning to escape to Mexico. He even painted his body as an “alebrije” for a more conspicuous arrival. Boy, did that take time… But he is so happy with the result. They say Mexico is full of color and that you can have your ant-eggs fried in butter! They call them “escamoles”. Yummy.
Finished size: If crocheted with a 2.00 mm hook, Ramón should measure 12 cm approximately. Of course, should you choose a different hook and yarn, the final size will vary...
In the next stitch, make 5 double crochet, keeping the last loop of each stitch on the hook (you’ll need 5 unfinished double crochets). Then slip stitch into all the 6 loops on the hook. Continue with the following sc stitches.
Shall we begin?
Using beige or cream…
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet *2 sc in each st*, repeat * (12)
3. to 4.
5. Crochet *1 sc, 2 sc in the next st (increase)*, repeat * (18)
6. Crochet 8 sc, 1 increase in the next 2 stitches and, finally, 8 sc (20)
7. Crochet 9 sc, *1 increase in the next sitch, 1 sc in the following stitch*, repeat * twice and, finally, 7 sc (22)
8. Crochet 10 sc, 1 increase in the next sitch, 1 sc in the following 2 stitches, 1 increase in the next stitch, and then 8 sc (24)
9. Crochet 7 sc, *1 increase in the next sitch, 1 sc in the following stitch *, repeat * twice, 1 increase in the next stitch, *1 sc in the following stitch, 1 increase in the next stitch*, repeat * 3 times and, finally, 6 sc (30)
10. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (30)
11. Crochet 8 sc, *1 increase in the next stitch, 1 sc in the following 2 stitches*, repeat * twice, 1 increase in the next stitch, *1 sc in the following 2 stitches, 1 increase in the next stitch*, repeat * 3 times and, finally, 6 sc (36).
Place safety eyes between rounds 11 and 12 and embroider the cheeks with a bit of pink yarn.
12. to 20. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (36)
21. Crochet *4 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (30)
Start stuffing…
22. Crochet *3 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (24)
23. Crochet *2 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (18)
Stuff some more…
24. Crochet *1 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (12)
25. Crochet 6 decreases (6)
Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.
Body
Using beige or cream…
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet 2 sc in each st (12)
3. Crochet 2 sc in each st (24)
4. Crochet *3 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (30)
5. Crochet *4 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (36)
6. Crochet *5 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (42)
7. to 15. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (42)
16. Crochet *5 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (36)
17. a 19. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (36)
20. Crochet *4 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (30)
21. a 23. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (30)
Start stuffing...
24. Crochet *3 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (24)
25. and 26. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (24)
27. Crochet *2 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (18)
28. and 29. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (18)
Stuff some more...
30. Crochet *1 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (12)
31. and 32. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (12)
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew to the head.
Ears
Make two, using beige or cream...
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (6)
3. Crochet 2 sc in each st (12)
4. to 9. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (12)
No need to stuff…
Arms
Make two, using beige or cream...
1. Make 2 chain stitches. Crochet 4 sc in the second chain from hook (4).
2. Crochet 2 sc in each st (8)
3. to 11. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (8)
No need to stuff the arms...
Feet
Make two, using beige or cream...
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet 2 sc in each st (12)
3. Crochet *2 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (16)
4. Only through back loops, crochet 1 sc in the first 5 sts, then *1 bobble stitch, 1 sc*, repeat * 3 times and, finally, 1 sc in the last 5 sts (16)
5. to 8. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (16)
9. Crochet *2 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (12)
10. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (12)
Stuff firmly…
11. Crochet 2 sc. Press the opening with your fingers and single crochet together both opposing sides. (6)
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew the feet to the body.
Body plaque 1
Using color 1…
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet 2 sc in each st (12)
3. Crochet *1 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (18)
4. Crochet *2 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (24)
5. to 21. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (24)
No need to stuff.
22. Crochet *2 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (18)
23. Crochet *1 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (12)
24. Crochet 6 decreases (6)
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew to the body.
Body plaque 2
Using color 2…
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet 2 sc in each st (12)
3. Crochet *1 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (18)
4. Crochet *2 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (24)
5. to 27. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (24)
No need to stuff.
28. Crochet *2 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (18)
29. Crochet *1 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (12)
30. Crochet 6 decreases (6)
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew to the body.
Body plaque 3
Using color 3…
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet 2 sc in each st (12)
3. Crochet *1 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (18)
4. Crochet *2 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (24)
5. to 31. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (24)
No need to stuff.
32. Crochet *2 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (18)
33. Crochet *1 sc, one decrease*, repeat * (12)
34. Crochet 6 decreases (6)
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew to the body.
Head plaque/Hood
Using color 4…
1. Magic ring of 6 sc
2. Crochet 2 sc in each st (12)
3. Crochet *1 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (18)
4. Crochet *2 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (24)
5. Crochet *3 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (30)
6. Crochet *4 sc, 2 sc in the next st*, repeat * (36)
7. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (36)
IMPORTANT! We will now stop crocheting in rounds and start crocheting in rows…
8. Crochet 1 sc in the first 10 stitches. Chain 1 and turn the piece.
9. Crochet 1 decrease, 1 sc in the next 6 stitches and, finally, another decrease (8). Chain 1 and turn the piece.
10. Crochet 1 decrease, 1 sc in the next 4 stitches and, finally, another decrease (6). Chain 1 and turn the piece.
11. Crochet 1 decrease, 1 sc in the next 2 stitches and, finally, another decrease (4). Chain 1 and turn the piece.
12. and 13. Crochet 1 sc in the next 4 stitches. Chain 1 and turn the piece.
14. Crochet 1 sc in the next 4 stitches
15. Crochet 1 sc all around the head plaque, first crocheting sc in between the spaces at the end of the rows on the forehead, then along the ‘hood’ and finally in between the spaces at the other end of the rows on the forehead.
Fasten off yarn, leaving a long tail to sew to the head.
Tail
Start with color 3…
1. Magic ring of 5 sc
2. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (5)
3. Crochet 2 sc in each st (10)
4. and 5. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (10)
6. Change to color 2 and, only through back loops, crochet 1 sc in each stitch (10)
7. to 10. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (10)
Start stuffing the tail (but not firmly, just to give shape to it) and continue doing so as you crochet…
11. Change to color 3 and, only through back loops, crochet 1 sc in each stitch (10)
12. to 15. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (10)
16. Change to color 4 and, only through back loops, crochet 1 sc in each stitch (10)
17. to 19. Crochet 1 sc in each stitch (10)
Scarf
The scarf is worked in rows. Using the color of your choice…
Assembly
- Sew the Head Plaque/Hood to the head.
- Curve the ears and sew them to the head, over the head plaque.
- Using the remaining tail, sew the body to the base of the head.
- Sew the arms to the body.
- Sew the feet to the body, in a sitting position.
- Sew the tail to the back of the body.
- Flatten the body plaques and curve them. Now sew the first place surrounding the neck and the third plaque covering the tail. Then sew the second plaque over the first and third one, partly covering them.
- Using leftovers of different colors embroider dots and dashes to decorate the plaques of your Ramón as a Mexican ‘alebrije’. Just have fun!
- Surround Ramón’s neck with the scarf.
That's it!!! You are done!!!! Congratulations!
© 2022 – This is a design by Carla Mitrani for {Amour Fou} – All rights reserved. This pattern is for personal use ONLY. This pattern or parts of it must not be reproduced or published (printed or online), altered, resold or used for commercial purposes without authorization. You can neither reproduce, publish, alter, sell or use for commercial purposes FINISHED PRODUCTS made with this pattern without authorization. Thank you!