Crochet Toys · Free Patterns

You, Me and the ABCs : Crochet ABC Toys : L is for Lizard

If you are a crocheter and have a baby or toddler, play room or nursery, and love organization and helping your child learn – this post is for you!  I am posting new patterns for each letter many times per week so keep checking back.

Want a fun way to use your scraps? Want to make a lot of little projects/toys that are great for little ones? Want to custom a special piece for a wee one? – and then end with one big finale? This project is for you! (And you can skip the big finale if it’s not for you and still have all the little toys and ABCs.)

I have compiled the first letters of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place.  And my printable paid patterns contain a lot more photo tutorials to help you if you need.  You can find the letters A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.

This project was in my head as I was designing all of these letters and I’m so excited to get this started! Won’t you join me? Here is the latest new pattern to go with the others already linked.  If you prefer to shop on Ravelry for your patterns I also have the entire alphabet PDF over there.

You can begin by deciding what colors you want to use for your letters – I’ll be using them all! – and make up the alphabet  or save this post and wait for the end and make it all at once.

I’m gonna give you some options at the end to make the final part right for you/your space.  Here are some of the previous toys so make sure to check out THE ORIGINAL POST to link hop to them all.

Here are the latest patterns – all free on my blog.

I will using some of the patterns that I’ve already made for this ABC project and you will see those linked below at the end of this post.  You can go ahead and get started today! I can’t wait to share this with you. I’m planning on at least a weekly update, but I’m going to shoot for two per week. I’m gonna try. It is now gardening season and on the nice days that is where you might find me – so, my work may slow down just a wee bit until I can get everything in the ground.  I hope not – I still have night time 🙂

So, join me. Save this post. Let’s get started!

This post does contain affiliate links.  I will get a small percentage from any purchase made through my page here, but your price remains the same.  I appreciate any purchase made through my page as I can continue to offer free patterns here on my blog.

UPDATE: L is for Lizard: May 2, 2020

I want to say thank you for all who stop by to support my patterns and my blog.  I have chosen to NOT do ads on my blog (with the exception of my affiliate links) and offer FREE patterns, but please – if you love my patterns and want to say a little thank you- or just have some good small business karma support points- a purchase now and then or a visit to any of my affiliate links really helps.  It keeps this blog going so I can continue to offer free patterns for all to enjoy.  I also purchase a pattern now and then or visit an affiliate link from my favorite blogs and designers.  Thank you

I have compiled the first letters of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place.  You can find the letters A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.

I will be doing a second downable set including G-M once they are all finished.

Darn Good Yarn: Online Yarn Store | Ethical Yarn

This pattern is intended for personal use only. This pattern -and all my patterns- are offered for free or a small fee to help support my family so please do not redistribute, sell, copy or use them in any way not in accordance with fairness.

You may sell products made from this pattern, but please give me credit as the designer. Please do not use my photos as your own work, but you may use my photos to reference back to my blog, Etsy, Pinterest, IG or FB, but please link back to me.

If you find any problems with this pattern please let me know and if you have any problems with any of it feel free to message me and ask for support.

Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to me, Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Pin this post and come back for all of the A-Z toys!

Lizard:

4/mm hook for the body and tail and 5/5mm for the feet. I used Big Twist Sincerely Yarn in Peacock Confetti. (5oz/142gms/270yds/247m) I used most of one skein. I had a large ball leftover, but count on most of one skein. I also grabbed two scrap balls that matched my main color for the feet and tail. I have chosen to use buttons on my example, but if this is for a baby you will probably want to embroider eyes or use something soft like sewn felt.

I recommend making the FEET first. Make 2:

Holding two strands together at once and using a 5/5mm/I hook chain 33.

In the 2nd chain from the hook make a sc. Sc in the next stitch and slip stitch in the next. [chain 3, sc in the 2nd chain from the hook and in the next stitch and then slip stitch into the same place as your first slip stitch] * repeat again.

Sc all the way down the chain until you get to the last 3 chains. Slip stitch in the next chain and do the toes just like you did above from [ ] sc in the last two chains and finish off and weave in your ends. *you may need to steam block your feet to help them relax if they curl.

BODY:

Working in the CONTINUOUS Round:

*I do not join and chain, but continue to work in the next stitch. Use a stitch marker for this so you don’t lose your place.

Chain 2. Single crochet 6 in the second chain from the hook and work over your starting tail.

Starting in the first sc make 2 sc in that stitch and in each stitch around. (12) *Still work over the starting tail. After getting done with all 12 sc for that round, pull the starting tail to cinch up the opening. You can now trim that tail or weave it in or just leave it if it will be on the inside of your work. You want to move your stitch marker to the last stitch of each round so you know when you get to the end.

Round 3: (1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)

Round 4: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (24)

Rounds 5-10: sc in each stitch around (24)

Round 11: (1 sc in the next 4 stitches, inv dec) (20)

Rounds 12-13: sc in each stitch around (20)

Round 14: (sc in the next 8, inv dec) (18)

Rounds 15-16: sc in each stitch around (18)

*stop here and do whatever eyes you want to do and start stuffing the head. I chose to use buttons and sewed them on between rounds 6-8.

Round 17: (1 sc in next stitch, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (12)

Rounds 18-19: sc in each stitch around (12)

Round 20: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (15)

Rounds 21-22: sc in each stitch around (15)

Round 23: (1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)

Round 24: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (24)

Rounds 25-29: sc in each stitch around (24)

*STOP: Mark* see photos*

Pull up your working loop just a bit. You want to mark the stitch that you just finished that marks the end of the row. (mine in red)

With two other colors or markers (mine are black) you want to mark the 4 side stitches. Do this by flattening out the lizard body (are your eyes facing up?) – flatten the body and find the 4 stitches on each side and mark those.

If you find that your final stitch from the last row you worked (the one in red) is in one of those side stitches, just sc a few more to be in a different spot.

Once all your markers are in place pick the loop back up on your hook and continue.

Round 30: Crochet to the first marked side stitch (black) and sc in that stitch, chain 2 and skip 2 and sc in the next marked stitch and all the way around to the next marked side stitch. Sc in that stitch, chain 2, skip 2 and sc in the last marked side stitch and sc to the end of the round (for me my red marker)

Round 31: sc in each stitch around and place 2 sc in each of the chain 2 spaces from round 30. You should still have 24 sc around with two “holes” in your work that are opposite each other.

Rounds 32-51: sc in each stitch around.

*after about 5 rows I stopped and pulled one of my feet pieces through the holes and stuffed around it. Don’t overstuff this part. You will sew these little holes closed and capture the yarn from the legs/feet to keep it from moving. You can choose to do that here or at the end.

*stuff as you go*

Round 52: repeat just like you did for round 30. You are making a second set of holes for the back feet to go through.

Round 53: Repeat round 31

Rounds 54-63: sc in each stitch around (24) – insert back legs just like you did before.


These next rounds start the decrease for the tail. I chose to alternate colors, but feel free to adjust this as you like. I also added a soft foam roller so that I could bend the tail into different shapes. If you choose to do this add it when you need to before stuffing/closing too much.

—for me this was in purple—

Round 64: sc in each stitch around (24)

Round 65: sc 10, inv dec * repeat (22)

Rounds 66-69: sc in each stitch around (22)

—for me this was in aqua—

Round 70: sc 9, inv dec * repeat (20)

Rounds 71-74: sc in each stitch around (20)

—purple—

Round 75: sc 8, inv dec *repeat (18)

Rounds 76-79: sc in each stitch around (18)

—aqua—

Round 80: sc 4, inv dec *repeat around (15)

Rounds 81-84: sc in each stitch around (15)

—purple—

Round 85: sc 3, inv dec * repeat around (12)

Rounds 86-89: sc in each stitch around (12)

Round 90: sc 2, inv dec *repeat around (9)

Rounds 91-94: sc in each stitch around (9)

Round 95: sc, inv dec * repeat (6) sew shut

After my example was done, I chose to use some pony beads and sewed them on in a 2/3/2/3/2/3 alternating pattern down the back. Just cut a long length of matching yarn and start at the top and thread in and out of the body all the way down, but, if this is a baby toy I caution you to skip this step or only use with supervision as pony beads AND plastic buttons can both break.

 

I realized after I started this project that I would never be able to update every new post with every new link – once I got down to the end of the alphabet, I would have to update about 20 post with all the links to all the new patters – So, I will be keeping THIS ORIGINAL POST updated with all the new links for all of the new toys.  <3

In addition to the alphabet patterns, below you will find a list of toys that will be linked right here starting now. *these are not set in stone and I may decide to switch them as I work if I am inspired in a different direction. So, pin or save this post and come back and follow along with me or subscribe to my blog and get email updates when I make a new post.

I highly recommend the Bark Box service.  We have been getting this since last year for our Blue Heeler, Ruger, that is our big couch companion.  This year we got him a girlfriend, Rebel, and she also approves!

Ball – for the ball toys in this project, I refer you to this post to make one – or many – crochet balls using your scrap yarns.  The more textures the better.  You can also add rattle boxes, squeakers, stress balls as filler and more.

Bunny – I have made a few bunnies in the past and  I will be making another version of my Clover the Baby Bunny Pattern

Dinosaur – here on my blog you will find an entire Dinosaur Family.  For this ABC event, I will be making a different version of Scrappy.  He’s the perfect size and uses up some assorted scrap yarns.  If you want a different option, Baby Pea is also a nice small size and also Pinky the Dezzy Inspired DRAGON is a good choice for D is for Dragon.

Eye – I will be using the eyeball pattern from my Halloween Bag of Balls for this project, but if you find it too weird or spooky for a baby let me know and I’m sure I can whip up a different one.  This one would be super cute with some crinkle paper inside.  *Also, when you visit this post there is a Zombie ball that would make a cute Z word  and I will most likely be altering the colors on this Zombie ball and making a few additions to do a Ninja toy for N.

Goat – here on my blog you will find Ginger the Goat in my Farm Series.  She is a bit large for this project so she will get a few modifications to be a bit smaller.  Feel free to make her if you want a larger goat.

Lamb– another make from my Farm Series is Lonny the Lamb.  Lonny is a  nice, small size so I will be using this pattern here for the  Lamb, but will switch up the colors I’m sure. Maybe bright? Maybe a girl?

Octopus – in my opinion this octopus squeeze ball is the perfect baby toy when made from cotton so this is the pattern that I will be using right here.  I like to use 100% cotton and the stress/squeeze balls on the inside of the head and it makes these the perfect baby toy with teether capabilities.  And they are so quick to make you can make a handful.

 

Will you be joining in the fun? I’d love for you to make all of this with me, but if not pick a few and make it with me.

I’d love to see all your work or catch up with your progress so connect with me over on IG @theburgundybasket

#youandmeabccrochet

 

XOXO,

Kristi

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