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: M is for Mermaid: May 12, 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 – and that is very soon! I have Monkey coming up next!!! Soon!!
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!
Mermaid:
For these little gals, I have used my size G/4mm hook -except for on the tail of the purple one – I used two strands on that tail (one sparkly) and my H/5mm hook holding the two strands together. I have also used my I/5.5mm hook for the hair curls. I ‘ve used an assortment of scrap yarn balls from my stash. You won’t need a lot of any one color unless you want to do the curls all in the same yarn.
I’ve used safety eyes, but you can also do yarn eyes if you prefer for baby. I believe my purple eyes are 12mm and the larger teal eyes are 15mm.
Fins (make 2): You will work in the Back Loop Only for each round after round 1:
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.
Round 2: one sc in each stitch around (6)
Round 3: make 2 sc 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.
Rounds 4-6: sc in each stitch around (12)
Round 7: sc 2, inv dec* around (9)
Round 8: sc, inv dec *around (6)
Round 9: sc in each stitch around (6) – when you finish off leave enough tail to weave the end shut and tie on inside the bottom of the tail.
Tail: You will work in the Back Loop Only for each round after round 1:
Repeat round R1 from the fins and then skip to round 3 for (6 and then 12 sc)
Round 3: (1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)
Rounds 4-13: sc in each stitch around (18)
Stuff as you go.
Round 14: sc in each stitch around but work in BOTH Loops *change to skin color on the last stitch. (18)
Rounds 15-18: sc in each stitch around (18) *change to the color you want for your “top” on your doll on the last stitch *NOTE: I did not cut my skin color yarn, but just left it hanging on the inside. Since you are only crocheting a few rows in a color, you can pick the skin color back up at the end of round 22.
Rounds 19-20: sc in each stitch around (18)
Round 21: this is the round that you make breast on your doll if you want those. If not, just do this round in sc again. But, if you do want to make a little area for breast, turn your doll facing you with the tail fins in the right direction. Mark the two stitches on the front of your doll where the breast will go – there will be 3-4 spaces between them depending on your doll. Mark the two “breast” stitches. You will sc around in each stitch, except on the marked two stitches – those two stitches get 3hdc in each stitch.
Round 22: this round is sc in each stitch around – EXCEPT – where you have made 3hdc for the breast on Round 21, you will do a sc3tog in those 3 stitches. So, in the end you still have 18 sc around. *switch to skin color on the last stitch of this round
Round 23: sc 4, inv dec *around (15)
Round 24: sc 3, inv dec *around (12)
Round 25: sc 2, inv dec * around (9)
*now the head shaping starts. You need to make sure after you get a few rounds of the head done that you stuff the neck well to hold the head/hair.
Round 26: sc in each stitch around (9)
Round 27: sc 2, inc *around (12)
Round 28: sc 3, inc *around (15)
Round 29: sc 4, inc *around (18)
Round 30: sc 2, inc *around (24)
Round 31: sc 3, inc *around (30)
Rounds 32-37: sc in each stitch around (30) **you may choose to change color to a “scalp” “hair” color around round 35 if you want. If you want to use less “hair” it helps to have a scalp color match your yarn hair.
*add safety eyes if you are using them now before you decrease and continue to stuff well. Mine are between rounds 33-34 with about 4-5 stitches between. Embroider the nose and mouth as you wish here as well if you want to tie off those ends inside.
Round 38: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (24)
Round 39: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (18)
Round 40: (1 sc in next stitch, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (12)
Round 41: (inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (6) – sew shut and weave in the end.
Hair: I’ve used my size I/5.5mm hook and made random chains from about 12 -25 and placed 2hdc in each chain to make curls. If you leave a tail at the start and one at the end of a few inches, you can tie your curls on and then weave in the ends. You can weave the tails across the front of the face to make bangs before hiding them inside or clipping off.
Arms: very simple. Use your H/5mm hook and start your circle with 6sc. Work straight until they are the length you want. For my examples, I did 15 rounds. I like to use the steam setting on my iron and steam arms of dolls. It makes them hang better and softens up the yarn. Don’t touch the iron to the arm – just lightly steam a few inches over. You can feel how soft they are and they drape much better. Sew the arms right above the bikini top color.
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
