The holidays are coming up fast! I’m so excited to see my boys open their gifts this year – the youngest is 2 and so now they will all be excited for the big day.

I love to make homemade gifts, which is why I created the Holiday Maker’s Challenge – a group of people working together toward a common goal of getting our gifts done this year without waiting until the last minute. It just kicked off last week and is going great – there have even been some amazing gifts finished already! (Hint: you can download this pdf FREE if you are a part of the challenge, plus more!)

Don’t let this project fool you, it’s much easier than it looks. The body of the rattle is created just like a wreath base in one long, flat piece, then seamed. The little feet and wings are sewn on and the head includes a large jingle bell (so it’s not a choking hazard even if it gets out) and a bit of stuffing.

It works up very quickly and would make the perfect gift for a little one in your life. Red Heart Baby Hugs is one of my favorite yarns for baby makes because it’s been tested to be free from harmful levels of over 300 substances.

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Red Heart Baby Hugs Medium, 1 skein each #4801 Blueberry (MC), #4001 Frosting (CC1), #4255 Orangie (CC2)

Hook: US size I/9 (5.50mm)

Notions: Tapestry needle, 3.75” wooden teething ring, 1” jingle bell, fiberfill, stitch markers

Gauge: 16 sts and 16 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc

Finished Size: Approximately 6” tall

PATTERN NOTES

Rounds are not joined unless noted.  Place stitch marker in first st of each round to keep track when working in the round.

PATTERN

Body

With CC1, ch 9.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (8 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, with CC1, sc in next 2 sts, change to MC, sc in next 4 sts, change to CC1, sc in next 2 sts, turn.

Rows 3-37: Rep Row 2.

Row 38: With CC1, ch 1, sc in each st across.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Sew Row 1 to Row 38. Insert wooden teething ring inside and stitch inner seam closed.

Head

Make magic ring.

Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in magic ring, pull tight to close. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from *around. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around. (24 sts)

Rnds 5-6: Sc in each sc around.

Rnds 7-10: Work chart, with MC, sc in next 8 sts.

Rnd 11: With MC, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, with CC1, (sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) twice, sc in next st, with MC, sc in next st, sc2tog, (sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) twice. (18 sts)

Rnd 12: With MC, sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next st, with CC1, (sc2tog, sc in next st) twice, with MC, sc2tog, (sc in next st, sc2tog) twice. (12 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.  Insert jingle bell and stuffing.

Attach Head to ring where Rows 1 and Row 38 meet.

Wing (make 2)

Make magic ring.

Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in magic ring. (4 sts)

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (8 sts)

Rnds 3-6: Sc in each sc around.

Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing. Sew in place using photos as guide.

Beak

With CC2, ch 3.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next sc, turn. (2 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st.

Fasten off. Fold in half and sew in place using photos as guide.

Foot (Make 2)

With CC2, ch 3.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next sc, turn. (2 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. (4 sts)

Fasten off. Sew foundation chain to ring using photos as guide.

Finishing

Weave in all ends.

That’s it! I hope you’ve enjoyed this free crochet pattern for the Penguin Baby Rattle and will want to whip some up for gifts!

Happy Crocheting!
Amanda