1 Monster’s Toy Box

The Toy Box Express: Engine

Finished Size: 7” Long

Materials
 Worsted weight yarn (Shown in Vanna’s Choice Solids)
o Color 1: Cheery Cherry (110 yards)
o Color 2: Charcoal Grey (75 yards)
o Color 3: Silver Grey (75 yards)
o Color 4: Duckie (25 yards)
o Color 5: Silver Blue (15 yards)
 G (4.00mm) hook or size needed to obtain a firm fabric
 Tapestry Needle
 Stitch Marker
 Stuffing
 Plastic Canvas (optional, but highly recommended to “hold” the proper shape after stuffing)
 1” Black Buttons and Sewing Thread (optional, used for detachable couplers.)

Pattern Notes:
 All pieces are worked through the back loops only unless otherwise specified.
 The pattern is worked in a continuous spiral. Use a stitch marker to mark the start of the round.
 Check out my website for helpful tutorials on how to make your train:
http://www.monsterstoybox.com/index.php/resources/

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
2 Monster’s Toy Box

Car Couplings: Photo 1: Button placement for detachable method

There are two different ways to couple your
train and cars together: fixed, where the cars
are permanently sewn together, and
detachable, where the cars are able to come
apart by using a loop-and-button.
See the following page for finished photos of
both methods
Note: Because the detachable method of car
coupling involves the use of buttons (which Fixed:
are a potential choking hazard), I highly Note: The fixed couplings will be added during
recommend that you use the fixed method if assembly. The pattern will indicate when to add
your train is meant for small children. them.

Detachable: With Color 2, SC 6 in Magic Ring—6 sts

Note: The detachable couplings will be added Round 2-5: SC in each st around—4 rounds
after completing the car chassis. The pattern
Fasten off with long tail.
will indicate when to add them.
Attach one end of the piece to the back of the
With black thread or embroidery floss, sew a
engine chassis, centered in the middle.
1” button to the center of the back of the
engine chassis. Once it is secure, fasten off Attach the opposite end to the cars in the same
and hide the ends inside the chassis. manner.
(The loops will be added to the train cars)
To couple and decouple the cars, simply lift
the loop of one car over the button of
another car!

Detachable Couplings: Fixed. Couplings:

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
3 Monster’s Toy Box

Crocheting 2 Rounds
Together:
In order to create the sharp edges seen
throughout the train, this pattern uses a
technique that involves crocheting the back
loops of two rounds together.
During the set-up round, you will be instructed
to crochet through the front loops only, leaving
the back loop of the round below “exposed”.
When instructed to crochet two rounds
together, you will need to insert your hook
through the back loops of the stitches in both of the rounds specified for each stitch, then complete
the single crochet as you normally would.
Making a SC3tog while crocheting 2 rounds together is done in the same manner; you will need to
insert your hook through the back loops of the stitches in both of the rounds specified for all three of
the “legs” of the SC3tog.

Boiler:
Round 1: With Color 1, SC 6 in magic ring— 6 sts
Round 2: (SC 2 in next st) 6 times— 12 sts
Round 3: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next st) 6 times— 18 sts
Round 4: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 2 sts) 6 times —24 sts
Round 5: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 3 sts) 6 times —30 sts
Round 6: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 4 sts) 6 times —36 sts
Round 7: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 5 sts) 6 times —42 sts
Round 8: In the front loops only, SC in each st around
Round 9: In the back loops only, while crocheting round 7 and 8 together, SC in each st around—42 sts
Round 10 and 11: SC in each st around—2 rounds
Switch to Color 2
Round 12: In the front loops only, DC in each st around
Switch to Color 1
Round 13: In the front loops only, SC in each st around
Round 14-17: In the back loops only, SC in each st around—4 rounds
Switch to Color 2:
Round 18: In the front loops only, DC in each st around
Switch to Color 1:

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
4 Monster’s Toy Box
Round 19: In the front loops only, SC in each st
around
Round 20 and 21: In the back loops only, SC in
each st around—2 rounds
Fasten off with long tail.
Before you continue, you will need to reinforce
the front of the boiler so that it will stay flat once
it is stuffed. I used a piece of plastic canvas, but
even a (clean) plastic yogurt or dairy lid will work.
Trace the front of the boiler onto your material of
choice and cut it out. Insert the circle into the
boiler. (See photo)

Cab:
Round 1: With Color 11, SC 8 in Magic Ring—8 sts
Round 2: (SC in next st, SC 3 in next st) 4 times—
16 sts
Round 3: (SC in next 2 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next st) 4 times—24 sts
Round 4: (SC in next 3 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 2 sts) 4 times—32 sts
Round 5: (SC in next 4 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 3 sts) 4 times—40 sts
Round 6: (SC in next 5 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 4 sts) 4 times—48 sts
Round 7: In the front loops only, SC in
each st around
Round 8: In the back loops only, while
crocheting rounds 6 and 7 together, SC in
each st around—48 sts
Round 9-28: SC in each st around—20
rounds
You will now line up the top of the cab with
the bottom of the cab—crochet stitches
tend to shift to one side, so these steps will
help locate the “true” corner stitches for
the top of the cab.
With the base of the Cab facing you, locate
the corner of the base (Marked by the
middle of the SC 3 clusters) directly to the
left of the start of the round, then also find
the corner diagonal to it. Holding these
two corners parallel to each other, flatten
the entire cab. Place a stitch marker in the
leftmost stitch of round 28. SC until just
before this stitch; it is now the new start of the round (See photo above for illustration).

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
5 Monster’s Toy Box
Count 12 stitches to the left and place
another stitch marker in that 12th
stitch. Repeat this two more times to
that there are 4 stitch markers in
round 28, with eleven stitches in
between them all. (To help distinguish
the start of the round, place a second
or different colored marker in that
stitch)
You have now located your four
corners! Continue working:
Round 29: SC in next 14 sts, HDC in
next 2 sts, DC in next 2 sts, TR in next
st, DC in next 2 sts, HDC in next 2 sts,
SC in next 16 sts, HDC in next 2 sts, DC
in next 2 sts, TR in next st, DC in next 2
sts, HDC in next 2 sts, SC in next st—48
sts
SL ST into the first st of the round and
fasten off.

Cab Corners:
Locate the stitches in round 7 of the Cab
located above each of the SC 3 clusters in
round 6.
With Color 1, join yarn with a SL ST in one of
these stitches.
To surface crochet a Slip Stitch, insert your hook
in the front loop of the SC directly above the
joined stitch. Yarn over and pull through both
loops on your hook. One surface SL ST made.
Repeat until you reach the stitch maker in
round 28 and fasten off.
Repeat for all four corners of the cab.

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
6 Monster’s Toy Box
Roof:
With Color 3, CH 16
Round 1: SC 2 in 2nd CH from hook, SC in
next 13 sts, SC 2 in next st;
Rotate your work and crochet into the
bottom of the foundation chain:
SC 2 in next st, SC in next 13 sts, SC 2 in next
st—34 sts
Round 2-18: SC in each st around—17
rounds
Round 19: (SC2tog, SC in next 13 sts, SC2tog)
2 times—30 sts
Fasten off with long tail.
Cut out a rectangle of plastic canvas sized to fit
inside the roof and insert it through the
opening. Whip stitch the opening closed.

Chassis:
With Color 2, SC 24
Round 1: SC in 2nd CH from hook, SC 3 in next st,
SC in next 19 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next st
Rotate your work and crochet into the bottom
of the foundation chain (Note: When done
correctly, the SC3 clusters will be made into the top and bottom of the same stitches):
Skip the bottom of the next st, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 19 sts, SC 3 in next st, skip bottom of the next st
—52 sts
Round 2: (SC in next 2 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 21 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next st) 2 times
—60 sts
Round 3: (SC in next 3 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 23 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 2 sts) 2 times
—68 sts
Round 4: (SC in next 4 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 25 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 3 sts) 2 times
—76 sts
Round 5: (SC in next 5 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 27 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 4 sts) 2 times
—84 sts
Round 6: (SC in next 6 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 29 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 5 sts) 2 times
—92 sts
Round 7: In the front loops only, SC in each st around
Round 8: In the back loops only, while crocheting rounds 6 and 7 together, SC in each st around—92 sts
Round 9 and 10: SC in each st around—2 rounds

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
7 Monster’s Toy Box
Round 11: In the front loops only, SC in each st around
Round 12: In the back loops only, while crocheting rounds 10 and 11 together, (SC in next 6 sts, SC3tog,
SC in next 29 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 5 sts) 2 times—84 sts
Before you continue, you will need to reinforce the bottom of the chassis so that it will stay flat once it is
stuffed by cutting out and inserting a plastic canvas rectangle much like you did for the front of the boiler
(Of all the plastic canvas pieces, this one is the “least important” and could easily be left out if you
choose).
Round 13: (SC in next 5 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 27 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 4 sts) 2 times—76 sts
Round 14: (SC in next 4 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 25 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 3 sts) 2 times—68 sts
Round 15: (SC in next 3 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 23 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 2 sts) 2 times—60 sts
Round 16: (SC in next 2 sts, SC3tog, SC in next 21 sts, SC3tog, SC in next st) 2 times—52 sts
Round 17: (SC in next st, SC3tog, SC in next 19 sts, SC3tog) 2 times—44 sts
Fasten off with long tail.
If using detachable couplings, add the button according to the direction on Page 2.
Lightly stuff the chassis, being sure to fill out the corners without causing the sides to bulge out. Use the
tail end to whipstitch the two sides of the opening closed.

Windows (Make 3):

With Color 5, CH 7 sts
Round 1: SC 2 in 2nd CH from hook, SC in next 4 sts, SC 2 in next st
Rotate piece and work in to the bottom of the foundation chain: SC 2 in next st, SC in next 4 sts, SC 2 in
next st—16 sts
Round 2: (SC in next st, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 4 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next st) 2 times—24 sts
Round 3: (SC in next 2 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 6 sts, SC 3 in next st, SC in next 2 sts) 2 times—32 sts
Fasten off with long tail.

Small Wheels (Make 2):

Round 1: With Color 4, SC 6 in Magic Ring—6 sts
Round 2: (SC 2 in next st) 6 times—12 sts
Switch to Color 3
Round 3: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next st) 6 times—18 sts
Round 4: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 2 sts) 6 times—24 sts
Round 5: SC in each st around
Round 6: (SC2tog, SC in next 2 sts) 6 times—18 sts
Round 7: (SC2tog, SC in next st) 6 times—12 sts
Fasten off with long tail.

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
8 Monster’s Toy Box
Large Wheels (Make 4):
Round 1: With Color 4, SC 6 in Magic Ring—6 sts
Round 2: (SC 2 in next st) 6 times—12 sts
Round 3: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next st) 6 times—18 sts
Switch to Color 3
Round 4: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 2 sts) 6 times—24 sts
Round 5: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 3 sts) 6 times—30 sts
Round 6: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 4 sts) 6 times—36 sts
Round 7: SC in each st around
Round 8: (SC2tog, SC in next 4 sts) 6 times—30 sts
Round 9: (SC2tog, SC in next3 sts) 6 times—24 sts
Fasten off with long tail.

Chimney:
Round 1: With Color 2, SC 8 in Magic Ring—8 sts
Round 2: (SC 2 in next st) 8 times—16 sts
Round 3: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next st) 8 times—24 sts
Round 4: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 3 sts) 6 times—30 sts
Switch to Color 4
Round 5: In the front loops only, SC in each st around—30 sts
Round 6-9: In the back loops only, SC in each st around—4 rounds
Round 10: While crocheting round 4 and 9 together (see photo below), SC in each st around—30 sts
Round 11: (SC2tog, SC in next 3 sts) 6 times—24 sts
Switch to Color 2
Round 12: (SC2tog, SC in next 2 sts) 6 times—18 sts
Round 13: (SC2tog, SC in next 4 sts) 3 times—15 sts
Round 14: (SC2tog, SC in next 3 sts) 3 times—12 sts
Round 15 and 16: SC in each st around—2 rounds
Fasten off with long tail.

Whistle:
Round 1: With Color 4, SC 6 in Magic Ring—6 sts
Round 2: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next st) 3 times—9 sts
Round 3: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next 2 sts) 3 sts—12 sts
Round 4-6: SC in each st around—3 rounds
Fasten off with long tail.

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
9 Monster’s Toy Box
Piston: Piston Rod:
Round 1: With Color 4, SC 6 in Magic Ring—6 sts With Color 2, CH 25.
Round 2: (SC 2 in next st, SC in next st) 3 times—9 sts Fasten off with long tail and set aside for
later.
Round 3-5: SC in each st around—3 rounds
Lightly stuff the piece before continuing:
Round 6: (SC2tog, SC in next sts) 3 times—6 sts
SC 1st and 4th st tog and fasten off

Finishing:
Place the chassis and the cab together with their
cast-on sides facing towards each other (if using
the detachable couplings, line up your cab along
the same side of chassis as your button).
Starting along the short side of the chassis and
with a scrap of Color 1, sew round 7 of the cab
to round 7 of the chassis. When you reach the
corner of the cab along the long side of the
chassis, sew across the top of the chassis until
you reach the other edge, and then continue
sewing round 7 of the cab and chassis together
as before.
Stuff the cab, making sure to fill out the corners
without making the sides bugle outwards.
With a scrap of Color 3, sew rounds 4-16 of the
roof to the opening at the top of the cab, making
sure to line up corners. The cast-on and fasten-off
edges of the roof should be facing the right and left
sides of the train. Before completely closing up the
seam, add more stuffing to the cab, making sure to
fill out the space under the roof in order to give it a
rounded shape.
Attach the windows to the front, left and right
sides of the cab from round 21-28. It should form a
rectangle approximately 10 stitches wide and 8
stitches tall.
Stuff the boiler and set it on top of the remaining portion of the chassis with the open end facing the
cab. With the fastened off tail, sew the opening to round 7-20 of the cab, forming a square.
With a scrap of Color 1, sew around the boiler to round 5 of the chassis, along the edge where the two
meet.

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.
10 Monster’s Toy Box
Now to attach the wheels. Without stuffing, use the
fastened-off ends to sew on the wheels as described below:
Sew the opening of the small wheels to rounds 8-12 of the
chassis at the front corners of the train. It should form a
square roughly 3 stitches on each side.
Sew the opening of the two of the large wheels to the back
corners of the train. The seam should start at round 12 of
the chassis on the bottom and end at round 9 of the cab on
the top. It should form a square roughly 6 stitches on each
side.
Sew the openings of
the remaining two
large wheels in front
of the back pair of
wheels. There should approximately six stitches between the
seams of the back and middle wheel (See photo on the right for
positioning, shown from the bottom, front facing upwards).

Attach the piston just above the front

wheel, to round 6 of the chassis.
Sew one end of the piston rod chain
to the back of the piston and the
opposite end to the back portion of
round 4 of the rear wheel. Also tack it
down to the “front” portion of round
4 of the middle wheel, parallel to
where it was attached to the back
wheel (see photo on left for
positioning).
Stuff the chimney and attach to
round 10-12 of the boiler, centered on top. It should form a square roughly 3 stitches on each side.
Lightly stuff the whistle and attach to round 16-18 of the boiler, directly behind the chimney. It should
form a square with roughly 2 or 3 stitches on each side.
Weave in any loose ends.

Congratulations on your finished train engine!

©Monster’s Toy Box, 2016. Pattern may not be resold or redistributed without permission. Items made
from this pattern may be sold, with credit given to me as the designer.