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THE CUTEST CROCHET TOYS TO HOOK

the NutCrAckEr

ClaRa
Bring the magic of
Christmas to life

nuTcracKer
CharaCters
Create a magical festive scene
the SugAr
the MouSe King Plum FaiRy
The perfect handmade gift for someone you cherish, or
a delightful decoration for your home, children and
adults alike will be enchanted by these fantasy figures.
Hook up the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara, the Nutcracker and
Mouse King to treasure for Christmasses to come.
 Inspired by an iconic Christmas story, these
A IT darling little dolls will make a most magical
T IC Y addition to Christmas Eve boxes for children.
4PLY 2.5MM
DK 3.5MM
NOTES
Dolls are worked in the amigurumi method. Work
stitches continuously in a spiral without closing
YOU WILL NEED off each round with a slip stitch. It may help to use
QScheepjes Softfun (60% cotton, 40% a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round,
acrylic, 50g/140m), 1 ball of each: Peach moving it up as you work.
(2466 ), White (2412 ), Pink (2513), Mauve Colours and yarn labels used are written at the
(2624), Sky (2613), Bright Turquoise start of each doll pattern.
(2423), Mist (2627), Jam (2617), Black
(2408), Forest (2535), Larimar (828), THE SUGAR PLUM FAIRY
Butterscotch (2610), Cloud (2530), Yarn A Peach, Yarn B White, Yarn C Pink, Yarn D
Astec (2604) Mauve and Yarn E Corundum Ruby.
QScheepjes Stonewashed (78% cotton,
22% acrylic, 50g/130m), 1 ball of each: HEAD, BODY AND SKIRT
Corundum Ruby (808), Brown Agate HEAD
(822), Smokey Quartz (802), Jasper Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn A, make a magic
(809) loop.
QA 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st
QA 3.5mm (US E/4) hook throughout), 8dc into loop. [8 sts]
QToy stuffing Round 2 2dc in next 8 sts. [16 sts]
QBlack stranded cotton Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 8 times. [24 sts]
For yarn stockists contact Round 4 (1dc, 2dc in next st, 1dc) 8 times. [32 sts]
Scheepjes Round 5 (3dc, 2dc in next st) 8 times. [40 sts]
www.scheepjes.com/en Round 6 Dc in each st around.
Round 7 (2dc, 2dc in next st, 2 dc) 8 times. [48 sts]
TENSION Rounds 8-16 Dc in each st around.
Tension is not critical for these projects Round 17 (2dc, dc2tog, 2dc) 8 times. [40 sts]
Round 18 (3dc, dc2tog) 8 times. [32 sts]
MEASUREMENTS Round 19 (1dc, dc2tog, 1dc) 8 times. [24 sts]
Each doll measures approx 14cm (5½in) Stuff as you go.
tall Round 20 (1dc, dc2tog) 8 times. [16 sts]
Round 21 (1dc, dc2tog, 1dc) 4 times. [12 sts]
ABBREVIATIONS Round 22 Dc in fl of each st around.
picot Ch3, ss in last ch from hook Stuff Rounds 20-21 firmly.
For a full list, see page 76 of Simply Crochet Do not fasten off.
magazine

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 Nutcracker Amigurumi

Each doll’s head is worked the

same, including facial details,
but hair and hat styles vary

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 The Sugar Plum Fairy’s hairstyle features a bun
and curls, made separately and sewn in place

Change to Yarn B.
Round 33 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 4 times.
[32 sts]
To attach the hair, place and pin each strand to Round 34 (7dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [36 sts]
the base of the head, then stitch in place Round 35 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 36 Dc in each st around.
Round 37 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times.
BODY [48 sts]
Round 23 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts] Rounds 38-46 Dc in each st around.
Round 24 Change to Yarn B, 7dc, change to Yarn Fasten off.
A, 4dc, change to Yarn B, 7dc. Stuff Skirt firmly up to Round 43, then stuff lightly
Round 25 5dc, 2dc in next st, 2dc, change to Yarn to end.
A, 2dc, change to Yarn B, 1dc, 2dc in next st, 5dc,
2dc in next st. [21 sts] BASE
Round 26 6dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc, change to Yarn Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn B, make a magic
A, 1dc, change to Yarn B, 2dc, 2dc in next st, 6dc, loop.
2dc in next st. [24 sts] Rounds 1-5 (RS) As Rounds 1-5 of Head. [40 sts]
Fasten off Yarn A. Rounds 6-8 Dc in each st around.
Round 27 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [28 sts] Round 9 (2dc, 2dc in next st, 2dc) 8 times. [48 sts]
Rounds 28-30 Dc in each st around, changing to Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Yarn C for Round 30. Sew Base to bottom of Skirt, working through the
Do not fasten off. bl only.

SKIRT DRESS LAYERS

Rounds 31-32 Dc in bl of each st around. Work the Bottom Dress Layer first, then Top Layer.

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 Nutcracker Amigurumi
Round 4 (2dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times.
[28 sts]
Rounds 5–6 Dc in each st around.
Round 7 (Dc2tog, 5dc) 4 times. [24 sts]
Round 8 (6dc, dc2tog) 3 times. [21 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

HAIR
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn E, make a magic
loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 8dc into loop. [8 sts]
Round 2 (Working in bl only) (2dc in next st) 8
Work the skirt ruffles while working the body – times. [16 sts]
change yarn colour for Rounds 31 to 46 Round 3 (Working in bl only) (1dc, 2dc in next st)
8 times. [24 sts]
Round 4 (Working in bl only) (1dc, 2dc in next st,
BOTTOM LAYER 1dc) 8 times. [32 sts]
With Head facing you, join Yarn D in the last fl of Round 5 (Working in bl only) (Ss in next st, ch17,
Round 32. dc in third ch from hook, 14dc, skip 1 st from
Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (does not count as st), 2tr in Round 4) 8 times, ss in next st, ch13, dc in third ch
same st as join, 1tr, (2tr in next st, 1tr) 13 times, ss from hook, 10dc along the chain, skip 1 st, ss in
to beg tr. [42 sts] next st, ch11, dc in third ch from hook, 8dc, (htr in
Round 2 Ch3, tr in each st around, ss to beg tr. next st, ch25, dc in third ch from hook, 22dc (pm
[42 sts] in strand to mark where to curl), htr in next st,
Round 3 (Ch1, ss) in each st around. ch28, dc in third ch from hook, 25dc (pm in strand
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. to mark where to curl), (dc in next st, htr in next st,
Sew the Layer to the Dress. ch13, dc in third ch from hook, 10dc, 1dc, ss in fl of
st from Round 3.
TOP LAYER Round 6 (Working in fl from Round 3) (Ch18, dc in
With the Head facing you, join Yarn C in any fl third ch from hook, 15dc, skip 2 st, ss in next st) 7
from Round 31. times, ch50.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 3htr in each fl around, ss to Fasten off.
beg htr.
Fasten off. TO MAKE UP
Use image as a guide when joining parts.
HAIR BUN Place Hair on Head. Pin strands in desired position
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn E, make a magic with the 2 curls are at the front. Sew Hair in place.
loop. Stuff Bun and sew to Hair.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 7dc into loop. [7 sts] Using Yarn B, embroider around the neckline.
Round 2 2dc in next 7 sts. [14 sts] Using black stranded cotton, embroider the eyes
Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [ 21 sts] approx 5 sts apart and 2 sts wide.

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 CLARA
Yarn A Peach, Yarn B Sky, Yarn C Bright Turquoise,
Yarn D Mist and Yarn E Brown Agate.

HEAD, BODY AND SKIRT

HEAD
Rounds 1-22 (RS) Work as The Sugar Plum Fairy’s
Head. [12 sts]

BODY
Round 23 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 24 (Working in bl only) Change to Yarn B,
dc in each st around. [18 sts]
Round 25 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 3 times. [21 sts]
Round 26 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 3 times.
[24 sts]
Round 27 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [28 sts]
Rounds 28-29 Dc in each st around.
Stuff firmly.
Change to Yarn C.
Rounds 30-31 Dc in each st around.
Round 32 Dc in bl of each st around.
Do not fasten off. Clara’s hair is worked as strands of chain stitches
with double crochet increases at the ends
SKIRT
Change to Yarn B and leave Yarn C on RS to
continue Dress Layer later. DRESS LAYER
Round 33 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 4 times. With the Head facing you, join Yarn C in the fl of
[32 sts] any st from Round 31.
Round 34 (7dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [36 sts] Round 1 (RS) Ch1, (2htr in next st, 3htr) 5 times, ss
Round 35 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [42 sts] to beg htr. [25 sts]
Round 36 Dc in each st around. Join Yarn D in third bl of any st.
Round 37 (3dc, 2 dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times. Round 2 Ch1, (2htr in next st, 3htr in next st) 12
[48 sts] times, 2htr in next st, ss to beg htr. [62 sts]
Rounds 38-46 Dc in each st around. Fasten off.
Fasten off.
Stuff Skirt firmly to Round 43, then lightly to end. HAIR
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn E, make a magic
BASE loop.
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn B, make as The Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc into magic loop.
Sugar Plum’s Fairy Base. Round 2 2dc in bl of each st around. [12 sts]

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 Nutcracker Amigurumi

Clara’s skirt is trimmed with frills,

and her hair is finished with a
sweet mini butterfly motif

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 BUTTERFLY
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn D, make a magic
loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch3, dtr, picot, dtr, ch2, dc, ch2, dtr,
ch2, ss, ch2, dtr, ch2, dc, ch2, dtr, picot, dtr, ch2, ss.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Wrap tail around centre to make body.

TO MAKE UP
Place Hair on Head with the 2 ss at the front and
slightly to the left. Pin each Hair strand at the
bottom of the head then sew the Hair to Head.
Carefully arrange the curls at the back of Clara’s Sew Butterfly to the top of the Hair.
head before stitching them into position Using black stranded cotton, embroider the eyes
approx 5 sts apart and 2 sts wide.

THE MOUSE KING

Yarn A Peach, Yarn B Cloud, Yarn C Black, Yarn D
Smokey Quartz, Yarn E Aztec and Yarn F Jasper.

HEAD AND BODY

HEAD
Rounds 1-22 (RS) Work as The Sugar Plum Fairy’s
Head. [12 sts]

BODY
Round 23 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts].
Change to Yarn B.
For the butterfly hair decoration, work just one Round 24 Dc in bl of each st around.
round, then wrap the yarn tail around the centre Round 25 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 3 times. [21 sts]
Round 26 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 3 times.
[24 sts]
Round 3 (Working in bl only) (1dc, 2dc in next st) Round 27 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [28 sts]
6 times. [18 sts] Rounds 28-29 Dc in each st around.
Round 4 (Working in bl only) (1dc, 2dc in next st, Round 30 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 4 times.
1dc) 6 times. [24 sts] [32 sts]
Round 5 *(Ss in next st, ch30, working from Rounds 31-32 Dc in each st around.
second ch from hook, 3dc in next 2 ch, 27dc)**; Change to Yarn C.
rep from * 5 times more, ss in next 2 sts; rep from Round 33 Dc in each st around.
* to ** 16 times. [22 strands] Round 34 (7dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [36 sts]
Fasten off. Change to Yarn B.

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 Nutcracker Amigurumi

The Mouse King has short hair

and looks regally distinguished
with his crown and dashing cape

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 Finish the Mouse King with two circular ears
and a crown attached to the top of his head

LEFT EAR
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn A, make a magic
loop.
Working stitches in the front or back loops only Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 6dc in loop. [6 sts]
gives Mouse King’s cape a ribbed appearance Round 2 2dc in next 2 sts, 2htr in next 2 sts, 2dc in
next 2 sts. [12 sts]
Change to Yarn D.
Round 35 Dc in each st around. Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) twice, (1htr, 2htr in
Stuff firmly as you go. next st) twice, (1dc, 2dc in next st) twice. [18 sts]
Round 36 (4dc, 2dc in next st, 4dc) 4 times. Round 4 2dc, 4ss, (2htr, 2htr in next st) twice, 1dc,
[40 sts] 5ss. [20 sts]
Rounds 37-39 Dc in each st around. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Round 40 (9dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [44 sts]
Change to Yarn C. RIGHT EAR
Rounds 41-42 Dc in bl of each st around. Rounds 1-3 As Rounds 1-3 of Left Ear.
Rounds 43-46 Dc in each st around. Round 4 1dc, 5ss, (2htr in next st, 2htr) twice, 4ss,
Round 47 3htr, 40 dc, ss in next st. 2dc.
Fasten off. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.
Stuff Body firmly up to Round 43, then stuff
lightly to end. CAPE
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn E, ch20.
BASE Row 1 (RS) (Work in bl of ch), Htr in third ch from
Using Yarn C, work as The Sugar Plum’s Fairy Base. hook, 2htr, 3dc, 5htr, 7tr, turn. [18 sts]

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 Nutcracker Amigurumi
Row 2 (WS) (Working in fl only) Ch3, 7tr, 5htr, 3dc, Using black stranded cotton, embroider the eyes
3htr, turn. approx 5 sts apart and 2 sts wide.
Row 3 (Working in bl) Ch2, 3htr, 3dc, 5htr, 7tr,
turn. THE NUTCRACKER
Rows 4-15 Repeat Rows 2-3. Yarn A Peach, Yarn B Jam, Yarn C Black, Yarn D
Fasten off. Forest, Yarn E Larimar and Yarn F Butterscotch.
Cut a length of Yarn E and thread through the
column of dc sts to make the Cape string. Knot HEAD AND BODY
the ends to prevent yarn from fraying. HEAD
Rounds 1-22 (RS) Work as The Sugar Plum Fairy’s
HAIR Head. [12 sts]
Using a 3.5mm hook and Yarn D, make a magic
loop. BODY
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 7dc into loop. [7 sts] Round 23 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [14 sts] Change to Yarn B.
Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [21 sts] Round 24 Dc in bl of each st around.
Round 4 (1dc, 2dc in next st, 1dc) 7 times. [28 sts] Round 25 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 3 times. [21 sts]
Round 5 (3dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [35 sts] Round 26 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 3 times. [24 sts]
Round 6 Dc in each st around. Round 27 (5dc, 2dc in next st) 4 times. [28 sts]
Round 7 (2dc, 2dc in next st, 2dc) 7 times. [42 sts] Rounds 28-29 Dc in each st around.
Rounds 8-15 Dc in each st around, ss in beg dc, Round 30 (3dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc) 4 times. [32 sts]
turn. Rounds 31-32 Dc in each st around.
Round 16 (WS) (Working in fl throughout) Ch1, Round 33 Change to Yarn C, (working in bl) (7dc,
38htr, 2dc, 2ss. 2dc in next st) 4 times. [36 sts]
Fasten off. Round 34 Dc in each st around.
Stuff firmly as you go.
CROWN Round 35 Change to Yarn B, dc in each st around.
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn F, make a magic Round 36 (4dc, 2dc in next st, 4dc) 4 times.
loop. [40 sts]
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 15dc into loop. [15 sts] Round 37 Change to Yarn D, (working in bl) 1dc,
Round 2 Dc in each st around. 39ss.
Round 3 *Ss, (2htr, picot, 2htr) in next st, skip 1 st; Round 38 Dc in bl of each st around.
repeat from * 4 times more, ss to beg ss. Rounds 39-40 Dc in each st around.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Round 41 Change to Yarn C, (working in bl) 40 ss.
Weave tail in and out between Rounds 2-3, to Round 42 (Working in bl) (9dc, 2dc in next st) 4
taper in the base slightly. times. [44 sts]
Rounds 43-46 Dc in each st around.
TO MAKE UP Round 47 3htr, 40 dc, ss in last st.
Place Hair on Head. Sew the Crown on top of Hair. Fasten off. Stuff Body firmly to Round 43, then
Sew Ears to the Hair between Rounds 7-8, approx stuff lightly to end.
12 sts apart.

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 BASE TO MAKE UP
Using Yarn C, work as The Sugar Plum’s Fairy Base. Place Hair on Head with the 2 ss positioned at the
front and slightly to the right. Pin each Hair strand
HAIR at the bottom of the Head, then sew in place.
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn E, make a magic Using Yarn E, embroider detail on the Hat.
loop. Lightly stuff Hat, then sew on top of Hair.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 8dc into loop. [8 sts] Using Yarn F, embroider details on the top – we
Round 2 2dc in bl of each st around. [16 sts] used French knots and long stitches.
Round 3 (Working in bl only) (1dc, 2dc in next st) Using black stranded cotton, embroider the eyes
8 times. [24 sts] approx 5-6 sts apart and 2 sts wide.
Round 4 (Working in bl only) (1dc, 2dc in next st,
1dc) 8 times. [32 sts]
Round 5 (Work in bl only) (Ss, ch17, dc from third
ch from hook, 14dc along the ch) 10 times, (ss,
ch13, dc in third ch from hook, 10dc, skip 1 st from
Round 4), ss, ch11, dc in third ch from hook, 8dc,
skip 1 st, ss, ch9, dc in third ch from hook, 6dc,
skip 1 st, ss, ch8, dc in third ch from hook, 5dc,
skip 1 st, ss, ch6, dc in third ch from hook, 3dc,
skip 1 st, ss in next 2 sts, ch11, dc in third ch from
hook, 8dc, skip 1 st, (ss, ch17, dc in third ch from
hook, 14dc) 8 times, ss.
[18 long strands, 6 short strands]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

HAT
Using a 2.5mm hook and Yarn C, make a magic
loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, 7dc into loop. [7 sts]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [14 sts]
Round 3 (1dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [21 sts]
Round 4 (1dc, 2dc in next st, 1dc) 7 times. [28 sts]
Round 5 (3dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times. [35 sts]
Round 6 Dc in bl of each st around.
Round 7 (5dc, dc2tog) 5 times. [30 sts]
Rounds 8-12 Dc in each st around.
Round 13 (Working in fl throughout) Ss in first 7
sts, 3dc, 4htr, 2tr in next st, ch1, 2tr in next st, 4htr,
3dc, 7ss.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. The Nutcracker’s hair is worked as strands of
chain stitches, then stitched into position

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 Nutcracker Amigurumi

Decorate the Nutcracker’s clothes

with embroidery – we used
French knots and long stitches

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 Simply
Crochet
Amigurumi by Ellie Richards.
Presented by Simply Crochet.
Printed in the UK.