Otter Friends
The otters that swim together, stay together… like these two besties!
Please note:
The pattern and images contained in this document are the
sole property of Theresa's Crochet Shop. This written pattern
is for personal use only. Please do not redistribute or sell this
pattern in whole or in part.
You may sell the finished product, but please credit Theresa's
Crochet Shop as the designer.
Welcome!
I hope you will enjoy the creation of a little otter or two! Please don't hesitate to email me at
[email protected] with any questions that you may have along the way. Have fun!
Materials You Will Need:
• Crochet hook size: G/4.00mm
• Worsted weight yarn: tan, brown, cream (for snout), one long strand of black (for nose), and
gray (for clam)
• Yarn needle
• One pair of 12 mm safety eyes*
• Polyester fiber fill stuffing
• One strand of black embroidery floss for eyelashes (optional)
*Note: Safety eyes can be found on Etsy, Amazon, eBay, or your local craft store. The safety eyes are
highly recommended, but they can be substituted with black buttons or yarn if you prefer.
Final measurement for the finished otter will be 7.25 inches (18.5 cm) long.
Abbreviations:
ch(s) – chain(s)
sc – single crochet
sts – stitches
dec – sc decrease st*
*Single crochet decrease stitch explanation:
Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 2 loops on
the hook. Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 3
loops on the hook. Yarn over again and pull the loop of yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.
Note #1: This pattern is crocheted in continuous rows (you will not join each row).
Note #2: In my patterns, I begin each circle with “ch 2, 6 sc in first ch.” Another way of beginning is to
start with a magic circle. If you are more familiar with this method, just do 6 sc into your magic circle.
Head
With tan yarn,
Row 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts)
R2: Sc 2 in each sc around. (12 sts)
R3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 6 times. (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st), 6 times. (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st), 6 times. (30 sts)
R6: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st), 6 times. (36 sts)
R7-12: Sc 36. (6 total rows)
R13: (Sc 4, dec 1), 6 times. (30 sts)
R14: (Sc 3, dec 1), 6 times. (24 sts)
R15: (Sc 2, dec 1), 6 times. (18 sts)
R16: (Sc 4, dec 1), 3 times. (15 sts)
Fasten off, and begin stuffing the head. Then, place the 12mm eyes between R12 and R13 of the head,
about 6 sts apart. Wait to put the washers onto the backs until you have made the snout. (I have found
this is easier with double checking eye placement.)
Snout
With cream yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts)
R2: Sc 2 in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: 2 sc in first st, sc 11. (13 sts)
R4: Sc 13. (13 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Thread your yarn needle with the yarn tail from the snout and
sew the snout between the eyes – the top of the snout should be even with the tops of the eyes. Just
before you finish sewing on the snout, stuff it with just a little bit of stuffing.
Nose
Cut a long strand of black yarn, thread it onto your yarn
needle, and insert it through the opening at the bottom
of the head and out through the snout between R3 and
R4 of the snout (see top left picture). Then insert your
needle back into the snout about 4 sts over across the top
of the snout (see top right picture), making sure your
stitch is straight across. Repeat this about 8 times or until
the nose is your desired thickness. Then sew one long
stitch down the middle of the snout (see bottom left
picture). Now weave your black yarn through to the
inside of the otter’s head, and secure with a knot to the
inside of the head.
Ears (make 2)
With brown yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts)
R2: Sc 6. (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Do not stuff the ears. Sew the ears 4 rows down from the
beginning circle on either side of the otter’s head, as pictured above.
Eyelashes (optional)
If you want to add eyelashes, you will want to do so before putting on the
backs of the eyes. Use a strand of black embroidery floss and sew two small
stitches at the corner of each eye, as pictured to the right. Weave the floss to
the inside of the otter’s head and secure with a knot to the inside of the head.
Now, firmly press the backs onto the eyes. Finish firmly stuffing the head.
Body
With tan or brown yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts)
R2: Sc 2 in each sc around. (12 sts)
R3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 6 times. (18 sts)
R4: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st), 6 times. (24 sts)
R5: (Sc 5, 2 sc in next st), 4 times. (28 sts)
R6-9: Sc 28. (4 total rows)
R10: (Sc 5, dec 1), 4 times. (24 sts)
R11: Sc 24. (24 sts)
R12: (Sc 4, dec 1), 4 times. (20 sts)
R13: Sc 20. (20 sts)
R14: (Sc 3, dec 1), 4 times. (16 sts)
R15: Sc 16. (16 sts)
R16: Dec 1, sc 14. (15 sts)
R17: Sc 15. (15 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Stuff the body firmly. If you have made the body and head a
different color, see the Note below about sewing them together. If you have made them the same color,
go ahead and sew the opening at the top of the body to the opening at the bottom of the head. Add some
stuffing just before you finish sewing them together to strengthen the “neck.”
Note: if you have made the body and head a different
color, here is how to sew them together so you do not
see your stitches… Insert your needle behind the post
of the stitch on the head (see left picture) and then
behind the post of the stitch on the body (see right
picture). Continue in this way all the way around until
the head and body are sewn together.
Arms (make 2)
With brown yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts)
R2: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st), 2 times. (8 sts)
R3: Sc 8. (8 sts)
R4: Dec 1, sc 6. (7 sts)
R5-7: Sc 7. (3 total rows)
Now, before fastening off, stuff the arms with just a little
bit of stuffing. Then single crochet through both layers
across the top of the arm to close it (3 sc sts across, as
pictured to the right). Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for
sewing.
Sew the arms facing forwards to either side of the otter’s body, one row down from where the body
meets the head.
Legs (make 2)
With brown yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts)
R2: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st), 2 times. (8 sts)
R3-4: Sc 8. (2 total rows)
R5: Dec 1, sc 6. (7 sts)
R6-7: Sc 7. (2 total rows)
As with the arms, wait to fasten off. Stuff the legs with a little bit of stuffing. Single crochet through the
both layers across the tops of the legs. Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing.
Sew the legs to the front of the otter’s body, starting at R4 of the body and
continuing to sew to the body 4 rows up on the sides of the legs (up to R7 of
the body), so that the legs lay flat against the body (see picture to the right).
The arms should easily be able to touch the tops of the legs. Sew the legs 3
sts apart across the front of the body.
Tail
With brown yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 4 sc in first ch. (4 sts)
R2: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 2 times. (6 sts)
R3: (Sc 2, 2 sc in next st), 2 times. (8 sts)
R4-7: Sc 8. (4 total rows)
R8: 2 sc in first st, sc 7. (9 sts)
R9-10: Sc 9. (2 total rows)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Stuff tail. Sew the tail right over the
beginning circle of the otter’s body, or 1 row down from the bottoms of the
legs (see picture to the right).
Clam (make 2)
With gray yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in first ch. (6 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 6 times. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Stuff with just a tiny bit of stuffing.
Sew the two circles together.
And there you go, you are done! Thank you so much for joining me in making a cute little otter! Enjoy!
