Clarence

the Peckish Plant

YARN

Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (100% Cotton, 50g, 125m/137yds)

1 ball Lilac – Tea Rose (443)

1/2 ball Purple – Jam (473)

Small amount Pink – Blush Pink (454)

2 balls Green – Spearmint Green (426)

Small amount White – Paper White (401)

1 ball Light Brown – Soft Fudge (410)

Small amount Dark Brown – Coffee Bean (411)

HOOK 3mm crochet hook

OTHER MATERIALS

Pair of 10mm black safety eyes

16 Long Pipe cleaners or some strong wire

A piece of Thick Felt or Foam Fabric Stabiliser

(try Pellon Flex-Foam Stabilizer!)

Toy Stuffing

Tapestry needle

Small amount of PVA glue or starch (optional)

Thick drinking straw or knitting needle (optional)

TOOLS & MATERIALS

This project can be made in a variety of yarns and hook sizes to produce a bigger or smaller plants.

Below are the yarn and materials used to make the sample.

FINISHED SIZE Clarence is around 27cm/101/2in tall when made in DK weight cotton with 3mm hook.

27cm / 101/2in

11cm / 4in

TENSION / GAUGE

If you want to match the sample gauge make

a small circle in your chosen yarn:

Rnd 1: start 7sc in a magic ring [7]

Rnd 2: inc in all 7 st [14]

Rnd 3: (1sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [21]

Fasten off.

When made in DK yarn with 3mm hook this circle

is about 3cm/1in in diameter.

Matching the exact gauge isn’t essential, but may produce

a bigger or smaller plant. Remember to keep stitches

close together amigurumi-style!

CROCHET TERMS

The pattern is written in US Crochet Terms,

the following stitches are used:

chain stitch (ch)

slip stitch (slst)

single crochet (sc)

single crochet increase (inc)

single crochet decrease (dec)

invisible decrease (inv dec)

half-double crochet (hdc)

double crochet (dc)

front loop only (FLO)

back loop only (BLO)

third loop/back hump

magic ring

round (rnd)

row (row)

stitch/stitches (st/sts)

Repeating sections within the rounds are shown

in (round) brackets followed by how many times

they are repeated, e.g. repeat 6 times.

Stitch totals are shown in [square] brackets at the end

of each round. Note that if a round is closed with a slip stitch

(slst) that stitch is not included in the stitch count.

Images and Charts are referenced in {curly} brackets,

e.g. {img 7} or {Chart A} within the main pattern text.

Colour Changes within the text are shown in {curly italic}

brackets in the relevant colour where possible, e.g. {red}

or {white} within the main pattern text.

The sample is made with regular single crochet stitch without

X twist. Feel free to substitute your preferred style

of decreases throughout the pattern.

NOTES

CONSTRUCTION The plant is made in sections, some

are joined together with crochet seams and some are

joined-in as you go. The pot is made in one piece, with

a folded over lip, reinforced with stabiliser. The body

of the plant is later slip-stitched into the pot.

The head is made up of 2 halves and a mouth, these

are joined together as you go, around the mouth

piece. Lips are worked directly from the mouth after

the pieces are joined. To allow the plant to have more

expressions pipe cleaners are added into the lips

before they are closed with a crochet seam to the

inside of the mouth.

Pipe cleaners are also added into the leaves and vines,

so the plant can strike a pose!

The body of the plant starts with 6 petals, these are

joined together to form the neck. There are rounds in

the body that create a subtle bend to the neck, these

are worked in a combination of back loop and front

loop stitches.

TIP: The weight of the vines and leaves combined

is enough to keep the plant standing up once

stuffed, but you could add a balloon weight or some

weighted beads to the base if you prefer!

PATTERN STARTS

Let’s start with the pot to warm up!

1. Cozy Plant Pot

Make 1in light brown.

Rnd 1: start 7sc in a magic ring [7]

Rnd 2: inc in all 7 sts [14]

Rnd 3: (1sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [21]

Rnd 4: (2sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [28]

Rnd 5: (3sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [35]

Rnd 6: (4sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [42]

Rnd 7: (5sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [49]

Rnd 8: (6sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [56] {img 1}

Rnd 9: (7sc, inc in next st) repeat 7 times [63]

Rnd 10: (8sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times, 9sc [69] {img 2}

Rnd 11: working in BLO, slst in all 69 sts [69] {img 3}

Rnd 12: working into the same back loops and over the slip

stitches, sc in all 69 sts [69] {img 4} This creates a more defined,

firmer round at the base of the pot!

Rnd 13 – 17: sc in all 69 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 18: (22sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [72] {img 5}

Rnd 19 – 22: sc in all 72 sts – 4 rounds

Rnd 23: (23sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [75]

Rnd 24 – 27: sc in all 75 sts – 4 rounds

Rnd 28: (24sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [78]

Rnd 29 – 32: sc in all 78 sts – 4 rounds

Next round starts the lip of the pot.

Rnd 33: working in FLO, (12sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [84]

Rnd 34 – 45: sc in all 84 sts – 12 rounds {img 6-7}

Rnd 46: (12sc, inv dec) repeat 6 times [78]

To add more structure to the lip of the pot cut a strip of

thick felt or foam fabric stabiliser and place into the lip of

the pot. The strip should be half the height of the lip when

measured from Rnd 33 to Rnd 46, and long enough to go

all around the circumference of the top of the pot. {img 8 –

10} Tip: If you don’t have thick felt or stabiliser try using some

corrugated card instead!

Fold over the last 13 rounds down to Rnd 33 to form the lip

of the pot. {img 11}

Rnd 47: working in both loops of current round and free

back loops from left over from Rnd 33, slst in all 78 sts to

close the lip [78] {img 12}

Fasten off, weave in the ends. {img 13 – 14}

Set the pot aside for

now and move on to

making the head!

2. Inner Mouth

Make 1 in purple.

Ch13, start 2nd ch from hook, work in a round, along both

sides of the chain. {img 15}

Rnd 1: 3sc in next ch, 10sc, 3sc in last ch, carry on along

the other side of the chain, 10sc, skip last ch [26] {img 16}

Rnd 2: (inc in next 3 st, 10sc) repeat 2 times [32] {img 17}

Rnd 3: (inc in next st, 1sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(inc in next st, 1sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc [38]

Rnd 4: (2sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc)

(2sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc [44] {img 18}

Rnd 5: (inc in next st, 3sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(inc in next st, 3sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc [50]

Rnd 6: (4sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(4sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc [56]

Rnd 7: (inc in next st, 5sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(inc in next st, 5sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc [62]

Rnd 8: (6sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(6sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc [68]

Rnd 9: (inc in next st, 7sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(inc in next st, 7sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc [74]

Rnd 10: (8sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(8sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times, 10sc [80]

Rnd 11: (inc in next st, 9sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc,

(inc in next st, 9sc) repeat 3 times, 10sc [86]

Rnd 12 – 13: sc in all 86 sts – 2 rounds {img 19}

Rnd 14: 3slst, 33sc, 10slst, 33sc, 7slst [86]

Fasten off, weave in the end. {img 20} Note: the slip stitches

will sit in the corners of the mouth when joining the pieces.

3. Top of the Head

Make 1 in lilac.

Rnd 1: start 6sc in a magic ring [6]

Rnd 2: inc in all 6 sts [12]

Rnd 3: (1sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [18]

Rnd 4: (2sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [24]

Rnd 5: (3sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [30]

Rnd 6: (4sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [36]

Rnd 7: (5sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [42] {img 21}

Rnd 8: (6sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [48]

Rnd 9: (7sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [54]

Rnd 10: (8sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [60]

Rnd 11: (9sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [66]

Rnd 12: (10sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [72]

Rnd 13 – 18: sc in all 72 sts – 6 rounds

Fasten off, weave in the end. {img 22}

4. Bottom of the Head + Joining the pieces

Make 1 in lilac.

Rnd 1: start 6sc in a magic ring [6]

Rnd 2 – 12: work the same way as Top of the Head.

Rnd 13 – 15: sc in all 72 sts – 3 rounds {img 23}

Next join in the inner mouth to the bottom of the head.

Pick up the Inner mouth and place it under the bottom of

the head, wrong sides together, lining up the middle of the

slip stitched section with the start of next round. {img 24}

Start joining the 2 pieces in middle of the slip stitch section

from Rnd 14 of the Inner Mouth, working through both

layers. {img 25 – 26}

Rnd 16: work 5sc along the head + slip stitches of the mouth,

33sc along head + mouth, 5sc along the head + slip stitches,

next pick up the top half of the head so it rests over the

remaining half of the inner mouth, work 5sc along the head

+ slip stitches, 33sc along head + mouth, 5sc along the head

+ slip stitches [86] {img 27}

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Now the head is joined together add in some safety eyes

to the top half. Use the corners of the mouth as guides

and add the eyes – count 5 sts away from the corner and 5

rounds up and place the eye there, poke a hole in the fabric

with a knitting needle or a pencil first to make this easier.

{img 28 – 31}

5. Lips

Join pink yarn to the corner of the mouth. {img 32}

Rnd 1: work in FLO, sc in all 86 sts [86] {img 33}

Rnd 2 – 8: sc in all 86 sts – 7 rounds {img 34 -35}

Add a ring of wire or pipe cleaners, enclosing it in the tube

with the next round. I like to double them up for strength.

{img 36 – 38}

Rnd 9: working in FLO + remaining free back loop of the

mouth – sc in all 86 sts [86]

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Add stuffing to the top and bottom half of the head,

keeping the roof of the mouth flat. {img 39}

With the top of the head towards you, join lilac to the

corner of the remaining free stitches of two halves of

the head, and close the gap with a row of single crochet,

working the stitches through both layers. {img 40}

Tip: Alternatively sew up with a tail of yarn instead!

6. Top Fangs

Make 2 or more in white.

Rnd 1: start 6sc in a magic ring [6]

Rnd 2: sc in all 6 sts [6]

Rnd 3: (inc in next st, 2sc) repeat 2 times [8]

Rnd 4: sc in all 8 sts [8]

Rnd 5: (inc in next st, 3sc) repeat 2 times [10]

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing. {img 41}

7. Bottom Fangs

Make 2 or more in white.

Rnd 1: start 6sc in a magic ring [6]

Rnd 2: sc in all 6 sts [6]

Rnd 3: (inc in next st, 2sc) repeat 2 times [8]

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing. {img 42}

Sew the fangs to the inside seam of the lips in your

preferred spot. On the sample the top fangs are sitting

further apart than the bottom ones. {img 43 – 45}

Press the corners of the mouth up into a cheeky smile and

move on to making the body! {img 46}

8. Stem Petals

Make 6 in green.

Rnd 1: start 6sc in a magic ring [6]

Rnd 2 – 3: sc in all 6 sts – 2 rounds

Rnd 4: (1sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [9] {img 47}

Rnd 5: sc in all 9 sts [9]

Rnd 6: (2sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [12]

Rnd 7: sc in all 12 sts [12]

Rnd 8: (3sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [15]

Rnd 9: sc in all 15 sts [15]

Rnd 10: (4sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [18]

Rnd 11: sc in all 18 sts [18]

Rnd 12: (5sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [21]

Rnd 13: sc in all 21 sts [21]

Rnd 14: (6sc, inc in next st) repeat 3 times [24]

Rnd 15: sc in all 24 sts [24] {img 48}

Rnd 16: do not stuff, fold the piece flat and work next sts

through both layers {img 49}, 12 sc [12]

Fasten off the first 5 petals.

Do not fasten off the last petal, carry on to join them into

the stem, trapping the leftover yarn tails as you work.

9. Joining the Stem

Carry on work from the 6th petal. Join all the petals

together to make 1 round, make sure they are all facing

right way up when joining, with the wrong side of Rnd 16

down. {img 50}

Rnd 1: (bring next petal to the work, 12sc along the top)

repeat 5 times, then work 12sc along the original (6th) petal

[72] {img 51 – 52}

Rnd 2 – 3: sc in all 72 sts – 2 rounds

Rnd 4: (5sc, inv dec, 5sc) repeat 6 times [66]

Rnd 5 – 6: sc in all 66 sts – 2 rounds

Rnd 7: (5sc, inv dec, 4sc) repeat 6 times [60]

Next group of rounds create a small bend in the stem.

If you want the stem to point straight up instead of forward

you can work Rnds 8 – 26 as single crochet rounds instead.

Rnd 8: 30slst in back loops only (BLO), 30sc in both loops [60]

{img 53}

Rnd 9: 30slst in BLO of the slip stitches, 30sc in both loops [60]

{img 54}

Rnd 10: 30sc in free front loops (FLO) from both last 2 rounds

30sc, in both loops 30sc [60] {img 55} You will be putting the

hook under 2 loops like you would when working a regular single

crochet stitch, this will minimise the jog when creating the bend.

Rnd 11: 30slst in BLO from Rnd 9 (behind the current round),

30sc in both loops [60] {img 56} These slip stitches will be

hidden on the inside.

Rnd 12: 30slst in BLO of the slsts, 30sc in both loops [60]

Rnd 13: 30sc in free stitches from Rnd 10, 30sc [60] {img 57}

Notice how the stem now tilts forward a little!

Rnd 14 – 17: sc in all 60 sts – 4 rounds

Now lets add another bend. {img 58 – 59}

Rnd 18: 2sc, 26slst in BLO, 32sc in both loops [60]

Rnd 19: 2sc, 26slst in BLO of the slsts, 32sc in both loops [60]

Rnd 20: 2sc, 26sc in free FLO from last 2 rounds, then work in

both loops: 2sc, inv dec, 12sc, inv dec, 12sc, inv dec [57]

Rnd 21: 29sc, inv dec, 11sc, inv dec, 11sc, inv dec [54]

Rnd 22 – 26: sc in all 54 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 27: slst in all 54 sts [54]

Fasten off and weave in the ends. {img 60 – 61}

10. Soil

Join dark brown to any slip stitch from Rnd 27 of the stem.

{img 62}

Rnd 1: sc in all 54 sts [54]

Rnd 2: (8sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [60]

Rnd 3: (9sc, inc in next st) repeat 6 times [66]

Rnd 4: (5sc, inc in next st, 5sc) repeat 6 times [72]

Rnd 5: (inc in next st, 11sc) repeat 6 times [78] {img 63}

Next round joins the soil to the pot. Fold back the brim of

the pot so that the slip stitch round is easy to get to. Work

the next round through both loops of the soil and Rnd

47 (the slip stitch round) of the pot, pulling the yarn from

below the pots slip stitches. {img 64 – 65}

Rnd 6: slst in all 78 sts [78]

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

11. Twirly Vines

Make 3 in green. {img 66 – 67, img 75}

Rnd 1: start 5sc in a magic ring [5]

Rnd 2 – 6: sc in all 5 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 7: inc in next st, 4sc [6]

Rnd 8 – 12: sc in all 6 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 13: inc in next st, 5sc [7]

Rnd 14 – 18: sc in all 7 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 19: inc in next st, 6sc [8]

Rnd 20 – 24: sc in all 8 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 25: inc in next st, 7sc [9]

Rnd 26 – 30: sc in all 9 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 31: inc in next st, 8sc [10]

Rnd 32 – 36: sc in all 10 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 37: inc in next st, 9sc [11]

Rnd 38 – 42: sc in all 11 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 43: inc in next st, 10sc [12]

Rnd 44 – 55: sc in all 12 sts – 12 rounds

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing.

12. Grippy Leaves

Make 2 in green.

Rnd 1: start 6sc in a magic ring [6]

Rnd 2: sc in all 6 sts [6]

Rnd 3: (1sc, 3sc in next st, 1sc) repeat 2 times [10]

Rnd 4: sc in all 10 sts [10]

Rnd 5: (2sc, 3sc in next st, 2sc) repeat 2 times [14]

Rnd 6: sc in all 14 sts [14]

Rnd 7: (3sc, 3sc in next st, 3sc) repeat 2 times [18] {img 68}

Rnd 8: sc in all 18 sts [18]

Rnd 9: (4sc, 3sc in next st, 4sc) repeat 2 times [22]

Rnd 10: sc in all 22 sts [22]

Rnd 11: (5sc, 3sc in next st, 5sc) repeat 2 times [26]

Rnd 12: sc in all 26 sts [26]

Rnd 13: (6sc, 3sc in next st, 6sc) repeat 2 times [30]

Rnd 14: sc in all 30 sts [30]

Rnd 15: (7sc, 3sc in next st, 7sc) repeat 2 times [34]

Rnd 16: sc in all 34 sts [34]

Rnd 17: (8sc, inc in next st, 8sc) repeat 2 times [36] {img 69}

Rnd 18 – 20: sc in all 36 sts – 3 rounds

Rnd 21: (inv dec, 4sc) repeat 6 times [30]

Rnd 22: (3sc, inv dec) repeat 6 times [24]

Rnd 23: (inv dec, 2sc) repeat 6 times [18]

Rnd 24: (1sc, inv dec) repeat 6 times [12] {img 70}

Rnd 25: sc in all 12 sts [12]

Rnd 26: inv dec, 10sc [11]

Rnd 27: inv dec, 9sc [10]

Rnd 28 – 32: sc in all 10 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 33: inc in next st, 9sc [11]

Rnd 34 – 38: sc in all 11 sts – 5 rounds

Rnd 39: inc in next st, 10sc [12]

Rnd 40: sc in all 12 sts [12] {img 71}

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing. Press leaves flat. {img 72}

Add wire or pipe cleaners to the leaves and vines,

doubling them up for strength. {img 73 – 75}

Next make a extra details.

13. Protective Spikes

Make as many as you fancy in purple yarn.

Ch4, start 2nd ch from hook.

Row 1: 1slst, 1sc, 1hdc [3]

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing. {img 76}

14. Wispy Hair

Make as many as you fancy in purple yarn.

Row 1: Ch25 [25]

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing,

Wrap the wispy hair around a thick straw or a knitting

needle, cover in PVA glue or starch and leave to dry

overnight. When completely dry take the hair off the straw

and trim one of the tail ends. {img 77 – 80}

15. Stingy Tongue

Make 1 in purple yarn.

Ch26, start 2nd ch from hook, for neater edges work in third

loop/back hump of the chains.

Row 1: 1slst in next ch, 2sc, 2hdc, ch6, start 2nd ch from

hook, slst in next ch, 2sc, 2hdc, now carry on along

the main chain, 21dc [21+forked tip] {img 81 – 85}

Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing.

Now all the elements are made it’s time

to put Clarence together!

Cut a circle of felt, foam or card

to fit the base of the pot.

Place into the pot and then add

in plenty of toy stuffing.

Sew the Grippy Leaves to the

sides of the body, either side

of the bend – push the ends of

the pipe cleaners into the body

before sewing.

Next secure the Twirly Vines

to the soil behind the body,

pushing the ends of the pipe

cleaners into the soil.

Spread the vines evenly around

the back of the plant, you can

twist together the leftover parts

of the pipe cleaners inside the

pot.

Sew down each vine, then curl

up the ends.

Add stuffing to the body,

leaving some space on the top

for the head.

Place the head into the

neck opening, choosing the

direction you would like it to

look in.

With a tail of lilac yarn sew the

head into the neck, first going

through each stitch of the back

seam and the 3 back petals.

Then go around the lower half

of the head, stitching where the

chin sits on the petals.

Turn up the corners of the

mouth into a cheeky smile.

Sew the Protective Spikes

randomly over the body – add

as many as you like!

ASSEMBLY

First we will add stuffing to the plant pot. To keep the base flat it helps to

add in a circle of felt or thick card into the base before adding the stuffing.

Clarence is quite top-heavy, but I found that sewing the vines to the back

of the pot is enough to counter-balance the head when making the sample.

However you could add in a balloon weight or weighted beads for extra

stability.

Open the mouth again and

sew the tongue to the inside

of the mouth, letting it flop to

the side.

Next sew the Whispy Hair to the

top of the head, in-between the

spots.

Arrange them as you like best!

On the sample I sewed them

evenly across the top.

To help the back petals stand

up catch each one with a tail of

green yarn, securing it to the

head.

Embroider some spots in

purple yarn on the top of the

head.

Using purple yarn embroider

some veins onto the leaves,

going through both layers of

the fabric, then doubling. First

the central line.

Then work back to the start,

adding in smaller side veins as

you go.

The leaf will look the same on

both sides.

And that’s it – your very own

Clarence The Peckish Plant

is good to go!

I hope you will enjoy making

your own mischievous peckish plants!