I am beyond excited!! This whole year might have been crazy – 2020/Covid blah! – but, I started this year out with the intention of creating A-Z Toys for every letter of the alphabet – at least two toys – and I have just finished them all!!!!
Z is for Zebra is the last crocheted toy in this series, BUT!!! I have a bunch of extras that will be blogged for extras that were part of a baby set that I did. Z is for Zipper gets blogged next and is already done, but it requires sewing and is not a crochet project – so, for that reason, I wanted to blog Zebra before Zipper and get the PDFs all finished.
Please read below for more on this. No time right now? Here is a pin to save and come back.
Want a fun way to use your scraps? Want to make a lot of little projects/toys that are great for little ones? Want to custom a special piece for a wee one? – and then end with one big finale? This project is for you! (And you can skip the big finale if it’s not for you and still have all the little toys and ABCs.)
Want a sneak peek at just one of the final projects? This isn’t the huge finale, but it is a small idea:
The pattern for my “square” is coming soon. I *think* I have a name for it. *I haven’t added the letters/monograms to this particular example above, but that is the idea. I will be posting the square pattern soon for you to start making up some squares if you choose to make something like above. This would be such a cute nursery gift!! Make a pocket hanger with monograms and the toys that go with each initial.
I have compiled the first letters of this event in a convenient downloadable PDF if you prefer to print them out and have them all in one place. And my printable paid patterns contain a lot more photo tutorials to help you if you need.
You can find the toys for all the letters in my Etsy Shop. I have them broken down into smaller parts, but have just uploaded the final huge part.
Part 1: A-F HERE ON MY ETSY.
You can find Part 3 with the letters N-S
The last small part – Part 4 with the letters T-Z is now available.
If you’ve been waiting to purchase the PDFs until the end now is your chance!! I can’t even believe they are all finished or that I am giving away everything for this one small price.
MY ENTIRE COMPLETE SERIES PLUS A BUNCH OF EXTRAS IS NOW AVAILABLE.
There are OVER 60 patterns in that final bundle!!! 60+ toys patterns.
And MOST ALL of my PAID patterns contain way more photos and tutorials than what I can add to my blog post. I try to keep my fees very low.
This project was in my head as I was designing all of these letters and I’m so excited to get this series finished! Won’t you join me? If you prefer to shop on Ravelry for your patterns I also have the entire alphabet PDF over there. 
I will try to work on uploading these to Ravelry if you prefer Ravelry for your patterns, but it will be a while. If you are familiar with Ravelry, you may know that I have to upload each one separately over there – I can’t list bundles together so each and every small toy must have it’s own page. That will take me a while, but I will try to get it done. I don’t believe I will be able to do it all this year.
I’m gonna give you some options at the end to make the final part right for you/your space. Make sure to check out THE ORIGINAL POST to link hop to each one of the patterns here on my blog.
Here are some of the latest patterns that are all free here on my blog. I will be keeping THIS ORIGINAL POST updated with all the links for all of the toys.
This post does contain affiliate links. I will get a small percentage from any purchase made through my page here, but your price remains the same. I appreciate any purchase made through my page as I can continue to offer free patterns here on my blog.
Did you miss V is for Vampire Bat? It has been well received and is perfect for Halloween this year! Thank you.
I’ve made the Crochet Bat pattern a quick PDF that you can purchase from my Etsy or Ravelry.
Etsy is HERE and Ravelry
You can also find V is for Vegetables and Vampire for this series.
And my last post was W is for Whale <3
For an easy printable PDF for W is for WHALE – in the 3-sizes – I have them listed in both my Etsy and Ravelry shops. You can find the easy 7-page PDF in my ETSY HERE or also over on Ravelry.
UPDATE: Z is for Zebra: Sept. 28, 2020
Z for Zipper will be up next, but it is a LONG tutorial and WILL require sewing. It is NOT a crochet project, but it does have a few small crochet parts. I have finished it and have all the photos done and uploaded so give me a few days to get the post written up.
I want to say thank you for all who stop by to support my patterns and my blog. I have chosen to NOT do ads on my blog (with the exception of my affiliate links) and offer FREE patterns, but please – if you love my patterns and want to say a little thank you- or just have some good small business karma support points- a purchase now and then or a visit to any of my affiliate links really helps. It keeps this blog going so I can continue to offer free patterns for all to enjoy. I also purchase a pattern now and then or visit an affiliate link from my favorite blogs and designers. Thank you
This pattern is intended for personal use only. This pattern -and all my patterns- are offered for free or a small fee to help support my family so please do not redistribute, sell, copy or use them in any way not in accordance with fairness.
You may sell products made from this pattern, but please give me credit as the designer. Please do not use my photos as your own work, but you may use my photos to reference back to my blog, Etsy, Pinterest, IG or FB, but please link back to me.
If you find any problems with this pattern please let me know and if you have any problems with any of it feel free to message me and ask for support.
Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to me, Kristi Bergin-Smith and The Burgundy Basket with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Zebra:
Want just the Zebra PDF? You can find it HERE IN MY ETSY SHOP.
Materials
-Yarns: Caron One Pound in black and white and a scrap of pink or a nostril color. This is a great scrap yarn project. This little stuffie requires very little yarn so use what you have and make it fun.
-Hook: I used a G/4mm and H/5mm hooks for this pattern. I will include which one on each section.
-Safety Eyes (or yarn to embroider if you choose) and needle to embroider face. The eyes in my example are made by SunCatcher Craft Eyes and are 18mm.
This pattern starts with nose/head and then the rest of the body is worked. I will make notes along the way to assist with this. I will also make notes where/when I change colors. Start with your Size G/4mm hook.
I start my work with a chain 2 and then single crochet in second chain from hook, but you can also start with a magic ring if you prefer that start.
Head: For this first part of the pattern, I will write out this “long start” on how I do my first few rounds in amigurumi, but after this head portion, I will simple use the numbers, but this is how I start each and every round when I do amigurumi.
Starting with black, chain 2. Single crochet 6 in the second chain from the hook and work over your starting tail. Starting in the first sc make 2 sc in that stitch and in each stitch around. (12) *Still work over the starting tail. After getting done with all 12 sc for that round, pull the starting tail to cinch up the opening. You can now trim that tail or weave it in or just leave it if it will be on the inside of your work.
You want to move your stitch marker -if using one- to the last stitch of each round so you know when you get to the end.
Round 3: (1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)
Round 4: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (24)
Round 5: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (30)
Round 6: (1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (36)
Rounds 7-12: sc in each stitch around (36)
*after round 12: *do your embroidery for the mouth/nose how you would like before getting too far ahead so that you can tie off ends inside. My mouth is between rounds 4-5.
Also make your nostrils and sew them on. Mine are a simple circle of sc 6 in a ring and then for the next round make 2sc in each stitch around for 12sc. Then slip stitch around in each stitch and ended with a long tail for sewing. The nostrils are between rounds 5-9.
Some people prefer to do the face parts after stuffing and completing the entire piece – if you prefer that method that is quite fine. Everyone is different.
Round 13: (1 sc in next 4 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (30)
Round 14: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (24)
Round 15: sc in each stitch around (24) *change color when completing the last stitch to white. DO NOT CUT your black yarn, just carry it up the inside. You will be changing colors every two rows. Do not cut your white yarn either.
In White, Round 16: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (30)
Round 17: (1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (36) – pick up the black on the last part of the last stitch to change color.
In Black, Round 18: sc in each stitch around (36)
Round 19: (1 sc in next 5 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (42) – pick up the white on the last part of the last stitch to change color.
In White, Rounds 20-21: sc in each stitch around (42) – pick up black
In Black, Rounds 22-23: sc in each stitch around (42) – pick up white
In White, Round 24: (1 sc in next 5 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (36) –Stuff and continue to stuff as you go.
Round 25: (1 sc in next 4 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (30) change to black. YOU CAN NOW CUT YOUR WHITE YARN AND TIE OFF. The rest of the head is in black. ** I placed eyes between rounds 19-20 at this time with about 7-9 stitches/holes between them.
In Black, Round 26: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (24)
Round 27: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (18)
Round 28: (1 sc in next stitch, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (12)
Round 29: sc in each stitch around. *Make sure there is enough stuffing in the back of the head and then sew shut and weave in your end.
Ears (make 2 in black) – USE YOUR H/5mm hook
Chain 2. Make 5sc in the 2nd chain from the hook. *continuous rounds with no join*
Round 2: inc, 4 sc (6)
Round 3: inc, 5sc (7)
Round 4: inc, 6sc (8)
Round 5: inc, 7sc (9)
Round 6: inc, 8sc (10)
Round 7: inc, 9 sc (11)
Round 8: inc, 10 sc (12)
Round 9: inc, 11 sc (13)
Round 7: inc, 12 sc (14)
– finish off with a long tail for sewing
Sew the bottom of the ear closed and pull your stitches to gather it up a little and then cinch and sew to the top of the head. I have sewed the ears from my example between rounds 23-24. This makes it black to black for the sewing to blend in.
Body: I just carried my yarn up the inside of the body instead of cutting it each time. For planning purposes, you might want to have the upper leg color match the section of color on bottom where you sew the legs and the upper “arms” match the part of the body where the arms get sewed. This just helps hide your sewing stitches and gives you a cleaner look.
With your G/4mm: Start in black on the bottom for the first 4 rows, but then change color every 2 rows just like on the head.
Round 1: 6 sc in starting chain/circle
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (12) – change to white.
Round 3: (1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)
Round 4: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (24) – change to white
Round 5: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (30)
Round 6: (1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (36) – change to black
Round 7: (1 sc in next 5 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (42)
Round 8: (1 sc in next 6 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (48) – change to white
Rounds 9-18: sc in each stitch around (48) – so, rounds 9-10 are in white, 11-12 black, 13-14 white, 15-16 black, 17-18 white and change to black on the last stitch of round 18.
Round 19: (1 sc in next 6 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (42)
Round 20: sc in each stitch around (42) – change to white
Round 21: (1 sc in next 5 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (36)
Round 22: sc in each stitch around (36) – change to black
Round 23: (1 sc in next 4 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (30)
Round 24: sc in each stitch around (30) – change to white
Round 25: (1 sc in next 3 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (24)
Round 26: sc in each stitch around (24) – change to black and you can CUT YOUR WHITE yarn and tie off.
Round 27: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (18)
Rounds 28-29: sc in each stitch around (18) *finish off but leave a long tail to sew on the head.
Feet/Legs (make 4): *I have used my H/5mm hook for these to make it easier, but I was only lightly stuffing them. If you go up to this hook size for ease just be aware of overstuffing. I also crochet tight so going up to an H hook may not be an option for you. You never want to have gaps or holes in your work.
I started in the black color and changed to the white. If you are going to gather up the foot like in my example in the same color as the foot, leave a long tail at the start of your work to do this and pull it back to the outside of your work after around round 3 or so.
Round 1: 6 sc in starting chain/circle
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (12)
Round 3: (1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (18)
Round 4: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch) repeat around (24)
Rounds 5-6: sc in each stitch around (24)
Round 7: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (18)
Round 8: (1 sc in next stitch, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (12)
Round 9: (1 sc in next 2 stitches, inv dec over the next two stitches) repeat around (9) *change color to white on the last part of the last stitch. And now continue to change color every 2 rows like you’ve done above.
Rounds 10-29: sc in each stitch around. *You can add more rows or take some out if you prefer (9)
Sew the bottom legs around round 4. I sewed mine on round 4 to be black on black for the sewing, but you can alter their position if you choose.
Gather your foot “together” and cinch it up by just weaving a piece of yarn through the upper foot and down to the bottom and pulling tight and tying. Make several passes if you want a thicker “line.” Weave the ends inside the foot.
The tail is simply 3 strands pulled through the back of the body and knotted.
The mane is short tied strands of yarn on the upper head between the ears and down the back of the head. Trim as desired.
Will you be joining in the fun? I’d love for you to make all of this with me, but if not pick a few and make it with me.
I’d love to see all your work or catch up with your progress so connect with me over on IG @theburgundybasket
#youandmeabccrochet
XOXO,
Kristi
Our heelers, Ruger and Rebel get this box subscription every month and we LOVE IT!!! I highly recommend.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you are all enjoying this crazy, fun thing!! Catch up with me over @theburgundybasket on IG. I’d love to see you and your makes there.
Pin this post and come back for all of the A-Z toys! You can find a link to the original post below to start from the beginning!!
I realized after I started this project that I would never be able to update every new post with every new link – once I got down to the end of the alphabet, I would have to update about 20 post with all the links to all the new patters – So, I will be keeping THIS ORIGINAL POST updated with all the new links for all of the new toys. <3
In addition to the alphabet patterns, below you will find a list of toys that will be linked right here starting now. *these are not set in stone and I may decide to switch them as I work if I am inspired in a different direction. So, pin or save this post and come back and follow along with me or subscribe to my blog and get email updates when I make a new post.
Ball – for the ball toys in this project, I refer you to this post to make one – or many – crochet balls using your scrap yarns. The more textures the better. You can also add rattle boxes, squeakers, stress balls as filler and more. UPDATE: B is for Balls
Bunny – I have made a few bunnies in the past and I will be making another version of my Clover the Baby Bunny Pattern
UPDATE: Latte Bunny and B is for Bunny
Dinosaur – here on my blog you will find an entire Dinosaur Family. For this ABC event, I will be making a different version of Scrappy. He’s the perfect size and uses up some assorted scrap yarns. If you want a different option, Baby Pea is also a nice small size and also Pinky the Dezzy Inspired DRAGON is a good choice for D is for Dragon. UPDATE: D is for Dinosaur
Eye – I will be using the eyeball pattern from my Halloween Bag of Balls for this project. This one would be super cute with some crinkle paper inside. *Also, when you visit this post there is a Zombie ball that would make a cute Z word. UPDATE: E is for Eye
Goat – here on my blog you will find Ginger the Goat in my Farm Series. She is a bit large for this project so she will get a few modifications to be a bit smaller. Feel free to make her if you want a larger goat. *Baby KG will be available soon on my blog, but for now she is only in my Etsy and Ravelry.
Lamb– another make from my Farm Series is Lonny the Lamb. Lonny is a nice, small size so I will be using this pattern here for the Lamb, but will switch up the colors I’m sure. Maybe bright? Maybe a girl?
Octopus – in my opinion this octopus squeeze ball is the perfect baby toy when made from cotton so this is the pattern that I will be using right here. I like to use 100% cotton and the stress/squeeze balls on the inside of the head and it makes these the perfect baby toy with teether capabilities. And they are so quick to make you can make a handful.
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