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A few years ago at Christmas time I did a 12 Days of Crocheted Stocking Stuffers Series where each day for 12 days I shared a small crochet project that would fit in a stocking. There was a variety of different projects included in the series, but one of the projects was a set of little Crocheted Surprise Eggs.
At the time my kids were super into the little blind bags and blind boxes that you can get, where you know it will be one of a certain group of toys but you don't know exactly which one you will get until you open it. I wanted to try to make a handmade version of that.
Each little "egg" buttoned closed so you couldn't see what was inside. Inside each one was a tiny little crocheted animal. The original set included a bunny, a bear, a cat, and a bird.
Each year since then they have been one of the most popular patterns on my site around both Christmas time and Easter, since they work great for Easter baskets too, maybe even better since they are surprise eggs.
This year I thought it would be fun to revisit that pattern and include a few more animals. This new set has 3 more animals including a frog, a pig, and an owl.
The eggs are made just like the originals, and the basic animal body is the same as well, with a few changes to the eyes/ears/noses, etc.
How to Make Crocheted Surprise Eggs
Finished Size: animals are approximately 3" tall, eggs are slightly larger to fit the animal inside
You will need:
- worsted weight yarn in a variety of colors (I used scraps from my stash including Red Heart Super Saver, and Loops & Threads Impeccable)
- G crochet hook
- optional: safety eyes- 6mm for frog and pig, 12mm colored for owl
- yarn needle
- scissors
- embroidery floss in colors needed for faces
- embroidery needle
- buttons
- fiberfill
Instructions:
Most of the pieces (egg halves, body, arms, legs) are made by starting with a magic ring and working in a spiral, you do not need to join rounds. All of the animals start with the same body, then arms and legs or wings are added, along with ears, eyes, tails, etc.
Animals
Basic Body- use for all animals
Make the body out of one color for all animals except owl, for the owl start with the head color for rows 1-5, then switch to the second color for rows 6-12.
Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc)
Round 3: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 4: 1 sc in each stitch (18 sc)
Round 5: 1 sc in each stitch (18 sc)
Round 6: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 5 stitches] repeat around (21 dc)
Round 7: 1 sc in each stitch (21 sc)
If using safety eyes (for owl or pig) add them 4 or 5 rows down, a couple of stitches apart
Round 8: 1 sc in each stitch (21 sc)
Round 8: 1 sc in each stitch (21 sc)
Round 9: 1 sc in each stitch (21 sc)
Round 10: [sc2tog, 1sc in next 5] repeat around (18 sc)
Stuff with fiberfill, continue adding stuffing as needed as you work
Round 11: [sc2tog, 1sc in next] repeat around (12 sc)
Round 12: sc2tog around (6 sc)
Finish off, thread yarn on needle and weave through last row, pull to cinch and stitch to secure, weave in end
Arms (make 2) - for Frog and Pig
Round 2: sc in each st (6 sc)
Round 3: sc in each st (6 sc)
sl st to next stitch, finish off and cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing
Stitch arms to side of body about halfway down
Legs (make 2)- for Frog and Pig
Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: sc in each st (6 sc)
sl st to next stitch, finish off and cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing
Stitch legs to bottom of body
Eye Bumps (Frog)
Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Round 2: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st] repeat around (9 sc)
sl st to next stitch, finish off and cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing
Add safety eyes to the bumps, or embroider eyes on, stitch the bumps to the top of the head.
Pointy Ears (Pig)
finish off, cut yarn leaving long tail, stitch in place on top of head
Snout (Pig)
Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
finish off, cut yarn leaving long tail, stitch in place on front of face
Curly Tail (Pig)
ch 3, 2 sc in each ch (6 sc)
Stitch to the back of the body
Wings (Owl)
in mr, ch 2, 6 dc (6 dc)
pull center yarn to tighten and make a semicircle shape, stitch in place on side of body
Finishing
Embroider faces onto the animals: eyes if you did not use safety eyes, lines on the pig snout, owl beak
Add ear tufts to the owl head, one on each side, by cutting a pieces of yarn 6-8" long, fold in half, then attach the double yarn using a larkshead knot, trim to the length that you want, fluff as desired
Round 1: in mr, ch 1, 6 sc (6 sc)
Eggs-
Top Half:
Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc)
Round 3: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 4: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2] repeat around (24 sc)
Round 5: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3] repeat around (30 sc)
Round 6-9: 1 sc in each stitch (30 sc)
sl sl to next stitch, ch 10, sl st to same stitch, finish off weave in ends
Bottom Half:
Round 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc)
Round 3: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next] repeat around (18 sc)
Round 4: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2] repeat around (24 sc)
Round 5: [2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3] repeat around (30 sc)
Round 6-10: 1 sc in each stitch (30 sc)
Sl st to next stitch, finish off, cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing
Find the center back of the top half directly opposite the ch loop (you can just fold the top in half to find it), count 5 stitches to the side of this stitch, using the yarn left on the bottom half stitch together the 2 halves across 10 stitches (5 on either side of the center back), weave in ends
Sew a button to the bottom half (measure the location by folding down the top and seeing where the loop hits)
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