grouber (half grouper / half tuber)
Grouber is the biggest vegimal (and is often seen eating!) so he is slightly bigger than Tunip, as well as having a different type of sprout.
Yarn
I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn. Grouber's head is Wisteria purple. His body, tail and flippers are Kelly green, and his sprout is Grass green. His muzzle is cream.
Hook Size
Grouber was made with a 3.25 mm hook.
Stitches
The pattern is written in US terms. The abbreviations
are as follows:
CH – chain;
SL ST – slip stitch;
SC - single crochet;
HDC - half double crochet
DC - double crochet
INC - 2 SC in the same stitch;
DEC - SC decrease. I use the invisible SC decrease (insert hook into front loop only of next two stitches, draw up a loop through both stitches (two loops on hook), draw a loop through both loops on hook).
FLO - work into the front loop only;
BLO - work into the back loop only.
Notes
Many of the pieces start with a magic circle. I have a quick guide to crocheting a magic circle here.
The pattern uses the invisible join, to give a neater finish . If you haven't used this before, have a look at my photo guide here.
Grouber has two 8 mm safety eyes and the head and body is stuffed with toy filling. If you are making your vegimal as a toy for child under three, for safety reasons you should embroider the eyes instead.
The head and body are made separately and sewn together. I attached the eyes, sprout and muzzle to the head before sewing. The flippers and tail were also attached to the body section before sewing the head and body together. Make sure to attach all parts firmly and securely so that it will be safe for small children.
Head
Use purple yarn, and 3.25 mm hook.
Start with a magic circle.
Row 1: 6 SC into magic circle (6)
Row 2: INC around (12)
Row 3: [SC, INC] around (18)
Row 4: [2 SC, INC] around (24)
Row 5: [3 SC, INC] around (30)
Row 6: [9 SC, INC) around (33)
Rows 7- 10: SC around (4 rows of 33)
Row 11: [9 SC , DEC] three times (30)
Row 12: SC around (30)
SL ST into next two stitches, cut yarn leaving a long tail, and finish with an invisible join.
Sprout
Use green yarn, and 3.25 mm hook.
Start with a magic circle.
Row 1: 5 SC into magic circle (5)
Rows 2 - 4: SC around (3 rows 5)
Row 5: INC around (10)
Row 6: SL ST into the FLO, [ch 6, HDC into the second chain from the hook, then 2 DC, HDC, SC], SL ST into the FLO of the next stitch. Repeat 4 more times (5 leaves)
Cut yarn leaving a bit of a tail, and finish with an invisible join.
Muzzle
Use white or cream yarn, and 3.25 mm hook.
Start with a magic circle.
SL ST, [SC, 2 HDC, SC, SL ST] twice
Pull circle to close
Cut yarn and pull through, and weave the yarn over and around the SL STs (in the middle of the muzzle at the top and bottom) to help form the muzzle shape.
Body
Use green yarn, and 3.25 mm hook.
Start with a magic circle.
Row 1: 6 SC into magic circle (6)
Row 2: INC around (12)
Row 3: SC around (12)
Row 4: [3 SC, INC] three times (15)
Row 5: SC around (15)
Row 6: [4 SC, INC] three times (18)
Row 7: SC around (18)
Row 8: [5 SC, INC] three times (21)
Row 9: SC around (21)
Row 10: [6 SC, INC] (24)
Row 11: SC around (24)
Row 12: [7 SC, INC] (27)
SL ST into next two stitches, cut yarn, and finish with an invisible join.
Fins
Use green yarn, and 3.25 mm hook. Make two.
Start with a magic circle.
Row 1: 6 SC into magic circle (6)
Row 2: [SC, INC] three times (9)
Row 3: SC around (9)
Row 4: [2 SC, INC] three times (12)
Row 5: SC around (12)
Leave a bit of a yarn tail to attach the fin to the body.
Tail
Use green yarn, and 3.25 mm hook. Make two.
Start with a magic circle.
Row 1: 6 SC into magic circle (6)
Row 2: [SC, INC] three times (9)
Row 3: [2 SC, INC] three times (12)
Row 4: SC around (12)
Row 5: [2 SC, DEC] three times (9)
Row 6 [SC, DEC] three times (6)
Leave a bit of a yarn tail to attach the tail to the body.
Assembly
Using the yarn tail, sew the sprout onto the top of the head. Attach the BLO stitches of the sprout row 6 to the head row 2.
I attached the eyes in row nine, with 7 stitches in between. The muzzle is sewn on in between the eyes, between rows nine to eleven. Use the green body yarn to sew a stitch at the top of the muzzle for the nose.
The tail pieces are attached after the first row of the body, one each side. Pinch the end flat and use the yarn tail to sew through both sides of the tail piece at the same time.
The fins are attached either side, between rows 10 (the back of the fin) and 11 (the front). They are angled so that when Grouber is fully assembled, they are higher at the front than the back. Again, pinch the end flat and use the yarn tail to sew through both sides of the fin at the same time.
Finally, use the long purple yarn tail from the head to sew the head and body together. Stuff once you've sewn just over three quarters of the way around.
I'd love to see any toys that you make with this pattern. Just tag me on Instagram @fat_cat_crochet or try the pin on Pinterest.
You are welcome to sell any toys you make from this pattern but please credit me as the designer, and link back here if selling online. Please do not copy or sell the pattern itself.
Vegimal patterns so far - more on the way!
