Baxter the Hanging Bat – Free Crochet Pattern

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Baxter the Hanging Bat is such a fun piece to make for Halloween, or any time of year. I’ve made several of these bats to give as gifts to babies who are too little for most candy at Halloween, and they are always a hit! My daughter still has a purple one that I made her as a baby!

I originally designed this pattern in WeCrochet Brava Worsted yarn, but recently updated it to Parfait Chunky. The change in yarn makes this project bigger, and softer! Parfait Chunky is quickly becoming my favorite yarn for amigurumi!

Don’t forget to save this pattern in your favorites and add it to your project queue to save it for later! View this pattern on Ravelry here.

I would classify this pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

Check out this sweet video that I made, which shows Baxter coming together from skein to finish!

I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share a photo of your finished work in your Ravelry projects and my Facebook group!

Baxter the Hanging Bat

ABBREVIATIONS

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

SPECIAL STITCHES

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

NOTES

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• Head/body and ears are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Head and body require stuffing. Stuff the body as you work it to ensure each piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the ears.
• Wings: chain 1 at the beginning of each row does NOT count as a stitch (unless otherwise specified).

PATTERN

Head

Using color A (shown as orchid):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (27 sts)

R6-8: 1 SC in each st around. (27 sts)

R9: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

If using safety eyes, insert them now between rounds 7 and 8, with 5 sts showing between them.

R11: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R12: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Do not fasten off.

Body

R13: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R14: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R15-18: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R20: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, weave in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

Using color A (shown as orchid):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

R3: 2 SC in each of the next 2 sts. 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. (8 sts)

R4: 1 SC in next st, 2 SC in each of the next 2 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. (10 sts)

R5: 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, 2 SC in each of the next 2 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. (12 sts)

R6: 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, 2 SC in each of the next 2 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. (14 sts)

R7-8: 1 SC in each st around. (14 sts)

R9: *1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R10: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

R11: Fold the ear closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across. (3 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Wings

Using color A (shown as orchid):

R1: 26 FSC. (26 sts)

R2: Ch 1, turn, 1 SC in each st across. (26 sts)

R3: Turn, sl st into the next 3 sts, ch 1, 1 SC in same st and each of the next 21 sts. (22 sts)

R4: Ch 1, turn, 1 SC in each st across. (22 sts)

R5: Turn, sl st into the next 3 sts, ch 1, 1 SC in same st and each of the next 17 sts. (18 sts)

R6: Ch 1, turn, 1 SC in each st across. (18 sts)

Cut yarn, fasten off. Weave in ends.

Feet (make 2)

Using color A (shown as orchid):

R1: Ch 10. Sl st into second ch from hook and each of the next 2 sts. Ch 4. Sl st into second ch from hook and each of the next 2 sts. Ch 4. Sl st into second ch from hook and each of the next 2 sts. Continuing along the beginning ch of leg, sl st into remaining unworked ch sts.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY & FINISHING

See tutorial photos.

Using color B (shown as dusty mauve), embroider nose between R8 and R9, centered between the eyes. With the rounded sides of ears facing outward, embroider lines on ears, as pictured. See tutorial photos.

Attach an ear to each side of the top of the head, between R2 and R5.

Attach legs to bottom of body.

Fold wings in half to identify middle. Sew the middle of wings down the back of the body.

*Note: Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.

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Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!

Nicole

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