How to Crochet a Scarecrow

Crafting your own scarecrows can help you better match your home's autumn theme.

Leaps in farming technology diminished the usefulness of scarecrows to keep birds and other crop predators away, but the human-like figures are still a popular symbol for autumn and a favorite of crocheters. This amigurumi pattern worked in the round will help you create your own small scarecrow doll at a relatively low cost. You can adjust the yarn colors to match the fall-themed decorations in your home or to give as a gift.

Things You'll Need

• Yellow, green and blue worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook F
• Yarn needle
• Fiberfill
• Two buttons
• Black felt
• Craft glue
• Sewing needle and thread
• 8 mm plastic eyes

Instructions

1. Chain two with the yellow yarn and F hook to start the scarecrow's head. Work six single crochets into the first chain to begin working the head in the round. Starting in the first stitch of the last row, work an increase into all six stitches of the previous row for a total of 12 single crochets. To make an increase, put two single crochets into one stitch of the row.

2. Repeat (one single crochet, one increase) across the stitches of the previous row to complete row three for a total of 18 single crochets. For row four, repeat (two single crochets, increase) across, totaling 24 single crochets. In row five, repeat (three single crochets, increase) across for 30 single crochets, and then repeat (four single crochets, increase) across for row six to total 36 single crochets.

3. Work one single crochet into each stitch for rows seven through 10. For row 11, repeat (four single crochets, decrease) across for a total of 30 stitches. To make a decrease, insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch, insert your hook into the following stitch, yarn over, pull through the stitch, and then yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

4. Work (three single crochets, decrease) and repeat across for row 12 for a total of 24 stitches and then work (two single crochets, decrease) and repeat across for row 13 and 18 stitches total. Before you continue, place the eyes and their backings on the head and stuff with fiberfill. In row 14, repeat (one single crochet, decrease) across for 12 stitches. Continue decreasing until the gap is closed. Slip stitch into the last stitch, cut the yarn from the skein and tighten to finish off, leaving a long yarn tail.

5. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 with blue yarn to begin making the body. For rows seven through 16, work one single crochet into each stitch. Switch to green for row 17 and repeat (four single crochets, decrease) across for a total of 30 stitches. Finish decreasing the rows in the same way you did for the head, stuffing before closing it up. Finish off.

6. Chain six with the green yarn, and join the last stitch of the chain to the first stitch to make a limb. Single crochet in each of the chains for a total of six stitches. Complete 10 rows of six single crochets, then switch to yellow. Work two more rows of single crochets, then work decrease stitches until the gap is closed. Finish off. Cut 3-inch strands of yellow yarn and thread each on your yarn needle. For each strand, insert your needle into the tip of the yellow hand, and pull the yarn halfway through so both halves are sticking out to resemble hay. Repeat this step three times to create the legs and arms.

7. Chain 15 with the blue yarn, then single crochet in the chain closest to the hook to begin an overall strap. Single crochet in each chain, then chain one, turn and single crochet back across. Chain one, turn, and single crochet in each stitch again, then finish off, leaving a long yarn tail. Repeat to make a second strap.

8. Thread your yarn needle with the long yarn tail left on the head to sew it to the top center of the body, which is the green side. Use the tail ends of the limbs to sew them onto the body. From black felt, cut out 1/2 inch half-circle for a smile and a small triangle nose to glue to your scarecrow's face.

9. Use the yarn needle to sew the end of one overall strap to the back of the body, threading the long yarn tail on the needle. Sew the long-tailed end in place on the last row of blue on the back's left side. Then place the strap over the doll's shoulder so the other end is on the front side at the last row of blue. Place a button on top of the strap end and use a sewing needle and thread to secure both the strap and button to the body. Repeat with the second strap on the right side.

References

• Scarecrowland; Scarecrow History; Joyce Warren
• "Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful"; Narumi Ogawa; 2007
• Crochet Cabana; Decrease - Basic Stitches; Sandra Petit; 2004