Gingerbread Man

Gingerbread Man

Materials:

Yarn of your choice. Acrylic, wool, velour or cotton will do.  I used acrylic yarn, 400 m/100 g. The size of my Gingerbread Man is 12 cm. Depending on the thickness of yarn a finished toy size may differ.

Required yarn colours: light brown, brown, white, green, pink, red.

- A crochet hook, I used 1,25 mm crochet hook

- Hollow fibre for stuffing

- A sewing needle, matching sewing threads

- Transparent glue (at your wish)

- For embroidery: a few threads of black and white

- For eyes: 1 pair of ready-made eyes or 2 half-beads, I used 6mm diam half-beads

- A piece of thick cardboard

Abbreviations:

ch – chain

st - stitch

sl st – slip stitch

sc – single crochet

hdc – half double crochet

dc –double crochet

inc – increase (2 sc in 1 st)

dec – decrease (single crochet two stitches together)

(...)* N times – repeat instructions in brackets N times

Crochet with light brown colour yarn

You may insert a wire frame inside (optional). Due to the fact that there is a wire frame inside the toy, the gingerbread man can take other poses.

All parts are crocheted in both loops in continuous spirals in clockwise direction without joining the rounds unless stated differently. 
PM – place marker. You should align your PM only where it says so.
For additional markers you may also use plastic markers or dress making pins or short pieces of thread.
 

Arms (make 2)

Work 4 ch

Rnd 1. starting from 2nd ch from hook: 2 sc, 3 sc in the last stitch, continue along the other side of chain: 1 sc, 1 inc = 8

Rnd 2. (1 inc, 1 sc)х 4 times = 12

Rnd 3. 12 sc

Rnd 4. 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc, Move place marker – a new round will start from here = 12

Rnd 5. 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 inc, 5 sc = 12

Rnd 6. 2 sc, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc = 10

Rnd 7. 1 dec, 3 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc = 10

Rnd 8. 1 dec, 3 sc, 1 inc, 4 sc = 10

Rnd 9. 9 sc, 1 sl st = 10

Mark the 7th loop on each arm.

Fasten off, cut off any excess yarn. Add such an amount of hollow fibre that the arms remains flat.

Cheek (make 2)

Work 6 ch

Rnd 1. starting from 2nd ch from hook: 4 sc, 3 sc in the last stitch, continue along the other side of chain: 4 sc = 11

Fasten off, cut off any excess yarn.

Visually mark 3 points on the edge of each part (1, 2 and 3 – See the photo for guidance).

Legs (make 2)

Work 4 ch

Rnd 1. starting from 2nd ch from hook: 1 inc, 1 sc, 4 sc in the last stitch, continue along the other side of chain: 1 sc, 1 inc = 10

Rnd 2. (1 inc, 3 sc, 1 inc)х 2 times = 14

Cut 2 oval form a thick cardboard according to the size of the resulting part.

Rnd 3. 14 sc

Rnd 4. 1 dec, 5 sc, 1 inc, 6 sc = 14

Rnd 5. 1 dec, 5 sc, 1 inc, 6 sc = 14

Insert the cardboard ovals inside. Stuff as you go. Add such an amount of hollow fibre that the Gingerbread Man remains flat.

Rnd 6. 14 sc

Rnd 7. 1 dec, 5 sc, 1 inc, 6 sc = 14

Rnd 8. 14 sc

Fasten and cut off thread of 1st leg (mark the 8th loop from the marker). Do not cut thread of 2nd leg.

Next, we crochet the body.

OBS: the legs are connected with 2 ch. Every ch has 2 half loops (front and back). In Rnd 9 you will need to work in front loops and in Rnd 10 in back loops. There must not be any hole between the legs. See photos for guidance.

Rnd 9. 8 sc, 2 ch, work into the loops of the 2nd leg, start from the loop with a marker on: 14 sc, continue along the chain: 2 sc, continue along the loops of the 1st leg: 6 sc = 32

Rnd 10. 1 dec, 6 sc, along the other side of the chain: 2 sc, continue: 6 sc, 1 dec, 14 sc = 30

Rnd 11. 30 sc

Rnd 12. (1 dec, 13 sc) х 2 times = 28

Rnd 13. 28 sc

Rnd 14. (1 dec, 12 sc) х 2 times = 26

Rnd 15. 26 sc

Rnd 16. (1 dec, 11 sc) х 2 times = 24

Rnd 17. 23 sc, Move place marker – a new round will start from here = 24

Rnd 18. (1 dec, 10 sc) х 2 times = 22

Rnd 19. 21 sc, Move place marker – a new round will start from here = 22

Join arms to the body in the next round, keep an eye on the symmetry of the toy!

Rnd 20. attach the 1st arm, work the loops of the arm and body together, start from the loop with a marker on: 3 sc, work into the loops of the body: 8 sc, attach the 2nd arm, work the loops of the arm and body together, start from the loop with a marker on: 3 sc, work into the loops of the body: 8 sc = 22

Rnd 21. 7 sc along the arm, continue work into the loops of the body: 8 sc, 7 sc along the arm, continue work into the loops of the body: 4 sc. Move place marker – a new round will start from here = 30

Rnd 22. 5 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc, 1 dec, 10 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc, 1 dec, 5 sc = 26

Rnd 23. 4 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc, 1 dec, 4 sc = 22

Rnd 24. 3 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc, 1 dec, 6 sc, 1 dec, 1 sc, 1 dec, 3 sc = 18

Rnd 25. 18 sc

Rnd 26. 3 sc, attach the 1st cheek as shown in my photo, work the loops of the cheek and neck together: 3 sc, work into the loops of the neck: 6 sc, attach the 2nd cheek as shown in my photo, work the loops of the cheek and neck together: 3 sc, work into the loops of the neck: 3 sc = 18

Rnd 27. 3 sc, work into the loops of the cheek (crocheting direction is marked with an arrow on the photo): 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, continue along the main stitches: 6 sc, work into the loops of the cheek (crocheting direction is marked with an arrow): 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, continue along the main stitches: 3 sc = 40

Rnd 28. 9 sc, 2 inc, 18 sc, 2 inc, 9 sc = 44

Rnd 29-31. (3 rounds) 44 sc

Work 1 sc, transfer your place marker here.

Rnd 32. 8 sc, 11 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 16 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 8 sc = 40

Rnd 33. 40 sc

Rnd 34. 8 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 16 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 8 sc = 44

Rnd 35. 44 sc

Rnd 36. 9 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 18 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 9 sc = 48

Rnd 37-40. (4 rounds) 48 sc

Rnd 41. 9 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 18 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 9 sc = 44

Rnd 42-43. (2 rounds) 44 sc

Rnd 44. 8 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 16 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 8 sc = 40

Rnd 45. 7 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 14 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 7 sc = 36

Rnd 46. 6 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 12 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 6 sc = 32

Rnd 47. 5 sc,1  1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 10 sc, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, 5 sc = 28

Rnd 48. 3 sc, 1 dec, skip 1 loop, 1 sc, skip 1 loop, 1 dec, skip 1 loop, 6 sc, skip 1 loop, 1 dec, skip 1 loop, 1 sc, skip 1 loop, 1 dec, 3 sc = 18

Rnd 49. 1 sc, 1 dec, skip 1 loop, 1 sc, skip 1 loop, 1 dec, 2 sc, 1 dec, skip 1 loop, 1 sc, skip 1 loop, 1 dec, 1 sl st = 10

Fasten off, cut off any excess yarn. Do not close off the loops of the last round just yet, you will do it later. You will do embroidery and decorate the face first and then hide yarn ends inside!

Blush (make 2)

Work with pink colour yarn.

Rnd 1. 6 sc in a Magic Ring

Fasten off, cut the thread, leaving long tail for sewing.

Button (make 2)

Work with green colour yarn.

Rnd 1. 6 sc in a Magic Ring

Fasten off, cut the thread, leaving long tail for sewing.

Choose appropriate eyes. Choose the desired place for them, glue them.

Embroider the whites of the eyes with white colour yarn. Insert the needle in the opening on the head to hide the ends. Do not forget to pull the loops on the head top once you have finished to embroider. Embroider eyelids and eyebrows with black colour thread.

Embroider a smile. Sew the blush on.

Embroider strips of glaze on the arms and legs.

Sew green buttons on the tummy.

Icing

Work with white colour yarn. You may choose smooth or fluffy yarn.

Work 12 ch

Rnd 1. starting from 2nd ch from hook: 1 inc, 9 sc, 4 sc in the last stitch, continue along the other side of chain: 9 sc, 1 inc = 26

Rnd 2. 2 inc, 9 sc, 4 inc, 9 sc, 2 inc = 34

Rnd 3. (1 sc, 1 inc)х 2 times, 9 sc, (1 inc, 1 sc)х 2 times, (1 sc, 1 inc)х 2 times, 9 sc, (1 inc, 1 sc)х 2 times = 42

Rnd 4. (work 5 ch, starting from 3rd ch from hook: 1 hdc, 2 sc, continue along the main stitches: 3 sc, work 7 ch, starting from 3rd ch from hook: 2 hdc, 3 sc, continue along the main stitches: 3 sc)х 7 times

Fasten off, cut off any excess yarn.

Attach and sew the icing on the head. You may decorate with beads. You may decorate with a cherry.

Cherry

Work with red colour yarn.

Rnd 1. 6 sc in a Magic Ring

Rnd 2. 6 inc = 12

Rnd 3. (1 sc, 1 inc)х 6 times = 18

Rnd 4-6. (3 rounds) 18 sc

Rnd 7. (1 sc, 1 dec)х 6 times = 12

Add some hollow fibre.

Rnd 8. 6 dec = 6

Pull off the loops. Cut the thread, hide the end.

Stem and leaf

Work with green colour yarn.

Work 10 ch

Rnd 1. starting from 2nd ch from hook: 2 sl st, leaf: work 7 ch, starting from 2nd ch from hook: 1 sl st, 1 sc, 2 dc, 1 sc, 1 sl st, along the loops at the beginning of a chain 7 sl st

Fasten off, cut the thread, leaving long tail for sewing.

Sew on the leaf and the stem. Fix the cherry on the glaze.

A variant of the design of a gingerbread man with a hat.

Hat

Crochet with brown colour yarn.

Work 12 ch

Rnd 1. starting from 2nd ch from hook: 1 inc, 9 sc, 4 sc in the last stitch, continue along the other side of chain: 9 sc, 1 inc = 26

Rnd 2. 2 inc, 9 sc, 4 inc, 9 sc, 2 inc = 34

Rnd 3. (1 sc, 1 inc)х 2 times, 9 sc, (1 inc, 1 sc)х 2 times, (1 sc, 1 inc)х 2 times, 9 sc, (1 inc, 1 sc)х 2 times = 42

Rnd 4. 21 sc, 1 inc, 20 sc = 43

Rnd 5. 1 inc, 39 sc, 1 inc, 2 sc = 45

Rnd 6. 1 inc, 2 sc, 1 inc, 15 sc, (1 inc, 2 sc)х 2 times, 1 inc, 19 sc = 50

Rnd 7-8. 50 sc

Rnd 9. (1 inc, 24 sc)х 2 times = 52

Rnd 10. 52 sc

Rnd 11. 50 sc, 2 sl st = 52

Fasten off, cut off any excess yarn, hide the end.

Sew icing and a cherry on the cap. The gingerbread man is complete!