Stacey loves eating pickles, and is a Christmas Pickle Collector – so it’s no surprise that she designed a pattern for a crocheted Christmas Pickle! We’ve updated it here with some new tutorial links.
The skills you’ll need for just about any amigurumi are. . .
- How to Read a Crochet Pattern
- Starting with a Sloppy Slip Knot
- How to Chain
- How to Single Crochet
- Single Crochet Increase
- Single Crochet Decrease
- How to Use a Stitch Marker
- How to Fasten Off Amigurumi Pieces
This project uses a couple of extra skills, but don’t worry. They’re easy, and we have video tutorials showing how!
You can go through all those posts now, or just hop to them as you get to those points in the pattern – whatever works best for you!
Yarn
This pattern can be used with any weight yarn. If you use worsted weight yarn, your pickle will be about 5 1/2 inches long.
Materials
- Size H crochet hook (or size needed to get a tight fabric)
- tapestry needle
- yarn (less than a skein)
- ribbon for hanging
Gauge Notes
This pattern doesn’t specify a gauge. It’s a stuffed pickle, and you don’t need to be too picky about exact sizing. The most important thing is that you use a hook size that creates a nice looking fabric for your yarn. If you use the recommended hook size, and your fabric looks very loose (so that stuffing would show through), then you will want to use a smaller hook. Other than that, no measuring required!
Stitch into the Back
All stitches in this pattern (that are worked in the round) are worked through the back loop only, unless otherwise directed. Look at this picture.
See how one loop is highlighted in black? This is the back loop, and it’s what you’ll stitch into. Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece.
Want to see crocheting through the back loop in action? Check out this blog post. It talks all about why Stacey crochets through the back loop and even has a handy dandy video showing how to find that loop.
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- bbl: bobble stitch
- sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together
- st(s): stitch(es)
Ready? Let’s jump in!
Ch 2 (I like to start with a sloppy slip knot. This video shows how. And this video shows how to chain.)
Round 1 sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6) This post will help you find that second chain from the hook.
Round 2 sc twice in next st (12) This video will help you if you find it tricky to start the second round.
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st.] 6 times (18)
Round 4 sc in each st. (18)
Round 5 [bbl in next st, sc in next 5 sts.] 2 times (18)
Round 6 sc in each st. (18)
Round 7 [sc in next 4 sts, bbl in next st, sc in next st] 2 times (18)
Rounds 8-11 Repeat rounds 4-7.
Round 12 sl st in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts. (18)
This video shows how to slip stitch – it’s what gives your pickle that classic bend in the middle. And this video shows how to half double crochet. These slightly taller stitches are what give your pickle room on the back to make that bend.
Round 13 sl st in next 6 sts, [bbl in next st, sc in next 5 sts] 2 times (18)
This video shows how to bobble stitch.
Round 14 sl st in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts. (18)
Round 15 sl st in next 6 sts, [sc in next 4 sts, bbl in next st] 2 times (18)
Rounds 16-23 Repeat rounds 4-7, twice.
Lightly stuff your pickle.
Round 24 [sc2tog, sc in next st.] 6 times (12)
Round 25 [sc2tog] 6 times (6)
Add a bit more stuffing if needed and close up the top using your favorite method. I like the drawstring method – there’s a video here showing how. And here’s a video showing how to fasten off.
Bury the tail. Tie a ribbon to the top for hanging.
Congratulations! You have an adorable Christmas Pickle ornament!
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
Can’t wait to make this. Love your instruction style(“It’s a stuffed pickle!”) Thanks for the early morning giggle.
I’m new to crochet and excited to try this pickle ornament pattern! Could you clarify the instruction for working through back loop only. You indicate that it is for ALL stitches that are worked in the round, and the whole project is worked in rounds, so does this instruction apply to the slip stitches, bobble stitches, and sc2tog? This is a new skill for me as I have only ever crocheted back loop only for single and double crochet. Thank you for your time and your pattern!
Yes – you crochet through the back loop only for all the stitches.
Could you possibly show me how to do the ribbon hanger?? Do I just get yarn needle and attach ribbon at top and make a knot? And then glue the ribbon bow on?
Yep! The hanging loop and the bow are separate pieces.
The bobble rows say to repeat 2 times (18), but I can’t figure out how repeating the bobble pattern twice equals 18 stitches? I’m sure I’m doing something wrong, can you help?
The bobble only counts as one stitch. So you do what’s in the brackets (that’s a total of 6 stitches) and then you repeat that two more times for a total of 18 stitches.
I love the way you set down your patterns. I am a retired registered nurse and I have followed procedures my whole life. Your directions and videos could not make it any clearer. I look forward to seeing more of your patterns.