Today I've been trying to complete all those pesky admin jobs that I always think will take minutes - but end up taking all day. I want to eventually move everything I have (my blog and all my products) to the one website: here. I have previously launched my Larry the lobster crochet pattern on my former blog but thought to make everyone's life easier, I would add it to my shiny new website.
This lobster design was created because I am a massive Friends nerd and always loved the scene where Phoebe tells Ross about lobsters holding claws. I wanted to make a cute but realistic-ish looking small lobster. This pattern is in UK terms. For the US terms version, click here. If you need any help with the pattern or have any comments I'm happy to help and I'd love to hear from you. I'd also love to see your finished creations!
Before the pattern, here's the quick legal bit. Please do not reproduce this pattern, sell or translate this pattern in any way. You are welcome to sell finished objects from this pattern - but if you do - please credit the pattern to @hdmakes, preferably to this blog post :)
And now the annoying but necessary legal bit is out of the way...
Pattern requirements and terms
For this pattern you will need:
- Approximately 15g of a dk weight yarn - I used Stylecraft Special DK acrylic yarn in Claret
- Scissors
- 3mm crochet hook
- 2 x 6mm safety eyes
- Polyfill stuffing
- Stitch marker
- Needle for sewing in ends/ attaching legs and claws
This is an intermediate level pattern made in a continuous spiral from the tail up with the claws and legs made separately and attached afterwards. Stitch markers are essential so you do not lose your place. You will need to know how to make a magic circle, invisible decrease as well as the basic crochet stitches: chain, slip stitch, double crochet plus treble and double treble crochet to make the optional extra heart. Stitch counts are at the end of each row.
UK terms Lobster pattern
| Shorthand | Crochet stitch and details |
| dc x (number) | Double crochet - number in brackets after means one double crochet stitch in each of the number of stitches given. E.g dc x 6 = 1 double crochet in next 6 stitches |
| inc | Increase - two double crochet stitches into the same stitch to create an increase |
| invdec | Invisible decrease - double crochet two stitches together using the invisible decrease. If there is a number before it such as invdec x 2, it means you need to complete a decrease in 2 stitches then decrease next 2 stitches |
| ch | chain |
| (inc,dc) x3 | Stitch descriptions in brackets means repeat this pattern for the number of times given for example increase followed by dc three times |
| st | stitch |
Main body from the tail up
- Round 1: Make a magic ring with 6dc in ring
- Round 2: (inc,dc) x3 - 9 sts
- Round 3: (inc, dc x2) x 3 - 12sts
- Round 4: (inc, dc x5) x2 - 14sts
- Round 5: (inc, dc x6) x 2 -16sts
- Round 6: (invdec, dc x 6) x 2 - 14sts
- Round 7: (invdec, dc x 5) x 2 - 12sts
- Rounds 8-13: dc in each st - 12sts
- Round 14: dc x 11, inc - 13sts
- Round 15: dc x 2, inc, dc x 6, inc, dc x 3 - 15sts
- Round 16: dc x 3, inc, dc x 7, inc, dc x 3 - 17sts
- Round 17: dc in each st - 17sts
- Round 18: dc x 3, inc, dc x 9, inc, dc x 3 - 19sts
- Round 19: dc x 3, inc, dc x 10, inc, dc x 3, inc -22sts
- Round 20: dc x 4, inc, dc x 10, inc, dc x 5, inc - 25sts
- Round 21: dc x 2, inc, dc, inc, dc x 10, inc, dc, inc, dc x 7 - 29sts
- Round 22: dc x 24, invdec, inc, inc, invdec - (this last invdec is made from the last st of this row and into the first st of round 23)
- Round 23: (not incl second part of invdec from previous round but make sure your stitch marker is placed in that st) dc x 3, invdec, dc x 14, invdec, dc x 5, invdec - 26st - including dec from previous round
- Round 24-26: dc in each - 26sts
- Round 27: dc, invdec, dc x 4, inc, dc x 14, inc, dc x 4 - 29sts
- Round 28-29: dc in each st - 29sts
- Round 30: dc, inc, dc, invdec, dc x 3, invdec, dc x12, invdec, dc x 3, invdec - 26sts
- Round 31: dc x 2, inc, dc x 4, invdec, dc x12, invdec, dc x 3 -25sts
- Round 32: dc x 2, inc, dc x 2, invdec x 2 , dc x 12, invdec x 2 - 22sts
- Round 33: dc x 6, invdec, dc x12, invdec- 20sts
- Round 34: dc x 3, invdec, dc x 3, invdec, dc x 8, invdec - 17sts
- Round 35: dc x 6, invdec, dc x 7, invdec, - 15sts
- Round 36: invdec, dc x 3, invdec, dc x 4, invdec, dc x 2 - 12sts
After Round 32 After round 38
Here insert the 6mm safety eyes between rounds 34 and 35 approximately 4sts apart. The front of the body tends to stick out more as the increase and decreases are all on the front and side of the lobster. Also lightly stuff the lobster.
- Round 37: (invdec, dc x 2) x 3 - 9sts
- Round 38: (invdec, dc) x 3 - 6 sts
- Fasten off and seal - I usually close by inserting into the front loops only of the final 6sts inserting the needle from inside to the outside and then pull tight. Then I gently sew the yarn through the body a few times to secure. You can also crochet this by sl st in the front loops only.
Mini side tail additions
These are the additions to the tail sides to make a more lobster shaped tail. Make 2 of these.
- Round 1: Make a magic ring with 5 dc
- Round 2: inc in each st - 10sts
- Round 3: (inc, dc, inc, dc x 2) x 2 -14sts
- Round 4: dc x 4 sts and leave rest fasten off an leave a tail
Attach the mini side tails to either side of the tail as shown in the image below but neatly sewing into a stitch from each of the side tail pieces and catching a stitch on the main body.
After the tail ends have been attached
The claws:
Making the claws for the lobster are a little bit tricky and fiddly at the beginning. Makes two of these.
- Round 1: Make a magic ring with 4dc
- Round 2: inc, dc x 3 - 5sts
- Round 3: inc, dc x4 - 6sts
- Round 4: inc, dc x 5 - 7sts
- Round 5: inc, dc x 6 - 8sts
- Round 6: dc x 4, ch 2, dc x 4 - 8sts + 2 chs
- Round 7: dc in each including 1 dc in chspace - 9sts
- Round 8: (inc, dc) x 3, inc, dc x 2 - 13sts
- Round 9: invdec, dc x 3, invdec, dc x 3, invdec, dc - 10sts
- Round 10 and 11: dc in each -10sts
- Round 12: invdec, dc x 3, inc, dc x 4 - 10sts
- Round 13: invdec, dc x 3, inc, dc x 4 - 10sts
- Round 14: invdec, dc x 6, inc - 8sts
- Round 15- 22: dc in each - 8sts
Fasten off yarn and leave a long yarn tail.
This is the claw after finishing round 22. It has been lightly stuffed. When slip stitching to the dc with the ch space in round 1 of the mini claw addition, this is the area you are looking for. Make sure that you tuck the unused yarn end before sealing, I knot and sew it through.
Mini claw addition:
Slip stitch join to dc with the chain space above it from round 7 of the claw. Round 1: dc x 3, inc, ch1 and fasten off. Seal the mini claw tight using the same method above.
Sew the claws to the sides of the head with the mini claw facing inwards towards the head. I sew mine approximately one or two rounds down from the eyes. See pictures below for guidance.
Lobster before optional extras
Free pattern optional extra:
At this point you have recognisable cute lobster; however, there are a couple of extra details you can add for extra cuteness.
Legs
Make 6 legs by chaining 15, startingin the 2nd chain form the hook, dc into 14 sts and fasten off with a tail. Attach these under the body - three on each side.
And that's it, a pattern to help you make your very own Larry the Lobster. If you liked the style of this pattern please let me know. Please check out my other crochet patterns. All free pattens are in this blog. I'd love to see your finished lobster creations so please tag me :)
Wishing you all a Mondler relationship - no breaks!
Heidi :)