This little ducky lovey is a cute and easy crochet baby blanket that doubles as a plushie! I love making these as gifts for new moms, especially when I make it a set with a full plushie. For this week’s post, I’m working with Fairfield Poly-fil and CAL Central Crochet as part of the 2022 Softie Crochet Along. This event runs all the way through June with a new plushie pattern released every week and a big giveaway at the end! I’ll tell you more about that in a minute, but first, let’s get into the lovey pattern!
This is the duckling lovey that goes along with a pattern I shared recently for Duncan the Duckling and I love the two of them together! As with most of my lovey patterns, this crochet blanket pattern is work all in one piece for the head and the blanket, and then I add the features on at the end.
Not only does this minimize the amount of seaming you have to do and ends that need to be woven in, but it also makes the head more secure. Especially since that’s where little ones are most likely to hold on to it!
The full free pattern is written out below. For those who’d prefer to print the pattern and take it with you for on-the-go and to markup as you go, you can buy the inexpensive printable PDF from my Etsy and Ravelry shops. The PDF is formatted without ads or comments, so it’s easy to read.
Related: Duncan the Duckling
Materials:
- 3.25mm crochet hook / D hook*
- #4 medium weight yarn – I used Yarn Bee Soft Secret in Butter and Pumpkin Spice
- stitch markers*
- tapestry needle*
- Fairfield Polyfill stuffing*
*denotes affiliate link
Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- HDC – half double crochet
- sl – slip stitch
Pattern Notes:
- Skill level: Beginner – some amigurumi experience is helpful but not necessary
- Sizing: 12″ square
- Gauge: 1 inch = 2 blocks in blanket
Duck Lovey Crochet Pattern: Free Crochet Blanket Pattern
Beak:
Round 1: With orange yarn, chain 6, turn and work 2 SC into the same space. SC to the end and work 3 SC into the last space. Turn so you are working into the other side of the chain now, and SC to the end.
Round 2-5: SC around for 4 rounds and BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Head:
Round 1: Create a magic loop with yellow yarn and work 6 SC into it. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space. You’ll be working in continuous rounds for the entire pattern.
Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).
Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).
Round 7: *SC 5, inc* around (42).
Rounds 8-16: SC around for 9 rounds.
Round 17: *SC 5, dec* around (36).
Round 18: *SC 4, dec* around (30).
Round 19: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Fill with stuffing. You want to add enough stuffing to make the head pretty firm so start adding some now and then add a bit more just before you start that blanket portion. However, try not to overfill! You’ll see that it’s being overfilled when the stitches get pushed apart and you can see the fiberfill through the spaces in between.
Round 20: *SC 2, dec* around (18).
Round 21: *SC, dec* around (12).
Round 22: Decrease around (6). Do not cut the yarn!
Crochet Baby Blanket
Now to make the blanket of this crochet baby blanket. Work the blanket from the bottom of the head to keep it all in one piece. This is going to be a basic granny square pattern that’s anchored at the base of the head.
Switch to larger hook and ch 2.
Round 1: DC twice by going through the opening of the bottom of the head and catching the space on the opposite side. This is to bring the sides together and close the hole. *Ch 2, DC 3 through the next space and the space across it*, twice. Ch 2, and work 3 DC into a space on the head, ch 2 and then slip stitch to the top of the ch 2 that started the round. You’ll have 3 blocks around the 6 stitches from the opening and 1 block just anchored to a stitch.
Round 2: Ch 2 and turn. DC 2 into the next ch-2 space, ch 2, DC 3. *Ch 2, DC 3 into the next ch-2 space, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (8 blocks)
These next 3 pictures are of a hippo lovey but it’s done the exact same way!
Round 3: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (12)
Round 4: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 2 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (16)
Round 5: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 3 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (20)
Round 6: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 4 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (24)
Round 7: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 5 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (28)
Round 8: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 5 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (32)
Round 9: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 6 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (36)
Round 10: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 7 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (40)
Switch to orange yarn for the border.
Round 11: Ch 2 and turn. DC 4 into the middle DC of the block, then SC into the next ch-2 space. DC 5 into the middle of the next block, and SC into the next ch-2 space. Work from * around and bind off at the end of the round. And then use an invisible bind off for a clean finish.
Hair: Thread a tapestry needle with some more yellow yarn, about 12 to 18 inches should be okay. Insert the needle through the bottom of the head to the top, loop it over your finger, and go under space on the head and around your finger again. You’ll have 2 loops at the top of the head now. Wrap the yarn around the base of the loops 2 or 3 times and bring the needle back down through the head. Make a knot to secure it and cut the loops at the tops of the head open for the hair. Tie the ends of the yarn together and tuck them into the head to hide them.
Assembly
Now let’s assemble the features for this free crochet pattern. Luckily, it’s pretty quick and easy with this crochet duckling lovey since it’s just a beak! Start by positioning the beak in the center of the head, then using the tail yarn and a tapestry needle to sew it into place using a whip stitch. Use embroidery floss in black and pink to stitch on some closed eyes to the face. Finally, weave in any loose ends and trim the excess yarn to finish.
And you’re done!
I love the way this duckling lovey turned out and I think it’s a super cute gift idea, especially when you pair it with the full version of Duncan the Duckling.
If you liked this duckling lovey pattern, check out the others!
This lovey was so fun to make, and if you’re as obsessed with these as I am, be sure to check out some of the others! I think loveys make great gifts; they’re fun toys for kids to play with but also cute and snuggly little blankets when it’s time for a nap. Plus, they’re a lot faster to make than plushies or full baby blankets, so they work well for last-minute gifts too!
Related: Elephant Lovey Free Crochet Pattern
Related: Penguin Lovey Free Crochet Pattern
Related: Hippo Lovey Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern
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