Welcome, my dear friends! It’s Patricia, and I am absolutely delighted to share this Floret the Duck pattern with you today. There’s something truly special about bringing a little friend to life with yarn and hook, and Floret, with her sweet disposition and whimsical hat, captures that magic perfectly. Every stitch in this design has been considered to ensure a joyfully smooth crafting experience, resulting in an amigurumi that feels straight out of a storybook. Your enthusiasm and support by visiting and sharing patterns like this truly keep my hooks clicking and my creative spirit soaring. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful journey!
Materials You'll Need for Floret the Duck
Crafting Floret is a joy, and having the right materials makes all the difference. I’ve carefully chosen these based on my experience to give you the best results for our charming duck.
Yarn
- Main Color (White/Cream): Approximately 50g of worsted weight (Aran/10-ply) cotton or cotton blend yarn. I adore cotton for amigurumi because it creates crisp, defined stitches that truly showcase Floret’s sweet shape.
- Accent Color (Orange): Small amount (approx. 10g) of worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn for the beak and feet. The vibrant pop of orange here is just darling!
- Hat Color (Green): Small amount (approx. 15g) of worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn for the hat. A lovely fresh green, like new spring leaves, really makes Floret’s personality shine.
- Flower Color (Yellow): Very small amount of worsted weight cotton or cotton blend yarn for the flower. This cheerful yellow brings a sunny touch.
- Blush (Light Pink): Very small amount of light pink embroidery floss OR a tiny bit of actual blush/pastel chalk for the cheeks. For Floret, I truly believe the soft, diffused look of cosmetic blush applied with a brush creates the most charming effect, but I'll provide an embroidery alternative too!
Hooks & Notions
- Crochet Hook: 3.0mm (US C/2 or D/3) crochet hook. This size is perfect for achieving a tight fabric with worsted weight yarn, ensuring no stuffing peeks through for our little duck.
- Safety Eyes: 6mm or 8mm black safety eyes. For Floret's sweet, innocent gaze, these are ideal.
- Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill. Essential for giving Floret her plump, huggable form.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and assembly. A sharp point helps with precise placement.
- Stitch Marker: Essential for working in continuous rounds, especially with white yarn where stitches can blend.
- Scissors: For cutting yarn.
- Optional: Small stiff brush (e.g., old makeup brush) for applying blush/chalk.
Skills Required & Techniques Demystified for Floret the Duck
Don't fret if some of these terms are new; I'm here to demystify them for you! Mastering these techniques will build a solid foundation for many amigurumi projects to come.
- Magic Ring (MR): This is the foundation for most amigurumi pieces, creating a tight, hole-free center. For Floret’s head and body, a well-formed magic ring ensures a beautiful, smooth start.
- Single Crochet (sc): The workhorse stitch of amigurumi, creating a dense, firm fabric ideal for stuffing. We’ll be using it constantly for Floret’s main body parts to achieve her smooth texture.
- Increase (inc): Working two single crochet stitches into the same stitch to increase your stitch count. This is how we’ll shape Floret’s rounded head, body, and feet.
- Invisible Decrease (inv dec): A technique to seamlessly reduce your stitch count without creating a noticeable bump or hole. Crucial for maintaining Floret’s perfectly smooth curves on her head, body, and hat.
- Working in Continuous Rounds: Unlike traditional crochet, amigurumi often involves crocheting in a spiral without joining rounds. This helps eliminate seams, giving Floret a flawless finish. Always use a stitch marker!
- Chain (ch): A basic crochet foundation stitch, used here for the flower.
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Used to join stitches or finish off.
- Fasten Off (FO): Securing your work so it doesn't unravel.
- Basic Embroidery: For the optional blush or the small detail on the flower.
Crochet Abbreviations Used:
- MR: Magic Ring
- ch: Chain
- sc: Single Crochet
- inc: Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- inv dec: Invisible Decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together invisibly)
- sl st: Slip Stitch
- FO: Fasten Off
- st(s): Stitch(es)
- ( ): Numbers in parentheses indicate the total stitch count for that round.
A Note on Photos & Your Unique Floret the Duck
Every handmade item carries a piece of its creator's spirit, and your Floret will be wonderfully unique! While the photos here showcase a completed Floret, slight variations in tension or stuffing can give your duck a slightly different personality – and that's the beauty of it! Embrace the individuality of your charming creation.
Onwards, creative spirit, let's bring our Floret the Duck to life! Full pattern next.
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Ready to fill your hooks with magic? The Woodland Whimsy Friends are 8 adorable forest-inspired animal dolls that are just waiting to come to life in your hands!
The Floret the Duck Amigurumi Pattern
Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each round.
Head (White/Cream Yarn)
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6. (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36)
Rnd 7-12: Sc in each st around. (36) – 6 rounds total
Rnd 13: (Sc 4, inv dec) x 6. (30)
Rnd 14: (Sc 3, inv dec) x 6. (24)
Insert safety eyes between Rnd 9 and Rnd 10, approximately 5-6 stitches apart. Stuff the head firmly as you go.
Rnd 15: (Sc 2, inv dec) x 6. (18)
Rnd 16: (Sc 1, inv dec) x 6. (12)
Rnd 17: Inv dec x 6. (6)
FO, leaving a long tail for closing. Weave the tail through the front loop of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in end.
Body (White/Cream Yarn)
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6. (18)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)
Rnd 5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30)
Rnd 6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36)
Rnd 7-15: Sc in each st around. (36) – 9 rounds total
Rnd 16: (Sc 4, inv dec) x 6. (30)
Rnd 17: (Sc 3, inv dec) x 6. (24)
Stuff the body firmly.
Rnd 18: (Sc 2, inv dec) x 6. (18)
FO, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head.
Beak (Orange Yarn)
Ch 5.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working down other side of chain: sc in next 3 st. (9)
Row 2: Sc in each st around. (9)
Sl st to first sc to join. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Gently flatten the beak to give it a slight 3D shape.
Arms (Make 2 - White/Cream Yarn)
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2-4: Sc in each st around. (6) – 3 rounds total
Sl st to next st. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten the top opening.
Feet (Make 2 - Orange Yarn)
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3-4: Sc in each st around. (12) – 2 rounds total
Rnd 5: (Inv dec) x 6. (6)
Stuff lightly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Gently flatten the finished foot.
Hat (Green Yarn)
Rnd 1: Start 6 sc in a MR. (6)
Rnd 2: (Sc 1, inc) x 3. (9)
Rnd 3: Sc in each st around. (9)
Rnd 4: (Sc 2, inc) x 3. (12)
Rnd 5: Sc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 6: (Sc 3, inc) x 3. (15)
Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. (15)
Rnd 8: (Sc 4, inc) x 3. (18)
Rnd 9: Sc in each st around. (18)
Rnd 10: (Sc 5, inc) x 3. (21)
Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. (21)
Rnd 12: (Sc 6, inc) x 3. (24)
Rnd 13: Sc in each st around. (24)
Sl st to next st. FO. Weave in ends.
Flower (Yellow Yarn)
Petal (Make 5): Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook. (1) Ch 1, turn. Sc 1. (1) FO, leaving a tail. (Alternatively, for a simpler petal: Ch 2, 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. FO. Repeat 5 times)
Join the 5 petals together at their base with a few stitches using your tapestry needle, forming a circle. Secure well. With a small piece of yellow yarn, make a few French knots or a small cluster of stitches in the center of the joined petals for the flower's center. FO and weave in ends.
Secret Lucky Clover (Green Yarn, optional)
Rnd 1: Start 4 sc in a MR. (4) Rnd 2: (Sl st 1, ch 2, dc 1, ch 2, sl st 1) in next sc. Repeat for a total of 4 petals. Sl st to first sc of Rnd 1 to close. FO, leaving a short tail for sewing. This creates a tiny, flat four-leaf clover.
Assembly Instructions for Your Floret the Duck
This is where Floret truly comes to life! Take your time and pin pieces in place before sewing for the best results.
- Attach Head to Body: Position the head onto the top opening of the body. Ensure it's centered and straight. Using the long tail from the body, whip stitch the body to the head, going through a stitch on the head and a stitch on the body. Stuff more if needed before fully closing. Weave in ends securely.
- Attach Beak: Pin the flattened orange beak to the lower front of the head, centered just below the eyes. Sew in place using the tail, going through both layers of the beak to secure it flat against the head. Weave in ends.
- Attach Arms: Pin the flattened white arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck seam, with the flat edge against the body. They should point slightly forward. Sew securely with the tails. Weave in ends.
- Attach Feet: Pin the orange feet to the bottom of the body, slightly forward of center, ensuring Floret can stand. Angle them slightly outwards for stability. Sew securely. Weave in ends.
- Add Blush: This is my favorite part for extra charm! If using actual blush or pastel chalk, gently apply a small amount to the cheeks just below the eyes with a soft brush, blending outwards for a natural flush. If embroidering, use a very light pink embroidery floss to create a small circle or a few gentle strokes for the blush on each cheek.
- Attach Flower to Hat: Securely sew the yellow flower to the side of the green hat.
- Attach Secret Clover: If you made the lucky clover, sew it subtly to the inside rim of the hat, near the back or side, so it's a little hidden surprise. This makes Floret extra special!
- Place Hat: Position the hat snugly on Floret's head. You can sew it in place with a few small stitches if you wish, or leave it unattached so it can be removed for different looks!
Tips & Tricks for Your Floret the Duck
Here are some insights from my years of crocheting to help you make your Floret truly exceptional!
- Troubleshooting Stuffing: For Floret's smooth, ducky shape, stuff firmly and evenly. If you notice bumps, gently push the fiberfill around with the blunt end of a crochet hook or a chopstick. Overstuffing can create gaps; understuffing can make your duck saggy. Find that sweet spot!
- Customization Corner:
- Yarn Choices: While I recommend cotton, you could try a chenille yarn for an extra fluffy, soft Floret – just be mindful of your hook size and visibility of stitches.
- Expression: Change the size or placement of safety eyes for a different look. Higher eyes give a more "baby" look, while slightly lower eyes can make a character look older.
- Hat Variations: Experiment with different colors for the hat, or even add a tiny pom-pom instead of the flower for a different seasonal touch.
- Gifting Your Floret: Handmade gifts carry so much love! When gifting your Floret, consider adding a small tag with a sweet message about how it was made, or even a little "birth certificate" for Floret to make it extra memorable.
Frequently Asked Pattern & Finishing Questions for Floret the Duck
You've got questions, and I've got answers, specifically tailored to our charming duck!
Q: My Floret's head seems a bit wobbly on the body. What did I do wrong? A: My dear, this is a common concern! It usually means the head wasn't stuffed quite firmly enough before sewing, or the seam wasn't tight enough. Don't worry! You can often reinforce the neck by threading your tapestry needle with a piece of yarn (matching the body/head color) and running it through the neck joint a few times, pulling gently to tighten. Make sure to weave the ends in securely to hide them.
Q: The blush on Floret’s cheeks isn't looking natural. Any tips? A: For a truly natural blush, use very little product on your brush and build up the color gradually. Dab the brush onto a tissue first to remove excess. Use circular motions, and if you’re using actual blush, you can gently dab with a clean finger to blend it further. Remember, less is often more for that delicate flush!
Q: My duck's feet keep wanting to fold under. How can I make them stand out better? A: The key here is firm but not overstuffing the feet, and ensuring they are sewn on with the flatter side flush against the body. When sewing, take extra stitches around the very edge of the foot as it meets the body to create a strong, stable attachment point. You can also press them gently flat after assembly to encourage them to splay out slightly.
A Final Word & Caring for Your Adorable Floret the Duck
Oh, my heart just swells seeing your Floret come to life – or knowing you're about to embark on this delightful journey! This little duck holds so much charm, and knowing you’ve brought her into being with your own hands is the greatest reward. Remember, your engagement, shares, and lovely comments truly make these free, detailed patterns possible, allowing me to keep sharing my passion with you.
To care for your handmade Floret, I recommend gentle spot cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. If a more thorough wash is necessary, a gentle hand wash in cool water, followed by air drying on a clean towel, will keep her looking fresh. Avoid machine washing or drying, as it can distort the shaping and yarn texture.
Happy stitching, and may your Floret bring endless smiles!
With warmest stitches,
Patricia Poltera