JiJi Inspired Easter Egg Cosy

About this pattern:

Inspired by the Studio Ghibli character, JiJi, this pattern details how to create an adorable egg cosy. Whether for an Easter egg hunt, a gift or a cute way to hide a chocolate stash, it won’t fail to bring a smile to any Ghibli fan.
The pattern is designed to accommodate a Kinder Surprise as a familiar reference for size and shape, but can be used to hide whatever you can fit! After Easter, it could easily be stuffed and stitched for a permanent toy.

Materials:

DK Yarn (Black, white, red, pink)
3.5mm crochet hook
Stitch markers and pins
Yarn needle
Felt (Optional)

Stitch Abbreviations:

Sc = Single crochet
Slip st = Slip stitch
Sc2tog = single crochet decrease
** = a repeating stitch pattern

Measurements:

The completed piece measures approx. 12 cm and is designed to fit a large egg (chocolate or otherwise).

Pattern Notes:

Stitches are written in standard US terms. The main body and head piece are written as rows worked in the round with a slip stitch to join – this is to create the level join between the two pieces so they sit neatly on top of each other. The rest of the pieces are worked in continuous rounds to create a more rounded look (a stitch marker may be useful to keep track). To limit confusion, joins will be listed in the text where required.

Let’s Get Started!

MAIN BODY

Using black yarn, working in rows in the round.
NB. Slip stitch to join and chain 1 at the end of each round.

Lower Body
Rnd 1 : Stitch 6sc into a magic ring. (6)
Rnd 2 : 2sc in each stitch around. (12)
Rnd 3 : *sc, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4 : *sc in next 2 stitches, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5 : sc in each stitch around. (24)
Rnd 6 : *sc in next 3 stitches, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (30)
Rnd 7 : sc in each stitch around. (30)
Rnd 8 : *sc in next 4 stitches, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (36)
Rnd 9 – 10 : sc in each stitch around. (36)
Rnd 11 : *sc in next 4 stitches, sc2tog* Repeat 6 times. (30)
Rnd 12 : sc in each stitch around. Slip st to join, fasten off. (30)

Upper Body
Rnd 1 : Stitch 6sc into a magic ring. (6)
Rnd 2 : 2sc in each stitch around. (12)
Rnd 3 : *sc, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4 : sc in each stitch around. (18)
Rnd 5 : *sc in next 2 stitches, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (24)
Rnd 6 : sc in each stitch around. (24)
Rnd 7 : *sc in next 3 stitches, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (30)
Rnd 8 : sc in each stitch around. (30)
Rnd 9 : *sc in next 4 stitches, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (36)
Rnd 10 : *sc in next 4 stitches, sc2tog* Repeat 6 times. (30)
Rnd 11 : *sc in next 3 stitches, sc2tog* Repeat 6 times. (24)
Rnd 12 : sc in each stitch around (24)
Rnd 13 : *sc in next 3 stitches, 2sc* Repeat 6 times. (30)
Switch to red yarn
Rnd 14 : sc in each stitch around. (30)
Switch back to black yarn
Rnd 15-19 : sc in each stitch around (30)
Fasten off on last Rnd.

Weave in the ends for both body pieces as they will not be required for assembly later.

EARS (Make 2)
Using black yarn, working in continuous rounds:

Rnd 1 : Stitch 4sc into a magic ring. (4)
Rnd 2 : *sc, 2sc* Repeat twice. (6)
Rnd 3 : sc in each stitch around. (6)
Rnd 4 : *sc in next 2 stitches, 2sc* Repeat two times. (8)
Rnd 5 : *sc in next 3 stitches, 2sc* Repeat two times. (10)
Rnd 6 : sc in each stitch around. (10)
Fasten off leaving a tail for joining.

BOW
Using red yarn, working in a row:

Row 1 : Chain 14. Wotking into the next chain from the hook, hdc in each of the remaining 13 stitches along the row. (13)

Slip stitch into the first stitch to join, making sure not to twist it. Fasten off leaving a long tail of approx. 20 cm.

Keeping the seam centred and at the back, press the piece flat. Using the long tail end, wrap this tight around the middle to pinch the centre in and form the bow shape. Fasten off, leaving around 5cm of yarn loose for attaching later.

ASSEMBLY

Now that all the pieces have been created, the overall egg cosy can be constructed.

Align the upper and lower body pieces with the upper piece directly on top. Ensure the seams are matching and to the back. This will be the back of the cosy. Using pins, fix the ears to the top of the egg cosy so that they are centred. Attach using the tail ends.

Attach the bow tie to the front along Rnd 14 (in red) ensuring it is centred in line with the ears.

Using yarn and a yarn needle (or optionally felt), stitch on the face details. As a guide, roughly align the eyes with the width of the ears to keep it even. If you wish to crochet the eyes then follow the sc4 into a magic ring, then 2sc in each stitch around using white yarn, stitching in the black detail after. And don’t forget a wee pink nose!

All that’s left is to fill Jiji up!

I hope you have enjoyed this pattern. You can find more egg cosy patterns and more on our site http://www.ninjacatcrafts.home.blog.

You can follow ninja_cat_crafts on Instagram. Tag your finished items with @ninja_cat_crafts or use the hashtag #NinjaCatCrafts so we can see your cute creations!

©2019 Ninja Cat Crafts. This pattern is the property of Ninja Cat Crafts. The written pattern and images are for personal use only and not for sale or redistribution. Items made based on this pattern may be sol, but with clear credit to Ninja Cat Crafts,