Opossom Pattern

Opossum Crochet Bag Holder (w/ option of just a plush)  REVISED

*see ravelry.com  for the pictures

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/opossum-bag-holder

Thank you for taking interest into my opossum pattern.  This is my first ever pattern to write and to truly read. Every few days I will go over any messages or comments  on corrections. 

REVISED PATTERN 2/27/21 Went over the entire pattern with a better understanding of patterns. Cleaned up some vocab, corrected Row 5 . sorry for the confusion and thank you so much for stitcking with me during this process. I truly appropriate it. Having this new knowledge I will have a couple other ideas coming soon.

Under the Body  skip Row 20 if you just want a plush. Be sure to add  fluff before finishing off the face and tail.

Hooks Needed

3.5mm

5mm

Yarn

Worsted weight acrylic yarn.

All sold at Micheal's but I feel Loops and Threads can be switched with Red Heart or Joann's name brand with the same consistency and overall look.  

-Loops n Thread Impeccable - Black

-Loops n Threads Impeccable -Pale Gray

-Value Solid Yarn by Craft Smart – Gray

-Loops n Threads Impeccable Soft Rose

-Loops and Threads Impeccable Golden Beige

-Loops and Thread Impeccable Soft Taupe

Other Materials

-Yarn/ darning needles

-Eyes 12mm (unless you want to stitch them in)

-Stitch Markers

-1/2 PVC Pipe 17 inches long (Only need this if you want to have it hang)

-Heat Gun

-Hammer, or large metal roundish object that can be heated (I personally used a 3lb sledge hammer but use what you got)

-Thick heavy duty like gloves

-Pliers

***If you can use something else for the tail hanger go for it! Be an opossum and check out whats in your garbage. Reduse, Reuse, Recycle!!! 

VOCAB

CH -Chain

SC- Single Stitch

SLST- Single Slip Stitch

D- Decrease 

IN- Increase

SLKM- Slip knot 

Tail 

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If making the tail into a hanger take the PVC Pipe, heat gun, pliers, gloves,  and hammer. Do this in a well ventilated area.   THIS CAN GET VERY HOT!

Make a mark at 3inches and  5 inches down from either side of the PVC Pipe.

Take your heat gun and heat up  between the markings, keep the heat gun no more than 2 inches from the pipe.  After heating up the PVC pipe grab your hammer after 30 sec check for softness.  If it indents set hammer down in between the marks. Take pliers and slightly wrap around one side of the hammer. Hold there until cooled.  Use the heat gun to heat up other side. Repeat the slight wrap until desired shape

It wont look pretty but it is covered with yarn. 

For the tail you will need the Black and Tan yarn.

Starting with the black yarn

Row 1

SLKT, CH10, SLST

Row 1 to Row 6

9SC SLST (Pull yarn through loop to secure

Switch to tan yarn

7th Row to 64th Row

9SC, SLST

Row 65

SC, D, 6SC, SLST

Rows 66 to 72 

8 SC, SLST

Row 73

SC, D, 5SC, SLST

Row 74, 75, 76

7 SC, SLST

Row 77 

SC, D, 4SC, SLST

Row 78, 79, 80 

6 SC, SLST

Row 81 

SC, D, 3 SC, SLST

Row 82, 83, 84

5 SC, SLST

Row 85 

D, SC, D, SLST *Bind off, hide yarn tail in tail 

Body

Use both gray yarns, bumping up your hook

Row 1

SLKT, CH11, SLKT *Connect

Row 2

(2 SC, IN) x 3, SLST

Row 3

(3 SC, IN) x 3, SLST

Row 4

(SC, IN) x 3, 3 SC, (IN, SC) x 3, SLST

Row 5

(2 SC, IN) x 7, SLST

Row 6

(2 SC, IN) x 9, SC, SLST

Row 7

(2 SC, IN) x 12, SC, SLST

Row 8

(2 SC, IN) x 16 SC, SLST

Row 9

65 SC, SLST

Row 10

(5 SC, D) x 9, 2 SC, SLST

Row 11 to Row 19

56 SC to SLST

Row 20 *** Do 56 SC, SLST if you just want a plush***

19 SC, 19 CH, 18 SC, SLST

( After 19SC you will then CH19 reconnect into the project. Reconnect into the 38th stitch from the finished SC of the row. Now finish 18SC, SLST) Should have 57 ST 

Row 21 to Row 49

57SC (use stitch markers to keep track of each row)

Head

Will need white yarn and the pink yarn

** If making a plush be sure to add eyes and stuffing before finishing**

Row 1 to Row 3

56 SC, SLST

Row 4

D, 3SC, D, 42S, D,3SC, D, SLST

Row 5

51SC, SLST

Row 6

D, (3SC, D) X 2, 24SC, (D, 3SC) X 2, D, SLST

Row 7

45SC SLST

Row 8

(D, SC) X 4, 4SC,(D, SC) X2, 2SC, (D, SC) X 2, 4SC, (D, SC) X 3, D, SLST

Row 9 

(D, SC) X 4, 9SC, (D, SC) X 4, SLST

Row 10 

(D, SC) X 3, 7SC, (SC, D) X 3, SLST

Row 11

2SC, (D, SC) X 3, (SC, D) X 2, 2SC, SLST

Row 12

2SC, D, 6SC, D, 2SC, SLST

Row 13

D, 3SC, D, 3SC, D, SLST

Row 14

D, SC, D, SC, D, SC, SLST

Row 15

D, SC, SC, D, SLST  Pull yarn through loop

Switch to pink yarn

Row 16 

SC into stitch with pink yarn, 4SC.

Row 17 

3 D. Bind off/ pull yarn through the loop weave in excess to round out.

Look at pictures for example.

You will need black and tan yarn

Ears x 2

Row 1

SLKN CH3

Row 2

2SC, CH2

Row 3

3SC , CH2

Row 4

5SC

Row 5

3 SC, SLST Pull yarn through loop cut weave in ends

Row 6 

Switching to the tan yarn SLKN, D, SC, D

Row 7 

D, pull yarn through loop weave in ends. See pictures for example

Grab the black and pink yarn

Feet x 4

Row 1

SLKN, CH19, Connect to 1st ST w/ SLST

Row 2 – Row 3

17 SC, SLST,

Row 4

(D, SC) X 5, D, SLST

Row 5

SC, D, 2SC, D, 2SC, D, SLST,

Row 6 

D, 2SC, D, S2SC,, D, SLST Pull yarn through loop weave in ends. 

Toes x 4

switching to pink 

SLKN, CH4

SC, SC, SC

CH4

SC, SC, SC

CH4

SC, SC, SC

CH4

SC, SC, SC

CH4

SC, SC, SC

Will do a 5 Decrease then SLST

Place toes in narrow hole of leg.  With black yarn close with basic sewing stitch 

Now that you have all your parts ready. 1st put PVC in tail, use black yarn to attach tail to back of opossum. The stitch should be a good guidance. 

Sew legs on to under belly, added picture for placement. 

Sew on ears, place eyes in correct area (about 2 inches apart). Making sure the pouch is under. Picture for guidance. 

Finishing touch will be using the two gray yarns and creating the triangle on the forehead. Add around the body and head if you need a smooth transition. Use a large darning needle and about 2ft of yarn. Use a back stitch to complete this.  Best to find where you want to tip of the triangle and work to the body. Back and forth back and forth.