This original BabyYarnie crochet bat plush pattern tutorial follows the silhouette and palette of the supplied reference as a visual brief. The stitch instructions, component engineering and wording are newly authored. Make every part in the order shown, then perform the fit and seam checks before display or gifting.
The reference is visual inspiration, not a source of usable written instructions. This complete US-terms tutorial gives countable stages for every structural component and explains how the pieces are joined.
Pattern Details
- Hook Size: 3.5 mm for firm worsted cotton
- Finished Size: Planning 5 in body width and about 9 in wingtip to wingtip
- Gauge: Target 18 sc and 20 rounds per 4 in; swatch before making paired wings
- Estimated Time: 5–7 hours
- Construction: 48-stitch flat-bottom body, two 7-to-1 ears and two widening 5-to-13-stitch scalloped wings
- Skill level: Intermediate
Why You’ll Love This Project
A distinctive silhouette makes the finished project recognizable in one glance. Clear component counts make it possible to catch a shaping error before a seam is closed, and the finishing notes cover the details that a photo cannot teach.
Materials
- Planning allowance: 95 yd charcoal and 45 yd black worsted cotton, plus small amounts of white and black embroidery yarn
- 3.5 mm hook, washable polyester stuffing, smooth matching sewing yarn
- Blunt needle, stitch markers, scissors and ruler; no plastic eyes or wire
Gauge, Measurements, and Planning
The 48-stitch flat base is about 10.7 in around at target gauge and forms a stable seat. The wings are worked twice from a narrow five-stitch attachment edge to a 13-stitch outer edge; block them as mirror images before sewing. Measurements are estimates, not a physically tested sample.
Make and wash a gauge swatch before beginning. Measure only after the swatch is completely dry. If the stitch width differs, change hook size rather than pulling the working yarn tighter. Keep a written count at the end of every section so the finished edges remain balanced and the assembly points line up.
Abbreviations and Special Stitches
- ch: chain
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- sl st: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- inc: two single crochets in one stitch
- dec: single-crochet two stitches together
- BLO: back loop only
Special stitch guidance: Invisible decrease in a spiral: insert through the front loops of the next two stitches, yarn over and pull through both front loops, yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops. For flat rows use a regular sc2tog through both loops. A turning chain and a finishing slip stitch are never counted. Unless a joined round is explicitly stated, work spirals without joining or turning.
Important Notes
- Development disclosure: stitch arithmetic and the written component sequence are checked, but no physically crocheted sample or measured gauge is claimed. Yarn amounts, sizes and times are estimates; swatch and test the fit before gifting.
- AI-generated pictures illustrate the intended appearance; they are not photographs of a tested specimen or stitch charts. Use the written counts as the construction authority.
- The supplied image is a mandatory visual design reference only. This is not the source creator’s pattern; do not copy its text, instructions, layout, logo or image pixels.
- For child-facing gifts, embroider facial details. Do not use plastic safety eyes, loose buttons, wire, glue or detachable ornaments. These items are not certified infant toys or sleep accessories.
- Mark the first counted stitch of each spiral round. For every flat row, ch 1 and turn, then place the first sc in the last stitch of the previous row. Remove temporary markers before use.
Complete Instructions for Crochet Round-Bodied Bat Shelf Plush
Crochet a Stable Round Bat Body
- Bat body Round 1: 6 sc into a magic ring. (6 sts) Tighten the ring, mark the first sc, and work a continuous spiral without joining or turning.
- Round 2: inc in each stitch. (12 sts)
- Round 3: [sc in next 1 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (18 sts)
- Round 4: [sc in next 2 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (24 sts)
- Round 5: [sc in next 3 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (30 sts)
- Round 6: [sc in next 4 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (36 sts)
- Round 7: [sc in next 5 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (42 sts)
- Round 8: [sc in next 6 stitches, inc in next stitch] 6 times. (48 sts)
- Round 9: Sc in each stitch. Work BLO to turn the flat base into upright walls. (48 sts)
- Round 10: Sc in each stitch. (48 sts)
- Round 11: Sc in each stitch. (48 sts)
- Round 12: Sc in each stitch. (48 sts)
- Round 13: Sc in each stitch. (48 sts)
- Round 14: Sc in each stitch. (48 sts)
- Round 15: Sc in each stitch. (48 sts)
- Round 16: [sc in next 6 stitches, dec across next 2] 6 times. (42 sts)
- Round 17: [sc in next 5 stitches, dec across next 2] 6 times. (36 sts)
- Round 18: [sc in next 4 stitches, dec across next 2] 6 times. (30 sts)
- Round 19: [sc in next 3 stitches, dec across next 2] 6 times. (24 sts)
- Round 20: [sc in next 2 stitches, dec across next 2] 6 times. (18 sts)
- Round 21: [sc in next 1 stitches, dec across next 2] 6 times. (12 sts)
- Round 22: dec 6 times. (6 sts)
- Work in charcoal. Keep Round 9’s unused front loops at the lower edge to emphasize the flat base. Before Round 19 embroider two small black yarn eyes across body Round 13 about seven stitches apart, a shallow black smile, and two short white V-shaped fangs. Anchor every yarn end inside.
- Stuff the body evenly after Round 18, keeping the bottom flat; after Round 22 draw the final six front loops closed and bury the tail at the top.
Make the Two Pointed Ears
- Bat ear Row 1: ch 8; sc in second chain from hook and in each remaining chain. (7 sts) Ch 1 and turn; this chain never counts.
- Row 2: Sc2tog, sc in next 3 stitches, sc2tog; ch 1 and turn. (5 sts)
- Row 3: Sc2tog, sc in next 1 stitches, sc2tog; ch 1 and turn. (3 sts)
- Row 4: Sc3tog across all three stitches; fasten off. (1 sts)
- Make two in charcoal. Sew each complete seven-stitch foundation edge to the upper bat body around Rounds 18–20, one on either side of the crown. Reinforce the whole base; leave no long exposed sewing loops.
Crochet Two Broad Scalloped Wings
- Bat wing Row 1: ch 6; sc in second chain from hook and in each remaining chain. (5 sts) Ch 1 and turn; this chain never counts.
- Row 2: Inc, sc in next 3 stitches, inc; ch 1 and turn. (7 sts)
- Row 3: Inc, sc in next 5 stitches, inc; ch 1 and turn. (9 sts)
- Row 4: Inc, sc in next 7 stitches, inc; ch 1 and turn. (11 sts)
- Row 5: Inc, sc in next 9 stitches, inc; ch 1 and turn. (13 sts)
- Row 6: Sc in each stitch. (13 sts)
- Make two in black and mirror their orientation. The narrow five-stitch foundation is the inner attachment edge; the 13-stitch Row 6 is the outer fan edge.
- Across each 13-stitch outer edge, work 3 dc in position 1, skip positions 2–3, sl st in position 4, skip 5–6, 3 dc in position 7, skip 8–9, sl st in position 10, skip 11–12, and 3 dc in position 13. This decorative pass uses each old position once or skips it; it is not a new counted structural row.
- Pin each wing’s complete narrow foundation edge to a side of the bat over body Rounds 12–16. Sew that full five-stitch edge twice. Let the scalloped tips remain free, then pull-test the join.
Finish the Bat Shelf Plush
- Set the bat on a flat shelf and check that its 48-stitch base lies evenly beneath the body; reposition stuffing if it leans.
- Weave every tail back through at least three same-color fabric paths. Inspect ears, wings, embroidered fangs and closure from all sides.
- This is a soft decorative shelf plush, not a keychain or hanging object. Keep it out of infant sleep spaces.
Assembly and Shaping
The bat body is built from a flat bottom upward. Ears attach at the upper body; the narrow foundation of each widened wing attaches to an opposite side, leaving three-fan outer edges free. No hanger or hardware is used.
Lay every component on a flat surface before joining. Match the marked centers first, then divide each remaining edge into equal sections. Work through both layers with consistent tension and pause after each section to check that the fabric lies flat. This measured approach prevents twisting and keeps decorative details facing the intended direction.
Finishing
- Before closure, check every part against its stated last-round count and place a small amount of washable filling where directed.
- Sew full contact edges, then make a second reinforcing pass. Secure and bury ends through at least three fabric paths.
- Remove pins and markers. Pull-test all attachments, check for exposed filling, and inspect again after washing according to the yarn label.
For a polished result, weave each tail through several same-color stitches, reverse direction once, and trim only after the fabric has been gently stretched. Block to the listed dimensions without flattening textured stitches. Inspect joins, borders, straps, and decorative pieces before the project is used or gifted.
Helpful Tips
- A marker at each repeat boundary makes increases and decreases easier to count.
- Make paired pieces together and compare before sewing.
- If stuffing shows through, redo the affected section with a smaller hook rather than covering gaps with embroidery.
Good lighting and a contrasting stitch marker make counting much easier. If a section looks uneven, compare the current count with the previous checkpoint before continuing. Fixing one missed stitch early is faster than compensating later, and it preserves the measurements used by the assembly instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this copied from the reference image?
No. The reference controls the visual brief only. The instructions and counts here are an independent BabyYarnie construction.
Was a physical sample tested?
No physical sample is claimed. Numerical stitch validation does not establish actual fit, fabric drape, yarn quantity or child safety; make a swatch and trial assembly.
Can I use hard safety eyes?
For the safest gift presentation, use securely embroidered eyes and avoid hard or detachable small parts.
Conclusion
Record your actual yarn, hook and finished measurement. Compare the completed silhouette with the design brief, then inspect every seam and embroidered feature before gifting or display.
BabyYarnie Printable Crochet Pattern Card
BabyYarnie — easy-to-follow crochet for everyday makers.
Project: Crochet Round-Bodied Bat Shelf Plush
Skill level: Intermediate Hook: 3.5 mm for firm worsted cotton Yarn: Worsted cotton
Finished size: Planning 5 in body width and about 9 in wingtip to wingtip
Card Materials
- Planning allowance: 95 yd charcoal and 45 yd black worsted cotton, plus small amounts of white and black embroidery yarn
- 3.5 mm hook, washable polyester stuffing, smooth matching sewing yarn
- Blunt needle, stitch markers, scissors and ruler; no plastic eyes or wire
Card Instructions
- Crochet a Stable Round Bat Body: Flat 48-stitch base, BLO wall turn, six even rounds, seven decreases to a closed crown.
- Make the Two Pointed Ears: Two 7,5,3,1 flat triangles with full base seams.
- Crochet Two Broad Scalloped Wings: Two 5,7,9,11,13,13 flat wings, each with three outer fans and a reinforced inner seam.
- Finish the Bat Shelf Plush: Check free-standing balance, all full-length seams and embroidered features.
Finish: Check every count, weave in all ends, block to measurement, and inspect each join.
