Making Archie

Hello!

Today it's all about Archie and how to make this cutie.I'll take you through the making step by step and also give you some ideas on different colour combinations and expressions!

YOU WILL NEED:
 A Main colour: Scheepjes Cotton 8 White (502) x 2 balls B Scheepjes Cotton 8 Light Pastel Green (664) x 1 ball C Scheepjes Cotton 8 Soft Pink (654) x 1 ballBlack yarn for face (I used some Cotton 8 in Black (515) as I have an impressive stash of this yarn!!!)
3.0mm crochet hookTapestry needle for joining and sewing facial expressions12x12" cushion pad2 buttons for eyes (make Archie with sewn eyes if you are giving to small child as buttons are a choke hazard and we don't want any choking incidents!)Blocking materialsScissors
HOW TO
The body of the cushion is made with star stitch. It's a stitch that give a lovely texture and gives beautiful texture. The star stitch is worked over 2 rows. 
Bella Coco has a really lovely video explaining how to work this stitch and it can be found HERE
Make 2 pieces for front and back.
Using main colour A and 3mm hook, chain 77
Row 1 (RS): Insert hook into 2nd chain from hook, yarn over and pull up loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into next chain, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook). Continue until you have 6 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Chain 1 to create the 'eye' of the star stitch. To make the next star, insert your hook into the eye, yarn over and pull up loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook between the last 2 spokes of the previous star you've just made, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook), insert hook into the same chain where you've worked the last spoke of the star stitch, yarn over and pull up loop (4 loops on hook), work into the next 2 chains in the same way and you will now have 6 loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through all 6 loops. Continue working stitches until you reach the last stitch. Work one half treble in the last stitch. Turn work.Row 2 (WS): Chain 2 (counts as first half treble), now work 2 half treble crochets into each eye of the star stitches of the previous row. Work 2 half trebles into the last stitch.
The following star stitch works are worked in almost the same way as row 1 except you'll begin each row with a chain 3 and start working into the 2nd chain from hook. 
Continue working star stitch until you have worked 44 rows. Join in colour B (do not cut colour A) and work a further 5 star stitch stripes alternating between colour A and B, carrying the yarn up the side of your work.
Fasten off, weave in ends and wet block to 12" x 12"
To make the ears:

Make 2inc = work 2 double crochets in the same stitch
Using colour C, make a magic ring and work 6 double crochets into the circle. Pull the circle tight. Turn.Row 1: Chain 1 (counts as dc), inc, dc, inc , dc, inc (9 stitches) turnRow 2: Chain 1, inc, 2 dc, inc, 2 dc, inc,  dc (12 stitches) turnRow 3: Chain 1, inc, 3 dc, inc, 3dc, inc, 2 dc (15 stitches) turnRow 4: Chain 1, inc, 4 dc, inc, 4 dc. inc, 3dc (18 stitches) turn Row 5: Chain 1, inc, 5 dc, inc, 5dc, inc, 4 dc (21 stitches) turnRow 6: Chain 1, inc, 6dc, inc, 6dc, inc, 5 dc (24 stitches) turnRow 7: Chain 1, inc, 7 dc, inc, 7 dc, inc, 6 dc (27 stitches) turnRow 8: Chain 1, inc, 8 dc, inc, 8 dc, inc, 7 dc (30 stitches) turnBreak colour C, join colour ARow 9: Chain 1, inc, 9 dc, inc, 9 dc, inc, 8 dc (33 stitches) turnRow 10: Chain 1, inc, 10dc, inc, 10dc, inc, 9 dc (36 stitches) turnRow 11: Chain 1, inc, 11 dc, inc, 11 dc, inc, 10 dc (39 stitches) turnRow 12: Chain 1, inc, 12 dc, inc, 12 dc, inc, 11 dc (42 stitches). Fasten off and weave in ends. 
THE FACE!
This is where you can have some fun!It is really amazing how slightly altering an eye can change the whole expression of a face!
I embroidered Archies nose and mouth using back stitch and satin stitch for his nose. I just lightly used a pencil to sketch out the face but you could use any kind of disappearing pen (the kind used in embroidery)His eyes on my version are buttons and eyebrows are a simple straight stitch. 
Add the face before you join the pieces together - so much easier than trying to wrestle with a cushion!!
Below are some simple faces showing how slightly altering lines can change the face. 

To join together, blanket stitch the front and back around 3 sides together using yarn A leaving the bottom edge open so you can insert the cushion pad. Next attach the ears with an over stitch, positioning the ears at a slight angle. Insert your cushion pad and blanket stitch the bottom opening. 
TAaaaDAaaaa!!!! Your cushion/Archie Bear is finished. 

Why not make a brown bear with a navy and white striped jumper?He could be Archies French cousin Pierre!!!!!
Have fun, I hope you enjoy making Archie and pals!
Til next time when I have some new yarn to share.... x