inkypica crochet: Simple Crochet Log

Here's a short and sweet pattern for a small crochet log. I made it to act as a prop in my bird keychain photos, and figured that I might as well share it here as well.

This log has a 2" (5 cm) diameter and is 3" (7.5 cm) tall, but it would be fairly easy to modify the pattern to make a bigger or smaller log. I've included some instructions for a wider base and for adjusting the height of the log.

You can check out this pattern's Ravelry page here.

Here's some quick guff on the ways you can use my pattern:

do not redistribute the pattern - just link to this page
your results are free for personal use - but I ask that you don't sell your finished product. just hand them out as gifts, ok? your friends will love you for it

With that out of the way, on to the pattern!

Materials

Size E (3.5mm) Crochet Hook
Worsted Weight Yarn
- I used Red Heart Super Saver in:
  - Warm Brown
  - Coffee
Yarn Needle
Stuffing
cardboard - corrugated works best

Abbreviations

ch – chain
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
inc – two single crochet in same stitch
dec – invisible decrease
ss – slip stitch
cc – colour change
blo – back loop only

Techniques

I have a useful guide on all the different techniques I use when I make amigurumi. Obviously, you should stick with whatever techniques you are comfortable with when making amigurumi, but I still recommend checking it out if you wanna get a result as close to mine as possible!

This pattern will ask you to work invisible decreases while working in BLO. To do this, work the invisible decrease the same as your would regularly, but use the back loop instead of the front loop.

Base

Starting in light brown (Red Heart Super Saver Warm Brown).

Rnd 1: sc 6 in magic circle. (TINY SEAM: ss to first sc, sc ONLY when starting next round) (6 sc)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) around. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) around. (30 sc) cc to dark brown (Red Heart Super Saver Coffee) using Round Beginning Colour Change

If you'd like to make a log with a wider base, you'll add more rounds. To do this, with each new round add one more sc before the inc. So the next round, round 6, will have you do (sc 4, inc) around. The round after with be (sc 5, inc) around. And so on. When your base is as wide as you want it, cc to your dark brown using Round Beginning Colour Change.

To add some extra stability to the log, cut two circles out of cardboard that are roughly as wide as your base. Ideally, they'll be slightly smaller than the base. If possible, try to find something with a round edge that is as wide as the base to make tracing a circle on the cardboard easier (I was able to find a glass to do this). Make sure to cut two circles. Set them aside for now.

Bark

Now we'll work on the body of the log.

Rnd 1: BLO: dc around.

Now slot one of the cardboard rounds into the bottom. If your cardboard has some sort of pattern on it, put that side up to be covered by stuffing later.

Rnd 2-7 (x8): (dc, fpdc) around.

Increase or decrease the amount of (dc, fpdc) rounds to make a taller or shorter log. When you've got the log to the height you want, cc to light brown usign Round Beginning Colour Change.

Stuff the log. Try not to put too much stuffing or else your log will bulge out the sides. Keep in mind that the second cardboard circle placed on top will condense the stuffing somewhat. Place the circle on top and press down until it's level will the edge to test whether you're happy with how much stuffing is in the log. Like so:

Second Base

Continuing on in light brown.

We'll be working opposite of what we did for the first base, replacing the inc with dec. So, if you made a larger base whose last round was (sc 6, inc) for example, your first round here will be (sc 6, dec). This first round should be worked in BLO.

If you're making a log with the same base size as mine, here's what you'll do.

Rnd 1: BLO: (sc 3, dec) around. (24 sc)

After this first round, slide the second cardboard circle in.

Rnd 2: (sc 2, dec) around. (18 sc)
Rnd 3: (sc, dec) around. (12 sc)
Rnd 4: dec around. (6 sc)

Fasten off and do a Weaving Finish. Exit at the edge of the light brown, tie a knot, then try to go around the cardboard to hide the tail in the stuffing of the log.