Just a Minnesota
Buffalo
This adorable guy was inspired by an adorable place- Buffalo, Minnesota. No safety eyes makes this bison safer for younger friends. Pattern is lower sew, but uses loop stitch for a fun challenge.
Height: 10" sitting, 15" standing- cannot stand on own.
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced | Terms: US
Supplies Needed
crochet hook (I use a 3.0 mm )
stitch markers
yarn needle
scissors
fiber fill
yarn 335 - 350 yards (acrylic, worsted weight)
Complete in Following Order:
Horn (make 2)
Using tan yarn, working in rounds.
make 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
*sc* around (6)
inc 2, sc 3, inc (9)
*sc* around (9)
inc 3, sc 6 (12)
sc 1, inc 3, sc 2, dec 3 (12)
sc 2, inc 3, sc 7 (15)
sc 3, inc 3, sc 3, dec 3 (15)
sc 4, inc 3, sc 8 (18)
sc 5, inc 3, sc 4, dec 3 (18)
dec, sc 4, inc 3, sc 5, dec 2 (18)
*sc* around (18)
dec, sc 5, inc 3, sc 4, dec 2 (18) repeat for four rounds
*sc* around (18) repeat for two rounds total
dec 2, sc 10, dec 2 (14)
tie off, leaving a tail for sewing. Using a yarn needle and tail, sew tightly from end to tip to accentuate and secure curve of horn. set aside.
Tail
Tail Tuft
Before beginning to crochet, create the tuft of hair for the end of the tail. Using black yarn, create a bundle of about 20 strands 12 - 16 inches long. Tie a secure knot in the center of the bundle
Crochet Instructions
Start with brown yarn, working in rounds.
6 sc in a magic circle (6)
*sc, inc* around (9)
*sc, inc, sc* around (12)
*sc* around (12) Repeat for five rounds total
Keeping the tuft knot inside your work, pull 1 -3 strands of yarn through each hole starting at the magic circle and working out. Push the knot into the existing work and pull each strand tightly to ensure the knot is in place. Continue to crochet around the knot if needed, securing it in place as you go. Tuck all ends inside work.
*sc, dec, sc* around (9)
*sc* around (9) Repeat for five rounds total
dec, sc 7 (8)
ch 1, turn *sctog closed* across (4)
tie off, set aside
Ears (make 2)
Created in rows all the way around a foundation row, start with pink yarn for the inner ear.
Foundation Row: ch 7, starting in the 2nd ch from hook, sc 6, ch 1, turn (6)
BLO sc 5, BLO sc 3 all in same st, turn work and continue around other side of chain, working in front loops, FLO inc, FLO sc 5, ch 1, turn (15)
sc 6, inc 3, sc 6, ch 1, turn (18)
*sc, inc, sc* around (24)
Tie off pink. Repeat all instructions with brown, do not tie off, ch 1, turn, line up pink part in front of brown, seams in, and crochet through both
*sctog join* around (pink to brown), ch 1, turn to work across top of both (24)
trim ends and hide inside work
*sctog join* across, ch 1, turn (6)
Fold in half so outer corners touch and work through both sides, inserting hook in corner closest to working yarn first, or sew closed
*sctog closed* 3 (across top)
tie off, leaving a tail for sewing, set aside
Arms
Start with hoof color, working in rounds.
make 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
*inc* around (12)
*sc, inc* around (18)
*sc, inc, sc * around (24)
*sc 3, inc* around (30)
*BLO sc* around (30)
*sc* around (30) Repeat for six rounds total
switch to brown
*BLO sc* around (30)
*sc* around (30) Repeat for twelve rounds total
*sc 13, dec* around (28)
*sc* around (28)
*sc 6, dec, sc 6* around (26)
*sc* around (26)
*sc 11, dec* around (24)
*sc* around (24)
*sc 5, dec, sc 5* around (22)
*sc* around (22)
*sc 9, dec* around (20)
*sc* around (20)
tuck in ends and stuff
sc 4, dec, sc 4* around (18)
*sc* around (18)
*sc, dec* around (12)
ch 1, turn, *sctog closed* across (6)
tie off, set aside.
Legs
Start with hoof color, working in rounds.
make 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
*inc* around (12)
*sc, inc* around (18)
*sc, inc, sc * around (24)
*sc 3, inc* around (30)
*sc 2, inc, sc 2* around (36)
*BLO sc* around (36)
*sc* around (36) Repeat for six rounds total
switch to brown
*BLO sc* around (36)
*sc* around (36) Repeat for twelve rounds total
*sc 2, dec, sc 2* around (30)
tuck in ends and stuff
*sc* around (30)
*sc 3, dec* around (24)
*sc* around (24)
*sc, dec, sc* around (18)
*sc* around (18)
*sc, dec* around (12)
ch 1, turn, *sctog closed* across (6)
tie off, set aside.
Eyes
Pattern assumes sm 1 in the first stitch of the round and moves up each round.
Eyes(make two)
starting with black yarn:
make 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
*inc* around (12)
Optional accent: make 5th and 6th stitches white or silver
switch to iris color (blue)
*sc, inc* around (18)
Optional accent: stitches 7 - 9
*sc, inc, sc * around (24)
switch to Brown
*sc 3, inc* around (30)
*sc* around (30)
sc 6, switch to black, sc 24 (30)
In 8th st of following round, (first BLO in round), place sm 3 in this st and sm 2 in the front loop left in the previous row by the st
sc 2, inc, sc 3, BLO sc 24 (31)
FLO st in the next round are in front loops left over, starting with sm 2. Remove sm 2.
sc 3, inc, sc 3, FLO sc 24 (32)
ch 1, turn, sc 24 (24) Repeat for two rows total
Optional Lashes Rounds
ch 1, turn, slst 24 (24) switch - to scrubby yarn
ch 1, turn, *sc 3, inc* to end (30) switch back to black
Fold eyelid over eye and cont. on sm 1, working in original stitches from round 8. pull first st tight.
sc 7, inc, continue to back of eye, in sm 3, *sc 7, inc* to end of round slst to start / sm 1 (36)
tie off, set aside, leaving sm 1 and 3 in place. On second eye, do not tie off, cont. with nose bridge instructions. below.
On Second Eye, Create Nose Bridge
ch 1, turn and work up side of eye
BLO sc 10, ch 1, turn (10)
*sc* across, ch 1, turn (10) Repeat for three total
turn to work across bottom of nose bridge
sc 4, slst to eye, ch 1, turn (4)
*slst* across, ch 1 (4)
turn to work along long side of nose bridge again
attach first eye
Line up nose bridge flap and st at sm 3 of other eye, insert hook like normal.
sctog join 10 (current eye to first), ch 1, turn to work across top of strip, sc 4 across top of bridge (14)
Tie off and set aside
Head
Snout / Muzzle
Created with tan yarn, in rounds following the initial foundation row.
Foundation Row: ch 10, sc 9 across, ch 1, turn (9)
*BLO inc 2, BLO sc 6, BLO inc* turn, and cont. around chain, in front loops, repeat all instructions (24)
*inc 3, sc 6, inc 3* two times (36)
*sc, inc* three times, sc 6, *sc, inc* three times, repeat all instructions in round (48)
*sc 7, inc* around (54)
*sc* around (54) repeat for three rounds total
*dec 4, sc 9, dec 5* two times (42)
*sc* around (36)
switch to brown
*BLO sc* around (36)
*sc* around (36)
*sc 5, inc* around (42)
*sc* around (42) repeat for three rounds total
*sc 3, inc* six times, sc 18 (48)
*sc* around (48) repeat for three rounds total
connect bottom of eyes to snout
Review placement following the next round and adjust as needed so the eyes are centered on snout. Move sm 1 to immediately follow last sctog join stitch.
sc 30, sctog join 18 (eyes to snout) (48) - sc 7 on first eye, 4 in bridge, and 7 on last eye
sc 30, switch to black yarn and cont. to outer eyelid, sc 18, BLO sc 4, across bridge, cont. to second eye, sc 18 (70)
*sc 3, dec* six times, sc 9, inc 3, sc 15, inc 3, sc 9 (70)
*sc* around (70) repeat for seven rounds total
*sc 5, dec* around (60)
*sc* around (60) repeat for three rounds total
*sc 4, dec, sc 4* around (54)
*sc 7, dec* around (48)
*sc 3, dec, sc 3* around (42)
*sc 5, dec* around (36)
Stuff, paying close attention to fully filling nose and eyes. Sew down corners of eye lids / lashes, cont. to stuff as you go as needed.
*sc 2, dec, sc 2* around (30)
*sc 3, dec* around (24)
*sc, dec, sc* around (18)
*sc, dec* around (12)
*dec* around(6)
tie off and sew closed, set aside.
Body
Begin working with brown or light brown yarn, working in rounds. Loop stitches completed in darker color..
make 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
*inc* around (12)
*sc, inc* around (18)
*sc, inc, sc* around (24)
*sc 3, inc* around (30)
*sc 2, inc, sc 2* around (36)
*sc 5, inc* around (42)
*sc* around (42)
*sc 3, inc, sc 3* around (48)
*sc 7, inc* around (54)
Attach legs: *sc 2, sctog join 6 (leg to body)* two times, sc 18, Attach tail: sctog join 4 (tail to body), sc 16 (54)
*sc 4, inc sc 4*(60)
*sc 9, inc* around (66)
*sc* around (66) Repeat for thirteen rounds total
sc 42, LS 10, sc 14 (66)
*sc 9, dec* three times, sc 9, LS dec, LS 9, LS dec, sc 9, dec (60)
sc 38, LS 12, 10 (60)
*sc 3, dec* six times, sc 8, LS 14, sc 8 (54)
sc 32, LS 14, sc 8
*sc, dec, sc* six times, sc 7, LS 16, sc 7 (48)
sc 22, LS 20, sc 6 (48)
*sc, dec* six times, sc 4, LS 22, sc 4 (42)
sc 15, LS 24 sc 3 (42)
*sc, sctog join 6 (arm to body)* two times, LS 28 (42)
*LS* around (42) Repeat for two rounds total
*LS 5, LS dec* around (36)
*LS sc* around (36)
*LS 2, LS dec, LS 2* around (30)
stuff
*LS 3, LS dec* around (24)
*LS, LS dec, LS* around (18)
*sc* around (18)
tie off
Final Assembly
If not crocheted on, sew on the arms, legs and tail to the body. Sew the head to the body, stretching the neck out and stuffing as you go to avoid an overly floppy head. If ears are not holding their shape, add a few stitches to the front to maintain shape, sew ears to sides of head.