How to Crochet the Christmas Critter Possum
Crochet a festive possum ornament worked primarily in continuous spirals. The head, body and hat are worked as one piece, with the nose, eyes, ears, hands, tail and hanging ring made separately and attached during finishing.
The finished possum measures approximately 14cm high when hanging.
Project: Christmas Critter - Possum
Pattern: A374
Craft type: Crochet
Difficulty: •••
Project by: JANINE TSAKISIRIS
Measurements
| Height (approx, when hanging) | cm | 14 |
Yarn Required
| Lincraft DK 8ply 100g balls | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Main Colour (MC-marle grey) | 1 |
| 1st Colour (C1-fire red) | 1 |
| 2nd Colour (C2-marle charcoal) | 1 |
| 3rd Colour (C3-white) | 1 |
| 4th Colour (C4-pink) | small amount |
| 5th Colour (C5-chocolate) | small amount |
Crochet Hook
A 3.00mm crochet hook or size needed so that no holes appear in stitches through which stuffing may show
Requirements
- Wool needle for sewing up.
- Lincraft siliconised stuffing premium soft fill.
- Silver embroidery thread
- A stitch marker (optional).
Tension
Tension is not important for this project.
Special Abbreviation
mr = magic ring (alternatively 3ch, sl st into beg ch and dc into ring).
FLO = front loop only. Work in front loops of stitches for round indicated.
BLO = back loop only. Work in back loops of stitches for round indicated.
HEAD/BODY (worked from top of Head to bottom of hat as one piece in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
2nd round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 18dc.
3rd round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 24dc.
4th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 30dc.
5th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 36dc.
6th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 6th round 4 times.
Beg to stuff. Cont to stuff as you go.
11th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 30dc.
12th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 24dc.
13th round: [1dc over next 2dc] 12 times … 12dc.
14th round: Inc once in each dc … 24dc.
15th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 30dc.
16th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, inc in next dc] 6 times … 36dc.
17th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Change to C3.
18th round: FLO [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 12 times … 48dc.
19th round: 1htr in each dc to end.
20th round: BLO [1dc in each of next 2htr, 1dc over next 2htr] 12 times … 36dc.
Change to C1.
21st round: BLO 1dc in each dc to end.
22nd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 22nd round twice.
25th round: [1dc in each of next 4dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 30dc.
26th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 26th round once.
28th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 24dc.
29th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 29th round once.
31st round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 18dc.
32nd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 32nd round once.
34th round: [1dc in next dc, 1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 12dc.
35th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
36th round: [1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 6dc.
Change to C3.
37th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
38th round: Inc once in each dc … 12dc.
39th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
40th round: [1dc over next 2dc] 6 times … 6dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. Complete stuffing. Using the tail of yarn, thread in and out around the last few decs and gently pull hole closed.
NOSE (worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and C4, make 2ch.
1st round: 3dc in 2nd ch from hook … 3dc.
2nd round: Inc once in each dc … 6dc.
Change to MC.
3rd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
4th round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
5th round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 12dc.
6th round: [1dc in each of next 3dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 15dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
EYES (make 2)
Using 3.00mm hook and C5, work 6dc into mr.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
EARS (make 2 – worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: 1dc in each dc to end.
2nd round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
3rd round: [1dc in each of next 2dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 12dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
HANDS (make 2 – worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and MC, work 6dc into mr.
1st round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 1st round once.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
TAIL (worked in continuous spirals)
Using 3.00mm hook and C2, work 4dc into mr.
1st round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] twice … 6dc.
2nd round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 2nd round once.
4th round: [1dc in next dc, inc in next dc] 3 times … 9dc.
5th round: 1dc in each dc to end.
Rep 5th round 11 times.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. Leave unstuffed.
HANGING RING
Using 3.00mm hook and all strands of silver embroidery thread, make 8ch, sl st to beg ch to form a ring.
1st round: 16dc into ring, sl st to beg dc … 16dc.
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
FINISHING
Sew Nose to front of face between rounds 5 and 10. Add stuffing before sewing closed. Add white detail to Eyes using a length of C3. Sew Eyes to front of Head, either side of Nose, between rounds 4 and 7. Flatten Ears and whip stitch end closed. Sew to top sides of Head between rounds 3 and 6. Flatten Hands and whip stitch end closed. Sew to centre of Body at round 16. Sew Tail to back of Body at round 17. Bend around to side and sew in place. Sew Hanging Ring to top of Head. Sew in all ends.
Alternative Yarns
The original pattern uses Lincraft DK 8ply yarn. When choosing a substitute, select an 8ply or equivalent yarn that produces a firm fabric with a 3.00mm crochet hook, or use the hook size needed so that no holes appear through which stuffing may show.
Suitable Yarn Types
- 8ply acrylic yarn – durable, easy-care and available in a wide range of colours.
- 8ply cotton yarn – creates a firmer fabric with clear stitch definition.
- 8ply cotton-acrylic blend – combines structure with softness and easy care.
- 8ply wool blend – creates a softer ornament with a warm, natural finish.
- Leftover 8ply yarn – suitable for the smaller contrast sections where only small amounts are required.
Customisation Ideas
- Change the hat colours for a different festive palette while retaining the original shaping.
- Use a darker or lighter grey for the possum body.
- Change the nose colour for a softer or brighter facial detail.
- Use metallic embroidery thread in a different finish for the hanging ring.
- Make a coordinated set with other Christmas critters using matching colour palettes.
To retain the original proportions and assembly positions, keep all stitch counts, round counts and placement instructions unchanged when making decorative customisations.
Care Instructions
Follow the washing and care instructions provided on the ball band of the yarn used.
- Ensure all ears, hands, tail, facial features and the hanging ring are securely attached before displaying.
- Check embroidered details regularly to ensure they remain secure.
- Spot clean or use gentle washing appropriate for the selected yarn and stuffing.
- Avoid excessive heat that may damage synthetic yarn, stuffing or embroidery thread.
- Gently reshape the possum after cleaning.
- Allow the ornament to dry completely before storing or hanging again.
