Making the crochet skull
Step 1
Using Yarn A and 3.0mm hook, make a magic loop.
Round 1: 6dc into loop.
Round 2: 2dc in each st around [12sts]
Round 3: (1dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times [18sts]
Round 4: (2dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times [24sts]
Round 5: (3dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times [30sts]
Round 6: (4dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times [36sts]
Round 7: (5dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times [42sts]
Round 8: (6dc, 2dc in next st) 6 times [48sts]
Round 9-16: 1dc in each st around.
Round 17: 15dc, ch1, 6ss, ch1, 6dc, ch1, 6ss, ch1, 15dc [48sts+4ch]
Step 2
Next, work in Rows to shape the back of the skull.
Row 1: 15dc, turn [15sts]
Row 2-4: ch1, 30dc, turn [30sts]
Row 5: ch1, 15dc [15sts]
This brings the work back to the original start of the round. Carry on working in the round.
Step 3
Round 18: 15dc, ch10, skip (1ch+6ss+1ch), 6dc, ch10, skip (1ch+6ss+1ch), 15dc [36sts+20ch]
Round 19: 15dc, working into the chains 10dc, inv dc2tog 3 times, working into the chains 10dc, 15dc [53sts]
Round 20: 22dc, ch4, miss next 9 sts, 22dc [44sts+4ch]
Round 21: (1dc, inv dc2tog) 5 times, 7dc, working into the back humps of the chains 4dc, 7dc, (inv dc2tog, 1dc) 5 times [38sts]
Round 22: inv dc2tog 5 times, 18dc, inv dc2tog 5 times [28sts]
Round 23-27: 1dc in each st around.
Round 28: working in FLO (front loop only) 4dc, dc2tog 4 times. 6dc, dc2tog 4 times, 2dc [20sts]
Round 29: 4dc, dc2tog 2 times, 6dc, dc2tog 2 times, skip the remaining st [14sts]
Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing.
Making the face details
Step 1
Eye Trim
Make 2. Using Yarn A and 3.0mm hook, join yarn to any stitch in one of the eye sockets
Round 1: work 24dc evenly around the eye socket, using the slip stitches, the other side of the chain and the sides of the rows.
Next make the patches to go inside the skull. Alternatively place a bit of black felt behind the gaps before adding in stuffing.
Step 2
Eye Patch
Make 2. Using Yarn B and 3.0mm hook, make a magic loop.
Round 1: 7dc into loop.
Round 2: 2dc in each st around [14sts]
Round 3: (1dc, 2dc in next st) 7 times [21sts]
Fasten off, weave in the end.
Step 3
Nose Patch
Make 1. Using Yarn B and 3.0mm hook, make a magic loop.
Round 1: 6dc into loop.
Round 2: (1dc, 3dc in next st) 3 times [12sts]
Round 3: (2dc, 3dc in next st, 1dc) 3 times [18sts]
Fasten off, weave in the end.
Assembling the skull
Step 1
Next carefully sew the eye and nose patches into the skull, using Yarn A and very small stitches.
Step 2
Add lots of toy stuffing, filling out the skull.
Step 3
Sew up the remaining gap in the jaw to finish.
Step 4
Using black yarn embroider a mouth across the jaw.
Your crochet skull is now complete!
If you want to transform it into a day of the dead skull, here’s how to add some colourful crochet trims to decorate your skull!
Day of the dead skull embellishments
Step 1
Eye trim
Make 2 in bright pink yarn.
Row 1: (ch2, 1htr in first ch) repeat 12 times, ch1 to finish.
Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing.
Step 2
Leaf
Make 5 in bright green yarn.
Ch6, start 2nd ch from hook.
Row 1: 1dc, 1htr, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc [5sts]
Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing.
Step 3
Flower
Start in bright pink yarn.
Ch9, ss to make a ring
Round 1: 10dc into the ring, slst in first st [10sts]
Round 2: (Ch3, skip next st, 1dc in next st) 5 times [5 loops]
Round 3: Join orange to any 3ch loop, ch1, (1dc, 1htr, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc, ss) in each loop around [5 petals]
Round 4: Join yellow to first dc from any petal, ch1, (2dc, 3htr in next st, 2dc, ch1) along each petal [5 petals]
Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing.
Step 4
Assembly
Sew the eye trim around each eye.
Place the flower over the crown of the head and sew in place.
Sew the leaves around the flower, arranging them between the petals.
