Amazing Crocheted Animal Rug Patterns

Crocheted Animal Rugs includes patterns for 10 different wild animals. Each pattern includes written instructions, hand-drawn charts and helpful photographs. For a closer look at all the patterns, check out my book review, complete with a bonus free crochet Black Bear Rug pattern so you can try before you buy!

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I received a copy of this book to review from GMC Books. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. If you purchase this book after you click on one of my affiliate links in the post, I will receive a small commission for referring you, at no additional cost to you.

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These crocheted animal rugs are adorable!

Amazing Crocheted Animal Rugs Review + BONUS Bear Rug Pattern Extract

Crocheted Animal Rugs is 184-pages in length. It includes beautiful and helpful photographs, hand-drawn stitch diagrams and detailed written pattern instructions.

You will find the table of Contents on pages 17-18, an introduction to the Designer, Vanessa Mooncie on page 19 and a stunning photo Gallery, of the finished animal rugs, from page 7 to 17.

Crocheted Animal Rug Patterns

• Tiger | DK Weight Yarn [3] | 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 32.25 inches wide X 35.5 inches long (excluding head)
• Rhinoceros | DK Weight Yarn [3] and Fingering Weight Yarn [1] | 3.5 mm (E) hook and 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 32 inches wide X 30.75 inches long (excluding head and tail fringe)
• Zebra | DK Weight Yarn [3] and Fingering Weight Yarn [1] | 3.5 mm (E) hook and 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 31 inches wide X 33 inches long (excluding head and tail fringe)
• Black Bear | DK Weight Yarn [3] | 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 32.25 inches wide X 27.5 inches long (excluding head)
• Crocodile | DK Weight Yarn [3] | 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 32.5 inches wide X 38.5 inches long (excluding head)

• Fox | DK Weight Yarn [3] | 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 28.375 inches wide X 34.75 inches long (excluding head)
• Lion | DK Weight Yarn [3] | 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 33.5 inches wide X 33.5 inches long (excluding head and tail fringe)

• Giraffe | DK Weight Yarn [3] and Fingering Weight Yarn [1] | 3.5 mm (E) and 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 41.375 inches wide X 51.25 inches long (excluding head and tail fringe)

• Wild Boar | DK Weight Yarn [3] | 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 27.5 inches wide X 27 inches long (excluding head and tail fringe)
• Polar Bear | DK Weight Yarn [3] | 4 mm (G) hook | Finished size: 32.25 inches wide X 27.5 inches long (excluding head)

The projects start on page 18 but, before you get started, I recommend you flip to page 166 for the Getting Started section of the book.

Getting Started

The Getting Started section begins on page 166. This section includes the following information:

• Crochet Hooks – the projects in Crocheted Animal Rugs use either a size 3.5 mm (E), or 4 mm (G) hook.
• Needles
• Substituting Yarns
• Reading Charts
• Tension (aka as gauge)

Following the Getting Started section is the Crochet Stitches section (pages 168-174). The different crochet stitches and techniques used for the projects are illustrated and explained with step-by-step written instructions.

Crochet Stitches

• slip knot
• magic loop
• chain (ch)
• slip stitch (sl st)
• double crochet (dc) – US single crochet (sc)
• half treble (htr) – US half double crochet (hdc)
• treble (tr) – US double crochet (dc)
• loop stitch (lp st)
• make bobble (mb)
• increasing
• decreasing (dc2tog, dc3tog, htr2tog, htr3tog, tr2tog) (US sc2tog, sc3tog, hdc2tog, hdc3tog, dc2tog)
• working into the front or back loop only
• working with multiple colors, joining a new color, carrying unused yarn across the work

Immediately following this section is Finishing Touches, which includes tips on how to effectively stuff your project, how to sew your pieces together (i.e. back stitch, whip stitch), how to make tassels and how to make different embroidery stitches (i.e. straight stitch, satin stitch, lazy daisy stitch; fly stitch).

Abbreviations

The abbreviations list is on page 179, along with the Crochet Hook Conversion Charts and UK and US Crochet Terms Chart.

All of the projects are written in UK crochet terms.

If you are used to following US crochet patterns, don’t let the fact that these are written in UK terms hold you back! You can find the US equivalent terms on page 179 and since each stitch is explained in the Crochet Stitches section, with helpful diagrams and stitch charts, it is easy to double check how a stitch is being made.

Which crocheted animal rug is your favorite?

BONUS! Free Crochet Black Bear Rug Pattern

Black Bear

This pattern can be crocheted in brown shades of yarn to make a grizzly bear rug. In fact, black bear coats can be brown, blue-black, blue-grey and even white in colour.

Materials

• Rowan Pure Wool Superwash DK, 100% wool (137yd/125m per 50g ball), or any DK yarn:
  • 6 x 50g balls in 114 Caviar (A)
  • 4 x 50g balls in 118 Granite (B)
  • 1 x 50g ball in 119 Mole (C)
• Approximately 92½in (235cm) length of brown DK yarn, such as 110 Dust (D) for the eyes
• Approximately 23½in (60cm) length of white DK yarn, such as 012 Snow (E)
• 4mm (UK8:USG/6) crochet hook
• Blunt-ended yarn needle
• Toy stuffing

Size

• Approximately 32¼in (82cm) wide and 27½in (70cm) long (excluding head)

Tension

• 17 sts and 14 rows to 4in (10cm) over half treble using 4mm hook and yarn A.

Use larger or smaller hook if necessary to obtain correct tension.

Method

The body and identical lining are worked in rows of half treble stitches. Each piece is finished with an edging of double crochet before attaching the paws and paw linings. The pieces are joined together by crocheting into each stitch of the edging and paws on both the body and lining at the same time.

• The Black Bear’s snout is worked in continuous rounds of double crochet. The main colour is joined in and the head is crocheted in rows of half treble stitches. The head is stuffed and the stitches of the last row are sewn together to form a straight seam. The head is then sewn to the straight edge at the top of the body.
• The nose is crocheted in continuous rounds of double crochet. Each nostril is formed by skipping a number of stitches and slip stitching into the next group of stitches.
• The eyes are worked in rounds of double crochet and the eyelid is shaped by crocheting into the front loops of stitches to produce a raised edge over the eye. A reflection of light is embroidered on each eye with white yarn.
• The ears are made in rounds of double crochet and stuffed lightly before curving the lower edges to shape them and sewing them to the head.
• The eyes and nose are sewn in place and the rug is finished with embroidered long stitches for the claws on each paw.
• 1 ch and 2 ch at beg of the row does not count as a st throughout.

Key

Body

Body Rows 1–16

Body Rows 17–48

Body Rows 49–64

Body Rows 65–78

Shape first back leg

Row 79 (RS) (dec): 2 ch, htr2tog, 1 htr in next 31 htr, htr3tog, turn.

Continue on these 33 sts.

Row 80 (WS) (dec): 2 ch, htr3tog, 1 htr in each htr to last 2 sts, htr2tog, turn (30 sts).

Row 81 (dec): 2 ch, htr2tog, 1 htr in each htr to last 3 sts, htr3tog, turn (27 sts).

Rows 82–89 (dec): Rep rows 80–81, 4 times more (3 sts).

Row 90 (dec): 2 ch, htr3tog (1 st).

Fasten off.

Shape second back leg

Follow chart for first back leg.

With WS facing and 4mm hook, rejoin A with a sl st to first htr.

Row 1 (WS): 2 ch, starting in same st as sl st, htr2tog, 1 htr in next 31 htr, htr3tog, turn.

Continue on these 33 sts.

Rows 2–12: Rep rows 80–90 to complete second leg. Fasten off.

Shape first back leg Rows 79–90

Tail

With RS facing and 4mm hook, skip first 12 of 36 htr between the legs and join A with a sl st to next htr.

Row 1 (RS): 2 ch, 1 htr in same htr as sl st, 1 htr in next 11 htr, turn (12 sts).

Row 2: 2 ch, htr in each htr to end.

Row 3–6 (dec): 2 ch, htr2tog, 1 htr in each htr to last 2 sts, htr2tog (4 sts).

Fasten off.

Tail Rows 1–6

Edging

With RS facing and 4mm hook, rejoin A with a sl st to the reverse side of the first ch.

Next: 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in reverse side of next 121 ch, 1 ch, work 19 dc evenly across end of leg, 1 ch, work 20 dc down front leg, work 100 dc evenly down side of body, 1 ch, work 19 dc evenly across top of leg, 1 ch, work 23 dc evenly along edge of back leg, 1 dc in next 12 sts between leg and tail, work 9 dc evenly down edge of tail, 1 ch, 1 dc in next 4 sts at tip of tail, 1 ch, work 9 dc evenly up edge of tail, 1 dc in next 12 sts between leg and tail, work 23 dc evenly along edge of back leg, 1 ch, work 19 dc evenly across top of leg, 1 ch, work 100 dc evenly up side of body, work 20 dc up front leg, 1 ch, work 19 dc evenly across end of leg, 1 ch, sl st in first st and fasten off.

Edging Join body & lining [LABELS]

Repeat [x 10]

Edging Join body & lining Centre

Follow chart in reverse to complete other side

Paws (make 4)

Follow chart for Tiger paw on page 30.

With 4mm hook and A, make a magic loop.

Row 1 (WS): 2 ch, 5 htr into loop, turn (5 sts).

Row 2 (RS) (inc): 2 ch, (htr2inc) 5 times, turn. Close the loop by pulling tight on the short end of the yarn (10 sts).

Row 3: 2 ch, (htr2inc, 1 htr) 5 times, turn (15 sts).

Row 4: 2 ch, (htr2inc, 2 htr) 5 times, turn (20 sts).

Row 5: 2 ch, (htr2inc, 3 htr) 5 times, turn (25 sts).

Row 6: 2 ch, (htr2inc, 4 htr) 5 times (30 sts).

Next: 1 ch, work 19 dc evenly along the straight edge of the paw, 1 ch, sl st in next htr, turn.

Join paw to leg.

Place paw against Black Bear leg, with RS together.

Next: Inserting hook under both loops of each stitch of paw and leg to join, sl st in 1-ch sp, dc in next 19 dc, sl st in next 1-ch sp. Fasten off.

Lining

With 4mm hook and B, work as for body.

Paw linings

With 4mm hook and B, work as for paws.

Head

Snout

With 4mm hook and C, make a magic loop.

Round 1: 1 ch, 6 dc into loop (6 sts).

Round 2 (inc): (Dc2inc) 6 times. Close the loop by pulling tightly on the short end of the yarn (12 sts).

Round 3 (inc): (Dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times (18 sts).

Round 4 (inc): (Dc2inc, 2 dc) 6 times (24 sts).

Round 5 (inc): (Dc2inc, 3 dc) 6 times (30 sts).

Rounds 6–10: 1 dc in each dc.

Round 11 (inc): (Dc2inc, 4 dc) 6 times (36 sts).

Rounds 12–20: 1 dc in each dc. Join A in last dc, turn.

Snout Rounds 1–20

Shape head

The following is worked in rows.

Continue with A.

Row 1 (WS) (inc): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 dc, (htr2inc, 2 htr) 6 times, 1 htr in next 8 dc, sl st in first htr, turn (42 sts).

Row 2 (RS) (inc): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 htr, (htr2inc, 3 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next htr, (htr2inc, 3 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 7 htr, sl st in first htr, turn (48 sts).

Row 3 (inc): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 htr, (htr2inc, 4 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 2 htr, (htr2inc, 4 htr) 3 times,
1 htr in next 6 htr, sl st in first htr, turn (54 sts).

Row 4 (inc): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 htr, (htr2inc, 5 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 3 htr, (htr2inc, 5 htr) 3 times,
1 htr in next 5 htr, sl st in first htr, turn (60 sts).

Row 5 (inc): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 htr, *(htr2inc, 6 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 4 htr; rep from *, sl st in first htr, turn (66 sts).

Shape head Rows 1–17

Row 22 (dec): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 htr, *(htr2tog, 6 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 4 htr; rep from *, sl st in first htr, turn (60 sts).

Row 23: 2 ch, 1 htr in each htr, sl st in first htr, turn.

Row 24 (dec): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 htr, (htr2tog, 5 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 3 htr, (htr2tog, 5 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 5 htr, sl st in first htr, turn (54 sts).

Row 25: 2 ch, 1 htr in each htr, sl st in first htr, turn.

Row 26 (dec): 2 ch, 1 htr in next 10 htr, (htr2inc, 4 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 2 htr, (htr2inc, 4 htr) 3 times, 1 htr in next 6 htr, sl st in first htr, turn (48 sts).

Rows 27–29: 2 ch, 1 htr in each htr, sl st in first htr, turn.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn.

Shape head Rows 18–22

Shape head Rows 23–29

Eyes (make 2)

With 4mm hook and A, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS): 1 ch, 5 dc into loop. Join D in last dc (5 sts).

Round 2 (inc): With D, (dc2inc) 5 times. Close the loop by pulling tightly on the short end of the yarn (10 sts).

Round 3 (inc): (Dc2inc, 1 dc) 5 times (15 sts).

Continue with A.

Round 4 (inc): (Dc2inc, 2 dc) 5 times (20 sts).

Round 5: Working in back loop of each st only, 1 dc in next 8 dc, (dc2inc, 3 dc) 3 times (23 sts).

Round 6: Working in front loops of round 4, sl st in next 8 dc, 1 dc in next 12 dc, sl st in first sl st, turn.

Eyes Rounds 1–5

Eyelid

Next (WS): Sl st in each of the next 12 dc to finish the upper eyelid, sl st in next sl st of previous round. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of A at the end.

Eyes & Eyelid Round 6

Ears (make 2)

With 4mm hook and A, make a magic loop.

Round 1: 1 ch, 6 dc into loop (6 sts).

Round 2 (inc): (Dc2inc) 6 times. Close the loop by pulling tightly on the short end of the yarn (12 sts).

Round 3 (inc): (Dc2inc, 1 dc) 6 times (18 sts).

Round 4 (inc): (Dc2inc, 2 dc) 6 times (24 sts).

Round 5 (inc): (Dc2inc, 3 dc) 6 times (30 sts).

Rounds 6–8: 1 dc in each dc.

Round 9 (inc): (Dc2inc, 4 dc) 6 times (36 sts).

Rounds 10–17: 1 dc in each dc.

Round 18 (dec): (Dc2tog, 4 dc) 6 times (30 sts).

Rounds 19–20: 1 dc in each dc.

Sl st to the next st and fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn at the end.

Ears Rounds 1–20

Nose

With 4mm hook and A, make a magic loop.

Round 1: 1 ch, 6 dc into loop (6 sts).

Round 2 (inc): (Dc2inc) 6 times. Close the loop by pulling tightly on the short end of the yarn (12 sts).

Round 3 (inc): (Dc2inc) 12 times (24 sts).

Round 4 (inc): (Dc2inc, 1 dc) 12 times (36 sts).

Round 5: 1 dc in each dc.

Round 6: Skip next 6 dc, sl st in next 6 dc, skip next 6 dc, sl st in next 18 dc. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn at the end.

Nose Rounds 1–6

Making up

• Join body and lining
• Place body and lining with WS together. With body facing up and 4mm hook, join A with a sl st to first of the 122 dc at top of body and lining at the same time to join.
• Next: Working in each dc of both body and lining at the same time, 1 dc in same st as sl st, 1 dc in next 121 dc, *(dc2inc, 5 dc) 5 times around paw*, 1 dc in next 120 dc; rep from * to *, 1 dc in next 44 dc, 2 dc in next 1-ch sp, 1 dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in next 1-ch sp, 1 dc in next 44 dc; rep from * to *, 1 dc in next 120 dc, rep from * to *, sl st in first st and fasten off.
• With C, embroider five straight stitches on each paw for the claws.

Head

Stuff the head to within 5 rows from the neck edge. Align the stitches at beginning and end of each row in the centre of the underside of the head. Sew the open edges together to form a straight seam. Use the tail of yarn left after fastening off to sew the head in place, stitching both sides to the body and lining.

Nose and mouth

Insert a small amount of stuffing inside the nose. Sew the nose in place at the end of the snout, stitching all around the outer edges. Embroider a fly stitch with A for the mouth.

Eyes

Insert a tiny amount of stuffing into the eyeballs. Sew an eye to each side of the face with the length of yarn left after fastening off, stitching all around the outer edges. Embroider one or two short stitches in each eye using E.

Ears

Stuff the ears lightly, keeping a flattened shape. Using the long length of yarn left after fastening off, sew the 15 stitches on each side of the lower edge together to form a straight seam on each ear. Curve the lower edges of each ear and sew in place, stitching all around the edges to attach them securely.

Weave in all the yarn ends.

I would like to thank GMC Books for the review copy of the book and pattern extract from Crocheted Animal Rugs.

*Prices subject to change*
#crochet #animalrug #crochetrug #animalblanket #patternextract #gmcbooks @GMCbooks @gmcpublications

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Create 10 beautiful wild animal rugs with detailed patterns, photographs and helpful charts. Get a closer look at all the patterns plus a bonus free crochet Black Bear Rug pattern extract with my book review.

Unleash your wild side! Get hooked on crocheting with these incredible wild animal rugs. 🐅🦒🐊🐗🦁🦓🦏🐻 Create 10 beautiful wild animal rugs with detailed patterns, photographs and helpful charts. Get a closer look at all the patterns plus a bonus free crochet Black Bear Rug pattern extract with my book review.