purlJam

# Anatomy Trio: Crochet Body Parts Pattern
### A Beginner-Friendly Anatomical Plush Set — Heart, Brain & Lungs

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## OVERVIEW

A whimsical yet anatomically-inspired trio of crocheted body parts, perfect for medical students, science teachers, biology enthusiasts, or anyone who appreciates quirky décor. Each piece is worked in simple seamless rounds using only basic stitches, making this an ideal project for confident beginners.

**Finished Sizes (approximate):**
- Anatomical Heart: 10 cm tall × 8 cm wide (4" × 3¼")
- Brain: 9 cm wide × 7 cm tall (3½" × 2¾")
- Lungs (pair): 8 cm tall × 5 cm wide each (3¼" × 2")

**Skill Level:** Easy / Confident Beginner

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn (Worsted weight / Aran, Yarn Weight 4):**
- **Colour A — Deep Red** (~40 g) — for heart body
- **Colour B — Dusky Pink** (~30 g) — for brain and lung tissue
- **Colour C — Burgundy / Dark Red** (~10 g) — for arteries and heart details
- **Colour D — Cream / Off-White** (~5 g) — for trachea and bronchi

**Hook:**
- 3.5 mm (UK 9 / US E-4) crochet hook

**Notions:**
- Polyester fibrefill stuffing
- Yarn / tapestry needle
- Stitch marker (or scrap yarn)
- Sharp scissors
- Pins for placement

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## TENSION (GAUGE)

18 dc × 20 rounds = 10 cm (4") square worked in continuous spiral.

Tension is not critical, but work tightly so that stuffing does not show through the fabric. If you can see gaps, drop down to a 3.0 mm hook.

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## ABBREVIATIONS (UK Terminology)

| Abbreviation | UK Meaning | US Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ch | chain | chain |
| ss | slip stitch | slip stitch |
| dc | double crochet | single crochet (sc) |
| htr | half treble | half double (hdc) |
| tr | treble | double crochet (dc) |
| inc | increase (2 dc in same st) | – |
| dec | invisible decrease (2 dc together) | – |
| MR | magic ring | – |
| st(s) | stitch(es) | – |
| rnd(s) | round(s) | – |
| [ ] | total stitch count at end of round | – |
| ( ) x | repeat instructions in brackets x times | – |

**Note:** All pieces are worked in a continuous spiral — do not join or turn unless instructed. Move stitch marker up each round.

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## PATTERN 1: ANATOMICAL HEART

Worked in two atrial bumps that join into a single ventricle body. Uses **Colour A (Deep Red)** unless otherwise stated.

### Right Atrium (make 1)
- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]** *(6 × 2 = 12 ✓)*
- **Rnd 3:** (1 dc, inc) around. **[18]** *(6 × 3 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnds 4–5:** dc in each st around. **[18]**
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail (~20 cm) for joining. Lightly stuff.

### Left Atrium (make 1)
- **Rnds 1–5:** Work exactly as Right Atrium. **[18]**
- **Do not fasten off.** Lightly stuff.

### Joining the Atria (begin ventricle body)
With the Left Atrium still on the hook, hold the Right Atrium against it so the openings face each other.

- **Rnd 6 (joining round):** Work 1 dc into the next st of the Left Atrium, then continue working 8 more dc around the Left Atrium opening (9 dc total on left). Then, working into the Right Atrium edge, work 9 dc around it. **[18]** *(9 + 9 = 18 ✓)*

*You now have one combined tube with 18 sts.*

### Ventricle Body
- **Rnd 7:** (2 dc, inc) around. **[24]** *(6 × 4 = 24 ✓)*
- **Rnds 8–11:** dc in each st around. **[24]** (4 rounds)
- **Rnd 12:** (2 dc, dec) around. **[18]** *(6 × 3 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnd 13:** dc in each st around. **[18]**
- **Stuff the heart firmly here**, shaping the atria and ventricle.
- **Rnd 14:** (1 dc, dec) around. **[12]** *(6 × 2 = 12 ✓)*
- **Rnd 15:** dec around. **[6]** *(6 × 1 = 6 ✓)*
- Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail. Use needle to weave through remaining 6 sts and pull closed.

### Aorta & Arteries (using Colour C — Burgundy)
Make 3 short tubes for the aorta and main arteries:

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnds 2–4:** dc in each st around. **[6]**
- For the aorta (longest), continue Rnds 5–7 for 3 extra rounds.
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff.

Sew the three tubes to the top of the heart between the two atria — the longest aorta in the centre, two shorter arteries flanking it.

**Optional detail:** With Colour C and a yarn needle, embroider a few surface chain stitches across the front of the ventricle to suggest coronary arteries.

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## PATTERN 2: BRAIN

Worked as a sphere in **Colour B (Dusky Pink)**, with surface chain "convolutions" added for the cerebral cortex texture. Made as two hemispheres joined down the centre.

### Hemisphere (make 2)
- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st. **[12]** *(✓)*
- **Rnd 3:** (1 dc, inc) around. **[18]** *(✓)*
- **Rnd 4:** (2 dc, inc) around. **[24]** *(✓)*
- **Rnds 5–7:** dc in each st around. **[24]** (3 rounds)
- **Rnd 8:** (2 dc, dec) around. **[18]** *(✓)*
- Stuff firmly but maintain a slightly flattened shape.
- **Rnd 9:** (1 dc, dec) around. **[12]** *(✓)*
- **Rnd 10:** dec around. **[6]** *(✓)*
- Fasten off, leaving a 30 cm tail. Close the hole.

### Joining the Hemispheres
Place the two hemispheres side by side with the closed tops facing up. Using the long tail from one piece, whip stitch them together down the centre line, joining about 6–8 stitches along the seam (leave the front and back ends slightly open for a more brain-like indent).

### Surface Texture (Convolutions)
With a second strand of **Colour B** (or **Colour C** for contrast), use a surface slip stitch:
1. Insert hook from front to back, draw up a loop.
2. Insert hook into next stitch, draw through fabric and the loop on hook.
3. Continue in wavy, meandering lines across each hemisphere — mimicking the folds of the cerebral cortex.

Aim for 4–6 wavy lines per hemisphere. Don't overthink it — randomness is realistic!

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## PATTERN 3: LUNGS (PAIR)

Worked as two elongated, tapered shapes joined at the top by a small trachea and bronchi. Uses **Colour B (Dusky Pink)** for the lungs and **Colour D (Cream)** for the airways.

### Lung (make 2 — identical, mirror by orientation)

Using **Colour B:**

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st. **[12]** *(✓)*
- **Rnd 3:** (1 dc, inc) around. **[18]** *(✓)*
- **Rnds 4–6:** dc in each st around. **[18]** (3 rounds)
- **Rnd 7:** (4 dc, inc) around — *but worked unevenly: place increases towards one side to create a slight bulge*. **[21]**
  - Actual sequence: 4 dc, inc, 4 dc, inc, 4 dc, inc, 6 dc. *(4+1+4+1+4+1+6 = 21 ✓)*
- **Rnds 8–9:** dc in each st around. **[21]**
- **Rnd 10:** (5 dc, dec) around. **[18]** *(3 × 6 = 18 ✓)*
- **Rnd 11:** dc in each st around. **[18]**
- **Rnd 12:** (1 dc, dec) around. **[12]** *(✓)*
- Stuff firmly.
- **Rnd 13:** dec around. **[6]** *(✓)*
- Fasten off, leaving 20 cm tail. Close the top opening — this is the apex (top) of the lung where the bronchus will attach.

### Trachea (make 1) — Using Colour D
- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnds 2–6:** dc in each st around. **[6]** (5 rounds)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Lightly stuff with a tiny pinch of fibrefill.

### Bronchi (make 2) — Using Colour D
- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnds 2–3:** dc in each st around. **[6]** (2 rounds)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Do not stuff.

### Assembly
1. Sew one bronchus to the top (apex) of each lung.
2. Sew the opposite ends of both bronchi to the base of the trachea, forming a "Y" shape.
3. Optional: with **Colour D**, embroider 4–5 small horizontal surface stitches across the trachea to suggest tracheal rings.

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## FINISHING

- Weave in all loose ends using the yarn needle, hiding them inside the stuffed pieces.
- Lightly steam-block or pat into shape (do not press flat).
- For display, the three pieces can be arranged together as an "anatomy set."

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## CUSTOMISATION TIPS

- **Keychain version:** Use DK yarn and a 3.0 mm hook for ~60% scale, attach a split ring to the aorta/trachea.
- **Educational labels:** Pin small fabric labels to each piece for teaching aids.
- **Realistic colour palette:** Substitute Colour A with a darker oxblood and Colour B with a more muted greyish pink for medical-accurate tones.
- **Cartoon palette:** Use bright pinks, reds and purples for a cute, kawaii vibe.
- **Add safety eyes** to each piece for adorable "anatomy with personalities" plushies.

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## STITCH COUNT VALIDATION SUMMARY

| Piece | Max sts | Calculation | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart atrium | 18 | 6 → 12 → 18 | ✓ |
| Heart ventricle | 24 | 18 → 24 → 18 → 12 → 6 | ✓ |
| Brain hemisphere | 24 | 6 → 12 → 18 → 24 → 18 → 12 → 6 | ✓ |
| Lung | 21 | 6 → 12 → 18 → 21 → 18 → 12 → 6 | ✓ |
| Trachea / artery | 6 | 6 throughout | ✓ |

Enjoy your anatomy plush trio! Tag your makes with #CrochetAnatomy to share.