purlJam

# Crochet Pattern: White Puppy Plush Head (Cinnamoroll Style)
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Technique:** Amigurumi (Spiral rounds)
**Terminology:** UK Crochet Terms

## Introduction
This pattern creates a wide, kawaii-style plush head inspired by the character Cinnamoroll. Unlike standard round amigurumi, this project uses an **oval construction** method to achieve the character's signature wide face. It features long, floppy ears and charming pink cheeks.

This pattern follows the "Crochet Toy - Simple Shapes" methodology but elevates the construction for an intermediate finish.

## Specifications
*   **Final Size:** Approx. 12cm wide x 8cm tall (excluding ears).
*   **Tension (Gauge):** 5 dc = 2.5cm (precise tension is not critical, provided stitches are tight enough to hold stuffing).

## Materials
*   **Yarn:** Worsted Weight (Aran/10ply) acrylic or cotton.
    *   Colour A: White (approx. 50g)
    *   Colour B: Baby Pink (small amount for cheeks)
    *   Colour C: Cyan/Bright Blue (small amount for embroidery)
*   **Hook:** 3.5mm (US E-4)
*   **Stuffing:** High-quality polyester fibre fill.
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle, stitch marker, scissors, black embroidery thread (for mouth).
*   **Optional:** 12mm Safety Eyes (Blue or Black).

## Abbreviations (UK Terms)
*   **ch:** chain
*   **dc:** double crochet (equivalent to US single crochet)
*   **inc:** increase (2 dc in one stitch)
*   **dc2tog:** decrease (double crochet 2 together - use invisible decrease technique)
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **sl st:** slip stitch
*   **[...]**: Total stitch count at end of round.

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## Pattern Instructions

### 1. Head (Oval Shape)
*Worked in Colour A (White). We work around a foundation chain to create an oval.*

*   **Foundation:** Ch 9.
*   **Rnd 1:** Dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next 6 ch, 3 dc in last ch. Rotate work to crochet along the underside of the chain. Dc in next 6 ch, 2 dc in the last ch (same stitch as the first dc). [18 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `1 + 6 + 3 + 6 + 2 = 18`
*   **Rnd 2:** Inc in first st, dc in next 6 sts, inc in next 3 sts, dc in next 6 sts, inc in next 2 sts. [24 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `2 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 4 = 24`
*   **Rnd 3:** (Dc 1, inc) x 1, dc 6, (dc 1, inc) x 3, dc 6, (dc 1, inc) x 2. [30 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `3 + 6 + 9 + 6 + 6 = 30`
*   **Rnd 4:** (Dc 2, inc) x 1, dc 6, (dc 2, inc) x 3, dc 6, (dc 2, inc) x 2. [36 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `4 + 6 + 12 + 6 + 8 = 36`
*   **Rnd 5:** (Dc 3, inc) x 1, dc 6, (dc 3, inc) x 3, dc 6, (dc 3, inc) x 2. [42 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `5 + 6 + 15 + 6 + 10 = 42`
*   **Rnd 6:** (Dc 4, inc) x 1, dc 6, (dc 4, inc) x 3, dc 6, (dc 4, inc) x 2. [48 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `6 + 6 + 18 + 6 + 12 = 48`
*   **Rnds 7–14:** Dc in each st around (8 rounds). [48 sts]
    *   *Note:* If using safety eyes, insert them now between Rnd 11 and Rnd 12. Place them roughly 9-10 stitches apart on one of the wide sides of the oval.
*   **Rnd 15:** (Dc 4, dc2tog) around. [40 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `48 - 8 = 40`
*   **Rnd 16:** (Dc 3, dc2tog) around. [32 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `40 - 8 = 32`
*   **Rnd 17:** (Dc 2, dc2tog) around. [24 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `32 - 8 = 24`
    *   *Action:* Stuff the head firmly, focusing on pushing stuffing into the "cheeks" (the sides of the oval) to maintain the wide shape.
*   **Rnd 18:** (Dc 1, dc2tog) around. [16 sts]
*   **Rnd 19:** Dc2tog around. [8 sts]
*   **Finish:** Cut yarn, weave tail through front loops of remaining 8 sts, pull tight to close. Hide end inside.

### 2. Ears (Make 2)
*Worked in Colour A (White). These are long tubes that start narrow.*

*   **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in magic ring. [6 sts]
*   **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. [12 sts]
*   **Rnd 3:** (Dc 1, inc) around. [18 sts]
*   **Rnd 4:** (Dc 2, inc) around. [24 sts]
*   **Rnds 5–8:** Dc in each st around. [24 sts]
*   **Rnd 9:** (Dc 4, dc2tog) around. [20 sts]
    *   *Math Check:* `24 - 4 = 20`
*   **Rnds 10–18:** Dc in each st around. [20 sts]
    *   *Action:* Stuff the bottom (widest part) of the ear lightly. Do NOT stuff the top half (rounds 10-20). This ensures the ears flop down.
*   **Rnd 19:** (Dc 3, dc2tog) around. [16 sts]
*   **Rnd 20:** (Dc 2, dc2tog) around. [12 sts]
*   **Finish:** Flatten the opening and dc through both layers to close (approx 6 dc). Leave a long tail for sewing.

### 3. Cheeks (Make 2)
*Worked in Colour B (Pink).*

*   **Rnd 1:** 8 dc in magic ring. Join with sl st to first dc. [8 sts]
*   **Finish:** Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

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## Assembly & Finishing

1.  **Face Placement (Critical for Character Likeness):**
    *   Identify the wider side of the oval head. This is the face.
    *   If you haven't used safety eyes, embroider oval eyes using **Cyan/Blue** yarn between Rnds 11-12, spaced about 9 sts apart.
    *   Sew the **Pink Cheeks** immediately below and slightly outside the eyes (around Rnd 13).

2.  **Mouth Embroidery:**
    *   Use black or dark grey embroidery thread.
    *   Stitch a small 'W' shape or a simplified cat mouth (`ω`) directly in the centre of the face, aligned between the eyes at Rnd 12.

3.  **Attaching Ears:**
    *   Pin the flattened top edge of the ears to Rnd 5 or 6 of the head (the top curve).
    *   Placement should be slightly towards the back of the center line so they drape forward slightly.
    *   Sew firmly. Because we did not stuff the top of the ears, they should flop down naturally.

4.  **Final Touches:**
    *   Massage the head shape to ensure it remains a wide oval.

## Technical Notes for Intermediate Crafters
*   **Invisible Decrease:** To ensure a smooth surface on the white yarn, use the invisible decrease method (insert hook into front loop of first st, then front loop of second st, yo, pull through two loops, yo, pull through remaining two).
*   **Oval Symmetry:** If your oval twists (common in spiral crochet), add an extra stitch at the end of the round to shift the start point back to the "side" of the oval before beginning decrease rounds.
*   **Scaling:** To make a larger cushion size, use Super Chunky (Size 6) yarn and a 6.0mm hook; the pattern counts remain the same.