purlJam

# Mini Car — Beginner Crochet Pattern

A charming little crocheted car, perfect as a baby toy, desk companion, or party favour. Worked in simple basic shapes using UK crochet terminology.

**Skill Level:** Beginner
**Finished Size:** Approximately 12 cm long × 5 cm wide × 6 cm tall (4¾" × 2" × 2⅜")

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (Aran/10-ply), approximately:
  - 30 g Main Colour (MC) — e.g. red, blue, or your favourite colour
  - 10 g Contrast Colour (CC) — for the cabin/roof (e.g. cream or grey)
  - 10 g Black — for the wheels
  - Small amount of grey or light blue — for windows (optional)
- **Hook:** 3.5 mm (UK 9 / US E-4)
- **Notions:**
  - Polyester fibrefill stuffing
  - Yarn needle (tapestry needle)
  - Stitch marker
  - Scissors
  - Optional: 2 small black safety eyes (6 mm) for headlights, or embroider with yarn

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## Tension (Gauge)

20 dc × 22 rounds = 10 cm (4") square worked in the round.
Exact tension is not critical — just keep stitches tight enough that stuffing does not show through.

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## Abbreviations (UK Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **dc** — double crochet (= US single crochet)
- **dc2tog** — double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
- **inc** — 2 dc into the same stitch (increase)
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **MR** — magic ring
- **rnd** — round
- **[ ]** — stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x N** — repeat instructions in brackets N times

**Note:** Work in continuous spirals unless otherwise stated. Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.

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## Construction Overview

The car is made in **4 separate pieces**:
1. Car Body (1 piece — oval base/chassis)
2. Cabin/Roof (1 piece — smaller oval top)
3. Wheels (4 pieces)

All pieces are then sewn together.

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## PART 1 — Car Body (Make 1 in MC)

Worked as a flat-based oval tube.

**Foundation:** With MC, ch 8.

**Rnd 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook: 2 dc in first ch, dc in next 5 ch, 3 dc in last ch; rotate to work along opposite side of foundation chain: dc in next 5 ch, inc in last ch (same as starting ch). [16 sts]

*Math check: 2 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 1 = 16 ✓*

**Rnd 2:** inc, dc in next 5, (inc) x 3, dc in next 5, (inc) x 2. [22 sts]

*Math check: 16 + 6 = 22 ✓*

**Rnd 3:** (inc, dc in next 6, inc, inc, dc in next 6, inc, inc). Worked as: inc, dc 6, inc, inc, dc 6, inc, inc. [28 sts]

*Math check: 22 + 6 = 28 ✓*

**Rnd 4:** Working in **back loops only** (this creates a crisp edge for the chassis): dc in each st around. [28 sts]

**Rnds 5–8:** dc in each st around (both loops). [28 sts]

**Rnd 9:** dc2tog, dc in next 12, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc in next 10, dc2tog. [24 sts]

*Math check: 28 − 4 = 24 ✓*

**Rnd 10:** Begin stuffing firmly. dc2tog, dc in next 10, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc in next 8, dc2tog. [20 sts]

Finish stuffing the body firmly. Press into a neat brick shape with your fingers.

**Rnd 11:** Fold the opening flat (top edge to top edge) and dc through both layers across to close. (10 sts worked through both layers.)

Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm tail for any adjustments. Weave in end.

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## PART 2 — Cabin / Roof (Make 1 in CC)

A smaller flat-based oval that sits on top of the body.

**Foundation:** With CC, ch 5.

**Rnd 1:** Starting in 2nd ch from hook: 2 dc in first ch, dc in next 2 ch, 3 dc in last ch; rotate: dc in next 2 ch, inc in last ch. [10 sts]

*Math check: 2 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10 ✓*

**Rnd 2:** inc, dc 2, (inc) x 3, dc 2, (inc) x 2. [16 sts]

*Math check: 10 + 6 = 16 ✓*

**Rnd 3:** dc in each st around. [16 sts]

**Rnd 4:** dc in each st around. [16 sts]

**Rnd 5:** dc in each st around. [16 sts]

Sl st to next st to finish neatly. Fasten off, leaving a long tail (approx 40 cm) for sewing.

Lightly stuff the cabin (do not over-fill — it should remain slightly flexible to sit on the body).

**Optional windows:** With grey/light blue yarn and yarn needle, embroider a small rectangle of satin stitch on each long side of the cabin to suggest windows.

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## PART 3 — Wheels (Make 4 in Black)

Worked as flat discs.

**Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. [6 sts]

**Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. [12 sts]

*Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*

**Rnd 3:** (dc, inc) around. [18 sts]

*Math check: 6 increases added = 12 + 6 = 18 ✓*

Sl st to next st. Fasten off, leaving a 30 cm tail for sewing.

**Optional:** With a scrap of grey or silver yarn, work a small French knot or "X" in the centre of each wheel for a hubcap detail.

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## Assembly

**1. Attach the Cabin to the Body:**
- Centre the cabin on top of the body, slightly toward the back (about ⅓ of the way from the rear). The cabin should occupy roughly the middle-to-rear half of the car.
- Using the long CC tail and a yarn needle, whip stitch the cabin in place all the way around. Add a little more stuffing through any gap before closing the last side.
- Weave in ends.

**2. Attach the Wheels:**
- Lay the car on its side. Mark wheel positions on each long side:
  - Front wheels: about 2 cm from the front edge
  - Back wheels: about 2 cm from the back edge
  - Both wheels should sit flush with the bottom edge of the body
- Using the long black tail, whip stitch each wheel to the body around its full circumference. Make sure all four wheels align so the car sits level.
- Weave in ends.

**3. Finishing touches (optional):**
- **Headlights:** Embroider two small white or yellow French knots on the front of the car, or attach 6 mm safety eyes (only if the toy is for a child over 3 years).
- **Bumper / grille:** Work a short row of surface slip stitch in black or silver across the front.
- **Number plate:** Embroider a small white rectangle on the rear.

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## Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Squeeze gently (do not wring) and reshape while damp. Lay flat to dry.

**Safety note:** If gifting to a child under 3 years, omit safety eyes and embroider all details with yarn. Ensure all ends are securely woven in.

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## Tips for Success

- **Keep it tight:** Tight tension prevents stuffing from showing through and helps the car hold its shape.
- **Stuff as you go:** It is much harder to add stuffing once the body is partly closed.
- **Use stitch markers:** Continuous spiral rounds are easy to lose track of — mark the first stitch every round.
- **Customise:** Try stripes, polka dots embroidered on after, or a contrasting bonnet (front section) in a different colour.

Enjoy your little crocheted mini car! 🚗