purlJam

<pattern>

# **Realistic Standing Fox Amigurumi**

### **Pattern Details**
- **Difficulty**: Advanced
- **Finished Size**: 15 cm (6 inches) tall when standing
- **Gauge**: 7 sts × 8 rounds = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in sc with 3.5mm hook
- **Designer Notes**: This realistic fox features color blocking, a separately attached muzzle, and reinforced legs for standing stability. Careful attention to stuffing firmness and leg positioning is essential.

---

## **MATERIALS**

### Yarn
- **Weight**: Worsted weight (4) acrylic or cotton blend
- **Colors needed**:
  - **Main Color (MC)**: Rust/Orange – 100g (220 yards)
  - **Contrast Color 1 (CC1)**: White – 30g (65 yards)
  - **Contrast Color 2 (CC2)**: Black – 15g (30 yards)
  
### Notions
- **Hook**: 3.5mm (US E-4) – smaller than yarn label recommendation for tight gauge
- **Safety eyes**: 8mm black, 1 pair
- **Fiberfill stuffing**: Polyester, high quality
- **Yarn needle**: Tapestry needle for assembly
- **Stitch markers**: To track round beginnings
- **Optional**: 
  - Floral wire (18-20 gauge) for poseable tail and leg reinforcement
  - Wire cutters
  - Pliers
  - Pink embroidery floss for nose details
  - Fabric glue for securing wire ends

---

## **ABBREVIATIONS**
- **ch**: chain
- **sc**: single crochet
- **inc**: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
- **dec**: invisible decrease (insert hook in front loops of next 2 sts, yo, pull through both, yo, pull through all 3 loops)
- **sl st**: slip stitch
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **rnd(s)**: round(s)
- **BLO**: back loop only
- **FLO**: front loop only
- **[ ]**: total stitch count at end of round
- **( )**: repeat instructions within parentheses

---

## **SPECIAL TECHNIQUES**

### **Magic Ring (Adjustable Ring)**
Create a loop with yarn tail, insert hook through loop, yo and pull through, ch 1, work stitches into loop, pull tail to tighten.

### **Invisible Decrease**
Insert hook through front loop only of next 2 sts, yo and pull through both loops (2 loops on hook), yo and pull through both loops on hook.

### **Color Change**
Work last stitch of old color until 2 loops remain on hook, yo with new color and pull through both loops. Continue with new color. Carry non-working color inside piece when changing frequently.

### **Invisible Join (for finishing)**
Cut yarn leaving 8-inch tail. Thread through yarn needle, insert through front loop of next stitch, then insert needle down through center of last stitch made. Pull snug and weave in end.

### **Whip Stitch Assembly**
Hold pieces with edges aligned. Insert needle from back to front through both pieces, bring yarn over edge, repeat. Keep stitches small and evenly spaced.

---

## **PATTERN PIECES**

### **HEAD**
*Worked in continuous rounds with MC (orange/rust). Use stitch marker to track beginning of rounds.*

**Rnd 1**: 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12] *(6 inc)*  
**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18] *(6 sc, 6 inc)*  
**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24] *(12 sc, 6 inc)*  
**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30] *(18 sc, 6 inc)*  
**Rnd 6**: (4 sc, inc) around [36] *(24 sc, 6 inc)*  
**Rnds 7-13**: sc in each st around [36] *(7 rounds even)*

**👁️ EYE PLACEMENT**: Position safety eyes between rnds 11-12, approximately 8 sts apart. Insert and secure backings now, before continuing.

**Rnd 14**: (4 sc, dec) around [30] *(20 sc, 5 dec)*  
**Rnd 15**: (3 sc, dec) around [24] *(15 sc, 5 dec)*  
**Rnd 16**: (2 sc, dec) around [18] *(10 sc, 4 dec)*

**🧶 STUFF HEAD**: Stuff head firmly with fiberfill, shaping into rounded form. Continue stuffing while decreasing.

**Rnd 17**: (sc, dec) around [12] *(4 sc, 4 dec)*  
**Rnd 18**: dec around [6] *(6 dec)*

Fasten off, leaving 12-inch tail. Thread tail through remaining 6 sts, pull tight to close. Weave in end inside head.

---

### **MUZZLE**
*Worked in continuous rounds. Start with CC1 (white), change to MC (orange).*

**Rnd 1**: With CC1, 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
**Rnd 4**: BLO: sc in each st around [18] *(This creates definition for muzzle attachment)*  
**Rnd 5**: Change to MC, sc in each st around [18]  
**Rnds 6-7**: sc in each st around [18] *(2 rounds even)*

Fasten off, leaving 20-inch tail for sewing. Stuff muzzle lightly—should be firm but not hard. The white tip will show at the nose end.

**ASSEMBLY NOTE**: Position muzzle on front of head, centered below and between eyes (approximately rnds 12-16 of head). The white tip points down. Pin in place, then whip stitch securely around entire base using the long tail.

---

### **EARS (Make 2)**
*Worked in rows, then folded and seamed. Start with CC2 (black), change to MC (orange).*

**Row 1**: With CC2, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 3 ch, turn [4]  
**Row 2**: ch 1, inc, 2 sc, inc, turn [6]  
**Row 3**: ch 1, inc, 4 sc, inc, turn [8]  
**Row 4**: Change to MC, ch 1, inc, 6 sc, inc, turn [10]  
**Rows 5-8**: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn [10] *(4 rows even)*  
**Row 9**: ch 1, dec, 6 sc, dec, turn [8]  
**Row 10**: ch 1, dec, 4 sc, dec, turn [6]  
**Row 11**: ch 1, dec, 2 sc, dec [4]

Fasten off, leaving 16-inch tail. Fold ear in half lengthwise, matching edges. Whip stitch along curved edge to create triangular ear shape. Do not stuff.

**ASSEMBLY NOTE**: Position ears on top/sides of head (approximately rnds 5-7), angled slightly outward. Sew base of ear securely to head with long tail.

---

### **BODY**
*Worked in continuous rounds with MC and CC1 color changes.*

**Rnd 1**: With MC, 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
**Rnd 3**: (sc, inc) around [18]  
**Rnd 4**: (2 sc, inc) around [24]  
**Rnd 5**: (3 sc, inc) around [30]  
**Rnd 6**: (4 sc, inc) around [36] *(24 sc, 6 inc)*

**COLOR CHANGE FOR CHEST**: On next round, create white chest panel.

**Rnd 7**: With MC: 6 sc, change to CC1: 12 sc, change to MC: 18 sc [36]  
*Keep MC and CC1 strands on wrong side, carrying colors not in use.*

**Rnd 8**: With MC: 6 sc, with CC1: 12 sc, with MC: 18 sc [36]  
**Rnds 9-14**: Continue color pattern as established [36] *(6 rounds even with chest panel)*

**Rnd 15**: Change to MC only (chest panel ends), sc in each st around [36]  
**Rnds 16-17**: sc in each st around [36]

**BEGIN DECREASING**:

**Rnd 18**: (4 sc, dec) around [30] *(20 sc, 5 dec)*  
**Rnd 19**: sc in each st around [30]  
**Rnd 20**: (3 sc, dec) around [24] *(15 sc, 5 dec)*

**🧶 STUFF BODY**: Begin stuffing body very firmly. This is critical for standing stability. Continue stuffing as you decrease.

**Rnd 21**: (2 sc, dec) around [18] *(10 sc, 4 dec)*  
**Rnd 22**: (sc, dec) around [12] *(4 sc, 4 dec)*

Leave opening. Do not fasten off yet—legs will attach here. Set aside.

---

### **LEGS (Make 2)**
*Worked in continuous rounds. Start with CC2 (black) for paw, change to MC (orange). These must be VERY firmly stuffed for standing.*

**Rnd 1**: With CC2, 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
**Rnd 3**: BLO: sc in each st around [12] *(Creates paw pad definition)*  
**Rnds 4-5**: sc in each st around [12] *(2 rounds even)*  
**Rnd 6**: Change to MC, sc in each st around [12]  
**Rnds 7-16**: sc in each st around [12] *(10 rounds even - leg length)*

**🧶 STUFF LEG**: Stuff leg VERY firmly, packing fiberfill tightly. For standing stability, pack especially tight at paw end.

**OPTIONAL WIRE REINFORCEMENT**: Cut floral wire to 10 cm (4 inches). Fold 1/2 inch at each end to create blunt tips (safety). Insert wire through center of leg before closing. This helps legs support weight and maintain position.

Fasten off first leg, leaving 6-inch tail. Weave in end.

Continue with second leg, but leave opening and 20-inch tail for assembly.

---

### **ATTACHING LEGS TO BODY**

This is critical for standing posture. Legs must be positioned correctly and sewn securely.

1. Position both legs at bottom opening of body, side by side, facing forward.
2. The legs should be placed close together (touching or nearly touching) and aligned straight down from body center.
3. Using long tail from second leg and yarn needle, whip stitch legs into body opening, going through both leg tops and body edge.
4. Stitch completely around, ensuring legs are firmly attached and positioned correctly.
5. Add additional stuffing to body if needed before fully closing.
6. Close any remaining gap, fasten off and weave in end.

**TEST STANDING**: Set piece down on legs. Body should balance upright. If wobbly, add more stuffing to legs or adjust positioning slightly.

---

### **ARMS (Make 2)**
*Worked in continuous rounds. Start with CC2 (black), change to MC (orange). Stuff lightly for mobility.*

**Rnd 1**: With CC2, 6 sc in magic ring [6]  
**Rnd 2**: inc in each st around [12]  
**Rnd 3**: BLO: sc in each st around [12]  
**Rnds 4-5**: sc in each st around [12]  
**Rnd 6**: Change to MC, dec 3 times, 6 sc [9] *(3 dec, 6 sc)*  
**Rnds 7-13**: sc in each st around [9] *(7 rounds even)*

**🧶 STUFF ARM**: Stuff paw firmly, stuff arm lightly to allow movement.

**Rnd 14**: Flatten opening and sc through both layers to close (4-5 sc across)

Fasten off, leaving 16-inch tail for sewing to body.

**ASSEMBLY NOTE**: Position arms on sides of body at rnd 18-20 (upper body), angled slightly forward. Sew securely using long tail.

---

### **TAIL**
*Worked in continuous rounds with MC and CC1