Free Colin the Cat and Koi Carp patterns for St.Christopher's Hospice

 A large black cat called 'Colin' resided at St.Christopher's Hospice, Sydenham.

When I was a volunteer gardener, I often found him lurking about in the undergrowth. Failing that, he left evidence of his presence for us gardeners to deal with...
He is the inspiration for the following amigurumi which I designed in his honour. It is worked from the top down and ears, arms, legs and tail are integral to the design and do not need to be sewn on afterwards. Yay!
These were made using 4ply and DK yarn, hook size between 2-3.5mm, the fabric just needs to be quite tight, as stuffing would show through if it is too loose.The large Colin in the second picture was made in chunky yarn with a 4 or 5mm hook.

The pattern is still at the testing stage, so I'd appreciate any crocheters out  there giving it a go, feedback welcome, positive or negative. This batch of Colins sold out very quickly after being on sale in the Anniversary Centre. I've made lots, making them can get quite addictive. Although I am offering these patterns free of charge, if you enjoy making them, please consider making a donation to St.Christopher's, or your local Hospice.They don't have to be black! Variegated and fluffy yarns work, too- experiment!

A basket of Christmassy Colins!

Kevin the Koi Carp by Jo Bodley 2020

Inspired by the pond of Koi Carp at St. Christopher's Hospice, I designed this seamless amigurumi fish. The yarn is some vintage variegated wool, from a Charity Shop. There are many lovely variegated yarns available, Noro might be interesting.

I made some changes, in an effort to simplify this pattern. I put bells inside, one is for a baby, the other for a dog! Still needs tweaking,I think. They look a bit more lungfish than Koi Carp! Might try a mobile,using variegated yarns

Anyway, heres the pattern Enjoy!

                                                                                                                                                       

This pattern starts at the mouth and is worked in spiral rounds to the tail, with the fins all being integral, not needing to be sewn on afterwards.

Any weight and size of hook could be used, the only proviso being, that the fabric be close enough not to allow stuffing to show through.

Several could be made in different colours and suspended to make a baby  mobile, or they could contain cat nip or a bell as a pet toy.

Koi Carp Pattern (draft) by Jo Bodley.      jo.bodley@googlemail.com. Copyright 2020.

3.5mm hook, DK yarn

Make a magic ring and into it make 10dcs. OR  If you prefer, ch2  and work 10dc into 2^nd ch from hook.(if using second method, leave a long end for threading through and pulling end closed).

Rnd 1:*2dc into next st,4dc, repeat from * once.(12sts).

Rnd 2: *2dc into next st,5dc, repeat from * once. (14sts).

Rnd 3: *2dc into next st,6dc,repeat from * once. (16sts).

Rnd 4: *2dc into next st, 7dc, repeat from * once.(18sts).

Eyes Round.

Rnd 5:3dc, make bobble thus:

Insert hook into next st, pull yarn through both loops, pull up yarn to about 3-4mm.

*yrh,insert hook, yrh,pull up 3-4mm, repeat from * 3 more times. Yrh and pull through all loops on hook.SS into same st as loops were made in.

4dc,2dc in next st,4dc.

Make bobble for second eye.3dc,2dc into next st (20sts)

Rnd 6:3dc, 2dc behind bobble,5dc,2dc in next st,5dc.Behind bobble work 2dc, 3dc to end. (24sts).

Rnds 7-8: Dc all around without increasing.

Front Side Fin Round.

Rnd 9:8dc.

Make fin thus: Ch9, into 3^rd ch from hook,1tr.Into remaining ch, work (2tr,2htr,1dc,1ss)then dc into next st of round and turn.

Work to tip of fin, (2ss,2dc,2htr,2tr), turn

Ch2, 1tr,2htr,2ch,2ss, dc into next st of round. 6dc. Make second fin the same way as the first.7dc. (24sts).

Dorsal Fin rounds

Rnd 10: Into top st, ch 5. Dc into2nd ch from hookand rest of ch.9dc,1dc behind fin,6dc,1dc behind fin,7dc.(24sts).

Rnd 11: Dc along last edge of fin worked, not the cast on chain (you may have to twist work slightly, in order to achieve this),ch1, turn. Dc back to top of head, Dc all around.

Rnds12-19: Repeat rnd 11.

Rnd 20: 4dc to top of fin,ch 1, turn .4dc to base of fin.

11dc,2dc tog,11dc.

Rnd 21: 3dc into fin, ch1,turn,4dc.10dc,dc2tog,10dc.

Rnd 22:3dc up fin, ch1,turn, 4dc.Dc all around.(21sts).

Lower Fin Round

Rnd 23:Ch3 into dorsal fin,ch1,turn.4dc.5ch,

make fin thus;[Ch6,into 3^rd ch from hook, 1htr, 1htr,2dc,1ss,turn

1ss,1dc,2htr,2ch,turn 2htr,2dc.1ss.]

6dc, make 2^nd fin as 1st.5dc.

Rnd 24:3dc up fin,ch1,turn.4dc to base of dorsal fin.1dc behind fin.6dc,1dc behind fin.4dc.

Rnd 25: 3dc up fin,ch1,turn.4dc to top of fin.7dc,dc2tog,7dc.

Rnd 26: 3dc up fin,ch1, turn.4dc to base of fin.14dc.

Rnd 27: 3dc up fin,turn,3dc to base of fin.6dc,dc2tog,6dc.

Rnd 28: 3dc up fin,turn, 3dc. 12dc around.

Rnd 29:3dc,turn,3dc.6dc,dc2tog,6dc.

Rnd 30:2dc,1ch,turn,3dc.11dc.

Stuff body with polyester toy stuffing.

Rnd 31:2dc,turn,2dc.5dc,dc2tog,5dc.

Rnd 32: 2dc turn,2dc,4dc,dc2tog,4dc.

Rnd 33:1dc,ch1,turn,2dc.3dc.dc2tog,3dc

Rnd 34: 1dc,turn,1dc, dc2tog twice.

Tail

Rnd 35:[10ch,turn,ss,2dc,2htr,1tr,1htr,1dc]Repeat instruction in brackets for second section of tail.Work a dc into other side of chain to tail end, repeat bracket instruction. Repeat for second part of tail.

Sew in ends, Embroider eyes on bobbles, using black French knots and white chain stitches.