The SNAKE: Chinese Zodiac Animals #6

The Snake, in the Eastern zodiac, is charming, soft-spoken and mysterious. They make their decisions quickly and firmly; they are thinkers. Apparently though, they tend to tell lies and are a little bit lazy.

Our little snake is made in two parts:  the head will be completed first as a sphere and then the tail is made from the tip up and attached to the head.


You will need:

light green yarn, dark green yarn, and a tiny bit of pink yarn all in worsted weight
stuffing (polyfill or wool)
safety eyes
crochet hook (size A recommended but any hook up to size G will work)

tapestry needle
*optional = long doll needle, stuffing fork (see the Information Page for more info on this)


Key:

Ch = chain

INC = 2 sc into one stitch

#INC = do # increases in a row

DEC = invisible decrease turns the next 2 sts into one st

# or sc# = separate sc stitches (no increasing or decreasing) 

slst = slip stitch

Begin here:

Head first:

R1  With light green yarn, magic circle with 6 stitches into the loop.

R2  INC around. (12)
R3  (1, INC) around (18)
R4  1, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2 (23)

R5  INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4 (28)

R6  3, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 3 (32)

R7  5, INC, 9, INC, 9, INC, 6 (35)

R8  3, INC, 10, INC, 11, INC, 8 (38)

R9  12, INC, 25 (39)
R10  INC, 38 (40)

R11  sc around (insert eyes between R6/7 six sts apart)
R12  38, DEC (39)
R13  25, DEC, 12 (38)
R14  8, DEC, 11, DEC, 10, DEC, 3 (35)
R15  6, DEC, 9, DEC, 9, DEC, 5 (32)
R16  3, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 3 (28)        (FILL WITH STUFFING)

R17  4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC (23)

R18  2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 1 (18)
R19  (DEC, 1) repeat around (12)
R20  (DEC, 1) repeat around. Fasten off. Weave loose end through each stitch in the opening. Fill completely with stuffing.  Pull tightly to close.  Sew in your end.

Body/Tail:

R1  starting at the tip of the tail, Magic Circle with 4 stitches into the loop using light green
R2  INC, 3 (5)

R3  INC, 4 (6)

R4  (2, INC) two times (8)

R5  (3, INC) two times (10)

R6-8  sc around (10)

Now, stuffing lightly as you go, single crochet 8 rounds dk green, 8 rounds lt green, 8 rounds dk green, 8 rounds lt green, then:

R41  (1, INC) 5 times around (15)

R42  sc around

R43  (2, INC) 5 times around (20)

R44  sc around

R45  (3, INC) 5 times around (30)

R46  sc around.  Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew onto head of snake between round 16/17 and stuff last part tightly before closing up.


Tongue:  Make one in pink:

Chain 8, turn, sl st in 2^nd chain from hook, 2 more slst, ch 4, turn and sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, 2 more slst and continue sl st back to where your tail is at the beginning (5 sl st).

Attach the tongue to the centre of your sphere and you're done!

We are now half way thru!  How is everyone doing?  Please feel free to post on my Facebook, or tag me with #turtlekeeperdesigns on Instagram!  I'd LOVE to see your work!  If you ever need any help, advice, clarification or explanation, please feel free to contact me on Facebook, IG, Ravelry, Etsy, or comment below :)