By Melissa Mall

Photos : Melissa Mall

Entertaining children in the car or at a restaurant can be challenging. Only so many toys can fit in a purse or diaper bag, and the kids are always looking for something new! This cute little portable playset features two finger puppets – a duck and a duckling – and a drawstring duck pond so you can pack the fun along with you in a self-contained little bag.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Finished Measurements: Pond measures 7.5″ across when open, and about 3.5″ across when closed.

Materials:

• Red Heart Super Saver [100% Acrylic; 364yd/333m per 7oz/198g skein]; color: Blue – 20yds, Green – 25 yds, Yellow – 10 yds, White – 15 yds, Orange – small amount, Black – small amount
• H.8 (5.00mm size) hook
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch marker to keep track of rounds (optional)

Gauge: 13sts/14 rows = 4″/10cm in sc

Note: Do not join rounds unless directed; the pieces are worked in a continuous spiral.

Directions:

Pond
Rnd 1: With Blue, ch 2. Make 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2: [Sc inc] in each st around. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: [Sc inc in next st, sc in next st] around. (18 sc)

Rnd 4: [Sc inc in next st, sc in next 2 sts] around. (24 sc)

Rnd 5: [Sc inc in next st, sc in next 3 sts] around. (30 sc)

Rnd 6: [Sc inc in next st, sc in next 4 sts] around. (36 sc)

Rnd 7: [Sc inc in next st, sc in next 5 sts] around. (42 sc)

Rnd 8: [Sc inc in next st, sc in next 6 sts] around. (48 sc) Sl st in next st; switch to Green.

Rnd 9: Ch 1. [Sc inc in next st, sc in next 7 sts] around. (54 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 10: Ch 2. *Dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in next st, dc inc in next st. Dc in next st, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in each of the next 2 sts, dc inc in next st. Repeat from * around; join rnd. (66 sts)

Rnd 11: Ch 1. [Sc inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts] around. (72 sc) Join rnd, finish off.

Drawstring: With Green, ch 75 and finish off. Weave through eyelets in Pond and tie yarn ends together.

Duckling

Body
Rnd 1: With Yellow, ch 2. Make 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnds 2-6: Sc in each st around. (8 sc)

Tail: Sl st in next st. Ch 2, dc in same st, sl st in same st. Finish off.

Head
Rnd 1: With Yellow, ch 2. Make 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnds 2-4: Sc in each st around.

Sl st in next st; finish off leaving a tail of yarn a few inches long. Weave tail through sts of Rnd 4 and pull tight to close.

Beak: With Orange, ch 3. Sk 1 st, sc in each of the next 2 sts. Finish off.

Duck

Body
Rnd 1: With White, ch 2. Make 6 sc in 2nd st from hook.

Rnd 2: [Sc inc] in each st around. (12 sc)

Rnds 3-8: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Tail: Sl st in next st. Ch 2, make 2 dc in same st, sl st in same st. Finish off.

Head
Rnd 1: With White, ch 2. Make 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnds 2-5: Sc in each st around. (8 sc)

Sl st in next st, finish off.

Beak: With Orange, ch 4. Sk 1 st, sc in each of the next 3 sts, finish off.

Finishing
1. Sew Duckling’s head to body. Sew Duckling’s beak to head. Using a scrap of black yarn, embroider eyes. Weave in ends.
2. Stuff Duck’s head with a scrap of yarn (it won’t take much) and sew it to the body. Sew beak to head. Using a scrap of black yarn, embroider eyes. Weave in ends.
3. Weave in ends on Pond.

Note: I like to tie a little slipknot in the drawstring when the pouch is closed to keep it from slipping back open.

About the Designer
Melissa Mall is an at-home mom with four sons seven and under. They are currently residing in Arizona after a three-year stint in Japan and are having a fun time readjusting. You can keep up with their ordinary adventures over at her blog, or take a peek at her crochet patterns and tutorials at Inner Child Crochet.

Pattern & images © Melissa Mall. All rights reserved.