In the comforting shadows of the setting sun a tree trunk stands in the forest. Flowers covers its bark and on top of it a young fox is snoozing in the last light of the day. When a little squirrel approaches the trunk to hide his acorn, a soft music can be heard…
The trunk is hiding a music box inside. I didn’t really have a pattern for the trunk, so I made it up by myself. I started with making 4 equal circles of double crochets about 15cm in width. I used the following guide by Sarah London to make them nice and seamless. I crocheted (with sc) two of the circles together, with a piece of of thick carboard in between and repeated that for the other 2 circles. Now the top and bottom are ready.
The back of the shelter is made in the same color. It is a square piece of rows (dc) about 10cm width and 15cm long, which is sewed onto the middle line of the top and bottom piece.
For the bark I made a square piece of rows with a wave pattern. It works in sets of 5 stitches, it is easy to adjust the pattern if you want different measurements. I used two different shades of brown to make it look even more vivid, changing color whenever I liked.
- Start with a chain of 35.
- row 1: chain 1 and starting in the 2nd stitch from your hook make 1 sc in the next 5 st, then 1 dc in the next 5 st, then again 1 sc in the next 5 and repeat until you reach the end of your chain.
- From now on, work in the back loop only.
- row 2: chain 1 and turn your work, repeat the same steps as row 1 (starting with 1 sc in the next 5 st)
- row 3: chain 3 and turn your work, make 1 dc in the next 5 st and then 1 sc in the next 5 st and repeat until you reach the end
- row 4: chain 3 and turn your work, repeat the same steps as row 3 (starting with 1 dc in the next 5 st)
- Repeat these 4 steps until your piece is long enough to cover 3/4 of the trunk. I made it a little longer and folded both ends back so it looks neat.
When finished, sew it around the trunk and this part is done! I enforced the structure with a piece of plastic and don’t forget to place the music box inside. I attacked a small loop of yarn at the back of the music box and pulled it through the trunk. When holding this loop, you’re sure you don’t break the trunk when pulling the music box to play.
Now the fun part, making the decoration and amigurumi animals. Make anything you prefer.
My inspiration can be found here:
- The adorable sleepy fox is from Little Things Blogged (with a lot of thanks, I really like the cute fox)
- The little squirrel can be found on Tamitha’s site (in Dutch)
- Two pink flowers using a guide from Mango Tree Crafts, 1 with a longer stem and extra leaves.
- The acorns are made by this guide of Lique (in Dutch)
- The grass I made up myself using chains with stitches (sl, sc, hdc, dc, tc) crocheted on it. Make multiple chains of different length.
That’s it! The music box is done. Time for bed 🙂