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Free Teru Teru Bozu Crochet Pattern · Halloween Ghost Doll · Japanese Weather Charm


Have you heard of the Japanese weather charm, Teru Teru Bozu?  I made an amigurumi version and am excited to share the pattern with you for free! 


    Links


    My version of Teru Teru Bozu is a quick and easy no-sew crochet project that is crocheted seamlessly in one piece.  The PDF pattern comes with two different sizes to make a Big Teru (5 inches tall) and a Small Teru (3 inches tall).



    Construction

    This is a no-sew project!  That means it is crocheted seamlessly in one piece.  While I have a whole blog post on tips for sewing amigurumi pieces together, I'll be honest and say that I definitely still prefer NOT having to sew!

    This ghost doll is worked from top-down, starting at the top of the head to the bottom of its "body".  You'll then crochet the bow directly onto the body, and add a little hanging loop to the head at the end. 


    Japanese Symbolism

    In traditional Japanese culture, this doll is a handmade charm made of white paper or cloth.  Its name literally means "shine shine monk", and is believed to stop the rain and bring sunshine.  Most people hang their Teru Teru Bozu dolls with strings outside of window sills, by the front door, or on branches of trees.  As an amigurumi, your Teru Teru Bozu will be long-lasting and cherished for years to come!



    Great for Halloween, too!

    These ghosts can also serve as fun unisex and gender-neutral kids toys, party favors, or home decor during Halloween.  Imagine how cute it will be to have a row of these ghosties hanging on your porch during spooky season.  They make great decorative ornaments!

    I can see this being a hot product for those of you who are stocking up as craft fair or market vendors in the Fall season!  Who wouldn't want to stock up using patterns that take about 20 minutes to make?

    If you're looking for more Halloween patterns, be sure to check out my Free Halloween pattern roundup.

    This beautiful Teru Teru Bozu is crocheted from my pattern by lookahook on Ravelry!


    How can you customize them? 

    Size: The recommended yarn for this pattern is a medium weight yarn with a 2.75mm crochet hook, which results in a 5" tall doll for the big size, and a 3" tall doll for the small size.  If you want to make yours bigger, use super bulky weight yarn (or hold yarn doubled) and an even larger hook!  If you want to make a tinier version, such as a keychain size, use lighter yarn and a smaller hook. 

    Texture: The yarn I used in my sample dolls are 100% acrylic yarn. However, you can use any yarn fiber, from cotton to chenille velvet, to create different textures.  Cotton, acrylic, and wool yarn generally have better stitch definition, so you would see your stitches more clearly.  However, if you use blanket yarn or velvet yarn, the stitches will appear less visible and the end result will look more like a plush toy!

    Extras: Customization is easy by adding crocheted appliques, embellishments, bows, beads, buttons, stitching, eyes/facial features, and more.

    For those of you who want to use these sparkly, cartoon (or anime) inspired eyes, you can get them on Amazon here:



    PDF Pattern

    The PDF pattern includes both the BIG and SMALL doll sizes!  It is printable, ad-free, easy to read, includes photo references, and helps support Sweet Softies! (If you enjoy my free patterns, you can consider it as a donation to me when you buy one of my pattern PDFs! It allows me to maintain my blog and continue sharing more free patterns.)

    You can get the PDF pattern from my storeRavelry, or Etsy.





    (SMALL) TERU TERU BOZU

    Free Crochet Pattern


    Terms of Use & Copyright Notice © 2022 Sweet Softies (www.sweetsofties.com). You have permission to sell finished products made from this pattern, but you must credit Sweet Softies as the owner/creator of this pattern by linking to my website (www.sweetsofties.com). No wholesale. You may not translate, copy, alter, or sell my patterns in part or in whole in any way. My patterns may not be used in video tutorials or teaching online classes. My patterns may be used in teaching in-person classes ONLY with written consent from me. You may link to this pattern but you may not copy any part of the pattern instructions on other websites.

    Crochet Pattern Information


    Size:

    Height: 3 inches (7.5 cm)
    (The big size is available in the PDF pattern)


    Level of Difficulty:

    ★★☆☆☆ Beginner/Easy. Requires familiarity with stitches used (below).


    Stitches/Terms Used:

    • FO = fasten off 
    • YO = yarn over 
    • ch = chain 
    • sl st = slip stitch 
    • sc = single crochet 
    • inc = increase (insert 2 sc in same st) 
    • dec = decrease (sc 2 sts together) 
    • dc = double crochet 
    • dc-inc = double crochet increase (insert 2 dc in the same st)]


    Materials:

    • Medium weight (4) yarn in white, red, black 
    • 2.75mm crochet hook 
    • 9mm plastic safety eyes - for Big Teru 
    • 6mm plastic safety eyes - for Small Teru 
    • Stuffing 
    • Scissors



    Crochet Instructions

    Note: The SMALL Teru instructions are available for free on my blog.  If you want to crochet the BIG Teru, please download the PDF pattern.

    HEAD & BODY

    Use white yarn.

    R1: Insert 6 sc in MR. (6)

    R2: Inc around. (12)

    R3: (Sc, inc) x 6. (18)

    R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)

    R5-R6: Sc around. (24)

    R7: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30)

    R8: Sc around. (30)

    R9: (Sc 3, dec) x 6. (24)

    Insert 6mm eyes between R6-R7, 5 sts apart.

    R10: Dec around. (12)

    Stuff the head firmly, but be careful not to stretch the stitches.

    R11: Dec around. (6)

    R12: Inc around. Join with a sl st to the first sc. (12)

    We will now continue working on the body in joined rounds. (*Join with a sl st to the first dc.)

    R13: Ch 3, dc-inc around. *Join. (24)

    R14: Ch 3, (dc, dc-inc) x 12. *Join. (36)

    R15: Ch 3, (dc 2, dc-inc) x 12. *Join. (48)

    R16: Ch 3, (dc 3, dc-inc) x 12. *Join. (60)

    R17: Ch 3, (dc 4, dc-inc) x 12. *Join. (72)

    R18: Ch 3, (dc 5, dc-inc) x 12. *Join. (84)

    R19: Ch 3, (dc 6, dc-inc) x 12. *Join. (96)

    R20: Ch 3, (dc 7, dc-inc) x 12. *Join. (108)

    FO and weave in the ends.


    BOW

    Note: A video tutorial of this section is available here: https://youtu.be/DO3MfS8Liac

    1. Attach red yarn to the front-center of the doll, and make sure you start with a long yarn tail because it will be used for making the bow later.
    2. Use the surface sl st technique to crochet around the neck.
    3. Once you return to where you began, FO with a long yarn tail.
    4. Using the two yarn ends, tie a pretty bow underneath your doll’s chin.
    5. Trim the yarn tail ends of the bow.


    HANGING LOOP

    To finish, pull a loop of yarn or embroidery thread through the top of the doll’s head, where the magic ring opening is. Tie a large knot with the yarn ends to make sure it will stay inside securely.

    Congratulations on finishing!





    Thank you for reading, and hope you had a fun time crocheting this project!  If you'd like to help out my blog, feel free to check out my post, "5 Ways to Support my Blog!"

    You might like my other designs if you enjoyed this one!  Simply click on the image below for the pattern, or check out all my free patterns here.

      




    I'd love to see your finished work from my designs!  Here are links for sharing photos of your creations: 

    As always, you are more than welcome to SHARE this post with any fellow crocheters who'd like to try this pattern!  Thank you for reading, and I wish you all a wonderful day!

    Best wishes,