by Michelle McLaughlin

www.mikielou.com

Difficulty:  Advanced beginner – knowledge of working in the round required. 

Abbreviations: 
ch chain 
sc single crochet 
sk skip 
sl st slip stitch 
st stitch  

Materials: 
Worsted or bulky weight yarn 
Crochet hook size D 
12mm Craft eyes
Stuffing 
Yarn needle 
Slicker brush (available in any pet store)  

Tip:  Different yarns will create different lengths and thicknesses of fuzz.  If you use a bulky and slightly fuzzy yarn, there's a good chance you will get a nice fluffy puff. If you use regular worsted weight yarn, your puff will still be fluffy but not as fluffy.  Spun (not braided) bamboo yarn works well and creates a very fluffy and soft puff. Chenille yarn will not work for this pattern.  

Instructions:
Row 1: Begin at top of head and leaving a long tail, ch. 4.   Join with sl st into first st.  Work 8 sc into center ring and around tail.  Do not join.  Pull tail to close the hole in the ring, 8 st.  Place marker at the beginning of the row. 
Row 2:  2 sc in each sc around, 16 st. 
Row 3:  *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * to * around, 24 st. 
Rows 4-14:  1 sc in each sc around, 24 st.  Join with sl st and end.  Begin brushing:  Using the slicker brush, brush from the top of the poof down using quick, short strokes.  Continue brushing from the top down all the way around the poof, working each area at least 10 strokes.  Turn poof around and work sideways, again brushing in short, quick strokes all the way around.    

Face:  Add eyes and facial features at this point. Using the slicker brush, push fuzz away from eye area.  Place eyes 4 sc apart.  Do not brush around eye area until poof is finished so the eyes do not get scratched.  

Bottom: 
Row 1:  Leaving a long tail, ch 4.  Join with sl st in to first st.  Work 8 sc into center ring and around tail.  Do not join.  Pull tail to close the hole in the ring.  8 st. 
Row 2:  2 sc in each sc around, 16 st.   
Row 3:  *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc*, repeat from * to * around.  24 st.  Join with sl st and end, leaving a long tail for sewing.  

Finishing: Use the tail to sew the bottom to the bottom of the body, leaving an approx. 2” opening for stuffing.  Stuff firmly and finish sewing the body closed.  To hide the yarn end, insert the needle into the body and push up and through the other side.  Pull the yarn tight, and cut it close to the body.  That will hide the yarn end inside the body and prevent it from coming loose.  Finish brushing:  With the slicker brush, brush the poof from the bottom up all the way around.  After bottom has reached the puffiness you desire, then brush the poof from the top all the way to the bottom and style the fuzz.  Be careful when brushing around the eyes.  

Enjoy your puff!