Crochet Irish Leprechaun

Crochet Irish Leprechauns are delightful little characters that bring a touch of whimsy and luck to any occasion. With their signature green outfits and mischievous expressions, these handcrafted creations are sure to put a smile on your face. Whether you're looking to add a festive touch to St. Patrick's Day decor or simply want a fun conversation piece for your home, a Crochet Irish Leprechaun is the perfect choice. Handmade with care and attention to detail, these adorable little figures make charming gifts for friends and family members who appreciate the art of crochet and the magic of Irish folklore. So why not bring a bit of Irish charm into your life with your very own Crochet Irish Leprechaun?

Craft Supplies:

• Crochet hook size G
• 5oz Green worsted weight yarn
• Small amount black and flesh colors worsted weight yarn
• Yarn needle
• 3" Styrofoam ball
• Two 15mm wiggle eyes
• 1/2" pompom flesh colored
• Gold Felt
• Orange curly doll hair
• Hot glue

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tc = triple crochet
• slst = slip stitch
• beg = beginning
• sk = skip

Legs (make 2):

• With green chain 37; turn
• Row 1: 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 3 dc in rem ch; ch 3 turn
• Row 2: 2 dc in 1st dc, 3 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next 2 dc, *3 dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next 2 dc; repeat from * to end of row; fasten off and weave loose ends back into your work.

Arms (make 2):

• With green chain 25; and follow instructions for rows 1 and 2 of legs.

Hat:

• With green chain 4 join with a slst to form ring
• Work 10 sc in ring
• Working through both loops, *sc in 1st sc, 2sc in next; repeat from * around (15)
• Working through both loops, *1 sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; repeat from * around (20)
• Working through back loop only, 1 sc in each sc around.
• Working through both loops, 1 sc in each sc around for 5 rounds.
• Working through front loop only, ch 3, 2 tc in each sc around. Join with a slst to beg ch 3.
• Fasten off and weave loose ends back into your work.

Hat Band:

• With black, chain 26; join with slst to form a ring.
• Slst in each ch around. Fasten off and weave loose ends back in.
• Slip this ring over the top of the hat.
• To make the buckle, cut a 1" x 3/4" rectangle from a piece of gold felt. Fold it in half lengthwise and make a cut across the fold 1/4" from each end stopping 1/4" from the open end. Unfold and it should look like a rectangle with two slits in it (one slit 1/4" from the right side and the other slit 1/4" from the left side). Along the bottom edge make a cut between the two slits as if you were cutting the center square out but leave the center square attached at the top. See photos for clarification.
• To attach the buckle put a drop of glue on the center flap then tuck the flap behind the hat band to keep it in place.

Head:

• With flesh colored yarn, chain 4, join to form a ring; work 10 sc in ring
• Round 2: *1 sc in next sc, 2sc in next sc; repeat from * around (15)
• Round 3: *1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc; repeat from * around (18)
• Round 4: *1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc; repeat from * around (21)
• Round 5: *1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 2sc in next sc; repeat from * around (24)
• Round 6 through 13: work even
• Round 14: *sk 1, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc; repeat from * around. Insert Styrofoam ball before finishing.
• Round 15: *sk 1, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc; repeat from * around.
• Round 16: *sk 1, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc; repeat from * around.
• Decrease to close
• Fasten off and weave loose ends back into your work.

Ears (make 2):

• With flesh color, chain 4, join with a slst to form a ring
• 1 sc in each ch around (4)
• 2 sc in each sc around (8)
• Ch 3 turn
• Working back into ch, slst in each stitch
• Join with slst to next sc on the original round

Finish:

• After knotting off and cutting each piece weave loose ends back into crocheted piece using a yarn needle. This helps hide the knots and end pieces of yarn
• Sew arms and legs together with yarn needle and a matching piece of yarn.* Make sure the legs are on the inside and the arms on the outside.
• Stitch the arm/leg assembly to the bottom of the head.
• Place the hat on the leprechaun's head where you want it. Stitch the hat in place.
• Stitch one ear on either side of the head. Only stitch the bottom portion of the ear. Leave the pointed (top) portion loose.
• Glue on two eyes and a pompom nose to the leprechaun's face. Glue curly doll hair onto the leprechaun's face forming a beard and go around the ears and above the eyes. Don't forget to attach hair to the back of his head. You can always trim the hair if you need to.
• Work a chain 8 stitches long and join with a slst to form a loop and attach it to the back of the hat to hang him on the wall.

*I have always found the easiest way to join the arms and legs together is to line up the top of the arms and legs altogether and whip stitch the top 1 1/2" or so with a yarn needle and matching yarn. Be sure to put the two legs between the arms.