Crochet Bandit The Raccoon

Meet Crochet Bandit The Raccoon, a charming handmade creation known for stealing hearts with its cute and mischievous demeanor. Crafted with love and attention to detail, this little crochet raccoon brings a touch of whimsy and creativity to any space it occupies. With its endearing button eyes and striped tail, Crochet Bandit is sure to bring smiles and warmth to all who encounter it. Whether as a delightful gift for a loved one or a quirky addition to your own collection, this adorable raccoon embodies the spirit of handmade craftsmanship and brings joy wherever it goes. So, why not invite Crochet Bandit The Raccoon into your life and let its playful charm brighten your day?

Materials

Worsted Weight Yarn
I love this yarn – White
I love this yarn – Greybeard
I love this yarn – Black
12 MM Safety Eyes
12 X 18 black Safety Nose
Size E crochet hook
Polyfiberfill
Large Eye Needle

Abbreviations
SC – Single Crochet
HDC – Half Double Crochet
DC – Double Crochet
TC – Triple Crochet
CH- Chain
FO – Fasten Off
SL ST – Slip Stitch
INC – Make two Single Crochet in Same Stitch
DEC – Single Crochet two stitches together
BLO – Back Loops Only
Puff Stitch –(Insert the hook in the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch) repeat 2 more times. You should have loops on your hook. Yarn over and draw through all 6 loops on the hook. Push the stitch out.

Note: Entire project is worked in the round. Use a stitch marker or a scrap piece of yarn to mark the beginning of each row. Then you don’t have to count every row. Do not join unless instructed to.

Parentheses indicate a repeat. Repeat the stitches in the parentheses for the number of times indicated.

The bracketed number [] is the number of stitches at the end of each row.

I spread my increases out so there isn’t a seam on the finished piece. If you do not like this method, you can do regular increases.

BLACK EYE PATCHES (Make 2)
In Black, CH 8
Row 1: TC in 3rd chain from hook, DC, 2 HDC, SC, Slip Stich.
Fasten off, set aside to sew on.

WHITE EYE PATCHES (Make 2)
In White, Ch 10

Row 1: SC in 2nd Chain from hook, 5 SC, 3 Slip stitches.
Fasten off. Set aside to sew on later.

EARS (Make 2)
In Black, Ch 2
Round 1: 6 Sc in 2nd Chain from hook [6].
Round 2: (2 SC, INC) 2 times [8].
Round 3: (3 SC, INC) 2 times [10].
Round 4: (4 SC, INC) 2 times [12].
Round 5: (5 SC, INC) 2 times [14].
Round 6: (6 SC, INC) 2 times [16].
Fasten off. Fold in half and curve slightly when sewing them on.

BELLY PATCH
In White, Ch 2
Round 1: 6 SC in 2nd Chain from hook [6].
Round 2: INC in each stitch [12].
Round 3: (SC, INC) 6 times [18].
Round 4: (SC, INC, SC) 6 times [24].
Round 5: (3 SC, INC) 6 times [30].
Round 6: (2 SC, INC, 2 SC) 6 times [36].
Fasten off sew to body as instructed.

BODY
In Greybeard, Ch 2
Round 1: 6 SC in 2nd Chain from hook [6].
Round 2: INC in each stitch [12].
Round 3: (SC, INC) 6 times [18].
Round 4: (SC, INC, SC) 6 times [24].
Round 5: (3 SC, INC) 6 times [30].
Round 6: (2 SC, INC, 2 SC) 6 times [36].
Rounds 7-10: 4 rows SC [36 stitches per row].
Round 11: (5 SC, INC) 6 times [42].
Rounds 12-15: 4 rows SC [42 stitches per row].
Place eyes between 11-12 by placing the edge of the black eye patch over the post and then putting the post through the body to secure the eye. Sew black eye patch down. Sew on white eye patch and ears.
Round 16: (3 SC, INC, 3 SC) 6 times [48].
Rounds 17-20: 4 rows SC [48 stitches per row]
Place nose between rows 13-14
Round 21: (7 SC, INC) 6 times [54].
Rounds 22-25: 4 rows SC [54 stitches per row].
Sew on Belly Patch
Round 26: In BLOs, SC in each stitch [54].
Round 27: (7 SC, DEC) 6 times [48].
Round 28: (6 SC, DEC) 6 times [42].
Round 29: (5 SC, DEC) 6 times [36].
Round 30: (4 SC, DEC) 6 times [30].
Start stuffing
Round 31: (3 SC, DEC) 6 times [24].
Round 32: (2 SC, DEC) 6 times [18].
Round 33: (SC, DEC) 6 times [12].
Round 34: DEC 6 times [6].
Fasten off. Leave a long tail. Thread tail through stitches from Round 34 and pull up tight to close hole. Weave in ends.

TAIL
In Black, Ch 2
Round 1: 6 SC in 2nd Chain from hook [6].
Round 2: INC in each stitch [12].
Round 3: (SC, INC) 6 times [18].
Round 4: (SC, INC, SC) 6 times [24].
Round 5: (3 SC, INC) 6 times [30].
Round 6: (2 SC, INC, 2 SC) 6 times [36].
Rounds 7-10: 4 rows SC [36 stitches per row]. Change Color to Grey beard in last stitch.
Rounds 11-12: 2 rows SC [36 stitches per row]. Change Color to Black in last stitch.
Round 13: (4 SC, DEC) 6 times [30]
Rounds 14-16: 3 rows SC [30 stitches per row]. Change Color to Grey beard in last stitch.
Rounds 17-18: 2 rows SC [30 stitches per row]. Change Color to Black in last stitch.
Round 19: (3 SC, DEC) 6 times [24]
Start Stuffing
Rounds 20-23: 3 rows SC [24 stitches per row]. Change Color to Grey beard in last stitch.
Rounds 24-25: 2 rows SC [24 stitches per row]. Change Color to Black in last stitch.
Round 26: (2 SC, DEC) 6 times [18]
Rounds 27-30: 3 rows SC [18 stitches per row].
Fasten off and sew to back of body at a slight angle.