Flamingo Swim Ring by @ella_makes – Free Crochet Pattern

I have something special for you all today! One of my wonderful Instagram friends @ella_makes wrote a lovely and quick pattern for a Flamingo Swim Ring as a little instructional on Instagram. But because it was in German, I asked Ella if I could translate it into US English crochet terms so other people could make it too. She agreed and was kind enough to suggest I post it on my blog, so here we are!

You can stop at making just the head, neck and beak for a fun pencil-topper, or you can make the whole swim ring to save another of your amigurumi projects from getting into trouble when they go for a swim 🙂

If you need any inspiration, have a look at the hashtag #flamingosommerhäkelei to see how many other makers have made their Flamingos. If you do end up making a Flamingo, please share it on Instagram, use the hashtag #flamingosommerhäkelei and tag the lovely Ella @ella_makes.

You can find the pattern below:

Crochet Terminology: US English

Materials

3.5mm crochet hook
25g DK weight yarn in 3 colours (white, black and pink)
Yarn needle
Toy stuffing

Instructions

Head and Neck

This section is worked in a continuous spiral. You will make this section in the pink yarn.

Round 1: Create a magic ring, and make 6 SCs in the ring. Pull the end of the yarn to close the ring. (6)

Round 2: Make 2 SCs in each ST (12)

Round 3: Make 1 SC in each ST (12)

Round 4: *Make 1 SC in first ST, then 2 SCs in the next ST* Repeat 6 times (18)

Round 5: Make 1 SC in each ST (18)

Round 6: *Make 1 SC in each of first 2 STs, then 2 SCs in the next ST* Repeat 6 times (24)

Round 7: Make 1 SC in each ST (24)

Round 8: *Make 1 SC in each of first 2 STs, then SC2TOG* Repeat 6 times (18)

Round 9: Make 1 SC in each ST (18)

Round 10: *Make 1 SC first ST, then SC2TOG* Repeat 6 times (12)

Round 11: Make 1 SC in each ST (12)

Round 12: *Make 1 SC in each of first 2 STs, then SC2TOG* Repeat 4 times. Make a SC in next ST (9)

At this point you should stuff the head firmly. If you will be using safety eyes, now is the time to add them. Now we will make the neck.

Round 13 – 26: Make 1 SC in each ST (9)

Keep stuffing the neck as you go as it will be difficult to stuff after you have made a long neck.

Finishing off: SL ST to close. Finish off leaving a long end.

Beak

This section is worked in a continuous spiral. You need to start in black yarn and change to white yarn after round 3.

Round 1: Create a magic ring, and make 6 SCs in the ring. Pull the end of the yarn to close the ring. (6)

Round 2: Make a SC in each ST (6)

Round 3: *Make 1 SC in first ST, then make 2 SCs in next ST* Repeat 3 times (9)

Change to white yarn

Round 4 – 6: Make a SC in each ST (9)

Round 7: *Make 1 SC in each of first 2 STs, then 2 SCs in the next ST* Repeat 4 times (12)

Round 8: Make a SC in each ST (12)

Finishing off: SL ST to close. Finish off leaving a long end.

Swim Ring

This section is worked in a continuous spiral. You will make this section in the pink yarn.

Round 1: Create a magic ring, and make 6 SCs in the ring. Pull the end of the yarn to close the ring. (6)

Round 2: Make 2 SCs in each ST (12)

Round 3: Make 1 SC in each ST (12)

Now you will crochet the next 40-42 rounds without adding or decreasing stitches. The ring is formed by crocheting SCs on the inside of the ring, and HDCs on the outside of the ring. You will need to stuff the ring as you go, but make sure you don’t twist the ring as you do this. As you make the ring, always ensure the HDCs are on the outside of the ring, and the SCs are on the inside.

Round 4 – 44: Make 1 SC in each of the next 6 STs. Make 1 HDC in each of the next 6 STs. (12)

Round 45: When the end of your ring almost meets the beginning, you can crochet a single round of SCs. (12)

Round 46: SC2TOG 6 times (6)

Finishing off: SL ST to close. Finish off leaving a long end. Thread a yarn needle and weave the end through the 6 last STs and pull to tighten. Weave in the end.

Putting it all together: Attach the beak to the Flamingo head using the long end from the beak. Attach the neck of the Flamingo to the middle-top of the swim ring. Embroider on 2 black eyes (if you aren’t using safety eyes)