This adorable little teether is done in the primrose stitch.  It makes a squishy and light fabric that’s perfect for little hands.  Plus, it works up very quickly.  You can also fold the bottom up to make a cute little tote for small items like a pacifier. Baby gifts, anyone?  🙂

I first made this for my granddaughter, Sofia, when she was just a few months old (she’s over a year old now!), but I just got around to writing up the pattern. Initially, it was just the lovey, and when I posted it I had so many people tell me it looked like a little purse! So I decided to make the second one into the little tote you see here. Thanks to all of my crochet friends for the great idea! 😊

I’ve included a short photo tutorial for how to crochet around a ring near the end of the post. If you’ve never done it before, be assured that it’s much easier than it may look.

As always, I’d love to see your photos if you make this and care to share. You can find me @simplethingscrochet on Instagram and Facebook.

If you’d like an ad-free, easily printable version of the pattern, you can help support my small business and purchase it for a small fee in my Etsy shop – SimpleThings byTia,  or in my Ravelry Store – Simple Things Crochet.

Like this pattern?  You may also like the Love You Forever Baby Blanket or the Sofia the Star Pillow.  And if you’d like to receive an email whenever there’s a new post, you can find the sign-up box below.  I’ll never sell your info or use it for anything else.  Promise!😊💕

Skill Level:  Easy+

Materials: 

Lion Brand Baby Soft  in Petal – 1 skein (1 skein will make several)

Hook size G/6 – 4.25mm

Stitch markers – optional but recommended 

Gauge:

3 shells = 2”

3 rows = 2”

Dimensions: not including ring

Lovey – approximately 5” wide x 10” long

Tote – approximately 4 1/2” wide x 3 1/2” long 

Abbreviations:

Ch – chain

Sc – single crochet

Hdc – half double crochet

Dc – double crochet 

St, sts – stitch, stitches

Sk – skip

Sp – space

Ss – slip stitch

Notes:

  1. Working around the ring is easier than it looks.  Make a slip knot on your hook, and with the yarn laying over the ring, reach under with your hook and pull the yarn around to make the slip stitch.
  2. In rows 2 and 3, your first stitch is at the base of the build-up chain.
  3. When you get to the end of Row 3, you will only have two stitches left.  Skip one, and hdc in last st. 
  4. You can easily adjust the size by adding or decreasing rows, but you need to end on an odd row to have the “ruffle” on the end. 

Instructions:

For the Teether Lovey

Row 1:  Ss around ring, ch 1, sc around ring 21 times. 21 sts.

Row 2:  Turn, ch 1, sc in first stitch and each stitch across, 21 sts.

Row 3:  Turn, ch 2, hdc in first st, *sk 2 sts, (sc, ch2, sc) in next st*, repeat from * to * across row, 1 hdc in last st.

Row 4:  Turn, ch 3, *3dc in next ch 2 sp (shell made)*, repeat from * to * across row, 1 dc in last st.

Row 5:  Turn, ch 2, *(sc, ch2, sc) in 2nd dc of shell, repeat from * to * across row, 1 hdc in top of turning ch.

Row 6:  Turn, ch 3, *3dc in next ch 2 sp (shell made)*, repeat from * to * across row, 1 dc in top of turning ch.

Row 7:  Turn, ch 2, *(sc, ch2, sc) in 2nd dc of shell, repeat from * to * across row, 1 hdc in top of turning ch.

Rows 8 – 15:  Repeat pattern from rows 6 & 7. 

For the Teether Tote – continue with pattern for a total of 21 rows. 

Instructions:  Lay the completed teether in front of you and fold the bottom edge up approximately 1”.  Sew on each side to keep the fold in place.  Now fold the bottom up to the top (the folded ruffle edge will be inside), and keeping the sides even, sew up each side.  Turn inside out.  

Here are some photos to help you understand how to crochet around a ring.