Crochet Tutorial: Mole Underground Pantry Home – Free Crochet Pattern.

This cozy crochet scene creates a round underground pantry home with a textured brown burrow wall, an open front, a raised garden roof, shelves of tiny jars, flour sacks, baskets, bread, vegetables, a staircase, and a little mole wearing round glasses and a striped scarf. The top garden includes carrots, radishes, mushrooms, flowers, and a soft green hedge, just like a tiny storybook home.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US crochet terms and is designed as a detailed display piece. The finished work is a rounded underground pantry diorama with a flat circular floor, high curved dirt walls, an open front window, a garden roof, shelves, food storage, stairs, and a mole character standing inside.

The project uses tight amigurumi-style stitches for the tiny foods and soft structured crochet panels for the burrow. Plastic canvas or firm craft felt is recommended inside the floor, walls, roof, shelves, and stairs so the finished pantry keeps the round shape shown in the photo.

Finished Size

• Overall pantry home: about 9.5 in wide, 7 in tall, and 7.5 in deep.
• Interior opening: about 7 in wide and 4.5 in tall.
• Mole: about 3 in tall when seated or slightly crouched.
• Garden roof: about 8.5 in wide from left to right.
• Staircase: about 1.5 in wide and 4 in tall along the right wall.

Skill Level

Intermediate to advanced beginner. The stitches are simple, but the project has many small pieces. Read through the full pattern before starting, and work the larger structure first before making the tiny pantry items.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in medium brown, tan, dark brown, green, olive green, cream, white, gray-brown, black, pink, red, orange, yellow, blue, lavender, beige, golden brown, and small scraps of other pantry colors.
• 2.75 mm crochet hook for the main structure.
• 2.25 mm crochet hook for small foods, jars, flowers, and facial details.
• Polyester fiberfill.
• Plastic canvas, firm craft felt, or thin cardboard for structure.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Sewing pins.
• Small scissors.
• Black embroidery thread for the mole eyes, glasses, and tiny jar details.
• Optional: thin jewelry wire for flower stems and glasses.
• Optional: fabric glue for tiny labels, but sewing is more secure.

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• MR: magic ring
• st: stitch
• sts: stitches
• Rnd: round
• Row: row
• FO: fasten off

Gauge

Using a 2.75 mm hook and worsted weight yarn, 8 sc and 8 rows should measure about 1 inch. Gauge is not critical for every tiny item, but it is important for the burrow structure. Use a smaller hook if your stitches are loose.

Important Construction Notes

• Work tightly so stuffing and inserts do not show through.
• Most large panels are worked flat, then wrapped around plastic canvas or firm felt.
• Small foods are worked in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise.
• Use sewing pins to test placement before attaching tiny decorations.
• For a clean display piece, weave in ends as you go.

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Main Underground Burrow Base

Round Interior Floor

Use tan yarn. Work in continuous rounds. This floor forms the visible spiral-style pantry floor inside the burrow.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
7. Rnd 7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
8. Rnd 8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
9. Rnd 9: sc 7, inc, repeat around. 54 sts.
10. Rnd 10: sc 8, inc, repeat around. 60 sts.
11. Rnd 11: sc 9, inc, repeat around. 66 sts.
12. Rnd 12: sc 10, inc, repeat around. 72 sts.
13. Rnd 13: sc 11, inc, repeat around. 78 sts.
14. Rnd 14: sc 12, inc, repeat around. 84 sts.
15. Rnd 15: sc 13, inc, repeat around. 90 sts.
16. Rnd 16: sc 14, inc, repeat around. 96 sts.
17. Rnd 17: sc 15, inc, repeat around. 102 sts.
18. Rnd 18: sc 16, inc, repeat around. 108 sts.
19. Rnd 19: sc 17, inc, repeat around. 114 sts.
20. Rnd 20: sc 18, inc, repeat around. 120 sts.

Cut a circle of plastic canvas slightly smaller than the crocheted floor. Place it under the floor later when joining the wall. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing if needed.

Raised Outer Dirt Ring

Use medium brown yarn. This thick ring creates the rounded front wall and the earthy base visible around the pantry.

1. Ch 121.
2. Row 1: Starting in the second ch from hook, sc across. 120 sts.
3. Rows 2-12: ch 1, turn, sc across. 120 sts.
4. Row 13: ch 1, turn, BLO sc across to create a soft ridge. 120 sts.
5. Rows 14-24: ch 1, turn, sc across. 120 sts.

Do not fasten off yet. Fold the long rectangle lengthwise with wrong sides together. Insert a long strip of firm felt or plastic canvas between the layers. Sc through both long edges across 120 sts, lightly stuffing as you close the tube. FO with a long tail.

Curve this tube into a circle around the floor, leaving a front opening about 7 inches wide. Sew the back and side sections to the floor edge. The two front ends should curve forward slightly, creating the open cutaway look in the photo.

Front Cutaway Rim

Use medium brown yarn. This rim outlines the open window of the underground home.

1. Ch 76.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 75 sts.
3. Rows 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. 75 sts.
4. Row 6: ch 1, turn, BLO sc across. 75 sts.
5. Rows 7-9: ch 1, turn, sc across. 75 sts.

FO, leaving a long sewing tail. Pin the strip around the open front edge in a wide curved U shape. Sew it securely to the front wall, making the lower front rim slightly thicker than the side edges.

Back Interior Wall

Use tan yarn for the inner wall. This piece sits behind the pantry shelves and gives the inside a warm carved-earth look.

1. Ch 71.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 70 sts.
3. Rows 2-10: ch 1, turn, sc across. 70 sts.
4. Rows 11-18: ch 1, turn, sc 5, hdc 60, sc 5. 70 sts.
5. Rows 19-24: ch 1, turn, sc across. 70 sts.

FO, leaving a long tail. Cut a matching plastic canvas panel. Curve the panel gently and sew it inside the back half of the base. The upper edge should sit just under the garden roof.

Garden Roof Platform

Flat Roof Soil Top

Use medium brown yarn. The top should look like a rounded garden bed with small planted areas and a slightly raised shape.

1. Ch 51.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 50 sts.
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn, inc, sc 48, inc. 52 sts.
4. Row 3: ch 1, turn, sc across. 52 sts.
5. Row 4: ch 1, turn, inc, sc 50, inc. 54 sts.
6. Rows 5-16: ch 1, turn, sc across. 54 sts.
7. Row 17: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 50, dec. 52 sts.
8. Row 18: ch 1, turn, sc across. 52 sts.
9. Row 19: ch 1, turn, dec, sc 48, dec. 50 sts.
10. Rows 20-22: ch 1, turn, sc across. 50 sts.

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FO. Make a second matching panel. Cut a plastic canvas insert to fit between the two panels. Hold both panels together with wrong sides facing, insert the canvas, and sc evenly around the edge. Work 3 sc in each corner to keep the rounded shape neat.

Raised Garden Edge

Use medium brown yarn. Attach yarn at the left rear corner of the roof. Work one round of sc evenly around the roof edge. Work one more round in BLO sc to create a raised lip. FO and weave in ends.

Sew the roof platform to the top of the back wall and side walls. The front edge should overhang slightly above the open pantry, just like a garden growing over the underground room.

Green Hedge Backdrop

Use green yarn. The hedge is the rounded leafy wall behind the roof garden.

1. Ch 73.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 72 sts.
3. Rows 2-8: ch 1, turn, sc across. 72 sts.
4. Row 9: ch 1, turn, sc 4, bobble, sc 4, repeat across, ending with sc as needed.
5. Rows 10-13: ch 1, turn, sc across. 72 sts.
6. Row 14: ch 1, turn, sc 2, bobble, sc 5, repeat across, ending with sc as needed.
7. Rows 15-18: ch 1, turn, sc across. 72 sts.

To make a bobble: yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, repeat 4 more times in the same stitch, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

FO, leaving a long tail. Curve the hedge behind the roof and sew it along the back edge. The top should be slightly wavy, so do not pull the sewing too tight.

Exterior Dirt Texture

The front and side walls in the image have raised earth bumps and root-like texture. These details make the burrow look handmade and natural.

Small Dirt Bobbles

Use dark brown yarn and a 2.25 mm hook.

1. Make 30 tiny bobbles: 5 sc in MR, sl st to first sc, FO with a tail.
2. Make 18 medium bobbles: 6 sc in MR, inc around. 12 sts. FO with a tail.
3. Make 8 larger bobbles: 6 sc in MR, inc around, sc around. 12 sts. FO with a tail.

Sew the bobbles in uneven clusters along the front lower wall and both side walls. Place more bobbles near the bottom edge and fewer near the upper rim.

Root Strands

Use dark brown yarn. Make 10 root strands in mixed lengths.

• Short root: ch 8, sl st in second ch from hook and across.
• Medium root: ch 12, sl st in second ch from hook and across.
• Long root: ch 18, sl st in second ch from hook and across.

Sew roots vertically and diagonally along the outer wall. Let a few ends curl naturally for an organic underground look.

Right-Side Staircase

The staircase climbs from the pantry floor to the garden roof along the right side. Use tan yarn for the steps.

Step Blocks

Make 7 step blocks.

1. Ch 9.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 8 sts.
3. Rows 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. 8 sts.
4. FO after each rectangle, leaving a sewing tail.

Fold each rectangle in half over a small piece of firm felt. Sc around three open sides to create a padded step. Stack the steps diagonally along the right interior wall, with each step overlapping the one below it by about 3 rows. Sew firmly.

Stair Side Rail

1. Use tan yarn and ch 32.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 31 sts.
3. Rows 2-3: ch 1, turn, sc across. 31 sts.

FO and sew along the outer side of the stairs. This gives the staircase the thick carved-earth edge seen in the photo.

Pantry Shelves

Left Shelf Unit

Use dark brown yarn. This shelf sits on the left side and holds jars, vegetables, and small bowls.

1. Back panel: ch 22, sc in second ch from hook and across. 21 sts. Work 14 rows. FO.
2. Left side panel: ch 6, sc in second ch from hook and across. 5 sts. Work 14 rows. FO.
3. Right side panel: repeat the left side panel.
4. Bottom shelf: ch 22, sc in second ch from hook and across. 21 sts. Work 3 rows. FO.
5. Middle shelf: repeat bottom shelf.
6. Top shelf: repeat bottom shelf.

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Insert thin felt behind the back panel if needed. Sew the side panels to the back panel. Sew one shelf at the bottom, one at row 6, and one at row 11. Sew the finished shelf unit inside the left back wall.

Right Shelf Unit

Use dark brown yarn. This taller shelf holds flour sacks, bread, jars, and baskets.

1. Back panel: ch 24, sc in second ch from hook and across. 23 sts. Work 15 rows. FO.
2. Side panels: ch 6, sc in second ch from hook and across. 5 sts. Work 15 rows. Make 2.
3. Shelf boards: ch 24, sc in second ch from hook and across. 23 sts. Work 3 rows. Make 3.

Assemble in the same way as the left shelf. Sew the right shelf against the back wall, leaving enough space in front for the mole.

Small Wall Shelf

Use dark brown yarn. This narrow shelf sits on the left wall near the open doorway.

1. Ch 17.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 16 sts.
3. Rows 2-3: ch 1, turn, sc across. 16 sts.

FO and sew to the left interior wall. Add a small jar and a tiny green-topped container later.

Mini Pantry Jars

Make 12 tiny jars for the shelves and for the mole to hold. Use red, cream, tan, and dark brown scraps.

Basic Jar

1. Rnd 1: With red yarn, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnds 4-6: sc around. 12 sts.
5. Change to cream yarn.
6. Rnd 7: BLO sc around. 12 sts.
7. Rnd 8: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 8 sts.
8. Stuff lightly.
9. Rnd 9: dec around. 4 sts.

FO and close the top. Embroider a tiny dark brown lid line around Rnd 7. Add a small cream or white rectangle label with 3 to 4 straight black stitches. Make labels that look like jam, beans, tea, flour, or pantry preserves.

Flour Sacks

Use cream yarn. Make 2 sacks for the right shelf.

1. Ch 9.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 8 sts.
3. Rows 2-10: ch 1, turn, sc across. 8 sts.
4. Fold in half and sc around the side and bottom edges, stuffing lightly before closing.
5. At the top, work 1 row of sl st through both layers to make the folded sack edge.

With black thread, embroider FLOUR on the front of each sack. Sew the sacks side by side on the middle right shelf.

Small Bread Loaves

Use golden brown yarn. Make 3 baguettes and 2 round loaves.

Baguette

1. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. Rnds 2-10: sc around. 5 sts.
3. Stuff very lightly as you go.
4. Rnd 11: dec, sc 1, dec. 3 sts.

FO and close. With cream yarn, embroider 3 short diagonal lines on top of each baguette.

Round Loaf

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 8 sts.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Rnd 5: dec around. 4 sts.

FO and close. Sew the loaves onto the right shelf beside the flour sacks.

Vegetable Baskets

Round Basket

Use light brown yarn. Make 3 baskets for potatoes, garlic, and eggs.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnds 5-7: sc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 8: sl st around for a firm rim. 18 sts.

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FO and weave in ends. Place one basket on the floor and two on shelves.

Potatoes

Use beige yarn. Make 8.

1. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 10 sts.
4. Rnd 4: dec around. 5 sts.

FO and close. Add tiny dark brown seed stitches for potato eyes.

Garlic Bulbs

Use white yarn. Make 5.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 8 sts.
5. Stuff lightly and close.

Use cream yarn to wrap 3 vertical stitches around each bulb. Add a short green ch 3 stem at the top.

Small Eggs or White Onions

Use off-white yarn. Make 7.

1. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 10 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 8 sts.
5. Rnd 5: dec around. 4 sts.

FO and close. Place them in a small floor basket near the mole.

Prep Table and Kitchen Tools

Low Prep Table

Use cream yarn for the top and light brown yarn for the trim.

1. With cream yarn, ch 23.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 22 sts.
3. Rows 2-8: ch 1, turn, sc across. 22 sts.
4. Change to light brown yarn.
5. Work 1 round of sc evenly around the rectangle, placing 3 sc in each corner.

FO. Cut a matching felt insert and sew or crochet around it if extra firmness is needed. Place the prep table on the front left floor area.

Mortar Bowl

Use gray yarn.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 6: sl st around. 18 sts.

FO. For the pestle, use tan yarn, ch 9, sl st in second ch from hook and across. Sew one end slightly thicker with a few wrapped stitches.

Blue Mixing Bowl

Use light blue yarn.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 6: sl st around. 18 sts.

Make a spoon with tan yarn: ch 8, sl st in second ch from hook and next 5 ch, 4 sc in last ch. FO and sew the spoon into the bowl.

Small Pastry and Jam Spoon

Use yellow yarn for a small pastry.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sl st around. 12 sts.

FO. Place it on the prep table. For the red jam spoon, ch 8 with tan yarn, sl st across, then add 3 red stitches at one end.

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Garden Soil Beds

Use dark brown yarn for small rectangular planting beds on the roof.

Carrot Bed

1. Ch 19.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 18 sts.
3. Rows 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. 18 sts.

FO and sew to the left back area of the roof.

Radish Bed

1. Ch 17.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 16 sts.
3. Rows 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. 16 sts.

FO and sew to the right back area of the roof.

Tiny Carrots

Use orange yarn for the carrot body and green yarn for the leaves. Make 9 carrots.

1. Rnd 1: With orange yarn, 4 sc in MR. 4 sts.
2. Rnd 2: sc around. 4 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 6 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc around. 6 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 8 sts.
6. Rnd 6: sc around. 8 sts.
7. Stuff very lightly.

FO. Join green yarn at the top. Ch 4, sl st into the same top stitch, ch 3, sl st into the same stitch, ch 4, sl st into the same stitch. FO and weave in. Sew the carrots in two slightly uneven rows on the carrot bed.

Tiny Radishes

Use red or deep pink yarn for the round radish and green yarn for the leaves. Make 7 radishes.

1. Rnd 1: With red yarn, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 8 sts.
5. Stuff lightly.
6. Rnd 5: dec around. 4 sts.

FO and close. Join green yarn at top. Ch 5, sl st into top, ch 4, sl st into top, ch 5, sl st into top. FO. Sew the radishes on the right garden bed with their leaves standing up.

Garden Mushrooms

Make 5 mushrooms in different heights. Use beige for stems and brown for caps.

Mushroom Stem

1. Rnd 1: With beige yarn, 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. Rnds 2-5: sc around for small mushroom, or work to Rnd 8 for tall mushroom.
3. FO and stuff lightly.

Mushroom Cap

1. Rnd 1: With brown yarn, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

Stuff the cap lightly and sew it to the stem. Make 2 tall mushrooms, 2 medium mushrooms, and 1 tiny mushroom. Sew them in a cluster at the center back of the roof.

Roof Flowers

The photo has tiny blue, yellow, white, purple, and pink flowers along the front left and right roof edges. Make flowers in mixed colors.

Flower Stem

Use green yarn or wrap green yarn around thin wire.

1. Ch 7 for a short stem or ch 10 for a tall stem.
2. Sl st in second ch from hook and across.

FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Five-Petal Flower

Use yellow, blue, white, lavender, or pink yarn.

1. Make MR.
2. Ch 2, sl st into ring, repeat 5 times.
3. Pull ring tight.

Sew one flower head to each stem. Add a small yellow stitch in the center for blue, white, and lavender flowers. Sew flowers in small clusters at the left and right front edges of the roof.

Small Leaves

Use green yarn.

1. Ch 4.
2. Sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, sl st in last ch.

Make 14 leaves and sew them around the flower stems and garden vegetables.

Little Mole Character

The mole is rounded, soft, and dark gray-brown with a light muzzle, tiny pink nose, round glasses, small paws, and a striped scarf. Work the mole tightly using a 2.25 mm hook.

Mole Body and Head

Use gray-brown yarn. The body and head are worked as one pear-shaped piece.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. Rnds 6-11: sc around. 30 sts.
7. Rnd 12: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
8. Rnd 13: sc around. 24 sts.
9. Rnd 14: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
10. Rnd 15: sc around. 18 sts.
11. Rnd 16: sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
12. Rnd 17: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
13. Rnds 18-22: sc around. 30 sts.
14. Rnd 23: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
15. Rnd 24: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
16. Stuff the body and head firmly.
17. Rnd 25: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
18. Rnd 26: dec around. 6 sts.

FO and close. Shape the neck with a few stitches of matching yarn pulled gently around Rnds 14-16.

Muzzle

Use light beige yarn.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 12 sts.

FO, leaving a long tail. Stuff lightly and sew to the lower front of the head. Use pink yarn to embroider a tiny oval nose at the center front of the muzzle. Add two short black stitches under the nose for a gentle mouth.

Mole Arms

Make 2 using gray-brown yarn.

1. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 10 sts.
3. Rnds 3-7: sc around. 10 sts.
4. Stuff lightly at the paw only.
5. Flatten the top and sc through both layers. 5 sts.

FO, leaving a tail. Sew one arm close to the body. Sew the second arm slightly forward so it can hold a tiny jar.

Mole Feet

Make 2 using gray-brown yarn.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 9 sts.
3. Rnds 3-4: sc around. 9 sts.
4. Flatten and sc through both layers. 4 sts.

FO. Sew the feet to the lower front of the body so the mole stands or sits just inside the pantry.

Glasses

Use black embroidery thread or thin wire wrapped with black thread.

• Make two small circles about 0.45 in wide.
• Connect them with a short bridge over the muzzle.
• Sew the glasses carefully across the face.
• Add two tiny black eye stitches behind the lenses.

If using only thread, stitch each circle directly onto the face by making small round backstitches.

Striped Scarf

Use red, yellow, blue, and green yarn scraps. Work flat.

1. Ch 33.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 32 sts.
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc across. Change color every 4 to 5 stitches to create short stripes.

FO and weave in ends. Wrap the scarf around the mole’s neck and sew it in place with small hidden stitches. Let one end hang slightly down the front.

Tiny Jar for Mole

Make one jar using the basic jar pattern, but stop after Rnd 7 and close with decreases. Sew it between the mole’s paws so the mole appears to be carrying pantry preserves.

Crates and Storage Boxes

Use dark brown yarn. These boxes sit on the lower shelves and floor.

Open Crate

1. Base: ch 10, sc in second ch from hook and across. 9 sts. Work 4 rows. FO.
2. Long sides: ch 10, sc in second ch from hook and across. 9 sts. Work 3 rows. Make 2.
3. Short sides: ch 5, sc in second ch from hook and across. 4 sts. Work 3 rows. Make 2.

Sew the sides around the base. Make 2 crates. Add a few potatoes, onions, or red yarn balls inside.

Red Apples or Pantry Tomatoes

Use rusty red yarn. Make 7 small round pieces for the left shelf.

1. Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. 10 sts.
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 10 sts.
4. Rnd 4: dec around. 5 sts.

FO and close. Add a tiny brown stitch at the top of each piece. Pile them on the left shelf or inside a crate.

Roof Placement Guide

• Sew the green hedge along the back upper edge first.
• Place the mushroom cluster at the center back.
• Sew the carrot bed on the upper left roof area.
• Sew the radish bed on the upper right roof area.
• Add flowers along the left and right front corners.
• Keep the center front roof mostly open so the cutaway home remains visible.

Interior Placement Guide

• Sew the large shelves against the curved back wall.
• Place the left shelf slightly angled toward the open front.
• Place the right shelf under the staircase side but not touching the steps.
• Sew the flour sacks and bread to the right shelf.
• Sew jars across the top shelves in a neat row.
• Place baskets of potatoes, garlic, and eggs along the lower shelves and floor.
• Set the prep table at the front left side.
• Place the mole at the front right side, facing slightly toward the center.

Detailed Assembly

1. Place the round floor flat on your table with the right side facing up.
2. Pin the thick outer dirt ring around the floor. Leave the front open and curve the two front ends outward slightly.
3. Sew the back and side edges of the ring to the floor using medium brown yarn.
4. Sew the tan interior wall inside the back half of the ring.
5. Attach the garden roof platform to the top edge of the back wall and side walls.
6. Sew the green hedge to the rear of the roof.
7. Attach the front cutaway rim around the open edge.
8. Sew the staircase to the right interior wall, starting at the floor and ending near the roof.
9. Add the shelves to the back wall. Use many small stitches so they do not sag.
10. Arrange all pantry foods before sewing. When happy with the layout, sew the pieces down one by one.
11. Add dirt bobbles, roots, and texture to the outside walls.
12. Attach the roof garden vegetables, mushrooms, and flowers last.
13. Sew the mole inside the pantry, placing one foot slightly forward for a gentle standing pose.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the mole’s face before securing the character permanently. The glasses should sit evenly over the muzzle, with the bridge centered above the pink nose. The eyes should be small and gentle, not too large, so the mole keeps the soft handmade look shown in the photo.

After the face is finished, sew the scarf in place and attach the tiny jar between the paws. Add a few extra stitches behind the mole’s body to anchor it to the floor. This keeps the figure stable inside the pantry display.

Care Notes

• Spot clean only with a damp cloth.
• Do not machine wash because the structure contains inserts and many tiny sewn details.
• Keep away from heavy moisture to protect the shaped panels.
• Store in a box when not displayed to prevent dust on the small garden pieces.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The burrow sits flat and does not lean forward.
• The front opening is wide and rounded.
• The roof garden has carrots, radishes, mushrooms, hedge, and flowers.
• The pantry shelves include jars, flour sacks, bread, baskets, and vegetables.
• The staircase is attached securely on the right side.
• The mole has glasses, scarf, muzzle, nose, paws, and a jar.
• All loose yarn ends are woven in or hidden behind shelves and panels.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft makeup brush or clean paintbrush to remove dust from the hedge, flowers, shelves, and tiny foods. Brush gently from back to front so small pieces are not pulled out of shape.

If a spot needs cleaning, dampen a white cloth with cool water and press gently. Do not rub the stitches. Let the piece air dry completely before returning it to a shelf or display case.

For long-term storage, place tissue paper inside the open pantry to support the walls. Keep the mole and garden decorations from being compressed. Store the crochet pantry in a dry box away from direct sunlight so the colors stay bright.