Crochet Tutorial: Baby Crocodile Garden Explorer Doll – Free Crochet Pattern

This baby crocodile garden explorer is a cheerful amigurumi design with a rounded green body, large sitting feet, a long crocodile snout, big raised eyes, tiny white teeth, and a playful orange spotted cap with a fluffy pom-pom. The outfit includes a blue and yellow striped shirt with an anchor detail, a brown crossbody explorer satchel with a fish applique, blue boots, a small duckling friend, and a tiny flower pot.

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 amigurumi project. The finished crocodile should look soft, round, seated, and slightly oversized in the head, matching the cute handmade style shown in the image.

The main crocodile is worked mostly in continuous rounds. The body and head are crocheted separately for better shaping. The shirt is crocheted directly as color-change stripes around the body. The accessories are made separately and sewn on at the end.

• Finished crocodile size: about 10 to 12 inches tall when seated, depending on yarn and tension.
• Duckling size: about 2.5 inches tall.
• Flower pot size: about 3 inches tall including flower.
• Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate.
• Construction style: amigurumi in continuous rounds with sewn details.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in medium green for head, arms, legs, tail, and snout.
• Worsted weight yarn in light green for belly and lower body.
• Worsted weight yarn in sky blue for shirt stripes, boot soles, pacifier center, and small details.
• Worsted weight yarn in yellow for shirt stripes.
• Worsted weight yarn in orange for hat, pacifier ring, crocodile cheek detail, and duck beak.
• Worsted weight yarn in white for eyes, hat dots, teeth, and pom-pom.
• Worsted weight yarn in black for pupils, smile, nostrils, and anchor embroidery.
• Worsted weight yarn in tan or brown for satchel and strap.
• Small amounts of cream, pink, dark brown, and green for duckling and flower pot.
• 3.5 mm crochet hook for the main doll.
• 3.0 mm crochet hook for small appliques and facial details.
• Polyester fiberfill.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch marker.
• Scissors.
• Optional: small buttons for the boot sides, used only if the toy is for display and not for children.

Abbreviations

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

Gauge and Tension

Gauge is not extremely strict for this project, but tight amigurumi tension is important. Your stitches should be close enough that stuffing does not show through the fabric. If your stitches look loose, use a smaller hook.

For a similar shape to the image, crochet the head firmly but do not overstuff the snout. The snout should be long, softly rounded, and slightly flattened across the front. The belly should be round and seated, with the legs angled forward.

Important Shaping Notes

The crocodile has a large head with a long forward snout. The big eyes sit high on the head and lean slightly outward. This placement is what gives the face its playful garden explorer expression.

The body is shorter than the head and has a rounded light green belly. The arms hang softly at the sides, while the legs are seated forward. The blue boot soles face the viewer, so attach the feet at a forward angle.

When changing shirt colors, carry yarn loosely inside the body or cut and rejoin each stripe. For a cleaner handmade finish, cut each color and weave ends inside the body before stuffing completely.

Main Head

Use medium green yarn and a 3.5 mm hook. Work in continuous rounds. Stuff gradually as you go, keeping the shape round and firm.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
7. R7: Sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
8. R8: Sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
9. R9: Sc 7, inc, repeat around. 54 sts.
10. R10: Sc 8, inc, repeat around. 60 sts.
11. R11 to R20: Sc around. 60 sts for 10 rounds.
12. R21: Sc 8, dec, repeat around. 54 sts.
13. R22: Sc around. 54 sts.
14. R23: Sc 7, dec, repeat around. 48 sts.
15. R24: Sc around. 48 sts.
16. R25: Sc 6, dec, repeat around. 42 sts.
17. R26: Sc around. 42 sts.
18. R27: Sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
19. R28: Sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.

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Pause here and stuff the head firmly. The top and back should be round. The lower front should stay slightly open and flexible because the snout will cover much of the face area.

1. R29: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
2. R30: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
3. R31: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
4. R32: Dec around. 6 sts.

FO and close the opening with a yarn needle. Weave in the end securely. The head should be slightly larger than the body for a baby-like proportion.

Long Crocodile Snout

Use medium green yarn. The snout is worked as an oval tube, then sewn across the lower front of the head. It should project outward like the image, with the wider end attached to the face.

1. Ch 10.
2. R1: Starting in the second ch from hook, sc 8, 3 sc in last ch. Working on the other side of the chain, sc 7, inc in last ch. 20 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 7, inc in next 3 sts, sc 7, inc in next 2 sts. 26 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 7, repeat sc 1, inc three times, sc 7, repeat sc 1, inc twice. 32 sts.
5. R4: BLO sc around. 32 sts.
6. R5 to R8: Sc around. 32 sts.
7. R9: Sc 6, dec, sc 12, dec, sc 10. 30 sts.
8. R10 to R12: Sc around. 30 sts.
9. R13: Sc 5, dec, sc 11, dec, sc 10. 28 sts.
10. R14 to R15: Sc around. 28 sts.

Stuff the snout lightly. Do not overfill it, because the snout should look soft and slightly flattened instead of round like a tube.

1. R16: Sc 5, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
2. R17: Sc around. 24 sts.

FO, leaving a long sewing tail. Flatten the open edge slightly. Sew the snout to the lower front of the head, centered between rounds 15 and 24 of the head. The snout should tilt very slightly upward.

Nostrils

Use medium green yarn to make two raised nostril bumps, then add black centers.

1. Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Sc around. 6 sts.
3. FO, leaving a tail.

Make 2. Sew both nostrils on top of the snout near the front, about 1 inch apart. With black yarn, embroider one small vertical stitch in the center of each nostril.

Big Raised Eyes

The eyes are large white domes with black pupils, positioned high and wide on the crocodile head. They should sit partly above the snout and give the doll a curious expression.

White Eye Domes

Make 2 using white yarn.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6 to R8: Sc around. 30 sts.
7. R9: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.

Stuff each eye lightly so the dome stays raised but not hard. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew the eyes to the upper face, slightly angled outward. Place them so the lower edges touch or nearly touch the top of the snout.

Black Pupils

Make 2 using black yarn and a 3.0 mm hook.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.

FO and leave a sewing tail. Sew one pupil to the front center of each white eye. Add a small white highlight stitch on each pupil to match the glossy look in the image.

Smile and Teeth

Use black yarn to embroider a gentle curved smile across the lower snout. Begin on one side of the snout, curve slightly downward, and end on the other side. Keep the smile simple and friendly.

For the small white teeth, use white yarn and a yarn needle. Make four tiny triangular stitches along the lower edge of the smile. Place two teeth near the center and one tooth toward each side. The teeth should look small and rounded, not sharp.

Body With Striped Shirt

The body begins in light green for the lower belly, then changes into blue and yellow stripes for the shirt. Work in continuous rounds and stuff firmly as you go.

1. With light green yarn, R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
7. R7: Sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
8. R8: Sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
9. R9 to R12: Sc around with light green. 48 sts.

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The light green section forms the round belly visible beneath the shirt. It should sit like a soft oval when the crocodile is assembled.

1. Change to sky blue. R13: BLO sc around. 48 sts.
2. R14: Sc around in sky blue. 48 sts.
3. Change to yellow. R15 to R16: Sc around. 48 sts.
4. Change to sky blue. R17 to R18: Sc around. 48 sts.
5. Change to yellow. R19 to R20: Sc around. 48 sts.
6. Change to sky blue. R21 to R22: Sc around. 48 sts.
7. Change to yellow. R23 to R24: Sc around. 48 sts.
8. Change to sky blue. R25: Sc around. 48 sts.
9. R26: Sc 6, dec, repeat around. 42 sts.
10. R27: Sc around in sky blue. 42 sts.
11. R28: Sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
12. R29: Sc around. 36 sts.
13. R30: Sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.
14. R31: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.

Stuff the body firmly, making the lower body rounded. Flatten the top opening slightly so it sits neatly under the large head.

1. R32: Sc around. 24 sts.

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew the head to the body with the snout facing forward. Reinforce the seam several times because the head is large.

Shirt Edge Detail

Use sky blue yarn to crochet a small neckline edge after the head is attached. Insert the hook around the neck seam and work simple surface slip stitches around the base of the head.

• Join sky blue yarn at the back of the neck.
• Surface sl st around the neck seam, keeping stitches even.
• FO and hide the yarn ends inside the body.

This detail creates the blue collar look visible between the head and the striped shirt.

Anchor Embroidery

Use black yarn and a yarn needle to embroider a small anchor on the front center of the shirt. Place it on the blue stripe area, just above the satchel.

1. Make one short vertical line for the anchor stem.
2. Add a tiny loop at the top using two curved stitches.
3. Make a short horizontal bar across the upper middle.
4. Make two curved lower arms, one curving left and one curving right.
5. Add tiny upward stitches at the ends of the anchor arms.

Keep the embroidery small and bold. The anchor should be clearly visible but not wider than the crocodile’s chest.

Arms

Make 2 arms using medium green yarn. The arms are simple tapered tubes with small finger bumps at the end.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 9 sts.
3. R3: Sc around. 9 sts.
4. R4: Make the hand bumps: sc 2, ch 3, sl st in second ch from hook, sl st in next ch, sc in next st, ch 3, sl st in second ch from hook, sl st in next ch, sc in next st, ch 3, sl st in second ch from hook, sl st in next ch, sc in remaining sts around. 9 sts plus finger bumps.
5. R5: Sc around behind the bumps, working into the main round stitches only. 9 sts.
6. R6 to R13: Sc around. 9 sts.

Stuff only the lower hand lightly. Leave the upper arm mostly flat so it hangs naturally. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew the arms to the sides of the body at rounds 25 to 27, just below the head. The arms should point downward and slightly forward.

Legs and Feet

The crocodile sits with both feet forward. The feet have green tops and large sky blue boot soles facing outward. Make 2.

Blue Boot Sole

Use sky blue yarn.

1. Ch 8.
2. R1: Starting in second ch from hook, sc 6, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side of the chain, sc 5, inc in last ch. 16 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 5, inc in next 3 sts, sc 5, inc in next 2 sts. 22 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 5, repeat sc 1, inc three times, sc 5, repeat sc 1, inc twice. 28 sts.
5. R4: BLO sc around. 28 sts.
6. R5: Sc around. 28 sts.

FO the first sole. For the second sole, keep yarn attached if you want to continue directly into the boot sides.

Boot and Leg

Attach medium green yarn to the back loop ridge if needed.

1. R6: With green, sc around. 28 sts.
2. R7: Sc 6, dec, sc 8, dec, sc 10. 26 sts.
3. R8: Sc 5, dec, sc 8, dec, sc 9. 24 sts.
4. R9: Sc 4, dec, repeat around. 20 sts.
5. R10: Sc around. 20 sts.
6. R11: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 16 sts.
7. R12 to R17: Sc around in green. 16 sts.

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Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. The sole should stay flat and visible. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Sew the legs to the lower front of the body. Angle them outward slightly so the blue soles face forward. Add a tiny tan or cream yarn stitch on the side of each boot to imitate the small button detail shown in the image.

Tail

The tail sits behind the body and helps the crocodile balance. Use medium green yarn.

1. R1: Make 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. R2: Sc around. 5 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat, sc 1. 7 sts.
4. R4: Sc around. 7 sts.
5. R5: Sc 2, inc, repeat, sc 1. 9 sts.
6. R6: Sc around. 9 sts.
7. R7: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 12 sts.
8. R8 to R10: Sc around. 12 sts.
9. R11: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 15 sts.
10. R12 to R15: Sc around. 15 sts.
11. R16: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
12. R17 to R19: Sc around. 18 sts.

Stuff the tail lightly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew it to the back lower body, centered and angled slightly downward.

Small Back Spikes

The image shows a playful crocodile shape, so add small soft spikes along the back of the head and tail if desired. Use medium green or slightly darker green yarn.

1. Join yarn at the back top of the head.
2. Ch 3, sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next ch.
3. Skip about 1 round space and sl st into the head.
4. Repeat from the first step down the back of the head and upper body.
5. FO and weave in ends.

Keep the spikes small. They should add crocodile character without distracting from the orange cap and explorer outfit.

Orange Spotted Explorer Cap

The cap is orange with white dots and a long floppy pointed end. It sits like a soft nightcap or playful garden hat on top of the crocodile’s head. Use orange yarn.

Cap Base

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
6. R6: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
7. R7: Sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
8. R8: Sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
9. R9: Sc 7, inc, repeat around. 54 sts.
10. R10: Sc 8, inc, repeat around. 60 sts.
11. R11 to R17: Sc around. 60 sts.
12. R18: Sc 18, hdc 24, sc 18. 60 sts.
13. R19: Sc around. 60 sts.

The hdc section makes the front of the cap a little taller so it can sit over the forehead. Try the cap on the head before fastening off. It should cover the top of the eyes slightly but not hide them.

Folded Hat Edge

Use orange yarn and work around the bottom opening of the cap.

1. Join yarn at the back edge.
2. Ch 1, sc around the entire edge. 60 sts.
3. R2: FLO hdc around. 60 sts.
4. R3: Hdc around. 60 sts.

Fold the brim upward slightly and tack it in place at the back and sides with orange yarn. This creates the thick rolled edge visible on the cap.

Floppy Hat Point

Use orange yarn. This piece is sewn to the top back of the cap and bends to one side.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Sc around. 6 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 9 sts.
4. R4 to R5: Sc around. 9 sts.
5. R6: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 12 sts.
6. R7 to R9: Sc around. 12 sts.
7. R10: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 15 sts.
8. R11 to R13: Sc around. 15 sts.
9. R14: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
10. R15 to R17: Sc around. 18 sts.
11. R18: Sc 5, inc, repeat around. 21 sts.
12. R19 to R21: Sc around. 21 sts.

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Stuff very lightly. Sew the wide end of the point to the top back of the cap. Bend it toward the right side and secure the curve with a few hidden stitches.

White Pom-Pom

Use white yarn.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4 to R5: Sc around. 18 sts.
5. R6: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
6. Stuff firmly.
7. R7: Dec around. 6 sts.

FO and close. Sew the pom-pom to the tip of the orange hat point.

White Hat Dots

Make 10 to 14 small white dots. Use a 3.0 mm hook.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Sl st to close.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew the dots randomly over the orange cap and the floppy point. Keep some dots near the front brim and some along the side, as shown in the image.

Crossbody Satchel

The satchel is a small brown rectangular bag worn across the striped shirt. It hangs at the front lower body, with a diagonal strap from shoulder to opposite hip.

Satchel Bag

Use tan or brown yarn.

1. Ch 13.
2. Row 1: Starting in second ch from hook, sc 12. Ch 1, turn.
3. Rows 2 to 12: Sc 12. Ch 1, turn.
4. Row 13: Sc 12. Do not turn.
5. Border: Sc evenly around all four sides, placing 2 sc in each corner.
6. FO and weave in end.

Make a second rectangle the same way. Hold both rectangles together and sc around three sides to join, leaving the top open. FO and weave in ends.

Satchel Flap

1. Ch 13 with tan yarn.
2. Row 1: Sc 12. Ch 1, turn.
3. Rows 2 to 5: Sc 12. Ch 1, turn.
4. Row 6: Dec, sc 8, dec. 10 sts.
5. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew the flap along the top back edge of the bag. Fold it forward over the bag. Add a small black stitch or knot to imitate a button closure.

Fish Applique for Bag

Use cream or pale yellow yarn for the fish body and sky blue yarn for the tail.

1. With cream yarn, ch 5.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 3, 3 sc in last ch, working on other side sc 2, inc in last ch. 10 sts.
3. Sl st to close and FO.
4. Join sky blue at one narrow end.
5. Ch 3, sl st in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st to form the tail fins.
6. FO and weave in ends.

Sew the fish to the front of the satchel. Use black yarn to add one tiny eye and one small curved stitch on the fish body.

Satchel Strap

Use tan or brown yarn.

1. Ch 55 to 65, depending on your doll size.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc across.
3. FO, leaving tails at both ends.

Place the strap diagonally from the crocodile’s right shoulder to the left side of the bag. Sew one end behind the shoulder and the other end to the satchel. Sew the bag to the lower front body so it stays flat against the striped shirt.

Pacifier or Garden Explorer Toy

The image shows a small orange ring with a blue center near the crocodile’s mouth. This can be made as a playful pacifier or explorer charm. Use orange and sky blue yarn.

Orange Ring

1. Ch 18 with orange yarn.
2. Sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
3. R1: Work 24 sc around the chain ring.
4. R2: Sc around. 24 sts.
5. FO and weave in ends.

Blue Center Bulb

1. With sky blue yarn, R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3 to R4: Sc around. 12 sts.
4. R5: Dec around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly and close. Sew the blue bulb to one side of the orange ring. Sew or tack the finished piece lightly to the side of the crocodile’s snout. Add two tiny blue dangling drops under the ring if desired.

Blue Water Drops

Make 2 using sky blue yarn.

1. R1: Make 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. R2: Sc around. 5 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat, sc 1. 7 sts.
4. R4: Sc 1, dec, repeat, sc 1. 5 sts.
5. FO and close.

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Sew the drops to short orange chains below the pacifier ring. This adds the tiny dangling detail visible in the image.

Duckling Friend

The small yellow duckling sits beside the crocodile. It has a round body, small head, orange beak, tiny wings, and orange feet.

Duckling Body

Use pale yellow yarn.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
5. R5 to R8: Sc around. 24 sts.
6. R9: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
7. R10: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a tail. Close the opening.

Duckling Head

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4 to R6: Sc around. 18 sts.
5. R7: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew the head to the body.

Duck Beak

Use orange yarn.

1. Ch 4.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch, work on other side sc 1, inc. 8 sts.
3. Sl st to close.
4. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew the beak to the front of the head. Use black yarn to make two small eyes on each side of the beak. Keep the eyes low and cute.

Duck Wings and Feet

Make 2 wings with pale yellow yarn.

1. Ch 5.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc, hdc, hdc, sc.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew one wing to each side of the duckling body. Make 2 feet with orange yarn by chaining 4, then working 3 sl st back along the chain. Sew the feet under the body.

Flower Pot

The flower pot is a tiny garden prop placed beside the duckling. It has a brown soil top, terracotta pot, green stem, leaves, and a pink flower with a yellow center.

Terracotta Pot

Use orange-brown or terracotta yarn.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: BLO sc around. 18 sts.
5. R5: Sc around. 18 sts.
6. R6: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
7. R7 to R8: Sc around. 24 sts.
8. R9: FLO sc around to make a rim. 24 sts.
9. FO and weave in end.

Soil Circle

Use dark brown yarn.

1. R1: Make 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.

FO, leaving a sewing tail. Stuff the flower pot lightly. Sew the soil circle across the top opening.

Stem and Leaves

Use green yarn.

1. For the stem, ch 10.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st across.
3. FO, leaving tails for sewing.

Make 2 leaves.

1. Ch 5.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc, hdc, hdc, sl st.
3. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew the stem upright into the soil. Sew one leaf to each side of the stem.

Pink Flower

Use pink yarn for petals and yellow yarn for the center.

1. With yellow, R1: Make 6 sc in MR. Sl st to close. FO.
2. Join pink yarn to any stitch.
3. Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st.
4. Sl st into next stitch.
5. Repeat the petal sequence in each stitch around for 6 petals.
6. FO and weave in ends.

Sew the flower to the top of the green stem. Adjust it so the flower faces forward like the image.

Optional Blue Knee Patches

The crocodile has playful blue accents on the legs and feet. To imitate the small patch detail, make two tiny blue circles.

1. With sky blue yarn, make 6 sc in MR.
2. Sl st to close.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew one patch to the outside of each leg near the foot. Keep the patch small and flat.

Assembly Order

Before sewing everything permanently, pin the pieces together and compare the shape from the front. The head should be centered, the snout should point straight forward, and the body should sit naturally.

1. Sew the head to the body first. Use several rounds of stitching around the neck for strength.
2. Sew the snout to the lower front of the head if you have not already attached it.
3. Sew the eyes high on the head, slightly angled outward.
4. Add pupils, highlights, smile, nostrils, and teeth.
5. Sew the arms to the sides of the shirt.
6. Sew the legs to the lower body with the blue soles facing forward.
7. Sew the tail to the back lower body.
8. Place the orange cap on the head and sew it lightly around the back and sides.
9. Sew white dots and pom-pom onto the hat.
10. Add the satchel and strap across the body.
11. Attach the pacifier ring near the snout.
12. Place the duckling and flower pot beside the crocodile for display.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the face from the front before weaving in your last ends. The crocodile should have a bright, curious expression. If the eyes look uneven, adjust with a few hidden stitches at the outer edges.

Use black yarn to deepen the smile if needed. Make the curve gentle, not too wide. The tiny white teeth should sit neatly below the smile line and remain small enough to keep the face sweet.

Shape the snout with your fingers after stuffing. Press the front slightly flat and round the sides. This creates the soft baby crocodile profile shown in the image.

Care Notes

Spot clean the finished doll with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid soaking the piece, especially if you used embroidery, buttons, or many sewn appliques.

Let the doll air dry completely in a shaded place. Do not tumble dry. Gently reshape the hat, snout, feet, and satchel while the yarn is still slightly damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is larger than the body and securely sewn on.
• The long snout is centered and lightly stuffed.
• The eyes are large, raised, and placed high on the face.
• The orange spotted cap sits behind the eyes without hiding them.
• The shirt has clear blue and yellow stripes.
• The black anchor is embroidered on the chest.
• The brown satchel crosses the body diagonally.
• The blue boot soles face forward.
• The duckling and flower pot are small enough to look like accessories.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the crocodile in a clean, dry place away from direct sunlight. Bright yarn colors such as orange, blue, yellow, and green may fade if displayed for long periods in strong sun.

If dust collects on the doll, use a soft dry brush to clean around the eyes, hat dots, satchel, and flower pot. Brush gently so the small sewn details stay attached.

For long-term storage, wrap the doll loosely in acid-free tissue or place it inside a breathable cotton bag. Do not compress the hat pom-pom, snout, or raised eyes under heavy objects.

If the doll is made for a child, embroider all details instead of using buttons or plastic safety eyes. Check seams regularly, especially around the head, eyes, satchel strap, and small duckling pieces.