Pokemon #131: Lapras by 2DCuttlefish

Difficulty: Advanced
Lapras is one of my favorite Pokemon, and I was finally got my hands on some yarn
of the correct color. My apologies for the delay with this week's post, but figuring out
the complexities of this doll took a little longer than usual. The pieces of the doll aren't
too difficult to make, but assembling it does require some experience with somewhat
difficult crochet and sewing techniques. If you've made a few complicated dolls
before, you should be fine. If you need any help, have a correction to make, or would
just like to leave a comment as always feel free to email me at
[email protected] or leave a comment in the comment section at the end of
this page.

Next week's post might also be a little late, as I recently got a commission for a
Cheburashka doll from a friend. Once it's finished, I will post pictures and a pattern
here for the week's update.

Materials
-Yarn (in addition to the quantities below, you will also need a small amount of black
yarn for detail embroidery)

 For regular Lapras: (A) 1 6-oz skein Caron Simply Soft in Cool Mint, (B) 1/4
6-oz skein Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather, and (C) 1/2 6-oz skein Caron
Simply Soft in Off-White
 For shiny Lapras: (A) 1 6-oz skein Caron Simply Soft in Orchid, (B) 1/4 6-oz
skein Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather, and (C) 1/2 6-oz skein Caron Simply
Soft in Autumn Maize

-4.5 mm (size 7) crochet hook

-Fiberfill – I recommend a nice, soft variety that's good for stuffed animals

-Tapestry needle

-Pins

-Scraps of felt, loose fabric, etc. in white and black to make the eyes. You can also
make them using needle felting, if you know how – that's the way I did it for the
example doll shown in the photos.

-Scraps of yarn for round markers

Gauge: Gauge is not important for this work. With the given yarn and hook size, the
finished doll will stand about 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height; adjust yarn and/or hook
size if a bigger or smaller doll is desired. Just make sure your stitches are of a
consistent size and tightness.

Notation (US crochet)

ch: chain

st: stitch

sc: single crochet

hdc: half-double crochet

slst: slip stitch

inc: increase stitch (perform 2 sc in the next stitch of the work)

dec: decrease stitch (insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull through the stitch.
Insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull through first loop. Yarn over again, pull
through all 3 loops on hook.)

*Note: You do not need to use the same brand or colors of yarn I used, but you
should try and pick a 100% acrylic yarn for this doll. Acrylic yarn is generally best for
amigurumi dolls as it holds the stiff weave required to maintain the structure of the
doll. This is especially true for large dolls like this one, whose weight may cause non-
acrylic yarns to sag and lose shape over time.

Pattern
Torso and Tail
Round 1: With A, 8 sc in starter circle. (8)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (16)
Round 3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (32)
Round 5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (40)
Round 6: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round 7: *sc in next 5 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Round 8: *sc in next 6 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
Round 9: *sc in next 7 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (72)
Round 10: *sc in next 8 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (80)
Rounds 11-27: sc in each st around. (80)
Round 28: *sc in next 8 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (72)
Rounds 29-30: sc in each st around. (72)
Round 31: *sc in next 7 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
Rounds 32-33: sc in each st around. (64)
Round 34: *sc in next 6 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Rounds 35-36: sc in each st around. (56)
Round 37: *sc in next 5 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
*Begin to stuff, and continue to do so until you finish.
Round 38: sc in each st around. (48)
Round 39: *sc in next 4 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (40)
Round 40: sc in each st around. (40)
Round 41: *sc in next 3 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (32)
Round 42: sc in each st around. (32)
Round 43: *sc in next 2 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 44: sc in each st around. (24)
Round 45: *sc in next st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (16)
Round 46: dec around until closed.
Finish off, leaving trail.

Neck
Round 1: 6 sc in starter circle. (6)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Round 4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (30)
Rounds 6-17: sc in each st around. (30)
Round 18: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (36)
Round 19: sc in each st around. (36)
Round 20: *sc in next 5 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (42)
Round 21: sc in each st around. (42)
Round 22: *sc in next 6 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round 23: sc in each st around. (48)
Stuff firmly. Finish off, leaving trail.

Head
Round 1: With A, 6 sc in starter circle. (6)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Round 4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (30)
Round 6: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (36)
Rounds 7-10: sc in each st around (36)
Round 11: *sc in next 4 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (30)
Round 12: sc in each st around. (30)
Round 13: *sc in next 3 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Rounds 14-15: sc in each st around. (24)
*Begin to stuff firmly, and continue to do so as you work.
Round 15: *sc in next 2 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Round 16: *sc in next st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (12)
Round 17: dec around until closed.
Finish off, leaving trail.

Front Flippers (Make 2)

Round 1: With A, 6 sc in starter circle. (6)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Round 4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (30)
Round 6: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (36)
Rounds 7-11: sc in each st around. (36)
Round 12: *sc in next 4 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (30)
Rounds 13-14: sc in each st around. (30)
*Begin stuffing lightly. You don't want to put in enough to completely fill the flipper;
there should just be enough to give it some shape.
Round 15: *sc in next 3 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 16: sc in each st around. (24)
Round 17: *sc in next 2 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Round 18: sc in each st around. (18)
Round 19: *sc in next st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (12)
Round 20: dec around until closed.
Finish off, leaving trail. Flatten the piece.
Back Flippers (Make 2)
Round 1: 6 sc in starter circle (6)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
Round 3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Round 4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Rounds 5-8: sc in each st around. (24)
Round 9: *sc in next 2 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Rounds 10-11: sc in each st around. (18)
*Begin stuffing lightly. You don't want to put in enough to completely fill the flipper;
there should just be enough to give it some shape.
Round 12: *sc in next st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (12)
Round 13: dec around until closed.
Finish off, leaving trail. Flatten the piece.

Ears (Make 2)
Round 1: With A, 5 sc in starter circle. (5)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (10)
Rounds 3-16: sc in each st around. (10) As you work this part, stuff the ear piece
Round 17: dec in each st around until closed.
Finish off, leaving trail. Curl the piece, as shown below, and sew through it to secure
the curl.

Horn
Round 1: With A, 4 sc in starter circle. (4)
Round 2: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (6)
Round 3: sc in each st around. (6)
Round 4: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (9)
Finish off, leaving trail.

Shell Base
Round 1: With B, 8 sc in starter circle (8)
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (16)
Round 3: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)
Round 4: *sc in next 2 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (32)
Round 5: *sc in next 3 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (40)
Round 6: *sc in next 4 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round 7: *sc in next 5 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Round 8: *sc in next 6 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
Round 9: *sc in next 7 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (72)
Round 10: *sc in next 8 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (80)
Round 11: *sc in next 9 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (88)
Round 12: *sc in next 10 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (96)
Rounds 13-15: sc in each st around. (96)
Round 16: *sc in next 10 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (88)
Round 15: *sc in next 9 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (80)
Round 14: *sc in next 8 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (72)
Round 15: *sc in next 7 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
Round 16: *sc in next 6 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Round 17: *sc in next 5 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round 18: *sc in next 5 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Rounds 19-20: sc in each st around. (56)
Round 21: *sc in next 6 st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (64)
Round 22: sc in each st around. (64)
*Begin to stuff lightly. Much like the flipper pieces, you will be flattening this piece
before sewing it to the main doll.There should be just enough filling to smooth out the
shape of the shell, but not enough to fill it out.
Round 23: *sc in next 6 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (56)
Round 24: *sc in next 5 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (48)
Round 25: *sc in next 2 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (36)
Round 26: *sc in next 2 st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (27)
Round 27: *sc in next st, dec.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)
Round 28: dec in each st around until closed.
Finish off, leaving trail. Cut a length of black yarn. Flatten the shell, and use the black
yarn and a yarn needle to embroider the black rim of the shell using a backstitch. You
will want to pull the yarn completely through the shell piece as you do this, instead of
just embroidering along the upper side of the shell; this will shape the piece and
create the shell's distinct rim.

Shell Spikes (Make 9)

Round 1: With B, 4 sc in starter circle. (4)
Round 2: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (6)
Round 3: sc in each st around. (6)
Round 4: *sc in next st, inc.* Repeat from * to * around. (9)
Round 5: *sc in each st around. (9)
Finish off, leaving trail.

Belly
This piece will actually be 5 separate pieces which you will sew together as you
attach them to the doll. The main piece will extend from under Lapras's chin to the tip
of her tail, similar to the belly piece for my Dragonite pattern. The other pieces will be
sewn to the undersides of their respective flippers. All of the pieces for the belly will
be worked in regular crochet rows, instead of a spiral round.

FOR MAIN PIECE

Row 1: With C, ch 4. (4) Turn.
Row 2: In 2nd st from hook, sc. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (3) ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next st. 2 sc in final st of row (5) ch 1, turn.
Row 4: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 3 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (7) ch 1, turn.
Row 5: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (7) ch 1, turn.
Row 6: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 5 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (9) ch 1, turn.
Row 7: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 7 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (11) ch 1, turn.
Row 8: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (11) ch 1, turn.
Rows 9-23: Repeat row 8. (11)
Row 24: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 9 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (13) ch 1,
turn.
Row 25: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 11 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (15) ch 1,
turn.
Row 26: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (15) ch 1, turn.
Row 27: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 13 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (17) ch 1,
turn.
Row 28: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (17) ch 1, turn.
Row 29: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 15 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (19) ch 1,
turn.
Row 30: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (19) ch 1, turn.
Row 31: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 17 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (21) ch 1,
turn.
Row 32: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (21) ch 1, turn.
Row 33: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 19 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (23) ch 1,
turn.
Row 34: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (23) ch 1, turn.
Row 35: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 21 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (25) ch 1,
turn.
Row 36: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (25) ch 1, turn.
Rows 37-52: Repeat row 36.
Row 53: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 21 st. dec over last 2 st of
row. (23) ch 1, turn.
Row 54: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (23) ch 1, turn.
Row 55: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 19 st. dec over last 2 st of
row. (21) ch 1, turn.
Row 56: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (21) ch 1, turn.
Rows 57-72: Repeat Row 56.
Row 73: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 17 st. dec over last 2 st of
row. (19)
ch 1, turn.
Row 74: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (19) ch 1, turn.
Row 75: Repeat row 74.
Row 76: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 15 st. dec over last 2 st of
row. (17)
ch 1, turn.
Row 77: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 13 st. dec over last 2 st of
row. (15)
ch 1, turn.
Row 78: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 11 st. dec over last 2 st of
row. (13)
ch 1, turn.
Row 79: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 9 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(11) ch 1, turn.
Row 80: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 7 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(9) ch 1, turn.
Row 81: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 5 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(7) ch 1, turn.
Row 82: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 3 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(5) ch 1, turn.
Row 83: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(3)
Finish off, leaving a long trail.

FOR UNDERSIDE OF FRONT FLIPPERS (MAKE 2)

Row 1: With C, ch 7. (7) Turn.
Row 2: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (6) ch 1, turn.
Row 3: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 4 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (8) ch 1, turn.
Row 4: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (8) ch 1, turn.
Row 5: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 6 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (10) ch 1, turn.
Row 6: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (10) ch 1, turn.
Row 7: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. sc in next 8 st. 2 sc in final st of row. (12) ch 1, turn.
Row 8: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (12) ch 1, turn.
Rows 9-14: Repeat Row 8.
Row 15: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 8 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(10) ch 1, turn.
Row 16: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (10) ch 1, turn.
Row 17: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 6 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(8) ch 1, turn.
Row 18: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (8) ch 1, turn.
Row 19: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 4 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(6) ch 1, turn.
Row 20: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (6) ch 1, turn.
Row 21: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. sc in next 2 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(4) ch 1, turn.
Row 22: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc to the end of the row. (4) ch 1, turn.
Row 23: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. dec over last 2 st of row. (2) ch 1, turn.
Row 24: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec over the 2 st of the row.
Finish off, leaving a long trail.

FOR UNDERSIDE OF BACK FLIPPERS(MAKE 2)

Row 1: With C, ch 5. (5) Turn.
Row 2: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc in each remaining st of row. (4) ch 1,
turn.
Row 3: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. st in next 2 st. 2 sc in last st of row. (6) ch 1, turn.
Row 4: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc in each remaining st of row. (6) ch 1,
turn.
Row 5: 2 sc in 2nd st from hook. st in next 4 st. 2 sc in last 2 st of row. (8) ch 1, turn.
Row 6: sc in 2nd st from hook. Continue to sc in each remaining st of row. (8) ch 1,
turn.
Rows 7-11: Repeat Row 6.
Row 12: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. st in next 4 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(6) ch 1, turn.
Row 13: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. st in next 2 st. dec over last 2 st of row.
(4) ch 1, turn.
Row 14: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec. dec over last 2 st of row. (2) ch 1, turn.
Row 15: Beginning in 2nd st from hook, dec over the 2 st of the row.
Finish off, leaving a long trail.

Assembly
First, assemble the head pieces (ears, horn, and head) and pin them together, as
shown below. When you're happy with the arrangement, use a yarn needle to sew
them securely into place using a whipstitch.

Pin and sew the head to the neck using the whipstitch. Next, pin the completed
head/neck piece and the four flipper pieces to the torso piece of the doll. As shown in
my example photos, you want the flippers to be tilted slightly back, rather than
sticking straight out from the body. When you are happy with the arrangement, sew
everything together with a firm whipstitch.
Next, pin the completed shell base to the body and sew it into place when you're
happy with the position. Pin each of the nine shell spikes to the shell base, and sew
them to the shell. You don't need to place the spikes precisely where I did; my
placement is based off Lapras' 3D model from the Pokemon X/Y games.

Finally, pin the belly pieces to the doll. The pointed part of the "main" piece goes
under Lapras' head and stretches down along the neck piece and around the
underside of the belly all the way to the end of Lapras' tail. Pin the flipper pieces to
their respective flippers. An image of this pre-sewing is shown below:

Cut a length of yarn in color C and use it to whipstitch the flipper belly pieces to the
main body belly piece once you're happy with their placement. Then, using the trails
from the belly pieces, whipstitch around the entire completed belly to firmly attach it
to the rest of the doll.

Finishing Touches
Eyes: Use scraps of fabric, felt, etc. or needle felting to make Lapras' eyes. The basic
design for the left eye is shown below; simply mirror it to make the right eye.
The base is white, while the iris is black with a white "shine" area.

And that's all! Congratulations, you've finished your Lapras! Come back next week for
a Cheburashka pattern.

Reference Images for Assembly