My Version of Hobbes!

After months of scribbling and counting stitches on my notebook, I finally decided to "formalize" one of my patterns and share it here as a free pdf download. Sometime in July, I received an inquiry / order for a Hobbes doll.  The email said "Would love to have one made for the baby I'm about to have."  How could I say no?  But I had never made one before so I searched for photos online and decided to take on the challenge!

It took about 5 re-dos before I got the proportions about right.   At the request of the client, I sewed a smile on instead of Hobbes’ naturally sad mouth.

Download Hobbes Pattern

Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes refused to merchandise his creations by displaying images of Calvin and Hobbes on commercially sold items.  As such, I am sharing my pattern freely.   Please feel free to share this pattern with others but please don't forget to link back to this site.  
Please do not copy and sell this pattern.  Thank you.

A FEW TIPS BEFORE YOU START:
Because this doll is striped and I needed the color changes to line up, I joined the rounds as opposed to crocheting in continuous rounds.  

For all R1s:  Join the end of the 1st round with a sl st into the 1st st and then ch 1
R2 onwards: Skip last st and joined the with a sl st in the ch 1 of the previous round.

You can refer to myMinion Tutorial for more details on this technique.

CHANGING COLORS:
If changing colors within a round, switch your yarn color before you complete the last sc.
If changing color at the end of the round, switch yarns before you sl st in the ch 1 of the previous round and then ch 1 with the new color.

Switch colors before completing the last sc

Ch 1 and mark

Skip the last st and sl st in ch 1 of previous round

At the end of the row, skip last st and sl st in ch 1 of the previous round

And sl st with new color

Ch 1 and mark