Make your own plush 3D alphabet with this detailed crochet pattern. You will learn shaping techniques, invisible decreases, short rows and needle-join edging to create neat, stuffed letters. The pattern is written for cotton yarn and includes step-by-step photos and charts to help you finish polished, three-dimensional letters. Perfect for personalized nursery decor, banners, or custom gifts.
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β Material :
Infos :
Cotton yarn in different colors. I used: Name CATANIA Brand Schachenmayr nomotta Yardage 136 yds. (125 m) Weight 50g (1.76 ounce) Yarn Weight Fingering /Sport Fiber Content 100% Cotton Texture Plied, 5 ply (12 wpi). Hook size 2.5 mm (see Gauge, below). Fiberfill. Tapestry needle. Scissor. Stitch marker.
β Gauge :
Info :
Gauge is unimportant for this pattern, provided the pieces are crocheted sufficiently tightly that they will not gape visibly when stuffed. To test a swatch, crochet a few rounds and then push a piece of fiberfill behind it: If the stitches stretch too much and the fiberfill is clearly visible, reduce the hook size. If you cannot insert the hook into the previous stitches, reduce your tension or increase the hook size. My letters measures 7 Β½ β (19 cm) tall. Of course final measurements will change with yarn or hook substitutions.
β Abbreviations :
Infos :
This pattern uses American Standard Abbreviations. rd round. row row. st(s) stitch(es). slst slip stitch. ch chain. sc single crochet. fsc foundation single crochet. hdc half double crochet. dc double crochet. dec decrease over 2 single crochet. sc3tog decrease over 3 single crochet. hdc-dec decrease over 2 half double crochet. inv-sc-dec invisible decrease over 2 single crochet. inv-sc3tog invisible decrease over 3 single crochet. inv-hdc-dec invisible decrease over 2 half double crochet. RS right side. WS wrong (= left) side. sk skip. yo yarn over. lp(s) loop(s). NJ needle join. FL(s) front loop(s). BL(s) back loop(s).
β Stitch Dictionary :
Info :
slst (slip stitch) = Insert hook in indicated st, yo and pull through both st and lp on hook. sc (single crochet) = Insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull through lp, yo and pull through both lps on hook. fsc (foundation single crochet) = insert hook in indicated st, YO and pull through a loop, YO and pull through one loop on hook (the βchainβ), YO and pull through 2 loops on hook (the βscβ). The following stitch is worked under the forward 2 loops of the stem of the previous stitch (into the βchainβ). *Insert hook into the face of the βchainβ and under the nub at the back of the βchainβ (under two strands), YO and pull through a loop, YO and pull through one loop (the βchainβ), YO and pull through 2 loops (the βscβ). Repeat from * for the length of foundation. dec (decrease over 2 single crochet) = *Insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull through lp* crochet twice, yo and pull through all 3 lps on hook. sc3tog (decrease over 3 single crochet) = *Insert hook in indicated st, yo, pull through lp* crochet 3 times, yo and pull through all 4 lps on hook. inv-sc-dec (invisible decrease over 2 single crochet) = (insert hook into FL/BL only of the indicated st) twice, yo, pull through both FL/BLs, yo, pull through both lps on hook.
β Crochet Chart Symbols :
Info :
Chart symbols used in the pattern show start, end, pull through a loop to FO st, needle join (NJ), work sts over ch or slst, direction of crochet, slip stitch (slst), chain (ch), single crochet (sc), foundation single crochet (fsc), increases (2 sc or 3 sc in one stitch), decreases over 2 or 3 sc (dec, sc3tog), invisible decreases, half double crochet (hdc), increases and decreases for hdc, double crochet (dc) and decreases over 2 double crochet.
β Special Crochet Techniques :
Info :
Needle Join (NJ): You will use this technique to join the last round of your side piece(s) (see fig. 1-5). If you use this technique you do not create a further βVβ, what would happen if you join the round with a slst. Fasten off and thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle. Pull the yarn through under the βVβ of the st after the next of the previous round and pull through. Insert the needle into the center of the last stitch at the end of the last round and pull the yarn through to secure. In this manner you create a βVβ for the skipped st.
Info :
As well use the needle join (NJ) to join the line of slip stitches you used to embellish your letters (see fig. 6-11). Work slip stitches around the stitches of the indicated row/round. Join the last slst with the first slst as follows (needle join = NJ): Fasten off and thread the yarn tail onto a yarn needle. Pull the yarn through under the βVβ of the first slst, insert the needle into the center of the last slst and pull the yarn through to secure.
β Invisible Decreases :
Info :
For the letters βBβ, βZβ and the symbol β&β invisible decreases are used because this kind of decrease is less bulky and almost invisible. The figures 12-16 show how to make these invisible decreases: insert the hook from front to back into FLs of the next two stitches, yo and pull through both FLs, yo and pull through all lps on hook. If you crochet on the RS or WS you must insert the hook into the corresponding FLs or BLs as instructed so unworked loops lie on one side of the crochet piece.
β Short Rows :
Info :
Short rows are used to shape the letters. You work a short row by not ending the actual row so the last sts of the previous row are unworked or by using chains and/or slip stitches. Then in the following row work over the chains and slip stitches of the previous row, meaning in the sts one row below.
β Work over a slst or ch :
Info :
Work over a slst: The last st of the previous row is a slst. 1 ch, turn work. To work a sc over this slst insert hook through the marked st one row below, yo, pull through lp, yo and pull through both lps on hook. Work over a ch: To work a sc over a ch insert hook through next st one row below and pass under the chain, yo and pull through lp, yo and pull through both lps on hook. Work over a ch at the end of a row: insert hook sidewise through the st one row below and grab the two bars of this st, yo, pull through lp, yo and pull through both lps on hook.
β Embellish the Letters :
Info :
If you want embellish your letters with embroidery stitches you can use a back stitch or a crocheted slip stitch line. Back stitch: Bring the needle up through the crochet piece one stitch ahead of the starting point, go down through the crochet piece one stitch behind, then out again one stitch ahead. Continue in this way. Line of slip stitches: Bring the hook from front to back in any gap between two stitches, yo and pull through both gap and loop on hook, bring the hook from front to back in next gap, yo and pull through both gap and loop on hook. Repeat to the end to crochet slip stitches around. Embellish the letters before joining the pieces.
β Instructions :
Info :
General: Most of the letters consists of three pieces: The front and the back piece which are equal and the side piece. The letters βAβ, βDβ, βOβ, βPβ, βQβ and βRβ consist of four pieces: The front and the back piece which are equal and the inner and outer side piece. The letter βBβ and the symbol β&β consist of five pieces: The front and the back piece which are equal, two inner and one outer side piece. Use the written instructions and the crochet charts to work the single letters. Crochet all letters and symbols except for the letter βOβ and βQβ in rows. Turn work after each row. Crochet the letter βOβ and the oval of the letter βQβ in spiral rounds (do not turn, do not join). Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. Move the marker up each time you start a new round. Work the side piece for each letter in spiral rounds (do not turn, do not join). Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round. Move the marker up each time you start a new round. If you want to give more thickness to your letter(s), add some more rounds for the side piece as indicated.
β Preparation to Join the Pieces (Edging) :
Info :
For all letters and symbols except for the letter βOβ: Mark any outer corner of the front piece, mark the same outer corner of the back piece. For βOβ: Mark any stitch of the last round of the front piece. Mark the same stitch on the back piece. For all letters and symbols: Mark any stitch on one edge of the (inner/outer) side piece. Also mark the stitch on the other edge which is directly located opposite. When you crochet in rounds the same stitches of the single rounds do not lie on top of each other but are off-center. You can see in figure 36 that the stitch on the other edge which is directly located opposite to the marked stitch lies 2 stitches off-center to the left. This is only valid if you work 6 rounds for the side piece. If you add additional round you must check how many stitches lie off-center to the left so the stitches of both edges are directly located opposite.
β Join Front and Side Piece (Edging) :
Info :
For all letters and symbols: Holding the WS of the front piece and the RS of the side piece together (author likes to have the WS of the side piece outside facing). With front piece facing, begin to sc around the edge, crocheting through both pieces. Fasten on and work the first sc through the marked outer corner (for βOβ: marked st) of the front piece and the marked st of the side piece. Work 3 sc in each outer corner, work 1 sc in each other st and in each row of sc. Add some additional sts when you work in rows with hdc (see figure for edging of each letter). Join the round with a NJ (needle join).
β Join Back and Side Piece (Edging) :
Info :
For all letters and symbols except: Holding the RS of the back piece and the RS of the side pieces together (except for the letter βOβ and βQβ: Holding the WS of the back piece and the RS of the side pieces together). With back piece facing, begin to sc around the edge, crocheting through both pieces. Fasten on and work the first sc through the marked outer corner (for βOβ: marked st) of the back piece and marked st of the side piece. Work 3 sc in each outer corner, work 1 sc in each other st and in each row of sc. Add some additional sts when you work in rows with hdc. Join the round with a NJ. For some letters such as the letter βMβ you have to crochet a sc3tog in some inner corners β see figures 42-46 for technique.
β Instructions for the Letter "A" :
Row 1 (RS) :
11 ch, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook, 5 sc, 1 ch, turn work (6 sts) β see fig. 1
Row 2 :
6 sc, 1 sc in 7th and 8th ch of row 1, 4 ch, turn work (8 sts) β see fig. 2 and 3
Row 3 :
sk 4 sts, 4 sc, 41 ch, turn work (4 sts)
Row 4 :
1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next 39 ch, 1 sc in next 4 sc of row 3, 1 sc in the last 4 sc of row 2 (work over the ch of row 3), 1 ch, turn work (48 sts) β see fig. 4
Row 5 :
48 sc, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 6 :
[2 sc], 45 sc, 1 dec 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 7-9 :
48 sc, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 10 :
[2 sc], 45 sc, 1 dec, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 11-12 :
48 sc, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 13 :
44 sc, 3 ch, sk 3 sts, 1 slst, 1 ch, turn work (44 sts)
Row 14 :
1 sc in next 4 sts of row 12 (work over the slst and the 3 ch of row 13), 1 sc in next 2 sc - see fig. 5 ... Finish row 14 ... 16 ch (6 sts) β see fig. 9
Row A :
sk the 2 slst, 1 sc in next 8 ch, 1 ch, turn work (8 sts) β see fig. 7
Row B :
8 sc, 1 slst in next 2 sts of row 13, turn work (8 sts) β see fig. 8
Row C :
sk the 2 slst, 3 sc, [2 sc], 4 sc, 1 ch, turn work (9 sts)
Row D :
9 sc, 1 slst in next 2 sts of row 13, turn work (9 sts)
Row E :
sk the 2 slst, 9 sc, 1 ch, turn work (9 sts)
Row F :
4 sc, [2 sc], 4 sc, 1 slst in next 2 sts of row 13, turn work (10 sts)
Right stroke Row 15 :
1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in next 14 ch, work 7 sc sidewise in the row A-G and 1 sc in the gap of the ch in which you worked the last sc of row A (see fig. 10), 1 sc in next 19 ch, 1 sc in next 2 sc of row 14, 3 ch, sk 3 sts, 1 slst, 1 ch, turn work (44 sts)
Row 16 :
1 sc in next 4 sc of row 14 (work over the slst and the 3 ch of row 15), 44 sc, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 17 :
48 sc, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 18 :
1 dec, 45 sc, [2 sc], 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 19-21 :
48 sc, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 22 :
1 dec, 45 sc, [2 sc], 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 23 :
48 sc, 1 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 24 :
48 sc, 4 ch, turn work (48 sts)
Row 25 :
4 ch, sk 4 sts, 4 sc, 1 ch, turn work (4 sts)
Row 26 :
4 sc, 1 sc in last 4 sc of row 24 (work over the ch), 1 ch, turn work (8 sts)
Row 26 (finish) :
sk 1 st, 1 slst, 6 sc (6 sts). Fasten off.
Small bottom bar Row 1 :
[1 ch, 1 sc], 3 sc, 4 hdc, 1 ch, turn work (8 sts)
Small bottom bar Row 2 :
2 hdc, 6 sc, 1 ch, turn work (8 sts)
Create a full set of 3D letters to personalize nurseries, playrooms, or party decor β each letter is stuffed, edged and neatly joined for a professional finish. The pattern includes step-by-step photos and chart symbols to guide you through shaping, invisible decreases, and needle join edging. Make a colorful alphabet, a name banner, or a set of plush initials to gift! π§Άβ¨