Free Crochet Dinosaur Pattern: Derek The Dinosaur by Sharky Knows Crochet

This week I can’t wait to introduce you to Charlotte of Sharky Knows Crochet! Charlotte is a talented maker living in Dubai and she has shared her ADORABLE free crochet dinosaur pattern for Derek the Dinosaur with us this week. I’ve interviewed her so you all can get to know this lovely maker better. The links to Charlotte’s social media profiles are at the end of the post so please go give her some love as a thank you for the free crochet dinosaur pattern.

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Tell me a little bit about yourself. 

Hi, I’m Charlotte! I live in Dubai with my husband and two young children. I used to live in Devon in the UK but have been living in Dubai for 6 years now.

How long have you been crocheting?

I have been crocheting for about 12 years.

Are there any other crafts that you enjoy doing?

When I was at school I studied textiles and had a wonderful teacher. It was at school that I developed my skills as a dress maker and went on to make bridesmaid dresses for family weddings including my own, and also some for customers. I do love a sewing machine! As well as dress making, I like making cards, patchwork quilts, all sorts really! I always have some sort of project on the go.

How did you learn to crochet?

I was taught to crochet by my mother in law. I think it was one of the first weekends I had stayed with them and was interested by the crochet and knitting work she was doing. I was too impatient for knitting so gave crochet a go. I picked it up pretty quickly and never really stopped after that!

What is your favourite thing to crochet?

I love making amigurumi. I think creating animals is fun as they seem to develop a character of their own. There is also an instant appreciation of cuddly toys from children which helps. Its so nice to see my sons little face light up when he sees what I have made.

When did you start pursuing a business as a maker and why?

My Sharky Knows business kind of developed slowly while I was a stay at home mum. I had all this desire to create and make beautiful things but only so much space in our apartment! So I just started slowly selling bits and pieces I was making and eventually it got more and  more popular. By selling my makes it makes me feel a bit more useful by bringing a bit of extra income to the family. Being a stay at home mum can be hard sometimes and crochet is my way of keeping my personality and a hobby to focus on; my ‘Me’ time.

What are your aspirations for your business?

The next target for Sharky Knows is to start producing and sharing my own patterns. As I make the majority of my products to order, I am often creating my own original designs to meet client’s briefs. So I would like to take this to the next step and share those designs with others. 

How do you organize yourself and stick to your goals?

Erm… sometimes I don’t feel very organized! I have 3 or 4 different notebooks with lists of orders, ideas, to do’s etc in. I always put my custom orders first, as this is my bread and butter. I am always coming up with ideas i want to try out and this is often my summer job – when the kids can be entertained a bit by family. Crochet is a really creative process so often happens in bits and pieces for me.

What tips would you give to someone wanting to start out with a maker business?

Find your niche, find something you love doing otherwise it will feel like a chore if the orders come rolling in. Also try to take up every opportunity you can, however small it may feel, as you never know what might happen from it.

What are your biggest struggles as a maker?

TIME. Being a stay at home mum to a 2 year old toddler and 7 year old who is at school, time is always a problem. Sneaking in crochet when I can, as well as all the other responsibilities that come with being a mum. You will often find me sat on the living room floor, wooden train in one hand, crochet hook in the other!

Where does your inspiration come from?

My children have also been a big inspiration to my work. Their favourite animals often creep in there and if they like my finished product then to me it’s a job well done.

What’s your favourite yarn/fibre to work with?

I have recently started using Alize cotton gold and gold plus which is great for amigurumi. It has vibrant bright colours which are perfect for creating fun creatures. For my blankets and loveys I really like Nako Saten yarn. It is so soft and again comes in beautiful colours. Its quite tricky to get interesting yarns in Dubai, most come from Turkey. However there is definitely a growing community of knitters, crocheters and yarn dyers.

Who inspires you?  Who are your favourite makers?

I have found Instagram an amazing place to find really diverse makers. Some of my favourites are Irene Strange, Oz and Belle, Airali Design, Le Petit Saint Crochet and Hello woolen.

What are your favourite tools?

I am a creature of habbit. I used the same aluminium size 3.5mm crochet hook for years… now I have moved onto a 4mm handled one my mother in law got me and a cheap colourful set of different sizes I bought on ebay. I am not fussy about what I use, as long as its comfy and does the job!

If time and money were not an issue, what would your dream project be?

I really want to create a series of Arabian themed characters and animals. Living in the middle east and meeting so many different people has inspired me to try this. At the moment the inspiration behind my planned projects is coming from where I live – Dubai. It’s such a multicultural place and so interesting! There are many iconic images from the Middle East, I’m thinking camels, Arabian oryx, elegant abayas and crisp white Kandoras!  So fingers crossed! Anything else you’d like to tell us about? (i.e. exciting future projects, fun tidbits, etc.

Free Crochet Dinosaur Pattern: Derek the Dinosaur

Details

Derek measures approximately 23cm tall. For a larger size try using a chunky yarn and a larger crochet hook.

Materials:

• DK Yarn in 3 colours – I used Eco Cotton.
  
  
• Black yarn/thread for eyes or safety eyes
  
  
• 3mm Crochet hook
  
  
• Toy stuffing (polyester stuffing)
  
  
• 2 Buttons
  
  
• Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends
  
  
• Scissors

Abbreviations (U.S. standard terms)

• Ch – Chain
  
  
• SC – Single Crochet
  
• Inc – increase by SC 2 into next stitch
  
  
• Dec – decrease by inserting hook into front loop of next two stitches, yarn over and pull through all loops.
  
  
• DC – Double Crochet
  
  
• YO – Yarn Over
  
  
• ST – Stitch
  
• Number of stitches in ()
  

Special Stitches used in this Crochet Dinosaur Pattern:

• DC Cluster: Yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook) 2 more times. Yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Crochet Dinosauar Pattern:

HEAD

Row 1: Using your main colour, make a magic circle and SC 6 into the magic circle (6)

Row 2: SC inc in each stitch (12)

Row 3: (SC 1, SC inc) repeat 6 times (18)

Row 4: (SC 2, SC inc) repeat 6 times (24)

Rows 5 – 10: SC in each stitch around (24)

Row 11: (SC inc, SC 1) repeat 5 times, SC inc, SC in next 13 stitches (30)

Rows 12 – 17: SC in each stitch around (30)

Row 18: (SC 4, dec) repeat 6 times (24)

Row 19: (SC 3, dec) repeat 6 times (18)

Row 20: (SC 2, dec) repeat 6 times (12)

Row 21: (SC 1, dec) repeat 6 times (6)
Place safety eyes or embroider eyes onto row 11 where the head increases and sew two little crosses for the nose. Stuff Head. Fasten off and weave in ends.

EARS (Make 2, in Main colour)

Row 1: In magic ring, SC 6 (6)

Row 2: SC in each stitch (6)

Row 3: (SC 1, SC inc) repeat 3 times (9)

Row 4: SC in each stitch (9)
Fasten off, leaving long ends and attach to the head.

LEGS (In Main colour)

Row 1: In magic ring, SC 6 (6)

Row 2: SC Inc in each stitch (12)

Row 3: (SC1, SC Inc) repeat 6 times (18)

Row 4: In back loops only, SC in each stitch (18)

Row 5 – 10: Sc in each stitch (18)
Fasten off and stuff. Make second leg in the same manner but keep yarn attached.

Check out these other great free crochet dinosaur patterns!

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• 

• 

• Back Pack Brontosaurus
  
  
• Trevor Triceratops
  
  
• T-Rex Back Pack Buddy

BODY (In main colour)

Row 1: Chain 2, SC into a stich on the top of the 1st leg, SC into each remaining stitch of the 1st leg, SCinto 2 chains, SC into each stitch of the 2nd leg, SC into other side of 2 chains. (40)

Rows 2 – 5: SC in each stitch (40)

Row 6: (SC 6, dec) repeat 5 times (35)

Rows 7 – 9: SC in each stitch (35)

Row 10: (SC 5, dec) repeat 5 times (30)

Rows 11 – 19: SC in each stitch (30)

Row 20: (SC 4, dec) repeat 5 times (25)

Rows 21 – 26: SC in each stitch (25)

Row 27: (SC 3, dec) repeat 5 times (20)

Row 28: (SC 2, dec) repeat 5 times (15)

Row 29: (SC 1, dec) repeat 5 times (10)
Stuff body and fasten off, leaving a long end. Close top by weaving end through the 6 stitches. Use this yarn to sew the head to the body.

ARMS (Make 2 in Main colour)

Row 1: In Magic ring, SC6 (6)

Row 2: SC Inc in each stitch (12)

Row 3: SC 1, DC Cluster into next stitch (makes thumb), SC into next 10 stitches (12)

Rows 4 – 18: SC into each stitch (12)
Fasten off, leaving long ends to sew onto the body.

TAIL (In main colour)

Row 1: In magic ring, SC 6 (6)

Row 2: SC in each stitch (6)

Row 3: (SC1, SC Inc) repeat 3 times (9)

Rows 4 – 6: SC in each stitch (9)

Row 7: (SC 2, SC Inc) repeat 3 times (12)

Rows 8 – 11: SC in each stitch (12)

Row 12: (SC 3, SC Inc) repeat 3 times (15)

Rows 13 – 16: SC in each stitch (15)

Row 17: (SC 4, SC Inc) repeat 3 times (18)

Rows 18 – 20: SC in each stitch (18)
Fasten off and leave long end. Stuff tail and attach to the body, centeredon the back between the legs.

SPIKES (Make 6, in colour 2)

Row 1: In magic ring, SC 6 (6)

Row 2: SC in each stitch (6)

Row 3: (SC 1, SC Inc) repeat 3 times (9)

Row 4: SC in each stitch (9)

Fasten off, stretch into shape and attach to dinosaur. Spread the 6 spikes out along the head, body and tail.

BOW TIE (In colour 3, worked in rows)

Row 1: Chain 12, SC into each chain starting with 2nd chain from hook. (11)

Rows 2 – 3: Chain 1, turn, SC across in each stitch (11)
Fasten off and sew in ends.

Tie/Center Piece
Row 1: Chain 7, SC in each chain starting with 2nd chain from hook. (6)
Fasten off with a long end. Wrap small piece around the bigger one to create the bow, sew ends of smaller piece together to secure. Attach to body.

Attach 2 small buttons to the body, underneath the bow tie.

Thank you so much to Charlotte for sharing her wonderful free crochet dinosaur pattern for Derek the Dinosaur!

Want to know where to find this talented maker? You can find Charlotte and Sharky Knows Crochet at the links below:

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sharkyknowscrochet/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sharkyknowscrochet/
Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/derek-the-dinosaur

Like amigurumi patterns? Check out my patterns for Clawdia Cat or Wanda the Whale and Ned the Narwhal!