So you bought a pattern that calls for fleece (because the designer likes the fleece patterns), but your local shop only has low-quality fleece, or you just don't like fleece and want to just crochet! If that resonates, then this is the blog post for you!
The fleece pattern will be replaced with additional rows of crocheting, which will be noted as i) ii) iii) for the rows. I highly recommend that these rows are crocheted in concentric circles, (tuturial link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g0PlJ5kHBM&t=5s )then follow the pattern for the animal you are making to know if you will keep crocheting in concentric circles, or if you'll crochet in a spiral.
For basic circle shapes, find what the pattern calls for and replace it with the rows noted.
If the pattern calls for: Replace it with:
Sc 10 into fleece i) mr, hdc 10 (10)
Sc 12 into fleece i) mr, hdc 8 (8)
ii) (sc, inc) x 4 (12)
Sc 15 into fleece i) mr, hdc 10 (10)
ii) (hdc, hdc inc) x 5 (15)
Sc 18 into fleece i) mr, hdc 12 (12)
ii) (hdc, hdc inc) x 6 (18)
Sc 24 into fleece i) mr, hdc 12 (12)
ii) (hdc, hdc inc) x 6 (18)
iii) (hdc 2, hdc inc) x 6 (24)
For the feet on Angie Otter and Amber Rabbit replace the fleece with the following rows:
i) mr, hdc 8 (8)
ii) (3hdc inc 2, hdc 2) x 2 (16)
iii) (hdc inc 6, hdc 2) x 2 (28)
EARS:
For the ears on projects that have small ears, you can just make the yarn ear, and add the row that you'd normally crochet the fleece ear on, as the last row of the ear.
For the ears on large projects, (Elephant, Rabbit, etc.) you will want to make a yarn ear to replace the fleece ear. You'll do this by following the pattern for the ear, all except the last row, where you'd join the fleece ear to the yarn ear. Essentially you'll have 2 ear pieces per ear.
You'll take the ear that you used to replace the fleece, and the ear called for in the pattern, and laying one on top of the other, crochet them together following the pattern!
Thank you!!!!