For….I am a Pirate King!

If you’re not familiar with the song, you should really watch this.

I was singing this song all morning. And do you know why?

I was originally not planning on giving him an eye patch, but once Charlie figured out that I was making a pirate he ran over, all excited, and asked to see his face. When he turned the little buccaneer over, his face fell.

“Mommy, he doesn’t have a patch. He’s supposed to have a patch on his eye.”

Fortunately a patch was easily added. And I have to give him credit, I think it looks better this way. My favorite detail, though, is the little tricorne hat.

Did you know a three-cornered hat is just a hat with a very wide circular brim tucked up into a triangle? It’s very easy to make.

Speaking of easy to make, how about a pattern?

Pirate King Finger Puppet

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn, small amount black, tan, cream, and yellow
• H/8 (5.00mm) hook
• Yarn needle
• 1 – 1/8″ (5mm) black shank button
• Needle and Thread

Gauge: Precise gauge is not crucial for this project. Make sure that the stitches create a firm fabric and that the body will fit over your finger.

Directions:

Body (note: for easier finishing, weave in ends as you go)

Rnd 1: With black, ch 2. Make 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (8 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 2: Ch 1; sc in each sc around. (8 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 3: Switch to tan, finish off black. Ch 1; sc in each sc around. (8 sc) Join rnd.

Rnds 4-5: Ch 1; sc in each sc around. (8 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 6: Switch to cream, finish off tan. Ch 1; sc in each sc around. (8 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 7-9: Ch 1; sc in each sc around. (8 sc) Join rnd.

Finish off, weave in ends.

Hat:

Rnd 1: With black, ch 8. Join with a sl st in 1st ch to form a ring. Ch 1; sc inc in each st around. (16 sc) Join rnd.

Rnd 2: Ch 1. (Sc in next st, sc inc in next st) around. (24 sc) Join rnd, finish off.

Belt: With black, ch 12 and finish off, leaving a tail of yarn about 8 inches long.

Buckle: With yellow, ch 2. Make 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join rnd, finish off.

Patch: With black, ch 2. Make 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, finish off (leaving at least 8 inches of yarn on the end).

To Assemble:

1. Insert the top of the body through the hole in the middle of the hat. Sew the hat to the body. Sew the hat into tricorne shape (or, if you like your pirate hats bicorne style, you can do that here too).
2. Sew the belt around the body, then sew the buckle in place. Using your extra black yarn, embroider the center of the buckle.
3. Sew the patch to the face. Use your excess yarn to embroider the ‘straps’ that hold it on.
4. Sew the button in place for your pirate’s second eye.
5. Commence singing Gilbert and Sullivan immediately.