The Funk Has Arrived

This is one of my Funk Gophers. I was inspired by Sally George's Pocket Animals design, which is the most adorable toy pattern I've ever seen. I give full credit to her and this site for the body design. http://www.sarahanns.com/crochetworks/animals.html
So I've adapted the Funk Gophers from that pattern. They have egg-shaped bodies, long skinny arms, and every kind of funkalicious hairstyle you can imagine. I'm working on a mullet Gopher right now.
Here is the pattern:

Worsted weight yarn in any color you like. F hook. These guys end up being about 3 inches tall, but you could make them bigger or smaller by using a different hook and yarn. You don't join the rounds, it's worked in a spiral like a hat or any other egg shape. I've found a hairpin works beautifully to mark the end of the round so you don't have to count stitches. I stuff them with dried beans so they feel like hackysacks, but you could fill them with stuffing instead.

Body: Ch 2.
Rnd 1. 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2. 2 sc in each sc around.
Rnd 3-4. *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in the next one, repeat around.
Rnd 5. Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 6. * 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2sc in the next one, repeat around.
Rnd 7. Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 8. *1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next one, repeat around.
Rnd 9-17. Sc in each sc around.
Round 18. Decrease over every 2 sc around. That means insert hook into next sc, pull up a loop, insert hook into next sc, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.
Fasten off.

Bottom: Ch 2.
Rnd 1. 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2. 3 sc in each sc around.
Fasten off, leaving a tail to sew the bottom on with.

Fill the body with stuffing and sew the bottom on.

Arms: Ch2. 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. One sc in each sc around until the arms are as long as you want them to be. Decrease around until the hole is closed, fasten off leaving a tail to sew them on with.

Feet: Same as arms, but much shorter.

Ears: Ch 2. 4 hdc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with a sl st, fasten off leaving tail to sew on with.

Eyes and nose: Use black yarn in a whip stitch to make little dots. You need a tapestry needle.
Nose: Ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Rnd 2-3: 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat around. fasten off leaving tail to sew nose on with.


Hair: Cut a lot of 3 inch lengths of yarn and attach to gophers' head like you would do a latchhook rug. Put your hook under and through a stitch, pull hair through by the middle, and pull ends through the loop. Cover his head, add beads or whatever, and style as you please. FUNK!

I honestly don't know what the copyright laws are regarding adapted patterns. I hope I'm not infringing on anyone. I've emailed the Pocket animals site to ask permission to link to it. I would never sell these little fellas and you shouldn't either--you should make them for all your friends. Because Gophers are for love, not money.