Crochet Rainbow Chameleon

Why be just one color when you can be all the colors? Chameleons have the amazing ability to change colors at will. A Crochet Rainbow Chameleon embodies this perfectly! Based on a watercolor painting that I made when I was little, this plushie captures the childlike wonder of seeing a rainbow. This project is perfect for anyone who wants to add a bit of color into their lives.

For this project you will need:

1. Medium weight yarn in:
2. Red
3. Orange
4. Yellow
5. Green
6. Blue
7. Purple
8. 6mm plastic safety eyes
9. 4.5mm crochet hook
10. 4 pieces of 1 1/2" pipe cleaner (optional)
11. 1 piece of 4" pipe cleaner (optional)
12. Stitch marker
13. Stuffing (I use Poly-fil Premium)
14. Darning needle
15. Chopstick to help stuff (optional)

Abbreviations(US):

Sc- single crochet

Slst- slip stitch

Inc- single crochet increase

Dec- single crochet decrease

BLO- back loops only

St- stitch

Ch- chain

Hdc- half double crochet

[?]- repeat instructions inside brackets x number of times

BO-bobble st (worked as 2 double crochet in 1 stitch)

MR-magic ring

Using Purple:

R1:In MR, 6sc (6)

R2:[2sc,inc]x2 (8)

R3: [2sc, 2inc]x2 (12)

R4:[2sc,inc]x4 (16)

R5: [3sc, inc]x4 (20)

R6:[4sc,inc]x4 (28)

R8: sc in every st (28)

R9: In BLO- sc in every st (28)

Change color to Blue.

If you don't know how to crochet into the back loop, see picture for additional guidance.

Make 2, using Purple:

R1: In MR, 6sc

R2: slst in every st

Fasten off and leave long tail

When you're done, insert 6mm safety eyes into center of MR(see photo above). Then place eyes between R6-7 of the head.

Using Blue:

R10-11: sc in every st (28)

R12: 10 sc, 4dec, 10 sc (24)

R13: 8sc, 4dec, 8sc (20)

R14: 6sc, 4dec, 6sc (16)

R15: sc in every st(16)

R16: In BLO, 6sc, 4inc, 6sc(20)

Change color to Green

Using Green:

R17:8sc, 4inc, 8sc (24)

R18: 10 sc, 4inc, 10 sc (28)

R19: sc in every st (28)

R20: 12 sc, 4inc, 12 sc (32)

R21-22: sc in every st (32)

R23: In BLO, sc in every st (32)

Change Color to Yellow

Using Yellow:

R24:[7sc,inc} x4(36)

R25-31: sc in every st (36)

R32: in BLO, sc in every st(36)

Change color to Orange

Using Orange:

R33-37: sc in every st (36)

R38:[7sc, dec]x4 (32)

R39: sc 12, 4dec, 12 sc (28)

R40: sc 10, 4dec, sc 10 (24)

Pause to stuff with poly-fil. If needed you can use a chopstick or back of your hook to help stuff the head and neck.

R41: 8sc, 4dec, 8sc (20)

R42: 6sc, 4dec, 6sc (16)

R43: In BLO, sc in every st (16)

Change color to Red

Using Red:

R44-48: sc in every st (16)

R49: [2sc, dec]x4 (12)

R50-55: sc in every st (12)

R56: [2sc, dec] x4 (8)

R57-63: sc in every st (8)

Pause to add 4" pipe cleaner inside tail and finish stuffing

R64: dec in every st

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Sew tail shut as seen in pictures above.

Make 4, in red, orange, blue, and green

R1: In MR, 6sc (6)

R2: [sc, inc] x3 (9)

R3: In BLO, sc in every st (9)

R4-9: sc in every st (9)

R10: [2sc, inc] x3 (15)

Fasten off leaving long tail. Add 1 1/2" pipe cleaner and stuff.

Sew the blue and green legs onto the green section on the body 7 stitches apart.

Sew the red and orange legs onto the orange part of the body 6 stitches apart.

Purple Fringe

R1: In loops left by BLO (see pictures) of R9, [sc, ch2, slst into sc, sc in same st, slst in next st] x14

Fasten off

Blue Fringe:

R1: in loops left by BLO of R16, [in first loop: (slst, ch2, hdc) in next loop, (hdc, ch2, slst) 2 slst]x 4

Fasten off

Green Fringe:

R1: In loops left by BLO of R23, slst in every st

Fasten off

Yellow Fringe:

R1 In loops left by BLO of R32, [3 slst, popcorn st*] x10 slst 6

Fasten off

*how to door popcorn st: 3ch, BO in 3rd ch, slst, ch 2, BO, slst in 3rd ch of first Bo

Orange Fringe

R1: In loops left by BLO of R43, [all in the same st, (ch2, BO, ch2, slst)] in every st

Fasten off

You're almost done! If you wanted to give the chameleon a tounge all you have to do is attach red yarn at the point of the head and chain until its the to length you like. The only thing left to do is weaving in any loose tails, then enjoy your Rainbow Chameleon!