Copyright 2012 Author: Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go, All rights reserved

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This pattern is quite the dream come true for me. Ever since I learned how to crochet I have wanted to make my children their own Catbus. I wanted it to be able to carry passengers but could never figure out how. One night it came to me how to design it without having to stuff the insides and to keep it from collapsing. I am thrilled to bring you this free pattern which also has a step by step video tutorial to go with it!2 different colors of worsted weight yarn medium #43.75mm hook1 sheet plastic mesh canvas (10 1/2" x 13 1/2" Sheet soft)Felt for inside of bus, the eyes, the mouth and the mouse earsyarn needle and sewing needleembroidery thread, invisible thread, regular threadhot gluepiece of Styrofoamst = stitchsc = single crochet2tog = 2 stitches togetherch1 = chain onesl st = slip stitchf/o = finish offMake sure to knot off all your color changes and also make sure to piece the bus together in the same sequence as I do in the pattern. Any questions or if you come across a mistake in the pattern please leave a message below. For video tutorial Click Here Color A = Lighter ColorColor B = Darker ColorBelly Piece:with Color A1) ch 362) starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch (35)3-17) 1sc in each st for 15 rows. Remember to ch1 and turn at the end of every rowf/o leave a long tail for sewingBack Piece (Top of Bus)with Color B1) ch 502) starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch (49)3-17) 1sc in each st for 15 rows. Remember to ch1 and turn at the end of every rowf/o leave a long tail for sewingAssembly of Main Body:Lay your smaller yarn rectangular piece (Belly Piece) over the plastic canvas and cut a piece the same size. I counted the squares on mine and it was 50 squares long and 20 squares wide. Your piece might be slightly longer or wider depending on how loosely you crochet a stitch. Make sure when you cut the plastic you have solid edges.Cut the larger piece the same width (20 squares wide) but no need to cut any length, you will be using the entire length of the plastic mesh.Place the smaller plastic piece right in the middle of the larger plastic piece and fold the ends over the smaller piece as pictured. Once you have the creases, run your fingers over the creases to really get a good crease on both ends, don't worry, they will not breakSew the Belly piece you made with yarn to the smaller plastic mesh piece. Whip stitch around all sides, then knot of the end and hide the yarn tail in between the yarn and plastic mesh pieceSew the larger yarn piece to the larger plastic piece. Whip stitch around all sides, the one end of your yarn piece will only reach the crease you made in the plastic, see arrows. Sew that end to the plastic as wellLay the 2 pieces together, plastic sides against each other, and whip stitch the 2 ends together as pictured.Now sew the edges of the other end together. You can hold them flat together just as pictured above and they will still stand up when you are done!The rest of the Bus body will be built up piece by piece and in the order that is given in the pattern so it is important to put the pieces together in order.Front End of Bus:I got a little a head of myself and added the side tube before putting in the front panel and window frame on the front of the bus so in the picture you see the side tube that should not be there yet! Please add the panel before continuing on to the next part of the pattern.Front Panel make one:with Color A1) ch152) starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch (14)3-9) 1sc in each st for 7 rows (14)f/o leave a long tail for sewing and sew it to the front end of the bus where the mesh is still showingWindow Frame:with Color B1) ch62) starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch (5)f/o leave a long tail for sewing and sew it as pictured below. Sew it on each end and also sew it to the mesh. ** Sew this part on after you have cut out the windows so you can whip stitch along the sides and you don't see any plastic parts when done. Cut out the windows after you have the front side of the bus done, the side with the door. Make sure to leave enough width for the window frame!Next we'll work on the back side of the bus, the side that does not have a doorBottom Panel Make One:remember to ch1 and turn at the end of every row1) with Color A, ch 362) starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch (35)3-4) 1sc in each st for 2 rows, switch to Color B on last st of last row (35)5-7) 1sc in each st for 3 rows, switch to Color A on last st of last row (35)8-10) 1sc in each st for 3 rows (35)f/o and leave a long tail for sewingsew the piece in place as pictured starting at one end then work along the bottom edges then onto the other end. Weave in all yarn tails to hide themWindow Frames:with Color AFrames on each end: ch 9, starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch, f/o leaving a long tail for sewing (8)Frame in the middle: ch 12, starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch, f/o leaving a long tail for sewing (11)Pin the frames in place as pictured to make sure you are happy with the placement. Sew all the edges together and then weave in all yarn tails when done to hide themEdging around The Bus:1) magic circle with 5sc2-51) 1sc in each st for 50 rowsf/o and leave a long tail for sewing. Pin the tube around the edge of the bus as pictured above, stretching out the tube as you go. Sew the bottom quarter of the tube to the edge of the plastic mesh. You can not see the mesh but will feel it.Felt And Seat Inside Bus:Choose the color of felt you like best and line the inside of the bus. You can sew it in place or hot glue it like I did but be careful to keep the glue away from the open edges of the bus that we have not worked on yet, (see open arrows). You will not be able to sew through hot glue so only glue in the middle and toward the back edges of the bus that we have sewn the tubing too already. The solid arrows show where you can put the glueMake 3 strips from the plastic mesh. These will fit inside from the top of window frames to the floor of the bus. They should be 2 squares wide. Run a hot bead of glue on some felt and drop those plastic strips onto the felt. Once dry cut the excess felt away and glue them in place as pictured below. This adds a finished look plus stability to the window framesUse what you would like to make the seats with. I used Styrofoam because it was super easy to cut to size. I cut two pieces, one long one that fits the length of the bus and one short one to fit along the back end of the bus. The seat looks like a L shape when put together. If you decide to hot glue your felt over the Styrofoam, use only a very light bead as hot glue will melt Styrofoam and your finished piece will look all bumpy.Door Frame:with Color A1) ch 182) starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch (17)3) ch1 turn, 1sc in each stf/o leave a long tail for sewing. Sew into place as pictured belowBottom Panel:the number in your foundation chain might be slightly different than mine depending on where you sewed in the door frame so just check to see how it fits across. You should have to stretch it a bit to get it to fit from back edge of bus to edge of door frame. You will be over lapping the panel and the frame as pictured below, see arrowremember to ch1 and turn at the end of every row1) with Color A, ch 28 (or so)2) starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch3-4) 1sc in each st for 2 rows, switch to Color B on last st of last row5-7) 1sc in each st for 3 rows, switch to Color A on last st of last row8-10) 1sc in each st for 3 rowsf/o and leave a long tail for sewingsew in place before adding the widow framesBack Window Frame:with Color Ach 9, starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch, f/o leaving a long tail for sewing (8)sew in place. Before sewing in the middle frame, add in the stability bar just as you did for the other frames. You can sew the pieces together or hot glue them as I did but be careful. The plastic mesh for the back and middle frames is 2 squares across and the door frame is 3 squares acrossMiddle Window Frame:with Color Ach 12, starting with 2nd ch from the hook, 1sc in each ch, f/o leaving a long tail for sewing (11)Tube Around Edge:with Color A1) magic circle 52-57 or so) 1sc in each stthis tube will go from the the bottom edge of the back of the bus to the bottom edge of the door frame, see arrows and sew in place just as you did for the last oneLEGS make 10:starting with color A1) magic circle with 6sc (6)2) 2sc in each st (12)3) 1sc in next st, 2sc in next st, repeat (18)4) 1sc in next 2st, 2sc in next st, repeat (24)5-7) 1sc in each st for 3 rows, switch to color B on last st of row 78) 1sc in next 9st, switch to color A on 10th st, 1sc in next 13st, switch to color B9) 1sc in next 9st, switch to color A on 10th st, 1sc in next 13st, switch to color B10-11) 1sc in each st for 2 rowsturn piece inside out and knot off color changes before continuing on12) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog, repeat (18)13) 1sc then 2tog, repeat (12)14) 2tog 4 times, note we will not crochet to the end on the row.stop and stuff leg15) ch1 and turn, flatten top of leg, sc through both sides of leg 5times (5)16) ch1 and turn, 1sc in each st17) repeat row 16f/o and leave a long tail for sewing4 legs each side2 legs each endPin 4 legs on one side of the bus to make sure they will be spaced evenly. They should span the length of the bus. Sew the flap part of leg to the belly then sew the very bottom edge of the bus to where the leg creases or bends, see arrows or see video tutorial. The legs should all bend to either stand the bus up or to lay the bus downTail:starting with color B1) magic circle with 6sc(6)2) 2sc in each st (12)3) 1sc in each st4) 1sc in next st, 2sc in next st, repeat (18)5) 1sc in each st6) 1sc in next 2st, 2sc in next st, repeat (24)7-8) 1sc in each st, switch to Color A on last st of row 89) sl st into the first st then 1sc in next 23st10-14) 1sc in each st for 5 rows (the sl st counts as one st) switch to Color B on last st of row 1415) sl st into the first st then 1sc in next 23st16-18) 1sc in each st for 3 rows (the sl st counts as one st) switch to Color A on last st of row 1819) sl st into the first st then 1sc in next 23st20-23) 1sc in each st for 4 rows (the sl st counts as one st) switch to Color B on last st of row 2324) sl st into the first st then 1sc in next 23st25) 1sc in each st (the sl st counts as one st)turn tail inside out and knot off the color change pairs. Turn right side and stuff tail26-34) 1sc in each st for 9 rows35) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog, repeat (18)36) 1sc then 2tog, repeat (12)37-39) 1sc in each st for 3 rows * stuff the tail some more40) ch1 and turn. Using the same method as we did for the legs, squish the top of the tail together and sc through both sides putting 1sc across 5 times. f/o and leave a long tail for sewingI sewed the flat end piece vertically so the tail can sit off to one sideHead:starting with Color A - there will be a small color change jump on the head, if you find that little color jump too noticeable, just watch the video and fast forward to 1:06 and I show you an easy, super quick way to fix that :)1) magic circle with 6sc2) 2sc in each st (12)3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)4) 3sc in first 2st, 1sc in next 7st, repeat (26)5) 3sc in first 2st, 1sc in next 11st, repeat (34)6-7) 1sc in each st for 2 rows8) 1sc in next 8st then 2sc in next 3st, switch to Color B in next st and put 1sc into that same st then 2sc in next 3st, switch to Color A in next st and put 1sc into that same st then 2sc in next 2st then 1sc in next 16st (44)9) 1sc in next 14st, switch to Color B in next st then 1sc in next 7st, switch to Color A in next st then 1sc in next 21st10) 1sc in next 13st, switch to Color B in next st, 1sc in next 8st, switch to Color A in next st then 1sc in next 21st11-17) repeat row 10 for 7 rowsfor the next 4 rows you will need to make the color changes as you decrease. Please view the video tutorial if you need help with this18) 1sc in next 9st then 2tog (40)19) 1sc in next 6st then 2tog (35)20) 1sc in next 5st then 2tog (30)21) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (25)turn piece inside out and knot off color changes. Be sure to knot off the pairs.we no longer will be making color changes. Also, if you find that little color jump at the start of the color change too noticeable, just watch the video and fast forward to 1:06 and I show you an easy, super quick way to fix that :)With Color A22) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (20) *stop and stuff head. Shape as you stuff23) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (15)24) 1sc then 2tog (10)25) 1sc in each, f/o leave a long tail for sewingSee just under the color section of the head, this is the spot that will add a bit more shape to the head. Go under the head as pictured and come right thru and up where the needle is pictured in step 2, go back down thru the head and out just beside where you first went in. Now pull those 2 tails until you have the desired look. Knot off those 2 tails to hold that shape then hide the yarn tails inside the head.The nose is just a couple of whip stitches. Hide yarn tails inside head.The mouth is cut from white felt and black embroidery thread used for the teethThe eyes cut from yellow felt with black felt pupilsEars:with Color B1) magic circle with 6sc (6)2) 1sc in each3) 2sc in each st (12)4) 1sc in each st5) 1sc then 2sc in next st, repeat (18)6) 1sc in each st7) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st, repeat (24)8) 1sc in each stdo not stuff ears. Fold then sew in place, see video tutorial for tips on how to do thisMice make 4:with grey worsted weight yarn #41) magic circle with 4sc2) 2sc in each st (8)3-4) 1sc in eachstuff5) 2tog then 1sc in next st, repeat (5)6) 1sc in each st7) 2tog once then finish off, leave a long tail and carry that tail thru the nose right out the back and this will be the tail, cut to desired length. Rub some clear drying glue one the end of the tail to keep it from fraying.With invisible thread close up and shape the noseWith red thread stitch in the eyes.With pink thread stitch on a noseCut tear drop shapes out of grey felt and either glue them on the head or sew them on, see video tutorial for tips on how to do thisSew or hot glue the mice to the busAnd that's it! If you made a Cat Bus please post pictures on my facebook page Amigurumi Freely , I would love to see!Grey Totoro pattern here Blue Totoro pattern here