THE SKELETON

Día de los Muertos

SKILL LEVEL INTERMEDIATE I LANGUAGE ENGLISH

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 1
This pattern is intended for personal use only.
 T HAN K YO U
Thank you for your purchase and your art & craft support.
Thank you for your trust and your encouragement.
It means a lot to me, pushes me to continue and to do better !

Warmly,

NO T E LÉ G AL E

© 2023 - - VALENTIN CARLETTINI

All rights reserved

This pattern is intended for personal use only.
Therefore, it cannot be
[ reproduced / translated / distributed or sold / published or shared ]
fully or partially, in any way or by any means without my prior permission.

Can you sell the finished toy you made ?

Of course !
In limited quantity (non-profit) and by mentioning me as the designer of this pattern.
Just add the following information to your stuffed toy for sale :
« Handmade by … (you) following a pattern by Valentin Carlettini »

CO N TACT
If you have any question and/or comment, feel free to contact me by sending an email to :
valentin.c.contact@gmail.com

If you want updates, news and work in progress, follow me on INSTAGRAM

you can find me as @valentincarlettini or use the hashtag #valentinccrochet

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 2
 TIPS AND AD VI CE
Before starting on the project, start by reading the entire pattern to give yourself an idea
of what you are going to have to crochet. You may need to brush up on some stitches or techniques.
Books and magazines, Internet and video tutorials might be helpful !

Unless I specify some other way, you are going to work in rounds, in a continuous spiral.
To know which round you’re on and count with ease, use a stitch marker (that you will move and place at
the beginning of each new round).

Before the slip knot of a chain, before starting a magic ring, or even
at the end of your work before fastening off, always leave a looong yarn tail. It will help for sure !
To test a spot and check a position, to sew or to tweak…

To finish, if you are a left handed crocheter (which I am not)

use a mirror to look at all the step by step pictures and illustrations.

ABB RE VI ATIO NS (U S T ER M S) AN D TE RM IN O LO G Y

There are several ways to write a crochet pattern, some terms and formulations may vary from one author to
another. To easily follow my pattern, see below for the wording I use :

st(s) stitch(es)

slst slip stitch

ch chain
sc single crochet
hdc half double crochet
dc double crochet
tr triple crochet
FLO front loop only
BLO back loop only
inc increase = 2 single crochet in the same space, unless otherwise
specified / EXAMPLE inc-tr = 2 triple crochet stitches in the same space.
dec decrease
rw(s) row(s)
rd(s) round(s)
* colour change
(…) x repeat instructions the indicated number of times
…
[…] total number of stitches at the end of the row/round
NOTE I never count the chain stitches in the [total]
italic Side notes and useful information as if I was talking to you :)

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 3
 FO R T HIS PAT TE R N

MAT ERIA LS N EED ED YAR N AND CO LOU RS

1 crochet hook : 2.5 mm RICORUMI DK 100% cotton I 25g I 57.7m
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker
Toy stuffing
001 - white

020 - purple

027 - orange

006 - yellow

011 - pink

060 - black

003 - NEON green

TENSI O N AND S AM P LE
We all crochet differently, no matter the way the most important thing is to keep your yarn tension consistent.
To get as close as possible to the model I propose, check your tension by making this sample :

Rd1. 6sc in a magic ring [06]

Rd2. 6inc [12]
Rd3. (1sc, 1inc) x6 [18]

When made with RICORUMI DK and a 2.5 mm crochet hook, this little circle is 2.5 cm diameter.

The choice of colours, yarn and size of the crochet hook is totally up to you !
I’ve noted the ones I used for informational purposes.

R EMIN DER SPE CIAL T ECHNIQUE

FASTENING OFF IN THE INVISIBLE WAY
This technique helps you to finish a piece neatly and invisibly - love it !

01 02 03 04 05

Cut the yarn Insert your needle and Pass from the outside in Pass the yarn through the Pull, knot and hide
skip one stitch stitch it came from

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This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 4
 On the last day of October, Halloween makes way to terror and pranks.
“ Trick or treat ?! ”

The festivities of the Día de los Muertos, meanwhile, take place on the first two days of November,
in an explosion of joie de vivre and colours. The main theme remains death, but it is all about
celebrating it, showing love and respect for the deceased family members.

In the villages and cities of Mexico, everyone wears make-up and dresses up, sings, dances, throws
flower petals, lights candles and makes offerings to loved ones who have disappeared.

Thus, kept alive by memory and spirit - our late ancestors are always among us.

According to me, this traditional festival is poetry, fascinating and full of meaning.
Thanks to our crochet hooks and Catrina, let’s celebrate together life and death !

______________

If you want another beautiful story, I strongly advise you to watch COCO, the animated movie made
by Disney and Pixar studios. Masterpiece (perfect and right on point) !

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 5
CATRINA The skeleton
SIZE approx 24 cm from skull to toe 01

Head on top

part 1 I SOUL = HEAD + BODY

Stuff with fiberfill as you go
In purple
First FLO
Rd1. 6sc in a magic ring [06] visible

Rd2. 6inc [12]

Rd3. (1sc, 1inc) x6 [18]
Rd4. (2sc, 1inc) x6 [24]
Rd5. (3sc, 1inc) x6 [30]
02
Rd6. (4sc, 1inc) x6 [36]
Rd7. (5sc, 1inc) x6 [42]
Rd8 to Rd15 (8 rounds). 42sc [42]
Rd16. (5sc, 1dec) x6 [36]
Rd17. (4sc, 1dec) x6 [30]
Rd18. (3sc, 1dec) x6 [24]
Rd19. In FLO : 24sc [24]
Rd20. (3sc, 1inc) x6 [30]
Rd21 and Rd22 (2 rounds). 30sc [30]
Rd23. 13sc-BLO, 4sc, 13sc-BLO [30] 03
Rd24. 30sc [30]
Rd25. 13sc-BLO, 4sc, 13sc-BLO [30]
Rd26. 30sc [30]
Rd27. 13sc-BLO, 4sc, 13sc-BLO [30]
Rd28 to Rd32 (5 rounds). 30sc [30]
Rd33. (3sc, 1dec) x6 [24]
Rd34. (2sc, 1dec) x6 [18] Pass the yarn tail in the same
stitch + fasten off and hide
inside
Rd35. (1sc, 1dec) x6 [12]
Rd36. 6dec [06]
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail. With a tapestry needle, 04

pass the yarn through the front loops of the 6 final sts to close.

part 2 I RIBS
In the visible FLO on Rd23, Rd25 and Rd27. (> photo 1)
In white
Join in the 1st visible FLO on the left of the 4 central sc (> photo 2)
then 1 loose slst in each visible FLO all around the body. [25]
With a tapestry needle, fasten off and hide. (> photo 3)
Repeat the same instructions on the 2 other rounds to get 6 ribs.
Finally, embroider the spine in white right in the middle. (> photo 4)
© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 6
part 3 I ARM x2
HAND 05

In white
On Rd8, keep the
Rd1. 8sc in a magic ring [08] thumb outside

Rd2 to Rd6 (5 rounds). 8sc [08]

On next round, we are going to create the thumb
Rd7. 2sc, ch6, skip 1ch, 5slst along the chain
then finish with 6sc [08sc + 5slst]
During Rd8, don’t worry about the thumb - just keep it outside
while crocheting (> photo 5)
Rd8 and Rd9 (2 rounds). 8sc [08]
06
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail. With a tapestry needle,
pass the yarn through the front loops of the 8 final sts to close. Tie a knot to
make an elbow

Do not hide it right away, it will be useful for the assembly part !

ARM
In white
Begin with 31ch (= foundation chain).
Next row starts in the 2nd ch from your hook.
Rw1. 30slst [30]
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for the sewing. 07

ASSEMBLY I HAND + ARM (> photo 6)

Sew the hand to the tip of the arm using the yarn tail left earlier.
Tie a knot in the middle of the arm to create an elbow.

part 4 I LEG x2
FOOT
In white
Rd1. 8sc in a magic ring [08]
Rd2 to Rd8 (7 rounds). 8sc [08] 08

Flatten the opening, ch1 and :

Rd9. 4sc in both layers [04]
Tie a knot to
make a knee
We are now going to create the toes on the 4 sts of Rd9
Then ch1 to turn. Turn.
Rw10. 2sc, 1hdc, in the last st : 2dc + ch2 + 1slst [06] (> photo 7)
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for the sewing. With a tapestry needle,
pass the yarn through the center of the initial magic ring.
As for the arm, this tail will be useful for the assembly part !

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 7
 LEG
In white
Begin with 41ch (= foundation chain).
Next row starts in the 2nd ch from your hook.
Rw1. 40slst [40]
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for the sewing.

ASSEMBLY I FOOT + LEG (> photo 8)

Sew the foot to the tip of the leg using the yarn tail left earlier.
Tie a knot in the middle of the leg to create a knee.

part 5 I PELVIS
In white
Rd1. 6sc in a magic ring [06]
Rd2. 6inc [12]
Rd3. (1sc, 1inc) x6 [18]
Rd4. (2sc, 1inc) x6 [24]
Rd5. (3sc, 1inc) x6 [30]
Rd6. (4sc, 1inc) x6 [36]
Rd7. 36sc [36]
Rd8. 10sc, 4slst, 8sc, 4slst, 10sc [36]
Rd9. 10sc, ch5, skip 4 st. (> photo 9)
1hdc, 1sc, 4slst, 1sc, 1hdc, ch5, skip 4 st, 10sc [28]
Rd10. 10sc, around the first chain : 1sc + 1hdc + 4dc + 1hdc (> photo 10),
skip 1 st., 2sc, 2slst, 2sc, skip 1 st., around the second chain : 1hdc + 4dc + 1hdc + 1sc,
then finish with 10sc [40]
Cut the yarn and fasten off invisibly.
(> photo 11)

09 10 11

Next hdc here

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 8
12 13 14

part 6 I SKULL
15
In white
Rd1. 6sc in a magic ring [06]
Rd2. 6inc [12]
Rd3. (1sc, 1inc) x6 [18]
Rd4. (2sc, 1inc) x6 [24]
Rd5. (3sc, 1inc) x6 [30]
Rd6. (4sc, 1inc) x6 [36]
Rd7. (5sc, 1inc) x6 [42]
Rd8. (6sc, 1inc) x6 [48]
Rd9 to Rd14 (6 rounds). 48sc [48] 16
Rd15. 16sc, 6slst, 3sc, 6slst, 17sc [48] TIP
Put the skull on the head to mark the correct
Rd16. 16sc, ch7, skip 6 st., 1dc, placement for embroidering the eyes
and cheeks

in the next st : 1dc + ch2 + 1dc, 1dc, ch7,

skip 6 st., 17sc [37] (> photo 12)
Rd17. 15sc, skip 1 st., 8sc around the chain, skip 2 st.,
3sc around the 2 ch (> photo 13), skip 2 st., 8sc around the chain,
skip 1 st., 16sc [50]
Rd18. 14sc, skip 1 st., 7slst, skip 2 st., 10
7dc in the next st (> photo 14), skip 2 st., 7slst,
skip 1 st., 15sc [50]
Cut the yarn and fasten off invisibly.
(> photo 15)

ASSEMBLY & FINAL TOUCHES (> photo 16)

All the pieces must be centered around the spine
TIP
Sew the arms to the body, on Rd20 - with a space of 15 st. in between. Put the pelvis on the body to mark the correct
placement for where to sew the legs
Sew the legs to the body, on Rd32 - with a space of 10 st. in between.
Embroider the eyes in white and the cheeks in pink,
Finally, put on the pelvis and place the skull on the head.

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 9
 DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Catrina Skull + Base
SIZE approx 6 cm high

part 1 I BASE STAND

Stuff with fiberfill as you go
In black
Rd1. 6sc in a magic ring [06]
Rd2. 6inc [12]
Rd3. (1sc, 1inc) x6 [18]
Rd4. (2sc, 1inc) x6 [24]
Rd5. (3sc, 1inc) x6 [30]
Rd6. (4sc, 1inc) x6 [36]
Rd7. (5sc, 1inc) x6 [42]
Rd8 to Rd15 (8 rounds). 42sc [42]
Rd16. (5sc, 1dec) x6 [36]
Rd17. (4sc, 1dec) x6 [30]
Rd18. (3sc, 1dec) x6 [24]
Rd19. In BLO : (1sc, 1dec) x8 [16]
Rd20. 8dec [08]
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail. With a tapestry needle, pass the yarn through the front loops of
the 8 final sts to close.

STABILIZATION BORDER
In black
Make a slip knot and place it on your hook (> photo 17)
then work 24 sc in the FLO left visible from Rd18.
Cut the yarn and fasten off invisibly. (> photo 18)

part 2 I SKULL
Repeat the same instructions in part 6 I SKULL page 9 (> photo 19)

17 18 19

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This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 10
20 21 22

part 3 I FLOWER x4
In purple, in orange, in yellow and in NEON green
Rd1. 8sc in a magic ring [08]
Rd2. In BLO : 8inc [16]
Rd3. In BLO : 16sc [16]
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing and fasten off invisibly.

PETALS
In purple, in orange, in yellow and in NEON green
Make slip knot and place it on your hook (> photo 20)
then work 1slst + ch3 in each FLO left visible from Rd1and Rd2. [24]
Cut the yarn, knot and hide inside. (> photo 21)

part 4 I BUD x3
In pink
In a magic ring, work 3ch + 12dc [12]
Finish with 1slst in the third ch to close the circle.
Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. With a tapestry needle, pass the yarn through the front loops of
the 12dc. Pull gently to create the bud. (> photo 22)

ASSEMBLY & FINAL TOUCHES

Sew the 4 flowers on top of the skull like a headband.
Sew the 3 buds between each flower.
Finally, embroider some make-up and details in purple, in orange, in yellow and in NEON green (> photo 23)

• technical point I EMBROIDERY

I used : backstitches, french knots and loop stitches.

OPTIONAL
To make it pop, feel free to use some golden yarn, pearls and sequins… Free rein to your imagination !

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 11
23

Sharing is caring ! Please, show me your master piece on INSTAGRAM

using #valentinccrochet or by tagging @valentincarlettini

I look forward to seeing it !

CONGRATULATIONS AND SEE YOU SOON

© 2023 - - VALENTIN CARLETTINI

All rights reserved

This pattern is intended for personal use only.
Therefore, it cannot be
[ reproduced / translated / distributed or sold / published or shared ]
fully or partially, in any way or by any means without my prior permission.

© 2023 - valentin.c - VALENTIN CARLETTINI - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This pattern is intended for personal use only. PAGE 12