Tester Call: How to Crochet Mr. Pirate Dumpling Plushie in A Treasure Box

Author: Talha

I am a crochet designer, macramé maker and a crafter who also loves doing MATH.

This week, I am going to continue my crochet bao bun in a steamer basket plushie series with 4 more exciting tester patterns! First, let’s learn how to crochet this UNIQUE crochet pirate in a red bandana dumpling plushie by following a FREE written pattern for all skill levels.

From a dumpling in a steamer box plushie, it transforms into a “cute pirate in a treasure box” plushie. That makes it the best cosplay gift for little ones.

You can complete this crochet plush cosplay dumpling project in less than 45 minutes, and it is easy. This is because only the bandana ties and eyepatch are crocheted separately.

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Skill Level: Beginner – Level 4

Materials & Abbreviations

White Plush yarn (100g / 120m): For the bottom half of the dumpling (the face).
Red Plush yarn (100g / 120m): For the top half of the dumpling (the bandana) and the top ruffle.
Mustard Yellow Plush yarn (slightly thicker, 100g / 120m): For the treasure box/basket container.
Black DK cotton yarn: For the eyepatch, the eyepatch string, and the embroidered smiling mouth.
Thin Red Plush yarn: For the side bandana ties.
Black and White semi-cotton yarn: For the single visible eye, the eye highlight, and for closing the top hole.
Crochet hook: 4 mm.
Tools: Toy stuffing, yarn needle, scissors.

Abbreviations

MR = Magic Ring
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
inc = increase
dec = decrease
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
BLO = back loops only
FLO = front loops only
R = Round

Pirate Dumpling Pattern

To create the half-and-half look, the dumpling is crocheted from the bottom up, transitioning from the white face to the red bandana.

R1 (White): 8 sc in MR (8).
R2 (White): 8 inc (16).
R3 (White): (1 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (24).
R4 (White): (2 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (32).
R5 to R6 (White): 32 sc (32).
Color Change: At the last yarn over of R6, switch to Red Plush yarn.
R7 to R8 (Red): 32 sc (32).
R9 (Red): (2 sc, dec) repeat 8 times (24).
R10 (Red): (1 sc, dec) repeat 8 times (16). Stuff the dumpling with toy stuffing (make it soft, not too tight).
R11 (Red): 8 dec (8).
R12 (Top Bandana Ruffle – Red): Working in FLO only, (inc, 1 sc) repeat all the way around until the end of the round. Cut the yarn and finish with a sl st. Weave in the red plush end.
Closing the hole: Take a piece of white or red semi-cotton yarn on a needle. Weave it through the remaining unworked back loops of R11. Pull the ends tightly to close the hole, tie a knot, and hide the threads inside.

Pirate Accessories

Bandana Ties (Make 2 using thin Red Plush yarn):

R1: ch 6, make 2 hdc in the 2nd ch from the hook, hdc, sc, sl st 2. Rotate your work 180 degrees and working down the opposite side in the front loops of the ch: sl st 2, sc, hdc, 2 hdc in the last st. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Eyepatch (Using Black DK cotton yarn):

R1: ch 5, starting in the 2nd ch from hook, sc 4. Rotate your work 180 degrees and in the front loops of the chain, sc 4, ch 1, turn (8 sts). (By chaining 1 and turning, we now have a half oval shape).
R2: sc 3, inc 2, sc 3, ch 1, turn (10 sts).
R3: sc 3, sc 1, inc rep 2 times, sc 3, ch 1, turn (12 sts). You can also make a 4th round and sl stitch in each stitch.
Eyepatch String: To perfectly wrap diagonally across a 32-stitch circumference dumpling head without warping the shape, chain exactly 22 chains directly from the top corner of the completed eyepatch. Fasten off, leaving a tail to attach the chain to the opposite side of the patch once placed on the head.

Treasure Box & Assembly

Treasure Box Pattern (Make 2 parts using Mustard Yellow yarn):

R1: 8 sc in MR (8).
R2: 8 inc (16).
R3: (1 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (24).
R4: (2 sc, inc) repeat 8 times (32).
R5: (7 sc, inc) repeat 4 times (36).
R6: 36 sc in BLO (36).
R7 to R8: 36 sc (36).
Top lid: Cut the yarn and hide the end.
Bottom base: Do not cut the yarn.
Connecting the Hinge: Align the bottom base and the top lid. Connect them by crocheting sc stitches through the back loop of the lid and the front loop of the base for 6 stitches to create a secure hinge at the rear. Finish off and weave in ends. (Note: The handle is omitted for this variation to maintain the treasure box aesthetic).

Assembly:

The Eye: Using black semi-cotton yarn, stitch a small circular eye (or use a 6 sc magic ring) on the left side of the white face section, adding a single stitch of white yarn for the highlight. You can also just cut an eye from felt!
The Eyepatch: Position the black eyepatch over the right side of the face. Wrap the 22-chain string diagonally up and over the red bandana, securing it around the back of the head.
The Mouth: Using black DK cotton yarn, embroider a simple, friendly curved smile spanning between the eye and the eyepatch.
The Ties: Sew the two red bandana ties securely to the right side of the dumpling, placing them directly on the red yarn section so they flair outward