Tester Pattern: To Crochet A Snowball Christmas Dumpling in Basket Plush

Author: Talha

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

This is pattern #2 of the crochet “Christmas dumplings in a steamer box” plushies series. Today, as I promised last time, you will learn how to crochet this UNIQUE smiling snowman in a slouchy black Santa hat dumpling plush with a FREE written pattern.

This crochet snowball dumpling variation is super easy to crochet since most of you have already learned to crochet our “dumpling in a steamer box” plushie. Last time, you learned to crochet a green character dumpling; now be sure to crochet this one, too, as it is much easier.

This time, I have used red for the steamer basket with a lid. The crochet slouchy hat is attached on the left, below the dumpling crown, so it still looks like our familiar crochet smiling dumpling plush. Crochet this during Christmas, winter celebrations, or just because. Now, let’s head towards the FREE crochet snowman dumpling pattern below.

Table of Contents

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Pattern to Crochet A Smiling Snowman Dumpling Plush

Skill Level: Beginner – Level 4

Materials & Tools

Yarn:

Plush yarn (100g / 120m) in White (Dumpling body/head)
Plush yarn in Bright Red (Box container)
Plush yarn in Black (Hat body)
Plush yarn in White (Hat brim and tip)
Worsted, DK, or sport weight yarn in Orange (for the tiny carrot nose)
Semi-cotton or embroidery thread in Black (for eyes and mouth embroidery)

Hooks & Hardware:

4.0 mm crochet hook (for plush yarn)
2.5 mm or 3.0 mm crochet hook (optional, if using thinner yarn for the nose)

Notions & Supplies:

Fiberfill toy stuffing
Yarn needle, scissors
Stitch markers (optional, to keep track of rounds)

Pattern Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR: Magic Ring
sc: single crochet
inc: increase (2 single crochets in same stitch)
dec: decrease (invisible decrease)
sl st: slip stitch
ch: chain
BLO: back loops only
FLO: front loops only
R: Round

1. Snowman Dumpling Body (White Plush Yarn, 4.0 mm Hook)

R1: 8 sc in MR (8) R2: [inc] x 8 (16) R3: [1 sc, inc] x 8 (24) R4: [2 sc, inc] x 8 (32) R5–8 (4 rounds): 32 sc (32) R9: [2 sc, dec] x 8 (24)

Crocheting and Attaching the Nose:

Carrot Nose: Using orange yarn and an appropriately sized hook (like a 2.5mm or 3.0mm if using thinner yarn), create a Magic Ring. Work 4 sc into the MR (4). Slip stitch to the first sc to close, cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing, and pull tight.
Placement: Sew the orange nose to the center of the face, resting right between R7 and R8 of the white body.

Embroidering Eyes & Mouth:

Using black embroidery thread or semi-cotton yarn on a yarn needle, embroider two happy, closed ^ ^ shaped eyes on either side of the nose.
Embroider a wide, upward-curved line underneath the nose to give the snowman a joyful smile.

R10: [1 sc, dec] x 8 (16) Stuff firmly with fiberfill stuffing. R11: [dec] x 8 (8) R12 (Top Ruffle): Working in FLO only, [inc, 1 sc] repeat around to end. Sl st to close, cut yarn, and fasten off.

Closing the Hole: Thread white yarn on a yarn needle. Weave through the remaining unworked back loops of R11. Pull tightly to close the opening, tie a knot, and weave ends inside the body.

2. Slouchy Santa Hat (White & Black Plush Yarn, 4.0 mm Hook)

Pom-Pom Tip (White Yarn): Ch 2. Work 1 Puff stitch in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, sl st into same ch. Tie off white.

Hat Body (Black Yarn): Join black yarn into that same starting chain space. R1: 4 sc into same space, working behind puff st (4) R2: [1 sc, inc] x 2 (6) R3: 6 sc (6) R4: [2 sc, inc] x 2 (8) R5: 8 sc (8) R6: [3 sc, inc] x 2 (10) R7: 10 sc (10)

Hat Brim (White Yarn): Change to white yarn. R8: Working in both loops, [4 sc, inc] x 2 (12) R9: [5 sc, inc] x 2 (14) Fasten off white yarn and leave a long tail for assembly.

Hat Assembly & Slouch:

Flip the R8/R9 white trim upward so it covers the bottom edge of the black hat.
Fold the top pointed half of the hat down to one side.
Use a yarn needle and black yarn to make hidden tacking stitches through the underside of the tip to lock the fold in place.
Sew the completed hat securely onto the top right side of the snowman’s dumpling head, angled slightly over the top ruffle.

(Alternative Method: You can follow the same hat pattern in the magic ring and crochet a separate small partial sphere or sew a pre-made pom-pom for the tip!)

3. Hinged Box / Basket (Make 2 – Lid & Base)

(Bright Red Plush Yarn, 4.0 mm Hook)

R1: 8 sc in MR (8) R2: [inc] x 8 (16) R3: [1 sc, inc] x 8 (24) R4: [2 sc, inc] x 8 (32) R5: [7 sc, inc] x 4 (36) R6: 36 sc in BLO (36) R7–8 (2 rounds): 36 sc (36)

Top Lid: Fasten off and weave in ends cleanly.
Bottom Base: Fasten off, leaving a long tail for connecting the hinge.

Connecting Box Parts (Hinge):

Align the lid and base back-to-back.
Join red yarn (or use the leftover tail) and crochet 5–6 sc stitches through the back loop of the lid and front loop of the base to join them together securely.
Fasten off and hide ends inside the box.

4. Final Assembly

Place your completed Snowman dumpling inside the bottom base of the red box. Adjust his hat so it looks perfect peeking out. Because the body is perfectly sized, he should sit snugly inside the container when the lid is propped open!

Let me know if you need any clarification on the new nose pattern or the embroidery steps!