Tester Pattern: How to Crochet Peppermint Dumpling Plushie for Christams Gifting

Author: Talha

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

Welcome to another crochet DUMPLING plushie, part of the “crochet Christmas character dumplings” plushie series! Today, learn how to crochet this UNIQUE Mr. Meow peppermint dumpling candy in a golden steamer box plushie with a FREE written pattern for all skill levels.

This tester crochet pattern has the same cute kawaii embroidery eyes “><“and a meow mouth as well. You can also crochet an optional crochet bow for the top of the steamer basket.

Can be crocheted in under 45 minutes, just like all other crochet plush dumpling projects in this series. Now, continue reading for learning more about this quick peppermint dumpling gift project!

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Pattern to Crochet the Candy Peppermint Dumpling Plush

Skill Level: Beginner – Level 4

Materials & Tools

Super Bulky Chenille / Plush Yarn (~100 g / 120 m):
- Color A (Dumpling Stripes & Top Pleat): White / Cream
- Color B (Dumpling Stripes): Red
- Color C (Steamer Basket): Honey / Golden Brown / Caramel
DK Weight / Fine Yarn:
- Red: For crocheting the accent bow
Embroidery Thread / Fine Thread:
- Black: For embroidering the sleeping eyes (> <) and “w” mouth details
- Matching White: Strong thread/yarn to cinch the top hole closed
Crochet Hooks:
- 4.0 mm (for plush yarn)
- 2.5 mm – 3.0 mm (for the DK yarn red bow)
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill
Notions: Stitch marker, yarn needle, sewing pins, scissors, ruler

Abbreviations (US Terms)

MR: Magic Ring (adjustable loop)
ch: Chain stitch
sc: Single crochet
inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
dec: Decrease (sc 2 stitches together / invisible decrease)
sl st: Slip stitch
FLO: Front loops only
BLO: Back loops only
st(s): Stitch(es)
[ … ]: Total stitch count at the end of the round

Part 1: Peppermint Dumpling Body & Face Details

Worked in continuous spirals with color switches between Color A (White) and Color B (Red) to create alternating peppermint stripes. To keep color shifts neat, carry or join colors smoothly at the end of each round/stitch sequence as preferred.

Round 1: In a MR using Color A (White), work 8 sc. Pull ring closed. [8]
Round 2: Switch to Color B (Red): 8 inc (2 sc in each st around). [16]
Round 3: Switch to Color A (White): (1 sc, inc) $\times$ 8. [24]
Round 4: Switch to Color B (Red): (2 sc, inc) $\times$ 8. [32]
Round 5: Switch to Color A (White): 32 sc around. [32]
Round 6: Switch to Color B (Red): 32 sc around. [32]
Round 7: Switch to Color A (White): 32 sc around. [32]
Round 8: Switch to Color B (Red): 32 sc around. [32]
Round 9: Switch to Color A (White): (2 sc, dec) $\times$ 8. [24]
Round 10: Switch to Color B (Red): (1 sc, dec) $\times$ 8. [16]
- Stuff the body lightly to medium firmness with fiberfill. Keep it squishy and round.
Round 11: Switch to Color A (White): 8 dec. [8]

Dumpling Top Pleat / Frill

Round 12: Using Color A (White), working in FLO only: (inc, 1 sc) $\times$ 4. [12]
Fasten off with a sl st, cut yarn leaving a short tail, and pull through.

Closing the Top Hole

Thread a needle with a piece of strong white thread or yarn.
Weave through all 8 unused back loops from Round 11 inside the frill.
Pull tight to cinch the hole completely shut, tie a secure double knot, and hide the tails inside the dumpling body.

Face Embroidery

Using black embroidery thread and a needle:

Eyes: Embroider “sleeping/happy” slanted arrow eyes (> <) across Rounds 6–7, leaving about 4–5 stitches of space between them.
Mouth: Stitch a soft “w” shaped line directly in the center between the eyes on Round 7.

Part 2: Red Bow Pattern

Worked in the round by working around a foundation chain, creating an oval base, then cinching the center with wrapped thread.

Hook Size: 2.5 mm – 3.0 mm
Yarn: Red DK Weight Yarn

Oval Base Instructions:

Foundation: Chain 7.
Round 1:
- Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, work 5 sc along the chain.
- In the last chain stitch, work 3 sc all into the same loop (to round the corner).
- Turn to work along the opposite side of the foundation chain: work 4 sc, then 2 sc in the final loop.
- Join with a sl st to the first sc. [14 sts]
Round 2:
- ch 1, inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc.
- Join with a sl st to the first sc. [20 sts]
Fasten off leaving a very long tail (~30 cm / 12 inches) for wrapping and sewing.

Shaping the Bow:

Pinch the exact center of the oval lengthwise to form a neat accordion fold/bow shape.
Take the long yarn tail and wrap it tightly around the center 8 to 12 times to form the center band of the bow.
Secure the tail on the back side of the bow with a knot using a tapestry needle.
Pin the finished red bow onto the upper rim/lid of the golden steamer basket (or the dumpling side) and sew securely in place.

Part 3: Golden Steamer Basket Box (Make 2)

Worked in continuous spirals using Color C (Honey/Golden Brown) plush yarn.

Bottom Bowl:

Round 1: In a MR, work 8 sc. [8]
Round 2: 8 inc. [16]
Round 3: (1 sc, inc) $\times$ 8. [24]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) $\times$ 8. [32]
Round 5: (7 sc, inc) $\times$ 4. [36]
Round 6: Working in BLO only: 36 sc around. [36] (Creates the flat base edge).
Rounds 7–8 (2 rounds): Working through both loops: 36 sc around. [36]
Fasten off, cut yarn, and weave in the end tail.

Top Lid:

Repeat Rounds 1–8 exactly as detailed for the Bottom Bowl.
Do NOT cut the yarn at the end of Round 8.

Part 4: Basket Assembly

Connecting the Hinge:
- Place both basket halves together with their open rims facing each other.
- Align the desired back connection point.
- Using the working yarn left on the second half (Lid):
  - Insert hook through the stitch on the current half (front loop) and the corresponding stitch on the bottom half (back loop).
  - Work 4 to 5 sc across to join them together into a hinge.
- Fasten off, weave in the tail, and tuck inside.
Attaching the Bow:
- Pin the prepared Red Bow onto the front left/top edge of the steamer lid as shown in the reference image.
- Sew down firmly using the remaining red yarn tail and weave in all loose ends.