Herman the Hermit Crab is a fun interactive crustacean ready to snuggle up in his cosy home!

Did you know? The “hermit” in hermit crab is a misnomer; hermit crabs are very social and may live in groups of 100 or more!

Can’t get enough cute critters? Check out Manny the Manatee, Norbert the Narwhal and Pollyanna the Pufferfish!

Specifications
YARN
Kelbourne Woolens Germantown (100% N. American wool; 220 yds/100 gm skein): cream 295 (MC), 3 skeins; wild rose 835 (CC), 1 skein.
GAUGE
Work through Round 10 of Shell Inner Circle. Piece should measure 4” (10 cm) in diameter.
HOOK
1 – F (3.75mm).
NOTIONS
One pair of 14mm black safety eyes, polyester fiberfill for stuffing, a small amount of black embroidery floss and embroidery needle for mouth, darning needle.
SIZE
Shell measures approximately 15.5” long, Herman measures approximately 7” long.
SKILLS
Working in the round, increases, decreases, sewing pieces together.

Worthy of Note
Herman’s Shell is worked top down in the round. Take extra care to note the first and last stitch of the round when working the spiral – the stitches are very close together and may be hard to distinguish. After the spiral is worked, the Inner Circle is added to close the bottom and keep the stuffing in place. Next, the open section of the shell is constructed, making a lining at the same time as the outer shell.

Herman is constructed in the round from the head to the tail. The legs, eyestalks, and claws are all worked separately in the round and stitched to body. The mouth is embroidered once complete.

Images: Linette Messina Kielinski