New updated & downloadable version! Pattern now includes instructions to crochet the forked tongue as shown in the photos.

This design takes many kinds of yarns into account so use whatever you like. Furry, lumpy, fleecy, and feathery yarns are fantastic for draft snakes because the extra texture blocks drafts under the door the best. 

Children love these! My original design intent was to create a practical household item, and to use up all the odd balls of novelty yarns in my stash. However my son (he was 5 years old in the photo) saw it as his new companion.

The earlier version of this pattern (without forked tongue instructions and downloadable format) is still at my blog (January 2009), and it appeared in an online “Daily Green” newspaper article about thrifty homemade draft snakes here. It was first designed in December, 2004.

It’s freeformy because you just combine any yarns you like, change them when you wish, and make your snake to the width and length you decide.

By the way, if you use all smooth yarns--for example, 3 worsted weight strands of Red Heart or Simply Soft acrylic held together--the snake will have a cool woven basket look instead. It will also be stiffer.