I first created this pattern as a gift for my niece’s baptism and have since continued the tradition with each of the younger kiddos in the family.
You can leave the angel’s hands empty as if it is praying, or buy a small charm for it to hold. I chose to buy a 6-pack of small crosses from the jewelry making section at Jo-Ann Fabrics and they are the perfect size to hang from the angel’s hands! I also chose to embroider the eyes onto the angel so that it looks as if the eyes are closed, but you can definitely add safety eyes to the piece if you’d like the eyes to appear open.
To help stabilize this angel so that it can stay upright on a shelf, I add in a small bag of rice or poly-fil pellets when I am stuffing. You can create a bag out of pantyhose, or simply use a snack or sandwich sized plastic bag. Just add a small amount of rice or poly-fill pellets to the bag, tie it up and add it in when you start stuffing the body.
Angel Keepsake
Supplies Needed: 3.5 mm hook, yarn needle, small amounts of white yarn, preferred skin tone yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver in Buff), brown (or preferred hair color) yarn, scraps of black yarn, poly-fil stuffing, a small rice bag, preferred charm (optional).
Stitch Abbreviations used: sc- single crochet, sc2tog – single crochet two together, hdc – half double crochet, dc – double crochet, slst – slip stitch, ch – chain.
When * symbol is present, repeat the stitches from * to * for the specified number of repetitions. If no amount of repeats is specified, repeat from * to * around the remainder of the round.
**Alternative to the magic ring: ch 2, sc the written number of stitches (example: 6 sc) into the 2nd chain from hook, then continue with the pattern as written starting with the first of the stitches.**
Body (white yarn)
Round 1: magic ring – 6 sc.
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around.
Round 3: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next stitch* (18 stitches total)
Round 4: *1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in third stitch*
Round 5: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches* (30 stitches total)
Round 6 – Round 8: sc in each stitch around.
Round 9: *sc2tog, 1 sc in each of the next 8 stitches* (27 stitches total)
Round 10 – Round 11: sc in each stitch around.
Round 12: *sc2tog, 1 sc in each of the next 7 stitches* (24 stitches total)
Round 13: sc in each stitch around.
Round 14: *sc2tog, 1 sc in each of the next 6 stitches* (21 stitches total)
Change to skin tone yarn.
Round 15: sc in first stitch, *sc2tog, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches*
Fasten off, leave tail for sewing to head.
Wings (make 2 using white yarn)
This piece is worked in rows.
Row 1: ch 8, begin stitches in 2nd chain from hook, 1 sc in each of the next 6 stitches, 5 sc in last chain, continue working stitches in the opposite side of starting chain, 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches, leave remaining stitches unworked, ch 1, turn work.
Row 2: sc 5, 2 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, sc 7, ch 3, turn work.
Row 3: sc 18, ch 1, turn.
Row 4: sc 4, 2 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, sc 11, ch 3, turn work.
Row 5: sc 14, slst in next stitch, leave remaining stitches unworked.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Head (skin tone yarn)
Round 1: magic ring – 6sc.
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around.
Round 3: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next* (18 stitches)
Round 4: *1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in the third stitch*
Round 5: 1 sc in each stitch around.
Round 6: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches. (30 stitches)
Round 7 – Round 10: 1 sc in each stitch around.
Round 11: *sc2tog, 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches*
Round 12: *1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog, 1 sc in next stitch*
Round 13: *sc2tog, 1 sc in next stitch* (12 stitches)
Fasten off, weave in ends, add stuffing, sew to body, and embroider on eyes.
Arms (make 2 using skin tone yarn)
Round 1: Magic ring – 6 sc.
Round 2: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches*
Round 3 – Round 7: 1 sc in each stitch around.
Round 8: flatten the piece, sc 3 complete the stitches through the front and back stitches to close the opening at the top of the arm.
Fasten off, leave a tail for sewing to the body. I like to pin the arms in place and hold the charm that I will be attaching up to it before sewing so that I can check that the angle of the arms will look good.
Hair (brown or preferred hair color yarn)
Round 1: magic ring – 6 sc.
Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 3 – Round 4: sc in each stitch around.
Round 5: sc2tog in each stitch around. (6 stitches)
Round 6: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
Round 7: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next*
Round 8: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches* (24 stitches)
Round 9: sc in each stitch around.
Round 10: *1 sc in each of the first 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch*
Round 11 – Round 14: sc in each stitch around.
Round 15: sc in each of the first 8 stitches, hdc in each of the next 2 stitches, dc in each of the next 2 stitches, hdc each of the next 2 stitches, slst 2, hdc each of the next 2 stitches, dc each of the next 2 stitches, hdc each of the next 2 stitches, sc each of the last 8 stitches, slst to first stitch of round.
Fasten off, leave tail for sewing to head. The 2 slip stitches in the middle of the final row should be lined up to the center of the angel’s face.
Congrats! You’ve made an angel keepsake. Enjoy! Don’t forget to send me pictures of your finished project!