R4 we’re making the ears. Using stitch markers, mark the back loops only of stitch 7 and stitch 12. The ears will be worked into the front loops of the marked stitches.
I also suggest marking the first sc and the last sc of the ear with a stitch marker. Helpful for R5.
R4: sc in next 6 sts [ear: in next flo sc, hdc, ch 1, dc, hdc, sc in same st] sc in next 4 sts [ear: in next flo sc, hdc, ch 1, dc, hdc, sc in same st] sc in next 6 sts {18 sts counting the marked back loops, not the ear stitches}
For R5: As we work this round, we will work into the back loops that we marked for R4 and not into the stitches of the ear. After you work into the back loops, reach your hook over into the next stitch - the one next to your marked ear stitch.
R5: (inc, sc in next 2 sts) 2 times, sc into marked back loop st, sc in next st, (inc) 2 times, sc in next st, sc into marked back loop st, (inc, sc in next 2 sts) 2 times {24 sts}
For R6: work single crochet stitches into the back loop only stitch as indicated. (Optional: place stitch markers in the front loop of the first and last back loop only stitches - these will be used later to make the nose flap.) Change colors at the end of R6.
R6: sc in next 9 sts, sc blo in next 6 sts, sc in next 9 sts {24 sts} change to color of choice (cream)
We’re going to pause here and crochet into the front loops from R6 to make the nose flap. Place a stitch marker in your last stitch to secure the working yarn. For the nose flap, we’ll be working in rows by chaining 1 and turning our work.
R1: Place a slipknot in pink yarn onto the hook. With the top of the head facing down, place the hook under the first marked flo stitch and make a single crochet, then sc in the next 5 flo sts {6 sts}
R2: ch 1, turn; dec, sc in next 2 sts, dec {4 sts}
R3: ch 1, turn; (dec) 2 times {2 sts}
R4: ch 1, turn; dec {1 st}
Leave a tail and fasten off. Weave in all ends.
Insert 18mm safety nose into the tip of the flap. Then insert the nose between R9 and R10 of the head. Insert 14mm safety eyes between R9 and R10 of the head, on either side of the flap. Secure the nose and eyes.
For R12, we’ll be crocheting small bobbles, bobbles and attaching the tail. All bobbles will be worked into the front loop only and a color change (CC) will be made. (Feel free to skip the color change and crochet R12 in one color.) The tail will be attached at the beginning of this round.
If you’re not planning to attach the tail at this point and would like to sew it on later, you can skip the tail instructions in Round 12. Instead, simply single crochet into all stitches that are not bobble stitches.
I recommend checking that your bobble stitches will line up under the eyes by watching the tutorial.
R12: Grab the tail you set aside and line it up with the next 3 stitches with the color change facing you. Place you hook under two sts of the tail and one st of the head and sc. Repeat that two more times working over 3 sts total, sc in next 7 sts, CC to pink: flo bobble, CC to cream: sc in next 3 sts, CC to pink: flo small bobble, CC to cream: sc in next 4 sts, CC to pink: flo small bobble, CC to cream: sc in next 3 sts, CC to pink: flo bobble, CC to cream: sc in next 6 sts {30 sts}
Pop out your bobbles.
R13: (dec, sc in next 3 sts) 6 times {24 sts}
Optional but recommended: Lay your tail to one side of the body. Thread the remaining yarn tail onto a yarn needle. Insert the needle through a stitch on the body, then back through a stitch on the tail (toward its middle). Tie a small knot to secure it in place.
Grab the tail you set aside. Lay it flat against the back of the fox (with the color change facing the back). Using the long tail, sew the tail between R10 and R12 of the fox - over 3 stitches.
If you don’t want the tail to be floppy, use the remaining yarn tail and secure the tail with one more stitch toward the middle of the tail.
Weave in all the excess pieces of yarn into the body.
