Free Crochet Pattern - PLUSH Cecil the Clam

Welcome!
I hope you will enjoy the creation of this plush clam! Please don't hesitate to contact me at hello@theresascrochetshop.com with any questions that you may have as you make it. Have fun!

Materials You Will Need:
    • Crochet hook size: 5mm
    • #6 Super Bulky weight yarn: tan (outer shell), cream (inner shell), peach (clam), and 1 strand of pink (cheeks)
    • Yarn needle
    • One pair of 12 mm safety eyes
    • Polyester fiber fill stuffing
    • One strand of black embroidery floss for the mouth and eyebrows

Final measurement for the finished clam in his shell is 3.5 inches (or 9 cm) tall.

Abbreviations:
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
sts – stitches
dec – sc decrease st*

*Single crochet decrease stitch explanation:
Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 2 loops on the hook. Insert the hook into the next stitch and yarn over. Pull a loop through so that there are now 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over again and pull the loop of yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.

Note #1: This pattern is crocheted in continuous rounds (you will not join each round).

Note #2: In my patterns, I begin each circle with “ch 2, 8 sc in first ch.” Another way of beginning is to start with a magic circle. If you are more familiar with this method, just do 8 sc into your magic circle.

Videos

Did you know I have a YouTube channel? Here are a couple videos that may be helpful as you crochet this pattern:

Vid #1 – Making a Plush Clam: https://youtube.com/shorts/vk8DNecDABU

Vid #2 – How to Embroider a Smile and Eyebrows: https://youtu.be/U4Mv5BD0iIA

With tan yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 8 sc in first ch (8 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (16 sts)
R3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 8 times (24 sts)
R4: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (30 sts)
R5: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (36 sts)
R6: (Sc 17, 2 sc in next st), 2 times (38 sts)
R7: Sc 38 (38 sts)

Wait to fasten off until you have made the inner shell pieces. Also, wait to crochet the 2nd outer shell until you have made both inner shell pieces.

With cream yarn,
R1: Ch 2, 8 sc in first ch (8 sts)
R2: 2 sc in each st around (16 sts)
R3: (Sc 1, 2 sc in next st), 8 times (24 sts)
R4: (Sc 3, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (30 sts)
R5: (Sc 4, 2 sc in next st), 6 times (36 sts)
R6: (Sc 17, 2 sc in next st), 2 times (38 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for weaving in. You will now be crocheting the shell pieces together.

Insert your crochet hook back into the outer shell right where you left off at the end of R7. Then insert your hook through a stitch of the outer shell and a stitch of the inner shell, as pictured above. Single crochet all the way around the 2 shell pieces to join them. Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing.

Weave in the white yarn tail ends. Your shell will now look as pictured below.

Begin stuffing clam. Then insert the eyes between R7-8, with 4-5 sts in between. Firmly press the backs onto the eyes. Next, thread a long strand of black embroidery floss onto your yarn needle and insert it through the opening at the bottom of the clam and out between the eyes. Sew a horizontal stitch between the eyes on R7-8; then bring your yarn needle up 1 round lower, grab the horizontal stitch and insert your needle back into the same exact spot, to create a "V" smile. Then weave the floss through the inside of the clam and out above the eyes. Sew 1 diagonal stitch above each eye for the eyebrows, as pictured below. Now weave the floss back through to the opening at the bottom of the clam, and tie the 2 ends of the floss in a knot. Tuck the ends inside the clam.

If you would like to add pink cheeks, thread a pink strand of yarn onto your yarn needle, insert it through the opening at the bottom of the clam and out right below the eyes. Sew 2-3 small sts to create each little pink "cheek" below the eyes (sewing just 1 stitch may disappear into the plush yarn; sewing 2-3 stitches on top of each other make the pink more visible).

Now go on to finish the clam:

R10: Dec 6 times (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail for sewing. Finish stuffing the clam as needed - you want the clam to hold its shape but still be squishy.

Next, thread the yarn tail from the clam onto your yarn needle and weave it through the front loops of the remaining 6 sts from R10, as pictured below. Pull tight to close. Secure with a knot and weave in the end.