Q: Can plush patterns be made with non-plush yarn?

Yes! You can make patterns designed and pictured in plush yarn with non-plush, or medium worsted weight yarn. Here are a few changes you may want to make:

First tip: When using #4 medium worsted weight yarn, the body and/or head may appear a bit short. Plush yarn is thicker and tends to visually elongate the body. To compensate, you may want to add 1-3 rounds of single crochet to the body and/or head. For example, if the non-plush pattern says single crochet 48 stitches for Rounds 5-9, you may want to add 2 rounds of 48 before beginning the decrease stitches. To figure out how many extra rounds to add, just see what look you like on the piece you are making. 

Second tip: Use smaller safety eyes. I generally use 12mm safety eyes with an animal made with #4 medium worsted weight yarn, 15mm eyes with #5 bulky yarn, and 18mm safety eyes with #6 super bulky weight yarn.

Third tip: Be aware that depending on the yarn and hook you use, the finished animal will be smaller!

If you have any questions about a specific pattern, feel free to email me!