Crochet Your Own Dapper Gentleman: Meet Sir Berry the Strawberry!

The other day at the farmer's market, I saw a punnet of the most perfect, ruby-red strawberries. They were so plump and full of character, and a silly thought just popped into my head: what if one of them had a mustache? And a bow tie? I laughed right there in the middle of the aisle. That's how Sir Berry was born! He's a charming little fellow with a lot of personality, and he works up surprisingly fast. This project is a little slice of joy, perfect for using up scrap yarn or for making a quick, heartfelt gift. It’s amazing how an idea can just take hold, a bit like when I was dreaming up Shelly the Serene Turtle, and you just have to grab your hook and see it come to life. I can't wait for you to make your own dapper friend!

A Strawberry with a Story

Why a sophisticated strawberry? I think we all need a little more whimsy in our lives. I imagined this little guy attending a garden party, perhaps discussing the weather with a well-dressed bumblebee. He's a reminder not to take things too seriously and to find the fun in the everyday. He’s got this old-world charm that makes me smile every time I look at him sitting on my desk.

Gathering Your Berry-Making Supplies

This is the perfect project for diving into your yarn stash! I chose a classic worsted weight cotton for that lovely, defined stitch look. You'll need a bright, cheerful red for the body and a nice leafy green. The real fun comes in choosing the bow tie color – will yours be a classic blue, a sunny yellow, or something wildly patterned? Grab your favorite 3.0mm hook, some fluffy fiberfill, and a pair of shiny safety eyes, and you're all set for an adventure.

The Pattern

Abbreviations

• Rnd: Round
• MR: Magic Ring
• sc: Single Crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
• dec: Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• sl st: Slip Stitch
• ch: Chain
• BLO: Back Loop Only

Strawberry Body (in Red Yarn)

1. Rnd 1: Start with 6 sc in a MR (6)
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
3. Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times (18)
4. Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times (24)
5. Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] repeat 6 times (30)
6. Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] repeat 6 times (36)
7. Rnds 7-11: Sc in each st around (36) - 5 rounds
8. Rnd 12: [Sc 4, dec] repeat 6 times (30)
9. Rnd 13: Sc in each st around (30)
10. Rnd 14: [Sc 3, dec] repeat 6 times (24)
11. Rnd 15: Sc in each st around (24). Insert 6mm safety eyes between Rnds 12 and 13, about 6 stitches apart.
12. Rnd 16: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times (18). Start stuffing the body firmly.
13. Rnd 17: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times (12)
14. Rnd 18: Dec 6 times (6). Finish stuffing.
15. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops of the final 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in the end.

Leafy Topper (in Green Yarn)

1. Rnd 1: Start with 6 sc in a MR (6)
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12)
3. Rnd 3: In BLO, [ch 5, starting from 2nd ch from hook: sl st, sc, hdc, dc]. Sl st into the next stitch of Rnd 2. Repeat this process 5 more times to create 6 leaves.
4. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Distinguished Mustache (in Black Yarn)

1. Ch 9.
2. Starting from 2nd ch from hook: sl st, sc 2, sl st, sc 2, sl st 2.
3. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Dashing Bow Tie (in Contrast Color)

1. Rnd 1: Ch 7. Starting from 2nd ch from hook, sc 6. Ch 1 and turn. (6)
2. Rnds 2-4: Sc 6 across. Ch 1 and turn. (6)
3. Fasten off and weave in the ends of the small rectangle.
4. Cut a new piece of yarn (about 6 inches long) and wrap it tightly around the center of the rectangle to cinch it into a bow shape. Tie a knot at the back to secure it, leaving the tails for sewing.

Assembly Instructions

1. First, let's give Sir Berry his leafy crown! Position the Leafy Topper on the top of the strawberry body, making sure it's centered over the closing hole. Use the green yarn tail to sew it securely in place.
2. Now for his signature feature! Take the mustache and position it right between the eyes, maybe just a round below them. Use the black yarn tail and a tapestry needle to sew it on. I like to curve the ends up slightly for a cheerful look.
3. Finally, the bow tie. This adds the perfect touch of class. Place it just below the 'chin' area of the strawberry, centered under the mustache. Use the tails from the center wrap to sew it firmly to the body.
4. Weave in any remaining ends, and your dapper gentleman is complete! Step back and admire your handsome creation.

Pro Tips from Clara

• For perfectly scattered seeds, use a strand of white yarn and make small 'V' shapes randomly across the body before you stuff it completely. It’s so much easier than trying to embroider on a round, stuffed surface!
• Don't overstuff! You want Sir Berry to be plump and cuddly, not so firm that the stitches stretch out of shape. A gentle squeeze should be all it takes. I learned this lesson the hard way making my Rosso the Beginner Tomato Amigurumi a little too round!
• Play with the placement of the mustache and bow tie before you sew them on. Moving them just a tiny bit can completely change his expression from serious to jolly. Once you master this little guy, you'll be ready for another fun character like my Pikachu Pal pattern!

About the Author

Clara Miliano is a lifelong yarn enthusiast who believes every crochet project should have a little bit of heart and a good story. She loves turning simple balls of yarn into charming characters from her cozy little studio.