Oscar the Grouch

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August 5, 2025

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Textured yarn can be difficult to work with, Oscar can be made using regular worsted weight yarn, and will look just as cute!

Unless otherwise noted, all crocheting is to be done in a continuous spiral.

Head and Torso:

Using green yarn:

Round 1: Sc 6 in a magic ring. {6}

Round 2: Inc 6 times. {12}

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc 1] 6 times. {18}

Round 4: [Sc 2, inc 1] 6 times. {24}

Round 5: [Sc 3, inc 1] 6 times. {30}

Round 6:  Sc 10, ch 10 and skip over the next 10 stitches, rejoin and sc 10. {30}

Round 7: [Sc 3, dec 1] 6 times. {24}

Round 8: [Sc 2, dec 1] 6 times. {18}

Round 9: [Sc 1, dec 1] 6 times. {12}

Round 10: [Sc 1, inc 1] 6 times. {18}

Round 11: Sc 18. {18}

Round 12: [Sc 5, inc 1] 3 times. {21}

Round 13: [Sc 6, inc 1] 3 times. {24}

Fasten off and weave in the end. Insert eyes betweens rounds 4 and 5, approximately 4 stitches apart.

Stuff the head and torso, leaving some space in the head for a mouth.

Mouth:

top half:

Starting with black yarn:

Round 1: Sc 3 in a magic ring. After closing the ring, ch 1 and turn. {3}

Round 2: Inc 3 times, ch 1 and turn. {6}

Round 3: Inc 2, sc 2, inc 2. {10}

Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Bottom half:

Starting with red yarn:

Round 1: Sc 3 in a magic ring. After closing the ring, ch 1 and turn. {3}

Round 2: Inc 3 times, changing to black yarn in the last stitch. Ch 1 and turn. {6}

Round 3: Inc 2, sc 2, inc 2. {10}

Fasten off and weave in the end.

Sew the two halves together at the straight edge, then line the curved edges with the opening on Oscar’s head at round 6 and sew the mouth in, with the red tongue oriented at the bottom.

Eyebrow:

Using brown yarn:

Ch 7, fasten off and leave a tail for sewing. Sew eyebrow over Oscar’s eyes.

Hands (make x2):

Using green yarn, start with a short tail for sewing, then:

Row 1: Ch 4, turn, sc 3. {3}

Rows 2-4: Sc 3, ch and turn. {3}

Row 5: Sc 1, dc 2. {3} 

Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Sew a hand to the base of Oscar’s torso on each side.

Trash can:

Base:

Using grey yarn:

Round 1: Sc 6 in a magic ring. {6}

Round 2: Inc 6 times. {12}

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc 1] 6 times. {18}

Round 4: [Sc 2, inc 1] 6 times. {24}

Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Sides:

Using grey yarn:

Row 1: Ch 11, turn, then starting in the 2nd ch from the hook sc 10 across. {10}

Rows 2-24: Sc 10 across, ch 1 and turn. Alternate between crocheting in the front loops only and back loops from one row to the next to create ridges. {10}

Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing the edge closed.

Wrap the side around the base and sew on. Then join the two edges and sew closed.

Optional: Crochet a row of slip stitches across the top edge to make it more even. Using short lengths of grey yarn, sew two handles to each side of the trash can.

Stuff the trash can about ⅔ full, then place Oscar into the trash can, with his hands dangling out. Using a length of grey yarn, sew Oscar into the trash can approximately 3 rows from the top edge, taking care to sew to only the stitches facing the interior of the trash can.

Lid/hat:

Using grey yarn:

Round 1: Sc 6 in a magic ring. {6}

Round 2: Inc 6 times. {12}

Round 3: [Sc 1, inc 1] 6 times. {18}

Round 4: [Sc 2, inc 1] 6 times. {24}

Round 5: [Sc 3, inc 1] 6 times. {30}

Round 6: In back loops only, sc 30. {30}

Fasten off and weave in the end. Using a short length of grey yarn, sew a handle to the top of the lid.