It’s mid July, which can only mean one thing for parents of children in school; the school year is almost over (eek!) and it’s time to start thinking about a little teacher thank you gift. Why not say thank you to a hard-working teacher at the end of this school year with a quick and easy handmade gift.

I know an apple for teacher is rather cliche but there is no denying that it’s a well know association and I find the history behind it really interesting. Apparently the stereotype for giving an apple to an educator started in the early 1700s, when poor families in Scandinavia, gave teachers baskets of apples as payment for their children’s educations.

I love the idea of barter one skill for another and I recon giving a teacher an apple is still a kind way to them your appreciation!

An Apple for Teacher Amigurumi

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Yarn: (8ply / yarn weight #3 / double knit)

22 g of yarn in the following colour:

• YARN A – Red (or green)

Scraps of the following colours:

• YARN B – Brown
• YARN C – Green 
• YARN D – Pink

Materials

3.75mm hook, stitch markers, yarn needle, polyester toy stuffing, 2 x 9mm black safety eyes, black embroidery thread 

Difficulty: Easy 

Size: Circumference of 29cm (11.4inches)

Gauge: 4dc = 2.5cm (1 inch)

Stitch Guide: 

• ch(s) = chain
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
• UK Double Crochet/US Single Crochet (dc/sc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
• UK Double Crochet/US Single Crochet 2 sts together (dc2tog/sc2tog): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook.
• UK Half Double Treble / US Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
• UK Treble / US Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.

Notes:

Using a stitch marker: Sections are worked without joining in continuous rnds (unless specified) – place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of rnd

Instructions:

Cheeks (Make 2):

Rnd 1: Using 3.75mm hook and YARN D make a magic ring; work 8dc/sc into ring. 8sts

Fasten off but leave a long tail

Stalk:

Using 3.75mm hook and YARN B ch8, sl st into the 2^nd ch from the hook; sl st in each st along until end.

Fasten off but leave a long tail

Leaf:

Using 3.75mm hook and YARN C ch7, sl st into the 2^nd ch from the hook. Then work the following in the ch; 1dc/sc, 1htr/hdc, 3tr/dc, 1htr/hdc, 1dc/sc, sl st, ch1, then working along the other side of your beginning ch, sl st, 1dc/sc, 1htr/hdc, 3tr/dc, 1htr/hdc, 1dc/sc, sl st to the top of the beginning st

Fasten off but leave a long tail

Apple:

Rnd 1: Using 3.75mm hook and YARN A make a magic ring; work 6dc/sc into ring. 6sts

Rnd 2: (2dc/sc) to end. 12sts

Rnd 3: (1dc/sc, 2dc/sc) to end. 18sts

Rnd 4: (1dc/sc in the next 2sts, 2dc/sc) to end. 24sts

Rnd 5: (1dc/sc in the next 3sts, 2dc/sc) to end. 30sts

Rnd 6: (1dc/sc in the next 4sts, 2dc/sc) to end. 36sts

Rnds 7-13: 1dc/sc in each st

Rnd 14: (1dc/sc in the next 5 sts, 2dc/sc) to end. 42sts

Rnds 15-20: 1dc/sc in each st

Rnd 21: (1dc in the next 5sts, dc2tog/sc2tog) to end. 36sts

Rnd 22: (1dc in the next 4sts, dc2tog/sc2tog) to end. 30sts

• Add eyes between rnds 16-17 approximately 5sts apart
• Using black embroidery thread embroider a mouth over rnds 13-14
• Sew on cheeks either side of the mouth

Rnd 23: (1dc in the next 3sts, dc2tog/sc2tog) to end. 24sts

• Start to stuff; continuing to stuff as you go

Rnd 24: (1dc in the next 2sts, dc2tog/sc2tog) to end. 18sts

Rnd 25: (1dc, dc2tog/sc2tog) to end. 12sts

Rnd 26: (dc2tog/sc2tog) to end. 6sts

• Fasten off but leave a long tail
• Sew up remaining 6sts, then using the yarn tail thread it through the centre of the apple and pull up to create a indent in the bottom for the apple bottom.
• Repeat this process pulling back through the centre of the apple from the top to create the indent for the apple stalk and leaf to sit in. Secure and fasten off.

Making up:

• Using YARN B sew a star shape into the bottom indent for the apple bottom
• Attach the stalk and the leaf in the indent at the top of the apple

And that’s it!