Welcome to the atelier, my dear creator. Today, we are not just making a toy; we are weaving a bit of beautiful shadow.
Together, we will breathe life into Vlad, the Noble Vampire, a gentle soul and a truly magical addition to any Halloween display.
🎨 About This Creation & Our Angle
From the moment I envisioned this piece, I knew it had to be more than just a pattern. It had to be an heirloom. This is the heart of our “Melancholy Charm” angle—we are crafting a creature of fright into an endearing being of profound sweetness.
The thematic core is woven into his sorrowful, innocent eyes and velvet cape. He is a paradox: a creature of the night who seems to yearn for warmth.
This is the perfect project to create as a breathtaking, high-end Halloween heirloom or as a treasured, gothic-inspired gift. It’s a creation that holds a story.
| Attribute | Detail |
| 🧶 Difficulty | Intermediate |
| 🕒 Est. Time | 4-6 Hours |
| 📏 Size | Approx. 6 inches (15 cm) tall |
In every stitch of his velvet cape, we are not just making a doll; we are weaving a story of gentle loneliness, proving that even the littlest shadows can hold the most endearing light.
🧶 Materials & Tools Needed
To weave this creation, you will need to gather a few simple treasures. I recommend a DK or Worsted weight yarn for a huggable, sturdy feel.
- Yarn: DK/Worsted (Weight 3/4) in the following colors:
- Pale Cream (Skin)
- Midnight Black (Standard for Body/Hair)
- Midnight Black (Velvet/Chenille for Cape)
- Rich Burgundy (Bow Tie)
- Hook: 2.5mm or 3.0mm
- Other Materials: 10mm or 12mm safety eyes, Embroidery Floss (Black, rosy-red, white), stitch marker, fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, scissors.
[Image Placeholder: A flat-lay of the pale cream, black, and velvet yarns with a 2.5mm hook]
💡 Abbreviations & Stitches Used
We will be working in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- inc – single crochet increase (2 sc in one stitch)
- dec – invisible decrease (sc 2 stitches together through front loops)
- MR – magic ring
- (…) – stitches in this round
📖 The Complete Vlad the Vampire Pattern
Let us begin our creation. We will start with the head and work our way down. Stuff all pieces firmly as you go.
Head (in Pale Cream)
Stuff firmly as you go.
- Rnd 1-7: Start with 6 sc in a MR. Increase by 6 sts each round until Rnd 7 (42 sts).
- Rnd 8-15: (8 rounds) sc in all 42 stitches (42 sts).
- Insert 10-12mm safety eyes between Rnds 12 and 13, about 7-8 sts apart.
- Rnd 16: [5 sc, dec] x6 (36 sts).
- Rnd 17: [4 sc, dec] x6 (30 sts).
- Rnd 18: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts).
- Rnd 19: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts).
- Rnd 20: [sc, dec] x6 (12 sts).
- Finish stuffing. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Body (in Midnight Black)
Stuff firmly as you go.
- Rnd 1-5: Start with 6 sc in a MR. Increase by 6 sts each round until Rnd 5 (30 sts).
- Rnd 6-10: (5 rounds) sc in all 30 stitches (30 sts).
- Rnd 11: [3 sc, dec] x6 (24 sts).
- Rnd 12-13: (2 rounds) sc in all 24 stitches (24 sts).
- Rnd 14: [2 sc, dec] x6 (18 sts).
- Rnd 15-16: (2 rounds) sc in all 18 stitches (18 sts).
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Artisan’s Note: When working with velvet yarn, maintain a very consistent and slightly tight tension. Using a smaller hook than recommended can also help lock the stitches in place and prevent “worming.”
Arms (Make 2, start in Pale Cream)
- Rnd 1: 5 sc in MR (5 sts).
- Rnd 2: [inc] x5 (10 sts).
- Rnd 3: sc in all 10 stitches (10 sts).
- Rnd 4: (Change to Midnight Black) sc in all 10 stitches (10 sts).
- Rnd 5-9: (5 rounds) sc in all 10 stitches (10 sts).
- Stuff hand lightly, leave arm unstuffed. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Hair Cap (in Midnight Black)
- Rnd 1-7: Follow Head Rnds 1-7 to create a circle. (42 sts)
- Rnd 8-12: (5 rounds) sc in all 42 stitches (42 sts).
- Widow’s Peak (in Rows):
- Row 1: sc 10, ch 1, turn. (10 sts)
- Row 2: dec, sc 6, dec, ch 1, turn. (8 sts)
- Row 3: dec, sc 4, dec, ch 1, turn. (6 sts)
- Row 4: dec, sc 2, dec, ch 1, turn. (4 sts)
- Row 5: [dec] x2. (2 sts)
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Ears (Make 2, in Pale Cream)
- Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR (4 sts).
- Rnd 2: [sc, inc] x2 (6 sts).
- Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] x2 (8 sts).
- Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.
Cape (in Black Velvet Yarn)
Work in rows. Ch 1 and turn at the end of each row.
- Row 1: Ch 25. In 2nd ch from hook, sc 24. (24 sts)
- Row 2-4: (3 rows) sc in all 24 stitches. (This is the collar).
- Row 5: [3 sc, inc] x6 (30 sts).
- Row 6-20: (15 rows) sc in all 30 stitches.
- Fasten off, weave in ends. Fold the collar (Rows 1-4) down.
🧵 Assembly & Final Touches
Here is where our creation truly comes to life. Be patient with your needle; this is where the soul is added.
- Head to Body: Sew the head securely to the body opening.
- Hair Cap: Place the hair cap on the head, with the widow’s peak centered above the eyes. Pin and sew it down.
- Ears: Sew the ears to the sides of the head, along the edge of the hair cap (Rnds 11-14).
- Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck.
- The Face (The Gaze of Innocence):
- Blush: Using rosy-red floss, make a few horizontal stitches under the outer corner of each eye.
- Mouth: With black floss, embroider a small, straight mouth one or two rows below the eyes.
- Fangs: With a single strand of white floss, add two tiny vertical stitches (fangs) coming down from the mouth line.
- Cape: Drape the cape around Vlad’s shoulders. Secure it with a few stitches or a small burgundy ribbon tied in a bow.
[Image Placeholder: A close-up of Vlad’s embroidered fangs and bow tie]
💡 Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I keep my velvet yarn from “worming”?
A: Velvet yarn can be tricky! The best way is to maintain a very consistent and slightly tight tension. Using a smaller hook than recommended can also help lock the stitches in place.
Q: What’s the best way to embroider the tiny fangs?
A: Use a single strand of white embroidery floss. For each fang, make one tiny, straight vertical stitch coming down from the mouth line. You can go over the same stitch twice to add a bit of dimension. Subtlety is key!
Q: Can I use standard yarn for the cape?
A: Of course! The velvet yarn adds a luxurious texture, but a standard black yarn will create a beautiful, classic cape. The soul of the character lies in his expression, which will shine through regardless.
💌 A Final Word
Your beautiful heirloom is complete. You have woven from shadow and light, charm and melancholy, and coaxed a soul into being.
May this little creation bring a whisper of magic to whomever it is destined for. Well done, my dear creator. Truly well done.
