It snowed in Western Pennsylvania…again. Schools were cancelled along with church activities. The local college even delayed classes. My short, little dog can’t even use the bathroom unless we shovel him a spot. Ah, snow!

In Western PA, we don’t get a lot of sunshine between November and April. Today I decided to make my own.

Meet the Mr. Sunshine Pillow.

This little guy took me an afternoon to make, but he pretty much turned out just as I envisioned him. Rosy cheeks, a big happy smile (I can’t imagine the sun would ever make a different expression), a fluffy belly perfect for cuddling or leaning your head against.

Whatever your use for him, he will definitely make you smile!

I’m new at writing patterns, but I wanted to include one. If you make the Mr. Sunshine Pillow, please send me some feedback.

Mr. Sunshine Pillow–Free Pattern

Yarn: Any worsted weight will do. I used Loops & Threads Impeccable in Butterscotch and Vanna’s Choice in Mustard. You’ll use less than half a skein of each of these. I also used some white and black Impeccable and some pink that I just had lying around.

Hook: H. I would use a bigger hook normally, but I wanted to keep the stitches tight so the stuffing didn’t fall out!

Gauge: Gauge is not really important for this project. Just be consistent.

Body (Make 2)

Round 1: With Main Color, make a magic ring. Ch. 3 (counts as first DC). DC 11 times in ring. Join with Sl. St. to top of the first Ch. 3. (12 DC)

Round 2: Ch. 3, DC in same stitch as join. 2 DC in each st. around. Join with Sl. St. to top of the first Ch. 3. (24 DC)

Round 3: Ch. 3, DC in same stitch as join. [DC in next st, 2DC in next stitch] around ending with one DC in the last st. Sl. st. to top of the first Ch. 3 (36 DC).

Round 4: Ch. 3, DC in same stitch as join. [DC in next 2 st., 2 DC in next stitch] around ending with DC in last two stitches. Sl. st. to top of the first Ch. 3. (48 DC)

Round 5: Ch. 3, DC in same stitch as join. [DC in next 3 st., 2 DC in next stitch] around ending with DC in last three stitches. Sl. st. to top of the first Ch. 3. (60 DC)

Round 6: Ch. 3, DC in same stitch as join. [DC in next 4 st., 2 DC in next stitch] around ending with DC in last four stitches. Sl. st. to top of the first Ch. 3. (72 DC)

Round 7: Ch. 3 (Counts as first DC), DC in every stitch around. Join with Sl. St. to the top of the first ch. 3. (72 DC)

Round 8: Repeat Round 7. Fasten off and weave in ends. Make sure you tightly close the magic circle and secure it so the ends don’t work their way out.

Note: You work will start to curl on Rounds 7 and 8. This will give the pillow depth and is perfectly normal.

Rays (Make 9)

Row 1: Ch. 10. DC in 4th Ch. from hook and each ch across. (8 DC)

Row 2: Ch. 2 (Counts as first DC here and throughout). Turn. DC in next 6 stitches. DC in top of ch. 2. (8 DC)

Row 3: Ch. 2. Turn. DC in next 5 st. DC2Together in last DC and top of ch. (7 DC)

Row 4: Ch. 2. Turn. DC in next 4 st. DC2Together in last DC and top of ch. (6 DC)

Row 5: Ch. 2. Turn. DC in next 3 st. DC2Together in last DC and top of ch. (5 DC)

Row 6: Ch. 2. Turn. DC in next 2 st. DC2Together in last DC and top of ch. (4 DC)

Row 7: Ch. 2, leave last ch on hook. DC2Together. Pull through all three loops on hook and fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Eyes (Make 2)

With white, Make Magic circle. Ch. 3, DC 11 in magic ring. St. st. to top of first Ch. 3. Fasten off leaving a long end for sewing on to face. Close Magic circle and weave in ends.

Cheeks (Make 2)

With pink, Make Magic circle. Ch. 2, HDC 11 in magic ring. St. st. to top of first Ch. 2. Fasten off leaving a long end for sewing on to face. Close Magic circle and weave in ends.

Assemble the face by sewing the white eyes and cheeks in place. You don’t need to worry about it being pretty on the back since no one will ever see it. For the eyes, I used safety eyes, but you can use whatever you have on hand–Buttons or embroidery.

To make the mouth Sl. St. along one row, or embroider with a needle.

To put your Mr. Sunshine Pillow together, you will want to place the front and back circles with the right side facing each other. Starting near the bottom, insert a ray between them with the long side on the outside of the pillow. SC through the front, ray, and back. Make sure to put 8 stitches in each ray. After 8 stitches, insert the next ray and continue around until you have one ray left. Fasten off pulling tight and secure. It should look like this:

Now carefully turn the pillow right side out. Stuff through the opening left by the last ray. Once you’ve reached the desired stuff-i-ness. Carefully pinch the last ray between the front and back in the gap and sew the gap together. I had to do it up and down instead of slip stitching (the ray is in the way). When you’re finished, pull any remaining ends through the pillow and trip.

You now have a happy Mr. Sunshine pillow that is sure to brighten anyone’s day!