Brain Slug Hair Pin

I’m a little proud of myself on this project because it is a Vanessa original. I was thinking ahead to what I want to do for my Halloween project. Last year I went all out and sewed up a dress so I could be a Science Officer from Star Trek; badge and communicator included. This year, I was feeling a little lazier, and I got the idea during one evening of re-watching Futurama: make a brain slug! If you’re unfamiliar, I suggest looking it up on YouTube. But I think they’re adorably funny even for those who don’t know what it is. And since this pattern is a Vanessa original, I’m going to give it to you here so you can make your own! If you need any help, let me know. And don’t forget to send me pictures! :)

Brain Slug pattern

Notes

• This project uses the ever-increasing circle [video tutorial link below], so no slip stitching needed unless I explicitly say to do so.

• When pattern says to repeat around, repeat all stitches listed between the two *’s.

• I used Loops & Thread Colorwheel yarn and a 3.5 mm hook to make the stitches fit more tightly together. If you’re just coming from the Crash Course, you can use your 5.5mm hook with a worsted weight or bulky yarn (e.g. Red Heart Comfort, Loops & Threads Impeccable, etc.). Your stitches may not fit as tightly together with the larger hook, so I would suggest a larger stuffing, like cut up t-shirt or socks.

• This pattern uses treble crochets (sorry, no video tutorial yet). Here’s the quick: similar to a double crochet, but wrap your hook TWICE. Insert into stitch and pull up a loop - 4 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through two loops (3 loops left on hook). Yarn over and pull through two loops (2 loops left on hook). Yarn over and pull through two loops (1 loop left on hook). You got this! :)

Main Body

Row 1: Start with a magic circle (See my YouTube tutorial). Do 6 single crochets (sc) into the circle. Cinch shut.

Row 2: 2 sc in each stitch around (Should have 12 sc at end of this round)

Row 3: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next stitch.* Repeat around. (18 sc at end)

Row 4: *2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in each of next 2 stitches.* Repeat around. (24 sc at end)

Rows 5-10: 1 sc in each stitch around - should have 24 sc in each round

Row 11: 2 sc in each stitch around (48 sc at end)

Row 12: *slip stitch (sl st), sc, double crochet (dc), treble crochet (see notes section), dc, sc, sl st*. Repeat around. Sl st to the first stitch. Your slug should have 8 little bumps going around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Bottom

Complete rows 1-4 from the main body section. You should have a circle that covers the bottom hole of the slug. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing on to the body.

Antennas

Make a slip knot and chain 5. Slip stitch in each chain through the back bump ONLY! Fasten off. Keep tails loose.

Going through just the back bumps on the chain makes the antennas look cleaner. You should end where you started, so the tails are hanging from the same end of the antenna.

Eyeball

I cut a little circle out of felt, and used a black safety eye for the pupil. You’re welcome to use whatever you have: a t-shirt, buttons, or crochet the eye (if you’re feeling ambitious). Experiment and have some fun!

Assembly

I started by fastening the eyeball pieces to main body. Using a safety eye really simplified this process for me. Depending on what you used, you may have to hand sew the eye the body. Take your time.

Next, the antennas. I eyeballed the positioning and used my crochet hook to pull the loose tails through the stitches into the inside of the body - don’t tie off yet until you get to the position you like. When happy with the placement, tie the two sets of tails together on the inside of the body, so the antennas can’t be pulled out.

Stuff the body! I used fiberfill since my stitches were tight together. If you can see the space between your stitches, I suggest using cut up socks or t-shirt to stuff your little slug.

Sew on the bottom. The bottom circle should fit comfortably in the bottom of your slug, just above Row 11. Sew around. You can add more stuffing as you go. Knot off and weave in the ends.

All done! Your brain slug is completed and assembled. You can now put a few bobby pins in the bottom so you can put him in your hair or even glue him to a headband. Either way you choose, he’ll be super cute. I hope you enjoyed making him as much as I did! :)