Orange Fox Baby Swaddle Cocoon Free Crochet Pattern

I have been looking for the perfect newborn photo prop for ages, and this orange fox baby swaddle cocoon is hands down my favourite find. The cosy cocoon shape, the sweet fox hood, the pointed ears and that tapered tail with its fluffy cream tip turn a simple swaddle into the most adorable little woodland outfit for those first baby photos.

If you have a baby shower coming up, or you are a photographer building a prop collection, I think you will love this one. The whole cocoon is worked in single crochet, so the stitches themselves are straightforward. We start with a flat oval base, work up in continuous rounds to form the body, then make the hood as a flat panel, seam it and attach it. The ears and tail are small separate pieces we sew on at the end.

Single crochet gives us a dense, structured fabric that holds its shape beautifully and keeps baby snug and warm during a photo session. The project does have several components to join, so I would call it intermediate, and you will want to plan on roughly 12 to 18 hours. Let us walk through it together from start to finish.

Materials

• Approximately 700 yards of worsted weight (4) yarn in rust orange (Color A)
• Approximately 150 yards of worsted weight (4) yarn in cream or off white (Color B)
• Approximately 10 yards of worsted weight (4) yarn in black (Color C)
• US J-10 / 6.0mm crochet hook
• Tapestry needle, for seaming and embroidery
• At least 4 stitch markers
• Scissors
• Small amount of polyester fiberfill for the tail tip (optional)

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
• sc2tog: single crochet two together (decrease)
• sl st: slip stitch
• st/sts: stitch / stitches
• rnd: round
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• pm: place marker

Gauge & Size

• Finished size: cocoon body about 18 inches long and 18 inches around at the widest point, hood about 14 inches around, tail about 8 inches long
• Fits: newborns to 3 months, roughly 6 to 12 pounds
• Gauge: 14 sc and 16 rows = 4 inches, with a US J-10 / 6.0mm hook
• Construction: oval base worked in continuous rounds, cylindrical body, flat hood panel seamed and attached, ears and tail sewn on
• Skill level: Intermediate

Cocoon Body Pattern

The cocoon body is worked in continuous rounds, so we do not join or turn at the end of a round. Place a marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go. When you change colours, complete the last sc of the old colour up to the final yarn over, then pull through with the new colour for a clean change.

With Color A, chain 7.

Round 1: Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, work 1 sc in each of the next 5 ch, 3 sc in the last ch, rotate to work along the opposite side of the chain, 1 sc in each of the next 4 ch, 2 sc in the same ch as the first sc. Do not join. Pm in first st. (14 sc)

Round 2: Inc in first st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 4 sts, inc in last 2 sts. (20 sc)

Round 3: Inc in first st, sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next st, inc in next st, sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st, sc in last st. (28 sc)

Round 4: Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, (sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) 3 times, sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts, sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st. (32 sc)

Round 5: Inc in first st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts. (36 sc)

Round 6: Sc in first 2 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts. (40 sc)

Round 7: Sc in first 3 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 7 sts. (44 sc)

Round 8: Sc in first 4 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 8 sts. (48 sc)

Round 9: Sc in first 4 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 9 sts. (52 sc)

Round 10: Sc in each st around. (52 sc)

Round 11: Sc in first 5 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts. (56 sc)

Round 12: Sc in each st around. (56 sc)

Round 13: Sc in first 6 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 13 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 11 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 13 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 11 sts. (60 sc)

Round 14: Sc in each st around. (60 sc)

Round 15: Sc in first 6 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 14 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts. (64 sc)

Round 16: Sc in each st around. (64 sc)

Round 17: Sc in first 7 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 13 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts. (68 sc)

Round 18: Sc in each st around. (68 sc)

Round 19: Sc in first 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 15 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts. (72 sc)

Round 20: Sc in each st around. (72 sc)

Round 21: Sc in each st around. (72 sc)

Round 22: Sc in first 8 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 17 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 17 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 10 sts. (76 sc)

Round 23: Sc in each st around. (76 sc)

Round 24: Sc in each st around. (76 sc)

Round 25: Sc in each st around. (76 sc)

Round 26: Sc in first 9 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 18 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 18 sts, inc in next st, sc in next 12 sts. (80 sc)

Round 27: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 28: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 29: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 30: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

After Round 30, your base and lower body should measure about 7 to 8 inches from the bottom, and the opening should be about 22.5 inches around. Now we work the straight cylinder section.

Round 31: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 32: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 33: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 34: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 35: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 36: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 37: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 38: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 39: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 40: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 41: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 42: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 43: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 44: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 45: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 46: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 47: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 48: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 49: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 50: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 51: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 52: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 53: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 54: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 55: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 56: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 57: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 58: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 59: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

Round 60: Sc in each st around. (80 sc)

At the end of Round 60, sl st to join the final round, then fasten off and weave in the end. These straight rounds give the body about 7.5 inches of length.

Hood Pattern

The hood is a flat panel worked in rows, then seamed along the back. Using Color A, chain 51.

Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 10: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 11: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 12: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 13: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 14: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 15: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 16: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 17: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 18: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 19: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 20: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 21: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 22: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 23: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 24: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 25: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 26: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 27: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 28: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Now we add the cream face panel. The cream section widens by 2 stitches on each of the next rows.

Row 29 (RS): Ch 1, sc in first 12 sts with Color A, join Color B, sc in next 26 sts with Color B, join Color A, sc in last 12 sts with Color A. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 30: Ch 1, sc in first 11 sts with Color A, sc in next 28 sts with Color B, sc in last 11 sts with Color A. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 31: Ch 1, sc in first 10 sts with Color A, sc in next 30 sts with Color B, sc in last 10 sts with Color A. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 32: Ch 1, sc in first 9 sts with Color A, sc in next 32 sts with Color B, sc in last 9 sts with Color A. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 33: Ch 1, sc in first 8 sts with Color A, sc in next 34 sts with Color B, sc in last 8 sts with Color A. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 34: Ch 1, sc in first 8 sts with Color A, sc in next 34 sts with Color B, sc in last 8 sts with Color A. Turn. (50 sc)

Row 35: Ch 1, sc in first 8 sts with Color A, sc in next 34 sts with Color B, sc in last 8 sts with Color A. Turn. (50 sc)

Fasten off Color B and continue in Color A only.

Row 36: Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. (50 sc)

Fasten off. Fold the panel so the two short edges meet and seam them together with whipstitch or mattress stitch; this seam runs along the back of the head. With Color B, join yarn to any stitch along the face opening edge and work 1 round of sc evenly around the face opening, join with sl st to first sc, and fasten off. Attach the hood to the cocoon body with the back seam aligned to the back of the cocoon, whipstitching around the whole circumference.

Ears (Make 2)

Each ear has a black-tipped outer ear and a small cream inner ear. Using Color C (black), chain 2.

Round 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join; place marker. (6 sc)

Round 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) 6 times. (18 sc)

Fasten off Color C. Join Color A.

Round 4: Sc in each st around. (18 sc)

Round 5: Sc in each st around. (18 sc)

Round 6: Sc in each st around. (18 sc)

Sl st to join. Fasten off, leaving a 12 inch tail. Pinch the bottom flat and whipstitch the base closed.

For the inner ear, using Color B (cream), chain 2.

Round 1: Work 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (5 sc)

Round 2: Inc in each st around. (10 sc)

Round 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) 5 times. (15 sc)

Sl st to join. Fasten off. Whipstitch the inner ear to the front of the outer ear, then sew the finished ears to the top of the hood, about 2 inches from the center, tilting them slightly outward.

Tail Pattern

Using Color A, chain 2.

Round 1: Work 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Place marker. (8 sc)

Round 2: Inc in each st around. (16 sc)

Round 3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) 8 times. (24 sc)

Round 4: Sc in each st around. (24 sc)

Round 5: Sc in each st around. (24 sc)

Round 6: Sc in each st around. (24 sc)

Round 7: (Sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog) 4 times. (20 sc)

Round 8: Sc in each st around. (20 sc)

Round 9: Sc in each st around. (20 sc)

Round 10: Sc in each st around. (20 sc)

Round 11: (Sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog) 4 times. (16 sc)

Round 12: Sc in each st around. (16 sc)

Round 13: Sc in each st around. (16 sc)

Round 14: Sc in each st around. (16 sc)

Round 15: (Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) 4 times. (12 sc)

Round 16: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 17: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 18: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 19: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 20: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 21: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 22: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 23: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Round 24: Sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Switch to Color B (cream) for the fluffy tail tip.

Round 25: Inc in each st around. (24 sc)

Round 26: Sc in each st around. (24 sc)

Round 27: Sc in each st around. (24 sc)

Round 28: (Sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) 6 times. (18 sc)

Round 29: (Sc in next st, sc2tog) 6 times. (12 sc)

Round 30: Sc2tog 6 times. (6 sc)

Lightly stuff the cream tip with fiberfill. Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close. Sew the wide end of the tail to the lower right side of the cocoon so it curves naturally away from the body.

Facial Embroidery

Use Color C (black) and a tapestry needle for all the embroidery. For the nose, work a small triangle in the center of the cream face section with straight stitches: a horizontal stitch about 5 stitches wide, then two diagonal stitches meeting at a point below, filled in with extra straight stitches.

For the eyes, position one eye on each side of the nose, about 2 stitches above and 4 to 5 stitches out from the center. Work a horizontal straight stitch 3 stitches wide, then 2 vertical stitches over the center to make small filled ovals. Tiny straight stitches radiating from the outer upper corner make sweet little eyelashes.

Finishing & Assembly

Weave in all ends securely, burying them through at least 1 inch of stitches. To block, submerge the finished cocoon in cool water, gently squeeze out the water, reshape while damp and let it dry flat for 24 hours. Reinforce all seams by stitching back across them a second time.

One important note from me: this cocoon is designed for supervised photography sessions only. It is not intended for unsupervised infant sleep, so please always follow safe sleep guidelines.

For care, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle and lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry or iron directly. Store folded loosely to keep the shape.

Tips

Gauge really matters on this one because it is a fitted piece. Too loose and your cocoon will be floppy; too tight and it will not fit baby comfortably. Take the few minutes to swatch.

Choose smooth, baby-safe, machine washable yarn and avoid fuzzy or textured yarns, which would hide your embroidered face. A rust acrylic with clear stitch definition works beautifully here.

Need a bigger size? For a 3 to 6 month old, increase to 90 stitches before the cylinder section, work the cylinder for 35 rounds instead of 30, and add 2 rows to the hood panel. For a premature newborn, stop increasing at 60 to 64 stitches, work the cylinder for 25 rounds, and reduce the hood chain to 43.

To adjust the length only, add or subtract rounds from the cylinder section. Every 4 rounds equals approximately 1 inch.