I used this pattern as an _extremely_ rough guide for my shark. I really liked the shapes of this particular interpretation, but wasn’t so keen on either the patterning or the construction method, so I basically used the pattern just for the numbers.

My changes included:

• Making the two-toned pieces separately by working back and forth in one colour at a time, and sewing together
• Embroidering all of the white details (chain stitch for the lines, and colonial knots for the spots, either singly or in clumps of 3-5)
• Crocheting through both loops, not back only
• Making the white part of the eyes with a circle crocheted in fingering weight white yarn, plus a safety eye
• Completely different mouth - I don’t see how the one in the pattern even works, once stuffed…

I admit I did not enjoy this project at all. My hands aren’t conditioned to crochet these days and got sore quickly, the embroidery and sewing together was fiddly, I had to make several pieces multiple times to get them how I wanted, and the whole thing took many, many hours.

But in the end… it’s pretty cute, I must admit :)