Lupus Wolf- a design with a purpose *free crochet pattern

Q: Why is your wolf purple?

A: I'm glad you asked! This is gonna take a bit of explaining...

I've been battling chronic migraines (4+ a week), hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's thyroiditis- autoimmune), fatigue and chronic pain for many years.
Over the past 8 years I noticed more than normal pain, exhaustion that is so severe it feels impossible to get out of bed, a red scaly rash on my cheeks, sudden onset arthritic symptoms/hypertension and more. Then the worsening would slack off and I was back to status quo.
I was a nurse before I was injured and I knew what it likely was, but come on, "it's never lupus". (House MD)
House was wrong and I was right. Sadly, I've been diagnosed with lupus.
I refreshed my knowledge of lupus and I've been trying to get this flare up to go back down since February.

My journey to diagnosis:

In November 2008 my neck was injured. I had some pretty bad pain that wouldn't go away and by July 2009 the pain was severe and debilitating add in chronic migraines and heat/sunlight intolerance...I thought I must have been dying. It has to be a disease it can't be injury, can it?  I may have been right.
I have battled chronic pain and migraines since that injury and migraine free days are like a treasure that I've been looking for, even if just a moment.
Fast forward:
I decided to start walking around a small lake near me and my best friend was amazing to encourage me and even walk with me ♡
The morning after I took our first afternoon walk I had trouble waking up. I was completely wiped out. I never sleep in because my pain worsens if I do. No way was I gonna stay in bed. My body protested as I forced myself out of bed. I took my son to school and had difficulty staying awake while on my way home. That scared me. I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, my cheeks were red and my heart sank.
I went to clinic and was treated poorly by the arnp who saw me. She talked to me like I was a small child with her voice hitched up an octave. She only saw a fat woman who said she is hurting and the exhaustion is just related to that. Unbeknownst to the arnp, I was prepared to be treated poorly and I brought my friend along. As the arnp went to leave the room telling me I'm fat, my friend spoke up.
"I think you need to check her for lupus!" She snapped as the arnp opened the door to leave.
"We can test for it if that's what you want. That would require lab work " the arnp replied as she walked out. As if I'm afraid of blood work...wtf?

Well, after that visit I was pretty angry to say the least. She didn't hear me. She based everything on my weight. Btw- yeah, I have SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) and I've stopped forcing my body to do what I want and I've started to listen to those warning signs of worsening...like the sun. (I literally live in "The Sunshine State" lol)

Make your healthcare provider listen to you. Bring up everything no matter how small, small things can be indicative of something much bigger. Don't let someone treat you like a child and dismiss your concerns - you know your body better than anyone else.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, it means you can't catch lupus but it also means that a person with lupus has their own body attacking itself.

Canis lupus = wolf

Lupus got it's name because patients presented with symptoms associated with being bit by a wolf (facial lesions).
+
Purple is the awareness ribbon color for Lupus.

= purple wolf. (I rambled to an answer!)

This little wolf is a symbol of my fight against lupus.
You can make your wolf any color you want to make it ♡ they work up quickly and make great gifts ♡

MAY IS LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH

* I wanted  in finish pattern sooner but I really wanted to release this May, Lupus Awareness Month

** if you would like to learn more about lupus or donate to help with lupus research visit lupus.org .

Materials:

* Size 4 yarn of your choice, I used Red Heart Super Saver yarns and a bit of white for the tail and black for nose and features.

* f hook

* Fiberfill

* 9mm safety eyes - you can use yarn or embroidery thread

* Tapestry needle for weaving in ends etc

* Scissors

* embroidery thread or yarn for features

* pipe cleaner  (chenille stick)- optional, folded and twisted to help neck stay upright

Abbreviations:

Mr: magic ring

Ch: chain

Sl st: slip stitch

Sc: single crochet

Hdc: half double crochet

Dc: double crochet

Sc2tog: decrease with sc

Sc3tog: decrease by 2 sts with sc

Dc2tog: decrease with dc

Blo: back loop only

F.o.: fasten/finish off

Mirror: mirror crochet follow link for video tutorial by Sad Days Crochet (optional)

Notes

All terms American.   If pattern reads "sc, sc2tog, 2sc" it would be read as, " single crochet, single crochet 2 stitches together, 2 single crochet in the next stitch", directions are to be repeated to end of row/round unless otherwise noted.  As with any pattern, be sure to read through once before beginning, and don't forget to mark your rounds! (I use a bit of contrasting yarn) This is an original design by me, Anna Wilson 2017.

You may do whatever you like with your completed Lupus Wolf, you can brave the dark together, donate them, sell them, fundraise with them or even give them as a gift!  I only ask that you please not claim this pattern as your own, I worked hard to design my Lupus Wolf :)

Begin: 

Arms: x2 using main color

1: mr6 (6)

2: 2sc (12)

3-6: sc (12)

7: sc2, sc2tog (9)

8-14: sc (9) stuff hand lightly

15: flatten top of arm and crochet through 2 sts across (front and back), closing arm opening (4) f.o.

Tail: begin with white

1: mr4 (4)

2: sc, 2sc (6)

3: sc2, 2sc (8)

4: sc3, 2sc (10)

5: sc4, 2sc (12)

6: sc (12)

7: sc4, sc2tog (10) change to main color in last st

8-10: sc (10)

11: sc3, sc2tog (8)

12: sc (8)

13: sc, sc2tog (6)

14-18: sc (6) stuff tail end , not full length of tail

19: flatten tail and sc through 2sts (front and back) across (3) f.o.

Tail, arms and foot 1

Body: begin with feet

Foot: you will complete 1 and f.o., you will not f.o. 2nd foot because it leads to the body.

Ch5

1: in 2nd ch from hook sc, sc2, 3sc, turn to work along opposite side of ch- sc2, 2sc in last st (10) do not join-work in rnds

2: sc4, 3sc, sc4, 3sc (14)

3: sc4, 2hdc, 3dc, 2hdc, sc5, 2hdc, sc (21)

4: sc6, dc2tog, beginning in last st dc2tog, sc10 (18)

5: sc6, sc3tog, sc9 (16)

6: sc3, sc2tog x3, sc7 (13)

7: sc4, sc2tog, sc7 (12)

8-11: sc (12)

12: 2sc, sc11 (13)

13: sc (13)

14: 2sc, sc12 (14)

15: sc (14) f.o. leg 1 only

16: sc in 7th St from rnd marker in foot one, sc around leg 1, sc in 1st sk st of leg 2, sc to beginning. *if this doesn't seem right, find inner leg center st

17: sc, 2sc (42)

18-20: sc (42)

21: mark center back 3 sts for tail placement, sc to marked sts then sc through tail and body, sc to beginning (42) Tail locked in

22: sc19, sc2tog (40)

23: sc8, sc2tog (36)

24: sc (36)

25: sc7, sc2tog (32)

26-28: sc (32)

29: sc6, sc2tog (28)

30: sc (28)

31: sc5, sc2tog (24) stuff your wolf, I stuff lightly through legs and body, a little more to feet.

32: sc to middle of back and begin new rnd marker here, Mark off 4 sts on either side for arm placement (8 sc between arms) , sc to marked sts then through arm & body, sc to next marked sts then through arm and body, sc to beg marker (24) arms locked in

33: sc4, sc2tog (20)

34: sc3, sc2tog (16)

35: sc (16)

36: sc, 2sc (24)

37: sc2, 2sc (32)

38: sc7, 2sc (36)

39: sc (36) flatten work and mark center side sts over arms.

40: *sc to marked st (carry marker to 2nd st in next 3sc) 3sc* x2 sc to beg (40)

41: repeat 40 (44)

42: same as 40 but mark 1st of 3sc and carry marker (48)

43-45: sc (48) continue to carry side markers

46: sc to st before marker, *sc - mark this st, sc, sc3tog, sc to st before marker* x2 sc to beg (44)

47: *sc to marker (st before sc3tog) sc3tog* sc to beg (40)

48: sc (40) place safety eyes in desired location, mine are between rnd 46/47 7 sts apart, stuff neck a little firmer than body, if using pipe cleaner insert now

49: sc8, sc2tog (36)

50: sc (36)

51: sc4, sc2og (30) 

52: sc3, sc2tog (24) begin stuffing head a little firm like the neck and continue to stuff as you progress.

53: sc2, sc2tog (18)

54: sc, sc2tog (12)

55: sc2tog (6) f.o.

Muzzle: with main color

1: ch7, starting in 2nd ch- sc5, 3sc (turn to work up other side of ch), sc4, 2sc (14) do not join, continue working in continuous rnds

2: sc6, 3sc, sc6, 3sc (18)

3-4: sc (18)

5: sc7, sc2tog (16)

6: sc6,  sc2tog (14)

7: sc  (14) f.o. leave a long tail for attaching to head

Ears: make 2 ahead when beginning 2nd half leave a long tail for attaching to head

1: ch7, sc in 2nd ch and across (6) ch1 turn at end each row unless otherwise stated

2: mirror- sc (6)

3: sk 1st st, sc3, sk 1 st sc (4)

4: mirror- sc (4)

5: sk 1st st, sc, sk 1 st, sc (2)

6: mirror- sk 1st st, sc in last st

7: sc, ch 1 (1) f.o. 1st 2 ear pieces, on 3rd & 4th pieces continue

8: sc through one ear halves to the other around with *sc, ch1, sc* in each corner.

Eyebrows: x2 any color you like

Ch5, f.o. with a long tail

Finishing:

Place ears on head, I use straight pins to decide location before sewing in place. I used pieces of slightly darker purple yarn for ear tufts, I then separated the yarn to make it fluffier.

Line up your muzzle and pin to face, I stuff the muzzle firmly but not hard. After it has been sewn to head embroider your wolf nose and muzzle, you can shape the muzzle a bit by tightening  mouth lines. I also use a bit of white yarn to create 2 small pointed teeth. 

Use a bit of black yarn on paws to create toes, tightening here can give more shape to the paws.  (I used a fingering wt yarn but you can use Ww or use 2 ply of Ww yarn)

Eyebrows, pin your ch in desired location and sew over the chain, this gives brows a ridge.

Weave in all the ends and enjoy your wolf!