I was creating a pattern for Tails, and I made the head a bit oblong. When I got to the end, I instantly thought "Oh my gosh! This looks just like Cortex's head from Crash Bandicoot!!" And thus, this pattern was created in 6 hours thanks to ADHD hyperfixation😅
Materials:
WW (#4) yarn in yellow, white, brown, and dark blue
Size F (#5 or 3.75 mm) crochet hook
Embroidery thread in black
Yarn Needle
Polyester fiberfill (pillows work just as well!)
Scissors
Felt sheets in white, red, and black
Notes:
- Gauge isn't that important, so long as your stitches are tight and the stuffing won't show or fall out. You can use a different yarn and hook if so desired, just make sure you use a good combination that won't leave gappy holes.
- The (parentheses) at the end of each Rnd/Row indicate the number of stitches at the end of that Rnd/Row.
- I work in continuous rounds (aka spiral rounds), but if you prefer to join at the end of each round that's fine. I also decrease in front loops only because I've heard that it makes the decrease stitch less visible.
- If you don't know what a Magic Ring is don't panic! It's also called Magic Loop or Magic Circle. Here's an alternative: If the pattern says 6 sc in Magic Ring you can ch 2 and 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook and join stitches. I prefer working with a Magic Ring because you can pull it as tight as you want so that the stuffing won't show. Just use whatever you feel most comfortable using.
(US) Terminology Key
- ch = chain
- st = stitch
- SC = single crochet
- dec = decrease (2 sc together)
- inc = increase (2 sc in 1 st)
- MR = Magic Ring (see notes for instructions)
- around = repeat steps until you reach the last stitch of the round
- hdc = half double crochet
- hdc inc = two hdc in 1 stitch
- hdc dec = yarn over, pull yarn through 2 stitches (4 loops on hook), then yarn over and pull through all 4 loops
- dc = double crochet
- FLO = work in front loops only
- BLO = work in back loops only
- F/O = fasten off (cut yarn and pull end through stitch to close work)
1: 6 sc in MR (6)
2: inc in each st (12)
3: 1 sc, inc around (18)
4: 2 sc, inc around (24)
5: 3 sc, inc around (30)
6 - 10: sc in each around (30)
11: sc 3, dec around (24)
12 - 15: sc in each around (24)
16: 2 sc, dec (18)
17: 1 sc, dec (12)
18: dec in each (6)
19: 1 sc, dec (4)
F/O and weave in tail end.
Attach dark blue to Front loops of last round of yellow (4)
20: 2 dc in next 2 stitches (6) Ch 1, turn,
21: hdc inc in first st, hdc in 2 stitches, hdc inc in last stitch (10) Do not ch 1 or turn.
22: Sc in each stitch around (11)
F/O with tail for sewing.
Mouth (using white):
1: ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and remaining (5) ch 1, turn
2 - 3: sc in each across (5)
F/O white.
Attach yellow yarn to front loops of last row of white.
4: inc in first st, sc across, inc in last st (7) Ch1, turn
5: sc across (7)
F/O yellow.
Attach brown to bottom (starting) loops of yellow (where you connected to the white). This will begin his triangle-shaped beard.
6: sc across (5) Ch1, turn
7: dec, sc in 1, dec (3) Ch 1, turn
8: sc in 1, dec (2) Ch 1, turn
9: dec (1)
F/O. Weave brown end to other brown end and tie together to prevent unraveling.
Nose (using yellow):
1: 4 in MR (4)
2: inc in 2 st, sc in rest (6)
3: sc in each (6)
4: sc in 3, ch 1, turn, (3)
F/O and sew to slightly below the middle of the face. Can stuff if desired, but I simply used the MR tail as stuffing.
Sew mouth to head under nose. I sewed just the white part to the head, and then used the tail of the yellow chin to sew the base to the white teeth (so his jaw doesn't dislocate 😂).
Rest of beard/moustache (using brown):
Attach brown to right side of beard, ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next st, sc to yellow chin. Sc around mouth, see picture for idea of how to do that. When you reach the left side of the beard, sc in the top st of the beard, then ch 3, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next. F/O and weave in ends.
Eyebrows (make 2, using brown):
1: ch 8, dc in 2nd ch from hook and next st, hcd in next st, sl st in 3, leave last st unworked. F/O with long enough tail to sew. Sew bottom of eyebrows to top of eyes, leaving tops and edges of eyebrows free to blow in the wind~
Embroider the teeth outline with black embroidery thread if you haven't already.
Cut an 'N' out of dark grey felt and attach to forehead.
Sideburns (make 2, using brown):
1: 4 in MR (4)
2: sc in each around (4)
3: inc in each around (8)
4 - 5: sc in each around (8)
6: sc in 1, inc around (12)
7 - 8: sc in each around (12)
9: sc in 1, inc around (18)
F/O with long enough tail for sewing.
Before sewing sideburns to head, thread a strand of yellow yarn through Cortex's head, left to right, and pull really tight, then F/O and tie ends together. This will add divots to the sides of his head (see pictures for example). Sew sideburns over the divots you just created, stuffing as you go.
Top hair (using brown):
1: 4 in MR (4)
2 - 3: sc in each around (4)
F/O with tail for sewing. Sew to top of head. No need to stuff (too smol).
The head is complete! Now, onto the body~
Lab Coat/Body (using white):
1: ch 11, sc in 2nd ch from hook and remaining 9 stitches. Turn work and continue in back of foundation chain. Sc in 10 stitches. (20)
2 - 10: sc in each around (20)
11: dec in each around (10)
*Stuff now!*
12: dec around (5). This will be the bottom of the lab coat. F/O and weave in end.
Legs (make 2, using dark blue):
Attach blue to bottom of lab coat, making 4 stitches (4)
1 - 5: sc in each around (4)
6: ch 6, hdc in 2nd and next ch from hook, sc in remaining 3, sc in bottom of leg. You just made the beginning of the foot.
7: sc in 2 stitches of leg, sc in foot stitches to tip of foot. Sc in remaining foot stitches and back of leg stitches (12?)
8: sc in each around (12?)
9: dec in each (6?)
F/O. Stuff, weave in tail through last round and pull to close. Weave in end.
Arms (make 2, using yellow):
1: ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook, turn work and continue in back of foundation chain, sc in 3 (6)
2 - 6: sc in each around (6)
7: In FLO, sc 1, inc around (9)
8: sc in each around (9)
F/O yellow and weave in end. This creates the glove-effect. Feel free to peel this yellow part back while you work on the blue arm.
Join dark blue to back loops of round 7, skipping 2 stitches (4)
9 - 12: sc in each around (4)
F/O leaving long enough tail for sewing.
Sew arms to lab coat on "shoulders" (see picture for guidance).
Now it's time to get creative. You can either crochet individual pieces for the lab coat collar and sew them to the front, or you can do what I did and attach white yarn to one shoulder and work your way around the front of the lab coat.
Finally, use the blue tail on the neck/head to sew head to body. His head will be floppy unless you use wire to support it. I went with the floppy head because it reminded me of the PS1 days 😂
And you are done! Hope you enjoy your very own Dr. Neo Cortex!
Pattern is an original created by Gem (StrawbryGem) and copyrighted June 2025. Please do not sell this pattern or claim it as your own. Links to the original pattern would be greatly appreciated. You may create items with this pattern and sell them as long as credit is given where applicable.
Dr. Neo Cortex and Crash Bandicoot are not owned by Gem (StrawbryGem).
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