A lifeguard tower is such a landmark on the beach, still you can’t find it everywhere.
With this playhouse summer vibes are guaranteed! This pattern is written in UK English.
This pattern is also available in paid pdf format with detailed pictures and both in UK and US terminology on Etsy and Ravelry.
MATERIALS
● Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush, 100% cotton, 50g/280m/306yds:
Yarn A: Candle Light 101 x 1 ball
Yarn B: Blue Bird 247 x 1 ball
Yarn C: Linen 505 x 1 ball
Yarn D: Moon Rock 254 x 1 ball
● Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat, 100% cotton, 25g/140m/153yds:
Yarn E: Bridal White 105 x 1 ball,
*Yarn F: Black 110 x 1 ball
Yarn G: Gold 154 x 1 ball
Yarn H: Red 722 x 1 ball
Yarn I: Antique Rose 776 x 1 ball
Yarn J: Tangerine 281 x 1 ball
Yarn K: Deep Violet 521 x 1 ball
Yarn L: Electric Blue 201 x 1 ball
Yarn M: Apple Green 389 x 1 ball
● 1.25mm hook
● Cardboard, 1.3mm thick
● embroidery needle
● Small amount of toy filling
● iron wire, 4mm thick
*Note: Yarn colours starting from F can be substituted by any other colour leftover yarn you have. Only small amounts are needed.
TENSION
Work 48dc and 46 rows to measure 10.5 x 9cm or 4.1 x 3.5in using 1.25mm hook, or size required to obtain tension.
MEASUREMENTS
The lifeguard tower without gangway measures approximately 13 x 12.5 x 22.5cm/ 5.1 x 4.9 x 8.9in (LxWXH)
PATTERN NOTES
Use stitch marker to mark beginning of rnds.
Unless stated otherwise, work into both loops of stitch.
Pieces in the round are worked in a continuous spiral.
Pieces in rows are worked from second ch from hook.
Change colour on last pull through of last stitch in previous colour.
Prepare cardboard and cut out on the lines:
The template shown here is to scale. Other rectangular and square cardboard parts sizes are described in the pattern as you go.
PATTERN
Back
With yarn A, 49ch.
With yarn A, 49ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 48dc.
Rows 2-46: 1ch, 48dc, turn.
After Row 46 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 47: 1ch, 46dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 48dc, 1dc in next corner, 46dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 48dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 192dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 47 in yarn B, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 9×10,5cm / 3.5×4.1in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Platform
With yarn A, 60ch.
Row 1: (RS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 59dc.
Rows 2-61: 1ch, 59dc, turn.
After Row 61 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 62: 1ch, 61dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 59dc, 1dc in next corner, 61dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 59dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 240dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 62 in yarn C, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 12x13cm / 4.7×5.1in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Roof
Work as for Platform in yarn B Rows 1-Round 62.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 62 in yarn C, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 12x13cm / 4.7×5.1in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Roof Boards
Make seven
With yarn D, 60ch.
Row 1: (RS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 59dc.
Rows 2-4: 1ch, 59dc, turn.
After Row 4 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 5: 1ch, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 59dc, 1dc in next corner, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 59dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 130dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 5, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 1x13cm / 0.4×5.1in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Arrange roof boards on roof and sew to secure in place.
Side
Make two
With yarn A, 49ch.
Row 1: 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 48dc.
Rows 2-5: 1ch, 48dc, turn.
Row 6: 1ch, 2dc in next st, 47dc, turn – 49dc.
Rows 7-12: 1ch, 49dc, turn.
Row 13: 1ch, 25dc, skip next 15sts, pm next st, leave rem sts unworked, turn – 25dc.
Rows 14-45: 1ch, 25dc, turn.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Join yarn at marker with slst.
Row 13: 1dc in same st and in each of next 7sts, 2dc in last st, turn – 10dc.
Rows 14-19: 1ch, 10dc, turn.
Row 20: 1ch, 2dc in next st, 9dc, turn – 11dc.
Rows 21-26: 1ch, 11dc, turn.
Row 27: 1ch, 10dc, 2dc in last st, turn – 12dc.
Rows 28-33: 1ch, 12dc, turn.
Row 34: 1ch, 2dc in next st, 11dc, turn – 13dc.
Rows 35-40: 1ch, 13dc, turn.
Row 41: 1ch, 12dc, 2dc in last st, turn – 14dc.
Rows 42-45: 1ch, 14dc, turn.
Row 46: 1ch, 14dc, 15ch, 25dc, turn – 54sts.
Row 47: 1ch, 54dc, turn – 54dc.
Row 48: 1ch, 2dc in next st, 53dc, turn – 55dc.
Row 49: 1ch, 55dc.
After Row 49 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Round 50: 1ch, 49dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 48dc, 1dc in next corner, 49dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 55dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 205dc.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 50 in yarn B, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of cardboard figure I while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Please note that for the left side, Row 1 in yarn A is WS, and Row 1 in yarn B is RS.
For the right side Row 1 in yarn A is RS, and Row 1 in yarn B is WS.
Front
With yarn A, 56ch.
Row 1: 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 55dc.
Rows 2-12: 1ch, 55dc, turn.
Row 13: 1ch, 14dc, leave rem sts unworked, turn – 14dc.
Rows 14-33: 1ch, 14dc, turn.
Row 34: 1ch, 14dc, 42ch, turn.
Row 35: 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 55dc.
Rows 36-46: 1ch, 55dc, turn.
After Row 46 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Round 47: 1ch, 49dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 48dc, 1dc in next corner, 49dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 55dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 205dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 47 in yarn B, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece cardboard Figure II while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
With yarn E, 16ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 15dc.
Rows 2-22: 1ch, 15dc, turn.
Row 23: 1ch, 3dc, skip next 9sts, pm next st, leave rem sts unworked, turn – 3dc.
Rows 24-37: 1ch, 3dc, turn.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Join yarn at marker with slst.
Row 23: 1dc in same st and in each of next 2sts, turn – 3dc.
Rows 24-37: 1ch, 3dc, turn.
Row 38: 1ch, 3dc, 9ch, 3dc, turn – 15sts.
Rows 39 & 40: 1ch, 15dc, turn.
After Row 40 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Round 41: 1ch, 40dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 15dc, 1dc in next corner, 40dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 15dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 114dc.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 41, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of cardboard figure II (cut out 2×3.5cm0.8×1.4in window) while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Door
With yarn E, 16ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 15dc.
Rows 2-22: 1ch, 15dc, turn.
Row 23: 1ch, 3dc, skip next 9sts, pm next st, leave rem sts unworked, turn – 3dc.
Rows 24-37: 1ch, 3dc, turn.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Join yarn at marker with slst.
Row 23: 1dc in same st and in each of next 2sts, turn – 3dc.
Rows 24-37: 1ch, 3dc, turn.
Row 38: 1ch, 3dc, 9ch, 3dc, turn – 15sts.
Rows 39 & 40: 1ch, 15dc, turn.
After Row 40 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Round 41: 1ch, 40dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 15dc, 1dc in next corner, 40dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 15dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 114dc.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 41, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of cardboard figure II (cut out 2×3.5cm0.8×1.4in window) while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Shutter
Make two
With yarn E, 29ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 28dc.
Rows 2-14: 1ch, 28dc, turn.
After Row 14 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Round 15: 1ch, 14dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 28dc, 1dc in next corner, 14dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 28dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 88dc.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 15, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 6.5x3cm cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
ASSEMBLY
Sew or sl st parts together by starting Sides to Back, followed by Front. Then join roof, taking pictures as guide.
Join piece to Platform and lastly add the shutter and door.
WOOD STRUCTURE
Long Side
Make four
With yarn D, 55ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 54dc.
Rows 2-4: 1ch, 54dc, turn.
After Row 4 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 5: 1ch, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 54dc, 1dc in next corner, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 54dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 120dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 5 in yarn C, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 1x12cm / 0.4×5.1in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Use two pieces to support Legs.
Short Side
Make four
With yarn D, 50ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 49dc.
Rows 2-4: 1ch, 49dc, turn.
After Row 4 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 5: 1ch, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 49dc, 1dc in next corner, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 49dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 110dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 5 in yarn C, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 1x11cm / 0.4×4.3in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Use two pieces to support Legs:
Make eight
With yarn D, 32ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 31dc.
Rows 2-4: 1ch, 31dc, turn.
After Row 4 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 5: 1ch, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 31dc, 1dc in next corner, 4dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 31dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 74dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 5 in yarn C, place both pieces together WS facing each other dc around to close.
Insert one piece of 1x7cm / 0.4×2.8in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
With two pieces slst together on the long side to make one leg and sew to each corner.
FENCE/HANDRAIL
Make two
With yarn D, 58ch.
Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 57dc.
Rows 2 & 3: 1ch, 57dc, turn.
Fold piece in half lengthways and insert 13cm wire.
Row 4: 1ch, 1slst in each st across, working through both sts of Rows 3 & 1 to join piece tog – 57slsts.
Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing, taking picture as guide.
Make seven
With yarn D, 23ch.
Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 22dc.
Rows 2 & 3: 1ch, 22dc, turn.
Fold piece in half lengthways and insert 5cm wire.
Row 4: 1ch, 1slst in each st across, working through both sts of Rows 3 & 1 to join piece tog – 22slsts.
Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing, taking picture as guide.
Make six
With yarn D, 9ch.
Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 8dc.
Rows 2 & 3: 1ch, 8dc, turn.
Fold piece in half lengthways and insert 2cm wire.
Row 4: 1ch, 1slst in each st across, working through both sts of Rows 3 & 1 to join piece tog – 8slsts.
Fasten off, leaving tail for sewing, taking picture as guide.
GANGWAY
With yarn B, 19ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 18dc.
Rows 2-60: 1ch, 18dc, turn.
After Row 60 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 61: 1ch, 60dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 18dc, 1dc in next corner, 60dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 18dc, 1dc in first ch of rnd – 160dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 61 in yarn A, place both pieces together WS facing each other slst around to close.
Insert one piece of 12.5×4.5cm / 4.9×1.8in cardboard while you work. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Antislip
Make five
With yarn D, 22ch.
Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 21dc.
Rows 2 & 3: 1ch, 21dc, turn.
Fold piece in half lengthways.
Row 4: 1ch, 1dc in each st across, working through both sts of Rows 3 & 1 to join piece tog – 21dc.
Fasten off, leaving tail to sew to gangway, taking picture as guide.
BINOCULAR
With yarn F, 14ch.
Rnd 1: Starting in first ch, dc around – 14dc.
Rnds 2-5: Dc around.
Fasten off, leaving tail to sew a line in the centre to create to cilinders.
CRAB
Body
With yarn G, make an adjustable ring.
Rnd 1: 6dc in ring – 6dc.
Rnd 2: 2dc in each st around – 12dc.
Rnd 3: [2dc in next st, 1dc] around – 18dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Rnds 1-3 with yarn H, but do not fasten off.
Place on top of piece in yarn G and dc together in both lps of piece in yarn H and in flo of piece in yarn G.
Legs
With yarn H, join yarn to any free lp of piece in yarn G with a slst.
Row 1: 4ch, 1slst in second ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch – 3slst
Fasten off and weave in end.
Join yarn in next free lp, rep Row 1.
Rep. another time.
Skip next 6 lps, rep three more times.
With yarn E stitch eyes, taking pictures as guide.
SHELL
With yarn I, 13ch.
Row 1: 2dc in second ch from hook and in each of next 7ch, 2htr in next 2 ch, 2tr in last 2ch, turn – 20sts.
Change to yarn C.
Row 2: 1ch, 20slst – 20slsts.
Fasten off, leaving tail to roll up piece and stitch to keep form in place.
BUCKET
With yarn I, make an adjustable ring.
Rnd 1: 6dc in ring – 6dc.
Rnd 2: 2dc in each st around – 12dc.
Rnd 3: Dc blo around.
Rnd 4: Dc around.
Rnd 5: [2dc in next st, 1dc] around – 18dc.
Rnds 6-8: Dc around
Rnd 9: [2dc in next st, 8dc] twice – 20dc.
Rnd 10: Dc around.
Rnd 11: [2dc flo in next st, 4dc flo] around – 24dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
With yarn G, join to any free lp of Bucket Rnd 11 with slst.
Row 12: 12ch, skip next 9 free lps, slst in next free lp, turn.
Row 13: 1ch, work in ch of Row 12, 12dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
LIFESAVER, BAYWATCH STYLE
With yarn H, 6ch.
Row 1: (RS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 5dc.
Rows 2-10: 1ch, 5dc, turn.
Row 11: 1ch, dc2tog, 1dc, dc2tog, turn – 3dc.
Row 12: 1ch, 3dc, turn.
Row 13: 1ch, dc3tog – 1dc.
After Row 13 do not turn. Dc around as folls:
Rnd 14: 13dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, 5dc, 1dc in next corner, 13dc on each row end, 1dc on corner, slst in first dc of rnd – 34dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Row 1 – Rnd 14, place both pieces together WS facing each other. Fill with fiber filling.
Rnd 15: slst around.
Rnd 16: 4dc, 8ch, skip next 9sts, 1dc in corner, 6ch, skip next 5sts, 1dc in corner, 8ch, skip next 9sts, 5dc.
Rnd 17: 4slsts, 10dc in 8ch-sp, 1dc, 7dc in 6ch-sp, 1dc, 10dc in 8ch-sp, 5slst.
Fasten off and weave in end.
LIFESAVER, CLASSIC
With yarn E, 40ch.
Rnd 1: 1dc in first ch and in each ch around – 40dc.
Rnd 2: (2dc in next st, 9dc) around – 44dc.
Rnd 3: (2dc in next st, 10dc) around – 48dc.
Rnd 4: (2dc in next st, 11dc) around – 52dc.
Rnds 5&6: Dc around.
Rnd 7: (dc2tog, 11dc) around – 48dc.
Rnd 8: (dc2tog, 10dc) around – 44dc.
Rnd 9: (dc2tog, 9dc) around – 40dc.
Fold piece in half lengthways.
Fill with fiber filling as you work.
Rnd 10: 1slst in each st across, working through both sts of Rows 9 & 1 to join piece tog – 40slst.
Fasten off and weave in end.
With yarn H, 5ch.
Row 1: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 4dc.
Rows 2-14: 1ch, 4dc, turn.
Wrap piece around white piece.
Row 15: 1slst in each st across, working through both sts of Rows 14 & 1 to join piece tog – 4slst.
*Ch15.
Row 16: (WS) 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 4dc.
Rows 17-30: 1ch, 4dc, turn. (Total 15 rows)
Wrap piece around white piece.
Row 31: 1slst in each st across, working through both sts of Rows 30 & 16 to join piece tog – 4slst.
Rep from * two more times.
Fasten off and weave in end.
SURFBOARD
With yarn J, 27ch.
Rnd 1: 1dc from second ch from hook and in each of next 24ch, 2dc in next st, continue on other side of ch, 25dc, 2dc in next st – 54dc.
Rnd 2: 26dc, 3dc in next st, 26dc, 3dc in next st – 58dc.
Rnd 3: 27dc, 3dc in next st, 28dc, 3dc in next st – 62dc.
Rnd 4: 28dc, 3dc in next st, 30dc, 3dc in next st – 66dc.
Rnd 5: 29dc, 3dc in next st, 32dc, 3dc in next st – 70dc.
Rnd 6: 30dc, 2dc in next st, 1dc, 2dc in next st, 33dc, 3dc in next st, omit last 3sts – 71dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
Make another the same Rnds 1 – 6, place both pieces together WS facing each other. Insert 2x7cm/0.8×2.8in cardboard (corners cut into point). Fill with fiber filling.
Rnd 7: 34dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc, 2dc in next st, 34dc, 3dc in next st, 1dc, omit last 3sts – 79dc.
Fasten off and weave in end.
TOWEL
With yarn K, 11ch.
Row 1: 1dc from second ch from hook and in each ch to end, turn – 10dc.
Rows 2-5: 1ch, 10dc, turn.
Change to yarn L.
Rows 6-10: Rep rows 1-5.
Change to yarn M.
Rows 6-10: Rep rows 1-5.
Change to yarn A.
Rows 6-10: Rep rows 1-5.
Change to yarn J.
Rows 6-10: Rep rows 1-5.
Change to yarn H.
Rows 6-10: Rep rows 1-5.
Fasten off and weave in ends.