How to Crochet a Stacking Ring Toy | Part 2 (Free Pattern)

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The stacking ring toy is a classic toy. To crochet one is not as hard as you may think. It consists of a series of different-sized rings and a base.

I’ve divided this pattern into two different parts.  In the previous post, I made the rings. You can read about that here. I was asked to make 8 stacking ring toys to be given away as a wedding party favour for some young guests so I came up with this pattern.

EDITED ADD:  I just added an inexpensive, easy-to-read PDF version of this complete pattern in My Shop, my Etsy store (found here) and on Ravelry (found here).

Now that the rings are done, you need to crochet the stand that the rings sit on.

There are 2 parts to the ring stand – the pole and the square base plate. The pole and the top of the base plate are made in 1 piece.  The bottom or underside of the base plate is made as a second piece and then sewn to the first piece.

This is all worked in the round – even the square base. I used a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round.

For the Stacking Ring Toys I made, I used a 4mm hook (just like the rings) and Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn in Aqua.

Ring Stand Pattern – Part 1:  Pole and Square Base Plate

Make 10 sc’s in a magic circle (10)

Round 1 – 2sc in each stitch (20)

Round 2 – sc in back loops (20)

Rounds 3 & onwards – sc in each stitch (20). Continue until the desired height is reached. Stack your 5 rings and use that as a gauge for height. You’ll want it at least the height of the 5 stacked rings. Keep in mind that you can stretch it a bit.

A third of the way, or halfway start stuffing as it makes it easier than to wait until the very end.

When you’ve reached the desired height, finish stuffing.

To make a square, you are going to crochet around & do 3sc (all in one stitch) to form the corners.

Base Round A:  (once you have reached the desired height) 2sc in each stitch (40).

Base Round B:  sc 9, 3sc, sc 9, 3sc, sc 9, 3sc, sc 9, 3sc (48)

Base Round C:  sc 11, 3sc (this should be in the centre of the 3sc of the previous round), sc 11, 3sc, sc 11, 3sc, sc11, 3sc (56)

Base Round D:  sc 13, 3sc (again, this should be in the centre of the 3sc of the previous round), sc 13, 3sc, sc 13, 3sc, sc 13, 3sc (64)

Base Round E:  sc 15, 3sc, sc 15, 3 sc, sc 15, 3sc, sc15, 3sc (72)

Base Round F:  sc 17, 3sc, sc17, 3sc, sc 17, 3sc, sc 17, 3sc (80). Sl st to the first stitch of the round. Cut yarn.

NOTE:  if you would like a bigger base (a larger square), simply keep following the pattern, until you’ve reached the size you want. Just remember to always do 3sc’s in the corners.

Ring Stand Pattern – Part 2:  Bottom Plate

This is simply a square that is sewn to the bottom of the base to cover up and hold the stuffing in. It also makes the base a little thicker, adding a bit more stability.  This is made in rows – going back and forth.

Row 1 – FSC 20 or chain 21 & sc starting in the 2nd chain from the hook and across – for a total of 20 sc’s. Ch 1, turn

Rows 2-19 – sc across (20), ch 1, turn.

Row 20 – sc across (20).

Do not cut yarn. Turn the ring stand upside down and layer this bottom plate on top to hold the stuffing in. Sc the 2 pieces together. I did 3 sc’s in the corners. After your last stitch, sl st into the first stitch and cut the yarn. Weave in the end.

I did not stuff the bottom plate – I thought it looked fine being flat. Because it is 2 layers, it adds a bit of thickness and stability to the base. If you wish to put a bit of stuffing in it, just add it in before you’ve completely closed it up.

Optional Additions to the Ring Stand for Your Stacking Ring Toy

While the ring stand is complete and functional as above, you may wish to consider decorating it.  In some circumstances, the ring stand may not look appropriate to some people. Children will see it as a toy, but some adults may see it as something else and this may not be what you are going for. In order to make it look more like a child’s toy, simple additions can be made.

For mine, I simply used surface crochet to add a spiralled stripe around the pole section. You can use small stitches for a finer look or make them a little longer. Surface crochet is a quick and easy way to add stripes.  Here is a video tutorial I made on surface crochet.

The top of the pole should be flat. You can add a little something to the top to decorate it as well.  Since I was making so many and the recipients were both boys and girls, I wanted something gender-neutral, so I made a star.  The star pattern I used was from Maggie’s Crochet and can be found here.

I found that these simple additions helped make this Stacking Ring toy look like a child’s toy.

As these are wedding favours, I packaged them up in clear bags and made tags using my Cricut.  I also included care tags so that the recipients would know how to wash them. I made my own care tags using my Cricut, but I also have a label that I designed to be printed on Avery address labels. You can find that post here.

They looked so nice and I hope that all the recipients liked them. This is a thoughtful gift from the bride and groom to help keep their littlest guests occupied during the evening.

This pattern is an original pattern by West Coast Mom, of Too Much Love.  Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.

You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to me, West Coast Mom, of Too Much Love, and provide a link to my blog www.toomuchlove.ca    Permission is NOT granted for mass production or factory manufacturing of any kind.  Thank you for being respectful and for your understanding.

Want to remember how to crochet this stacking ring toy? Be sure to save it to your favourite Pinterest board.