Tuesday 25 August 2015

Happy Mr Sunflower


Aww, look at this little chap.
Happy fella, isn't he?

I was inspired by the fairly miserable weather we've been having here in Sussex recently and wanted my own sunny friend indoors.

Fancy making one?
Good-o.

(Oh, and a quick apology about the photos. They were all taken against a white background, but the light has made some of them blue. I've tried to fix it using filters etc, but to no avail. I give up. Modern technology has defeated me, so blue photos it must be - sorry about that.)

Here's what to do. The pattern is written in UK terms first.Scroll down for US Pattern.

Mr Sunflower
UK Pattern




Abbreviations:
Chain = ch
Stitches = sts
Slip stitch = sl st 
Double crochet = dc
Half Treble = htr 
Treble crochet = tr
Double Treble crochet = dtr
Wrong Side = WS
Back Loops Only = BLO

You will need:
Any brown, yellow and green yarn and hook. I used oddments of Rico Creative Cotton Aran and a 4mm hook.
Toy stuffing
6mm eyes
Black embroidery thread
An old wooden 4mm knitting needle/ pencil or other pointy, solid object (I'll explain in a bit)
Spray Starch (if you want to stop the petals and leaves from flopping)

Face pattern Make 2 in brown.
(Worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to identify the first stitch of the round)
1. 5dc in magic ring or ch2, make 5dc into 2nd ch from hook. (5sts)
2. 2dc in each st around (10)
3. 2dc in each st around (20)
4. (3dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (25)
5. (4dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (30)
6. (5dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (35)
7. (6dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (40)
8. (7dc, 2dc in next st) repeat around (45)

Fasten off
Add eyes between rounds 5-6, 3sts apart.
Stitch mouth.

With WS together, and using yellow yarn, dc the edges closed. Stuff before closing completely. Do not cut yarn - you'll attach the petals with this in a bit.

Petals make 9 in yellow
Work along both sides of the chain (see photos)

Chain 10 
1. (make one st in each ch) >Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 2dc, 2htr, 4tr, ch3, turn, sl st in 1st unused loop on other side of ch, ch2, 1tr in same st, 3tr, 2htr, 2dc, 1sl st, ch2, join with sl st to 1st sl st of row.
Turn your work and make the slip stitch into this unused loop of the other side of the chain
After making a chain of 2, the first htr is made in the same stitch

Block petals using spray starch (if wanted) and allow to dry before continuing.
To join petals to head, use length of yellow yarn from closing head. Ch1 and turn so that the back of the head is facing you. Hold petal with WS facing and sl st across the BLO of the 5 ch stitches from the petal to 5 sts (also BLO) of the sunflower head.
See what I mean about the blue? Why, oh why???

Stem
In Green, work in the round.
1. 5dc in magic ring or ch2, make 5dc into 2nd ch from hook.
2 - ? 1dc in each st around.
Repeat as many times until desired length is reached. Leave long tail at end for stitching to the head.

Leaves
In Green, make 2
Work along both sides of the chain
Leave long tail at the beginning for sewing to the stem.

Chain 13
1. (make one st in each ch) Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 2dc, 2htr, 2tr, 1dtr, 2tr, 2htr, ch2, turn, sl st in 1st unused loop on other side of ch, ch2, 1htr in same st, 1htr, 2tr, 1dtr, 2tr, 2htr, 2dc, 1sl st, fasten off.

Block leaves using spray starch (if wanted) and allow to dry before continuing.
Use long tail from beginning to stitch to stem.

Now for the 4mm needle*. Break off the end (carefully) and make it safe by wrapping tape around the end. Insert the blunt end into the stem and leave the long pointy end sticking out of the top. Push the pointy end into the head and stitch the stem in place.

* obviously this isn't suitable for a child's toy. 



And that's it. Your very own sunshine to brighten up your days!




Enjoy making,
Sarah xx


Mr Sunflower
US Pattern




Abbreviations:
Chain = ch
Stitches = sts
Slip stitch = sl st 
Single crochet = sc
Double crochet = dc 
Half Double = hdc 
Treble crochet = tr
Wrong Side = WS
Back Loops Only = BLO

You will need:
Any brown, yellow and green yarn and hook. I used oddments of Rico Creative Cotton Aran and a 4mm hook.
Toy stuffing
6mm eyes
Black embroidery thread
An old wooden 4mm knitting needle/ pencil or other pointy, solid object (I'll explain in a bit)
Spray Starch (if you want to stop the petals and leaves from flopping)

Face pattern Make 2 in brown.
(Worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to identify the first stitch of the round)
1. 5sc in magic ring or ch2, make 5sc into 2nd ch from hook. (5sts)
2. 2sc in each st around (10)
3. 2sc in each st around (20)
4. (3sc, 2sc in next st) repeat around (25)
5. (4sc, 2sc in next st) repeat around (30)
6. (5sc, 2sc in next st) repeat around (35)
7. (6sc, 2sc in next st) repeat around (40)
8. (7sc, 2sc in next st) repeat around (45)

Fasten off
Add eyes between rounds 5-6, 3sts apart.
Stitch mouth.

With WS together, and using yellow yarn, sc the edges closed. Stuff before closing completely. Do not cut yarn - you'll attach the petals with this in a bit.

Petals make 9 in yellow
Work along both sides of the chain (see photos)

Chain 10 
1. (make one st in each ch) Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 2sc, 2hdc, 4dc, ch3, turn, sl st in 1st unused loop on other side of ch, ch2, 1dc in same st, 3dc, 2hdc, 2sc, 1sl st, ch2, join with sl st to 1st sl st of row. 

Turn your work and make the slip stitch into this unused loop of the other side of the chain

After making a chain of 2, the first htr is made in the same stitch

Block petals using spray starch (if wanted) and allow to dry before continuing.

To join petals to head, use length of yellow yarn from closing head. Ch1 and turn so that the back of the head is facing you. Hold petal with WS facing and sl st across the BLO of the 5 ch stitches from the petal to 5 sts (also BLO) of the sunflower head.

See what I mean about the blue? Why, oh why???

Stem
In Green, work in the round.
1. 5sc in magic ring or ch2, make 5sc into 2nd ch from hook.
2 - ? 1sc in each st around.
Repeat as many times until desired length is reached. Leave long tail at end for stitching to the head.

Leaves
In Green, make 2
Work along both sides of the chain
Leave long tail at the beginning for sewing to the stem.

Chain 13
1. (make one st in each ch) Sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 2sc, 2hdc, 2dc, 1tr, 2dc, 2hdc, ch2, turn, sl st in 1st unused loop on other side of ch, ch2, 1hdc in same st, 1hdc, 2dc, 1tr, 2dc, 2hdc, 2sc, 1sl st, fasten off.

Block leaves using spray starch (if wanted) and allow to dry before continuing.
Use long tail from beginning to stitch to stem.

Now for the 4mm needle*. Break off the end (carefully) and make it safe by wrapping tape around the end. Insert the blunt end into the stem and leave the long pointy end sticking out of the top. Push the pointy end into the head and stitch the stem in place.

* obviously this isn't suitable for a child's toy. 


And that's it. Your very own sunshine to brighten up your days!




Enjoy making,
Sarah xx

7 comments:

  1. it is so cute... love that sunflower!!!
    Thank you for the pattern!!!
    Miss

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like it! He was a quick and easy little project x

      Delete
  2. The perfect antidote to this grey rainy weather we're having! Thanks for the pattern my lovely!!! Cx

    ReplyDelete
  3. So nice! My mum loves sunflowers, too, so I have to crochet at least one for her!!!!
    thank you my dear, xxxx Ale

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this! I think I ought to make one for myself - sunflowers always cheer me up but I never get to buy them (growing 2 in the garden at the moment though!) A happy crocheted one constantly by my bedside could only be a good thing :) thanks for sharing! jenny xx

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Sarah for sharing!! Great sunflower!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fun and cheery Sarah, sunflowers always make me want to smile x

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear from you, so leave a comment or ask a question and l'll reply to you right here.
Have a fab day.
Sarah Xx