CAL Episode 3: Body and legs

'ello again, crochet bunnies.
Lovely to hear from so many of you about how you're getting on with this little project and great to see your photos in our Flickr group too. 
I'm also super-relieved that the instructions have made sense and the photos helped too.

Right, I know you're itching to get on, so pros- your instructions are at the bottom, everyone else, read on.

Just to remind you, this pattern is worked in rounds in a continuous spiral of stitches. Use your stitch marker to mark where you began each round.

Stitches and abbreviations:
I use US crochet terms, so single crochet here is the SAME as UK double crochet.

Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc) 
Stitches (sts)
Decrease (dec) 

Ok, so we left our heads with 5 scs.



We are going to carry on from where we left off and work the body and one of the legs as one continuous piece.  

Round 1
2 sc in each sc (10 sts)

Remember what to do? 
Make 2 single crochets into each stitch around. Remember to move your stitch marker to show where the first stitch of the round is. 

Round 2
(1 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (15 sts)

Make 1 single crochet in the first stitch (stitch marker in) and then make 2 single crochets in the following stitch. Repeat around.

Round 3
(2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (20 sts)

Make 1 single crochet into the first stitch (stitch marker in). Make the 2nd single crochet into the next stitch and then make 2 single crochets into the 3rd stitch.
Repeat around.

Round 4
(4 sc , 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (24 sts)

A bigger increase here, so make 4 single crochets and then 2 into the 5th stitch. Repeat around.



Rounds 5 - 12
Sc 24

NOTE: If you would like to add a little crochet skirt to your creation, then on round 8 you need to single crochet in the BACK LOOPS ONLY.
This will leave you with a round of loops in your work- see pic. 



We will use these loops later (trust me, this isn't any more difficult than anything else you have done so far)



I also changed colour on round 9 to give my mouse some white underwear!! 
Optional, of course.
To change colour, make the beginnings of your next single crochet as usual, but stop when you have 2 loops on your hook. Leave a length of yarn and cut it. Now make a slip knot with your new coloured yarn, put it onto your hook and finish off your single crochet by pulling through a loop of new colour and completing the stitch. Carry on with the pattern.

Round 13
(4 sc, dec 1) repeat around (20 sts)

We just need to reduce the stitches a bit here, to shape the bottom of the body.
So make 4 single crochets and then squish the next 2 stitches together in a decrease. Here's a reminder: 

Insert hook into next stitch. 
Yarn over, pull up a loop. ( You will have 2 loops on your hook)
Insert hook into next stitch.
Yarn over, pull up another loop. ( You will have 3 loops on your hook)
Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops together.



Ok. That is the body 'done'. You'll need to stuff it now. Make sure you push the stuffing into the neck too, otherwise you'll end up with a floppy head.

Next, you need to flatten it (squash between your fingers) and close it with 10 single crochets.
You need to make sure your stitches end up at the side of your Monk/Kat/Doll, or you'll end up with wonky legs.
See where my round has finished in the pic below?



I just did about 6 scs until I reached the side.
Do the same with yours and make a few more single crochets until you're at the side too.

See the stitches below?  



We just need to join the pairs with 10 single crochets (the first and last one are always a bit tricky, just do your best).




Done? Now for the legs (don't cut the yarn yet!)

Have a look at your marvellous handiwork. We will be making the first leg by turning the work and single crocheting around the FRONT LOOPS only of the first 5 stitches.
Don't panic!!!!
T'is all easy.

Round 1

First, turn your work. You need to make 5 single crochets in each of the FRONT LOOPS of the first 5 stitches. You will be working from right to left.



[Rather unhelpfully, I realised that this photo was taken before I had turned my work. Therefore the arrows are pointing at the back loops at the moment. Once I turn my work, these will become the front loops.]

This photo shows making the first sc in the front loop:



Ok. Now turn and make 5 more stitches in the new front loops.





See? Easy!.

Rounds 2 - 25
Sc 10
Stuff as you go and remember to use your stitch marker.



(if you are making a doll and want to change the yarn colour for shoes, then make your colour change at the beginning of round 25)

Round 26
(1 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (15 sts)

Rounds 27 and 28
Sc 15

Round 29
(1 sc, dec 1) repeat around (10 sts)
Finish stuffing.

Round 30
(Dec 1) repeat around (5 sts)

Stitch closed. 



I hide the thread end by poking the needle back up through the middle of the leg and snipping off. 



End hidden.

Now for the other leg. You need to put a slip knot onto your hook and make your leg in exactly the same way as before. Just make sure you work across the front of your creation from right to left. This ensures you have the 'right' side of your work on the outside.

Follow the instructions as before and BINGO! - A 2-legged-creation all of your own. 



You can hug him/her now and look forward to making arms, ears and all other bits very soon.

As before, PLEASE ask me any questions and let me know if something seems wrong.

And do join our Flickr group and post your pics.

Well done again and I'll see you in a week....!
Xx


Written Pattern:

Continue from the 5 stitches you have on the head.

Round 1 
2 sc in each sc (10 sts)

Round 2
(1 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (15 sts)

Round 3
(2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (20 sts)

Round 4
(4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (24 sts)

Rounds 5-12 
Sc 24
If you want to make a crochet skirt for your creations then on Round 8 you need to single crochet in the BACK LOOPS ONLY.



This will leave you with a round of loops in your work which we'll use later.
I also changed colour on round 9 to give my mouse some white underwear!! 
Optional, of course.

Round 13
(4 sc, dec 1) repeat around (20 sts)

Stuff

Next, you need to flatten it and close with 10 single crochets -make sure your stitches end up at the side of your Monk/Kat/Doll, or you'll end up with wonky legs. (Just make a few more single crochets until you're at the side.)
Don't cut the yarn- we will carry on from here.

LEGS.

Round 1
Turn your work. Make 5 single crochets in each of the FRONT LOOPS of the first 5 stitches.
Turn again and make 5 more stitches in the front loops again. 

Rounds 2-25
Sc 10
(Stuff as you go) 

Round 26 
(1 sc, 2 sc in next sc) repeat around (15 sts)

Rounds 27 and 28
Sc 15

Round 29
(1 sc, dec 1) repeat around (10 sts)
Finish stuffing.

Round 30
(Dec 1) repeat around (5 sts)

Stitch closed.
Fasten off.

Repeat for leg 2.



As before, PLEASE ask me any questions and let me know if something seems wrong.

And do join our Flickr group and post your pics.

Well done again and I'll see you in a week....!
Xx

Crochet-A-Long Episode 1: Kit List

Joining us for the CAL?
Glad to hear it.

Here's your kit list:



Stitch marker (a piece of coloured yarn will do the job).
Crochet hook to suit your yarn (I used a 4mm).
Yarn of choice (now, my first Blue Monk used 1 skein of Rico Cotton, BUT subsequent Monks have needed a squidge more- be on the safe side and make sure you have more than you'll need).
Eyes. You can use buttons or proper safety eyes. I used 12mm buttons (size 18L).
Embroidery thread (for attaching buttons/ felt etc).
Felt/ fabrics (for face/ dress etc).
Polyester fibre-fill/ toy stuffing.
Sewing needle and tapestry needle.

[Cup of tea and left-over Easter egg optional]

I'll be back after the weekend with the first part of the CAL.


If you're a beginner, then  your homework is to practise your single crochet (US)/ double crochet (UK) stitches. Don't worry about increasing and deceasing stitches yet - I'll show you as we go along.
Oh, and as we'll be crocheting in the round, it might be worth having a look at the magic ring method of starting a circle (again, don't worry if this is too tricky, I've got an easier option too).

And don't forget to join our Flickr group- just click on the CAL picture over there on the right and get ready to share your CAL progress- it will be great to see what everyone's up to.
[NB Flickr is free to sign up]

Any questions? Do ask.

I look forward to seeing you next week...

.... I hope this rain stops, I've got my stall at the village Duck Race on Sunday..!


Enjoy the rest of your week,
Xx

Blue Monk(ey) and Friends

I absolutely cannot make any more crochet flowers.
I need to, to boost my stocks for the shop and the stall, but no. I am done.

So what to make next?
Why a blue monk(ey) of course.
(brown is so last season, don't you think?)



This little monk (all monkeys are called 'Monk' in my house) uses one 50g skein of Rico cotton- (so quite a thrifty make, really) and loads of US Single Crochet/UK Doubles (easy, too).





This had me wondering whether the same pattern would work with an odd 50g ball of Noro Kureyon I had lurking in my woolly piles (from my amazing Noro-tastic treasure found in a charity shop yonks ago). 



Not a Monk, but A Kureyon Kat!
(using the same pattern, but with a slight variation on the ears)



And in fact, the pattern makes this doll, too:

 

A one-size-fits-all kind of pattern. Just change the ears/tail/hair combos...

..... So that got me thinking-
And I feel a bit nervous asking you all, but.. 

Would anyone like the pattern? 
No, bit of a boring post. 
Would anyone like a tutorial? 
No, that would be a ginormous task, so..

.....does anyone fancy a Crochet-A-Long with me ....?


I thought I might explain a little bit of the pattern each week, with a photo tutorial (suitable for beginners and pro's alike) and we could all make a little monk/kat/doll/whatever-you-fancy together...?

I'll break it into manageable steps with a week or so between each post to give you plenty of time to ask questions and have a go.

I'd love to know if anyone's interested. 



And yes, that is a crochet flower on Monk's head. 
I know, I know. I can't help it.

Someone call the crochet police and have me put away.....

Xx