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

Life's a Beach (hut)

I've got a bit of a thing for beach huts, so it seems.

Must be because I grew up near the coast. 

I'd love to own one, but they are a little out of my price-range. So instead I thought I'd make my own.

Far cheaper. And still cheerful on a rainy day, too.

If you fancy making this beach hut cushion, then pop into my Etsy shop (just over there on the left) for the pattern. It's available to download instantly too, so no faffing around waiting for an email to appear.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend,

Sarah x 

Summer strawberries

Ahhhhhhh, British summertime. 

Pimms and lemonade, BBQs, donkey rides at the seaside, Wimbledon, and of course, strawberries.

We seem to be surrounded by these juicy red fruits this time of year and blimmin' delicious they are too.

And so I dug out an old pattern and worked on it a little.
It is, in fact, a version of my mini Christmas trees pattern.  

[It struck me one day that part way through making my Nordic Pine, it looked like a strawberry- who'd have thought, eh?]

Anyhoos, here's the pattern, should you wish to make a few of these little beauties. 
You could make them into key/bag charms or fill them with emery to make pin cushions which sharpen your pointy-bits.

Use whichever yarn and matching hook you have to hand.

Crochet Strawberry

You will need:

Yarn of your choice and a hook to match. I used red for the fruit and green for the leaves

(I used RICO Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook)

Stitch Marker

Toy stuffing 

Embroidery thread (to stitch the seeds) and needle

Tapestry (blunt needle)

Felt (for face, optional)

 

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet is the same as UK double crochet here.

Single crochet (sc)

Stitches (sts)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

 

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

 

PATTERN

1. 4 sc in magic ring OR

ch2, 4 sc in 2nd chain from hook.

2. (Sc 1, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (6)

3. (Sc 1, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (9)

4-5. Sc 9

6. (Sc 2, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (12)

7. Sc 12

8. (Sc 2, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (16)

9. (Sc 3, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (20)

10. (Sc 4, 2sc in next sc) repeat around (24)

11. Sc 24

12. (Sc2tog) repeat around (12)

13. Sc 12

Stuff

14. (Sc2tog) repeat around (6)

Fasten off

Stitch the seeds

Stitch the leaves

Enjoy making!

Sarah x

Crochet your very own Scottie Dog Brooch

So I've down-sized my little Scottie Dog pattern.

You see, I had some peeps asking me for something a bit smaller.

They wanted a doggie who was just a tad more lapel/ cardigan/ coat/ hat/ bag friendly.

And so, may I present to you: The Scottie Brooch Pattern.

Ok, same as before- you need to make 2 of each and single crochet them together. Stuff lightly and add a brooch pin to the back.

Job done. Be ready to receive your compliments.

You'll need:

Yarn and hook to match (I used Rico Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook)

Polyester toy filling

A cute ribbon for the neck (mine measured 6mm wide)

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet= same as UK double crochet here.

Chain (ch)

Single crochet (sc)

Stitches (sts)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

 

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Pattern (make 2)

[At the end of every row, chain 1 and turn.]

1. Ch 8

2. Sc 7, 2scs in next st (9 sts)

3. Sc 7 (7)

4-7. Sc 5 (5)

8. Sc 5, ch 2 (7)

9. Sc 6, 2scs in next st, ch 2 (10)

10. Sc 10. Fasten off

Head

Turn. Attach new yarn to hook.

In 6th chain from left side and working right-left:

11. Sc 5 (5)

12. Sc2tog, sc 3, ch 1 (5)

13. Sc 4

14. Sc 4

Now finish off and wear your doggy brooch with pride! 

Don't forget to attach a natty ribbon to its neck to finish off your ensemble perfectly.

Enjoy making!

 

Xx

Scottie Dog

 

It doesn't really need an introduction, but here's a little pattern to make a Scottie dog.

It's made in the same way as my Matryoshka (see here) worked in 2 identical flat pieces and single crocheted together.

It would make a cute keyring, a bold brooch, or just a plain old heartfelt (and handmade) gift.

You could also scent the stuffing with a few drops of your favourite essential oil / perfume, or instead fill with oats or rice etc.

 

 

You'll need:

Yarn and hook to match (I used Rico Creative Cotton and a 4mm hook)

Polyester toy filling

Essential oil if you fancy making yours smell nice

A pretty ribbon for the neck (mine measured 6mm wide)

Stitches and Abbreviations:

I use US terms, so single crochet= same as UK double crochet here.

Chain (ch)

Single crochet (sc)

Stitches (sts)

Single Crochet 2 Together (sc2tog)

 

To single crochet 2 together:

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Insert hook into next stitch.

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)

Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

 

Pattern (make 2)

Ok, so this pattern works back and forards in rows.

Don' t count the slip stitches. They are blanks.

 

1. Ch 14 (=chain 13+ turning ch)

2. Turn, sl st, sl st, sc 10, 2sc in next st (12)

3-4. Ch1, turn, sc 10 (10)

5. Ch1, turn, sl st, sl st, sc 8 (8)

6-10. Ch1, turn, sc 8 (8)

11. Ch1, turn, 2scs in next st, sc 6, 2scs in next st (10)

12. Ch1, turn, 2scs in next st, sc 8, 2scs in next st (12)

13. Ch1, turn, sc 11, 2scs in next st (13)

14. Ch4, turn, sc 16 (starting in second chain from hook) (16)

15. Ch1, turn, sc 2

Fasten off (2nd leg made)

 

HEAD (make slip knot and put on hook)

16. Make sure your work is facing you with the beginning tail at the bottom left (starting in 9th stitch from top, and working from right to left, sc 8

17. Ch1, turn, sc2tog, sc 4, sc2tog (6)

18. Ch2, turn, sc 6 (starting in second chain from hook) (6)

19. Ch1, turn, sl st, sc 4, 2scs in next st (6)

20. Ch2, turn, sc 6 (starting in second chain from hook) (6)

21. Ch1, turn, Sc 6

Fasten off ends

 

 

Now use your third colour and single crochet around both pieces to join together. Make sure you work in anti-clockwise direction so your stitches face forwards. Before you completely close, stuff with toy stuffing, sew in the remaining ends and then complete your stitching and fasten off.

Attach a ribbon to the neck et voila!

Isn't that cute?!!!

Now, go.

Make many cute doggies and give them to all your friends .....

Xx

Xx

 

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Wabbiting around

 

 

Hello to you all in 2013!


 

 

I cannot believe that Christmas has come and gone (as have all the icky bugs) and that the New Year is upon us (and has already settled in and got its feet well and truly under the table).

 

 

 

 

 

I have so much to share with you. I really have been a most busy bunny.

Ahhhh, bunnies. Let's start there.

Last year I made little rabbits from a pattern I found here on the Internet. And very cute they were too.


But I wanted more: Bigger. Longer. Leaner.

And I wanted to use my pompom maker (onto that later).

 

So I had an idea.

 

Some people have asked how I develop a pattern.

I begin with a sketch (and not always a good one at that) one which gets the dimensions right.

I then muck around with the yarn a bit; I sort of know how to make sphere and cone and tube shapes, so I try different things.

There is a lot of frogging at this stage.

And swearing.

And cups of tea.

 

Sometimes I draw an actual sized sketch. This helps with shaping a lot.

 

 

 

 

I try things out for size and try to imagine what the whole piece will look like.

 

 

The most important thing is to keep a track of exactly what I've done, writing down every round of stitches. Every increase and decrease.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then I get to a point where I'm happy and the Wabbit is finished.

 

This one is going to be a newborn baby's gift.

Nice. I like it when people buy my little toys and there is a story to tell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And once I've made one, I set about making another, straight away (and then another and another) to test the pattern and check for inaccuracies.

 

This one worked out rather well. I love the Peruvian colour print in this yarn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here he is, finished.

 

This one was bought by a lovely lady who gave it to her little girl. She was then kind enough to send me some photos. So I could see my Peruvian Wabbit being hugged and cuddled, taken for a trip in the buggy and fast asleep with his new owner.

It made my heart sing to know he has a story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fancy making your own Wabbit?

There's patterns a-plenty for everyone in my Etsy shop.

 

Oh and the pompom maker?

Not a necessity, but such fun!!

 

(Incidentally mine is made by Clover and I bought it on eBay)

 

 

 

Have a lovely week.

Xxx

 

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Crochet Imps

I had an Imp-ish idea.

So I played around with some Rico Cotton and a 4mm hook

and came up with one of these:

A festive Imp

And, well you know how these things tend to multiply once you start making them ...

 

 

Fancy making one or two?

The pattern is in my Etsy shop here.

 

Have a great week!

Xx

 

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The Ultimate Cowl/Snood Pattern

I think I made my first cowls/snoods about a year ago. See here. They are just brilliant. A scarf without the ends. You know- those ends that get caught in doors/ disappear up sleeves/ get pulled by toddlers.


They were an easy project using some chunky acrylic and an 8mm hook. If memory serves me correctly I even made one in the Noro I found in that amazing charity shop stash.

Well, they were ok.

But all of them had one problem: too clunky (that's a technical crochet term, right?)

You know what I mean - crochet produces quite a dense stitch and these snood/cowls could almost stand up on their own.

Warm? Yes. The most comfortable? Not really. The Noro one was duly frogged for this reason.

So I tried different stitches and patterns until I found one which produced a nicer open texture, based on a V stitch. But still, it was too clunky.

Then it struck me. A larger hook was needed. A big hook would work more air into the pattern.

How big? I hear you ask.

MAAAAAAASIVE. Is my answer.

And so, ladies and gents, may I present The Ultimate Snood Pattern.

I use US crochet terms, so my Double Crochet (dc) here is the same as a UK Treble stitch. We will work from the bottom of the snood upwards in rows*. You'll need a tapestry (blunt) needle to hide any ends and to sew the piece together.

* NB Pattern Update: scroll to the bottom for a version worked in the round, rather than rows- it saves on having to sew up them sides...

1. You need some super-chunky yarn (about 100g) - anything that recommends you use a 8-10mm hook (try Sirdar Indie or Big Softie) and a 15mm hook (I bought mine online) don't worry, it's made of plastic, so is light to manoeuvre and you soon get used to it.
2. Chain 42. Now I use the chainless foundation stitch as I think it gives a good structure to the bottom of the snood, but a simple chain will do. Your chain needs to measure just over 22 inches/ 57cms and its total number should be a multiple of 3.
3. [We are going to work in rows, turning at the end of each.] Chain 3 (counts as a dc) Turn. Make a dc in the 6th stitch from the hook. Chain 1. Dc in the same stitch. Skip 2 stitches, (dc, chain-1, dc) in the next stitch. Repeat along the row. Make a dc in the top of the 3rd chain from the previous row.
4. Chain 3. Turn. (dc, chain-1, dc) in the chain-1 space from the previous row (the V) Repeat along the row. Make a dc in the 3rd chain from the previous row.

Repeat 4 until your snood reaches the desired height- anything from 33 - 40 cms seems good to me, or until you run out of yarn
Fold the two edges together and stitch up!

(Technically, this pattern shouldn't work as you begin with more stitches in the first row, but somehow, it does)

That's it. It really is very easy and super-quick, too.

***Pattern Update: To make the cowl in the round (kindly provided by the lovely Victoria from Yarnroundhook )

Work chainless foundation as original pattern. Join with a slip stitch to form a circle, being careful not to twist the chains.

Round 1: ch 4 (counts as 1dc, 1ch), 1dc in same space as joining sl st, * miss 2 stitches, (1dc, 1ch, 1dc) in next ch, repeat from * , join with sl st to 3rd chain at beginning of round. **do not turn work**

Round 2: sl st into 1ch space in centre of first 'V', ch 4 (counts as 1dc, 1ch), 1dc in same space, *(1dc, 1ch, 1dc) in next 1ch space, repeat from * to end of round, join with sl st to 3rd chain of starting ch. ** do not turn work**

Repeat round 2 until cowl is desired height

Sew in ends.

And on a complete tangent, I met up with the lush Gem from Treasures From the Cherry Tree this week. We had a spot of coffee and a charity shop dash! And we both did rather well, I must say. Look at what I found for £1:

Is it ever too early for a cocktail, I ask you?

Have a great week.

Xx

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