Sunday, 7 February 2010

Cork and Crochet: Knights

One of the ideas I tried out for the bazaar was to use corks and crochet 'skins' for them. It's a fun way to recycle old corks and makes cute little guys. Here is the first of the patterns: feel free to make these for your own personal use, or to raise money for good causes.




You will need:
Small amounts of grey and bright coloured yarn (red, green, blue or yellow) yarn.
Small piece of felt and length of yarn, both different colours to the main body of the knight.
A cork, approx 1.75" (4.5cm) long.

Black permanent marker pen (Sharpie).
4 mm (F) hook.

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
st = stitch or stitches
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet (US), double crochet (UK)
BLO = back loop only
FLO = front loop only
FO = fasten off

General instructions:
Work in rounds unless otherwise stated and do not join rounds unless told to. Use a stitch marker to mark the start of a round - a small piece of different coloured yarn placed under the stitch at the start of the round will do. To start a round, you can use the magic ring method, but I prefer (ch2, work 6 sc into 1st ch). If you work the 6 sc over the tail of yarn as well you can use that to pull the hole tight.

Work through both loops of stitches unless otherwise indicated.

Start using grey yarn:
Round 1: Ch2, work 6 sc into 1st ch - 6 sc.
Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around - 12 sc.
Round 3: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc] 3 times – 15 sc.
Round 4 - 5: (2 rounds) Sc in each sc around - 15 sc.
Ch1, turn.
Row 1: Sc in next 10 sc, ch1, turn - 10 sc.
Row 2: Sc in next 10 sc, ch5.
Round 6: Sc into 1st sc of row 2, sc in next 9 sc, 5 sc over ch5 - 15 sc.
Sc in next 2 sc, change to bright coloured yarn and mark as start of round.
Round 7 - 11: (5 rounds) Sc in each sc around - 15 sc.
Change to grey yarn.
Round 12: Sc in each sc around - 15 sc.

Ss in next sc, FO and weave in end.

Cut felt into small shield shape and use contrasting yarn to sew onto body with a cross shape.

Use black yarn to sew a little mouth on the beard.
 Fit over cork and carefully draw face in the gap.





** Check out this Princess pattern on Tarkheena Crafts to go with the knights: http://tarkheenacrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/crochet-pattern-princess-fleurette-of.html **



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49 comments:

  1. cleo10 February 2010 at 06:19

    THanks for sharing!!! These are fantastic... how great are you for this idea ... recycle, educate (middle ages), hand craft AS WELL as a very valid excuse for opening a bottle of wine mid week!! BRAVO!!

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  2. Anonymous5 April 2010 at 07:09

    lol, these guys are so cute!
    you could make them for a chess game
    I'd love to see what the kings and knights would look like

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  3. LucyRavenscar17 April 2010 at 17:57

    Thank you! I'd definitely like to give a chess set a go, but you could also use these as pieces for a game like Ludo.

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  4. Anonymous15 September 2010 at 18:59

    Merveilleuse idée!!!!!!! bravo! je vais en fabriquer pour mes petits gamins.... Merci....

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  5. Winterprism2 September 2011 at 00:25

    These are soooo cute.. I found the link at Ravelry which directed me to Crafster where I followed a link to your blog.. Anyways. I was thinking that since corks float, maybe a person could do these with cotton yarn and use them as bath toys?? I don't know if it would work but it would be fun to find out!!! : ) Thanks so much for sharing, I am now following your blog, as well..

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  6. LucyRavenscar2 September 2011 at 19:16

    Thank you! Good idea to make bath toys - let me know if you give it a go and if it works!

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  7. Kids craft ideas15 October 2011 at 04:09

    Great tutorial! i will make it, thanks for sharing.

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  8. LucyRavenscar17 October 2011 at 09:57

    Thanks! It's coming up to Christmas Bazaar time again, so I'll have to make some more myself.

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  9. Unknown18 October 2011 at 07:48

    They are so cute!!! I love them! It's a great idea! I'll try to do something like that.

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  10. LucyRavenscar18 October 2011 at 09:41

    Thanks! I'd love to see photos if you do make them.

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  11. RedTedArt17 November 2011 at 21:55

    Wow! These are the cutest little knights EVER! I am SO making a set this Christmas. Thank you!

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  12. LucyRavenscar18 November 2011 at 09:50

    Thanks! Have fun making your army!

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  13. Olga17 December 2011 at 09:07

    Thank you very very much for sharing your great idea. I made my own version of your cork creatures and I have called them Ganchicorchos. The are a perfect present. All people love them. If you want to see my Ganchicorchos, they are in my blog: http://teje-mundos.blogspot.com
    They are also in Ravelry (I am Oladola)

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  14. Olly21 February 2012 at 10:57

    Bellissimi!!!

    Beautiful!!!
    ...and I have a lot of corks! (he! he! ;o) )
    ...the hardest part, for me, will be to venture with a crochet hook! : D

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  15. LucyRavenscar21 February 2012 at 19:14

    Thank you! They're nice and simple to make, so just give them a try.

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  16. Olly22 February 2012 at 12:00

    ...yess!
    I'll try!!!
    (also cause I think it's the simplest thing I can do of this blog :D )

    ciao!

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  17. Piouch19 August 2012 at 16:51

    Thank you for this pattern. You can see a little guy on my blog. Bye.

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  18. LucyRavenscar29 August 2012 at 13:42

    Piouch, thanks for showing me your knight. I don't think he's going to fight that cute dragon though, I think they're going to be friends!

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  19. Anonymous6 December 2012 at 00:14

    Thank you, your patterns are lovely.

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  20. LucyRavenscar6 December 2012 at 09:13

    Thanks! I've just made another army of them for this year's Christmas bazaar, they work up so quickly!

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  21. Fine Craft Guild11 December 2012 at 22:20

    That is TOO COOL! Love your pattern. Thank you.

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  22. marmarel12 December 2012 at 12:25

    Very nice! I was thinking about corks en what to do with them. This is a great idea!

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  23. LucyRavenscar12 December 2012 at 16:59

    Thanks! I've ended up with lots of corks - one day I'll have to do a chess set, I've got some champagne corks that would be good for the King, Queen and Rook.

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  24. Es un Mundo Amigurumi2 January 2013 at 22:51

    Hello!!!! I´ve just finish my first knight cork...
    Thanks for the great idea!!!

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  25. LucyRavenscar3 January 2013 at 11:21

    Thank you!

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  26. Stephanie17 February 2013 at 03:25

    This pattern is so cute and easy. Thanks so much for posting. I've already made three little knights (as well as a priness and dragon). The kids love them!
    I think I might even try making a nativity set next. Thanks again.

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  27. LucyRavenscar19 February 2013 at 09:25

    Thanks Stephanie! I'd love to see your knights, princess and dragon. Someone else adapted the pattens to make a nativity set, you might like to have a look: http://bbqcrochets.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/cork-nativity.html

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  28. Krealene21 February 2013 at 21:28

    Hello Lucy, I am not sure if I sent you a huge thank you for this pattern...I made lots of them and I named ''mine'' Knight Korki who is fighting against cancer....in Holland is the organisation KiKa (Kids Cancerfree) so the K of Korki fits my corks ;-)..my daughter made lots of them for the bday of my grandson, if possible I can send you some snaps but to which address I have to sort out...
    From Holland with love,
    Marlene
    also: http://krealene.blogspot.com CraftingAgainstCancer

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  29. LucyRavenscar25 February 2013 at 15:15

    That's lovely Marlene, I'm so glad the knights are doing good work! You can contact me on Etsy, Facebook or Ravelry, where you should be able to show me photos.
    http://www.lucyravenscar.etsy.com
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/LucyRavenscar-Crochet-Creatures/136334913081192
    http://www.ravelry.com/designers/lucy-ravenscar

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  30. Lizette15 March 2013 at 13:25

    Hi Lucy
    I find your cork-knights amazingly cute! I'm going to make some. Now I wonder: am I right that you never use the part: BLO = back loop only and
    FLO = front loop only?? I cant find these terms in the written pattern and now I wonder if that is right (because you mentioned these terms in the abbreviations).
    Thanks for answering,
    greetings from Holland

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  31. LucyRavenscar18 March 2013 at 09:29

    Yes, you're right, you don't need to work in front or back loops only in this pattern. I think I originally put all the cork patterns together and the gnome pattern uses front and back loops to make the beard.

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  32. Lizette18 March 2013 at 13:26

    Thanks for your reaction!

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  33. Jill7 April 2013 at 08:56

    Just seen these on pinterest and repinned, think they are fab! I'm going to make some for my little boy.

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  34. LucyRavenscar10 April 2013 at 14:51

    Thanks! They make great toys for a little one, make a few and you can take them with you when you go out to keep your little boy occupied.

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  35. Unknown15 December 2013 at 00:22

    I have never crocheted from a pattern, could you please explain the shorthand used. Thanks.

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  36. LucyRavenscar16 December 2013 at 15:15

    There is a list of abbreviations above the pattern, is that what you mean? Otherwise, I would advise just trying the pattern, they usually make more sense when you're working through them. Then just ask if you have any particular questions.

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  37. Sarah22 February 2014 at 17:01

    Thank you for this. They are very cute. I made one for my son, you can see it here: http://madeoutofthings.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/knights-and-castles.html

    Think I'll be trying out some of your other patterns. Thank you very much. :o)

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  38. LucyRavenscar26 February 2014 at 20:02

    Thanks, I'm glad your son liked it! It's getting hard to find bottle of wine with actual corks these days, they're all screw top, but I've ended up with bags of corks donated by friends and family who collect them.

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  39. TarkheenaCrafts18 April 2014 at 05:09

    Love these! I've got a little nuts with them the last few days, actually. :)
    In fact, I created a princess pattern based on the knight. (Every knight needs a princess to protect, right?) I was wondering if you would mind if I published the directions for the princess on my own blog at tarkheenacrafts.blogspot.com? You would be given full credit as the pattern inspiration, and I'd indicate the same conditions (personal use or fundraising for a good cause.) You can see a photo of the princesses at https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-flmBGh-3yRY/U0gcaq3aYDI/AAAAAAAAmqo/8q9q3_1fF5Q/w856-h642-no/IMG_20140411_094600.jpg

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  40. LucyRavenscar23 April 2014 at 09:01

    I love your princesses! Please feel free to post the pattern as you described, and let me know when you have and I'll link to it.

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  41. TarkheenaCrafts26 April 2014 at 05:42

    Thanks! I've created the princess tutorial, which may be viewed here: http://tarkheenacrafts.blogspot.com/2014/04/crochet-pattern-princess-fleurette-of.html

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  42. VéroO12 May 2014 at 10:58

    Très mignon et plein d'imagination ! Very nice, I love it !

    VéroO.

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  43. LucyRavenscar12 May 2014 at 14:57

    Thank you!

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  44. Moon Sister14 December 2014 at 22:48

    And you can give them toothpick swords or spears... :)

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  45. Creative Chaos Art6 November 2016 at 19:47

    Thank you for the pattern! You can see my version here: http://creativechaosart.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/the-knights-and-dragon-crochet-toy.html
    Helen x

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  46. LucyRavenscar7 November 2016 at 16:48

    I love your knights and the dragon, and the way you packaged them is brilliant too! Good job on adapting both patterns to fit your needs (and the corks!)

    These days most wine seems to be in screw top bottles, so I wonder how long we'll be able to find corks to make things with?

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  47. Unknown9 October 2017 at 17:02

    How cute! I was searching for a quick pattern for a knight - this is perfect! Thank you :-)

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  48. Anonymous7 February 2019 at 15:39

    So super cute and fast to make! My son requested a "whole army" of your knights for his castle, so I just whipped up a dozen overnight in his choice of colors. He had lots of fun choosing yarn and felt.

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  49. Deanna11 March 2019 at 17:35

    These look adorable! I was wondering what weight yarn you use?

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