The Craft Club Charity Yarnbomb

If you crochet or knit you've probably come across the concept of yarnbombing, where you decorate an outdoor space with a bit of crochet or knitting. I've always thought it was a cool thing to do, but haven't tried it myself yet. However, now I and anyone else who wants to can join in with a charity yarnbomb organised by The Craft Club in Essex. They are asking anyone who can crochet to try to help them break the world record for the largest display of crochet sculptures. They need 4061 items which will be displayed in the Little Havens Hospice Garden on 25 August 2014. Here's the details:

"We want to creater a magical garden scene for the children to discover, and so our theme is Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree stories. Any crocheted items that fit our theme would be welcome... woodland creatures such as hedgehogs, squirrels, rabbits and owls, fantastical characters such as goblins, fairies and troll, flora such as flowers, cherries, acorns, strawberries and mushrooms."

You can contact them for more information (see the poster above for the email) and you can  find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecraftclubyarnbomb/timeline

I've got lots of free patterns that should be perfect for this, and most of them are small, so they'd be quick to work up. Here are some ideas, click on the patterns on the list to the right for the details of each pattern.

All the Totoros:

 

Mini Fuzzy-haired Troll:

Fierce Little Dragon:

Pet caterpillar or worm:

Tiny Rabbit:

Easter Bunny:

 Wizard's Owl:

Mini Frog:

I also have several patterns in my shop that would be good. I think I'll make a creature using the Little Folk pattern (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/85800576/pdf-of-little-folk-amigurumi-pattern-elf?):

There's also Flappy Owl (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/94316165/pdf-of-flappy-owl-amigurumi-pattern?):

The Wee Mousies (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/127288010/pdf-of-wee-mousie-amigurumi-pattern?):

Mother and Child Spirits (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/79959886/pdf-of-mother-and-child-spirit-amigurumi?):

Small Spirits (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/62106076/pdf-of-small-spirit-amigurumi-pattern?):

Halfling (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/150079653/pdf-of-halfling-fantasy-amigurumi?):

Or the Chubby Gnomes (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/71474468/pdf-of-chubby-gnome-amigurumi-pattern?):

I hope that's inspired some of you to make something (or things) to help with this, it'll be fun!

Hollywood Crochet

I'm afraid I haven't been updating this blog very often recently, but that's because I've been working on commissions that I can't talk about until they're finished, which is quite frustrating. Last year I worked on a pattern book, Hollywood Crochet, and created patterns for six Hollywood stars. There were some delays with the book coming out - it comes with the yarn to make one of the figures, and unfortunately there wasn't enough yarn in there originally - but now that's been sorted out and it's available to buy I thought I'd post about it.

The patterns are for Elvis (with yarn), Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, James Bond (Daniel Craig), and Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCapprio in their roles from Titanic. It was fun working out all the figures, particularly trying to do different styles of hair using various crochet techniques, and I was especially happy with the way Marilyn's iconic dress came out.

The book is published by Parragon Books, just search online to see where you can buy it depending on where you live.

Adorable Alpacas

Recently I was asked by Practical Publishing to design some alpaca patterns for their Crochet Gifts magazine/bookazine. I've been away for the weekend, and I came back to find that the magazine had arrived (I think it's due out in the shops on 24th April), and I was delighted to find my colourful alpacas on the front cover!

They're made using Stylecraft Alpaca DK, an acrylic yarn with some alpaca wool mixed in, which makes it lovely and soft. There are two sizes of alpaca you can make, an adult and a baby, and you can make them in natural colours, or make them in fun, bright colours as I did.

Having just had a skim through the magazine it's full of interesting projects including lots of lovely toys and accessories (I definitely want to try the leather and crochet bracelet), so I'm really pleased my patterns are in there.

*Update: you can now buy the pattern in my Etsy shop *

Quick and Easy Easter Bunny - free pattern!

Whilst I was making the Little Teddies from the previous post, I realised it wouldn't take much turn them into little bunnies. They don't take very long to make, and you only need scraps of yarn, so they're perfect little extras to make for an Easter basket. I made a couple using pastel self-striping yarn, which seemed nice and spring-like, then I made one in brown yarn to be a little chocolate bunny.

 

 

 

 

Easter Bunny

 

This little bunny will end up about 4.5 cm/1.75" tall, not including ears, depending on the yarn you use.

 
Abbreviations:
ch = chain
st = stitch or stitches
ss = slip stitch
sc = single crochet (US), double crochet (UK)
dc = double crochet (US), treble crochet (UK)
tog = together
sc2tog = decrease by working two sc together
pop = popcorn (see special stitch instructions)
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 (ch 2, work 6 sc into 1^st ch). The first ch is a slip knot so it will expand and 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.

 
Special stitch instructions:

3 dc pop: popcorn stitch for tail. Work 3 dc into 1 st, take hook out leaving loop, put hook through 1st dc & pull loop through.

(When changing colour for the tail work the sc before the change until there are two loops left on the hook. Then use the new colour for the final yarn over hook and pull through. When changing back to the main colour after doing a 3dc pop work the last dc of the popcorn until there are two loops left on the hook. Then use the main colour for the final yarn over hook and pull through. Finish making the popcorn st and you will have the main colour on your hook for the next stitch.)

4 dc pop: popcorn stitch for arms and legs. Work 4 dc into 1 st, take hook out leaving loop, put hook through 1st dc & pull loop through.

You will need:

Small amount of yarn, any colour you like, in double knitting or worsted weight.
Small amount of white or cream yarn for tail.
Small amount of black yarn (or cream and pink for chocolate bunny) for eyes and mouth.
Small amount of stuffing.
3.5mm (E) hook.
 

Round 1: Ch 2, work 6 sc into 1^st ch - 6 st.

Round 2: [2 sc in next st, (sc and ss into next st, (ear) ch 6, sc into 2nd ch from hook, dc into next 3 ch, sc into next ch, ss back into original st), 2 sc in next st] 2 times - 12 st (the ss used to start the ear counts as a st, and you will work into it on the next round).
Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 6 times – 18 st.
Round 4 - 6: (3 rounds) Sc in each st around - 18 st.
Round 7: [Sc2tog, sc in next st] 6 times – 12 st.
Round 8: [Sc2tog, sc in next 2 st] 3 times – 9 st.
Round 9: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st] 3 times – 12 st.
Round 10: Sc in next 5 st, 4dc pop, sc in next 4 st, 4dc pop, sc in next st - 12 st.
Round 11 - 12: Sc in each st around - 12 st.
Round 13: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] 3 times – 15 st.
Round 14: Sc in next 4 st, change to tail colour yarn, 3dc pop, change back to main yarn, sc in next 4 st, 4dc pop, sc in next 3 st, 4dc pop, sc in next st - 15 st.
Round 15: [Sc2tog, sc in next 3 st] 3 times – 12 st.
Round 16: [Sc2tog] 6 times – 6 sc. FO, leaving a length of yarn.
 

Stuff head and body and embroider features. Use length of yarn to sew up hole at bottom, pulling yarn upwards through body to make sure the bottom is flat. You can also use this yarn to sew a stitch or two at the bottom of each ear to make sure they're pointing forwards.

 

Mini Teddies - free amigurumi patterns!

If you've read previous entries in this blog, you'll know that over the last few years I've made lots of small amigurumi toys for the Christmas Bazaar at my sons' school, and I've tried to share the various patterns. Originally I posted the patterns on Craftster, including one for tiny teddies -http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=289504.msg3296032#msg3296032  

Another member, Wayuki, liked the pattern and changed it a bit -

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=298179.msg3398743#msg3398743

I liked the way she made the heads of the teddies bigger, so I tried her version and tweaked it a bit myself, and I've used my second version to make lots of teddies for the Bazaar.

 

 

I know people have used my original Tiny Teddy pattern and had fun with it, so I thought I'd post that (with a few little alterations) and the larger Little Teddy pattern, so you can make either or both of them as you like. I've made a pair of the two different sizes using candy-coloured self striping yarn, then I've used natural coloured yarns to make two Tiny Teddies and one Little Teddy, so you can compare them.

 

 

Abbreviations:

ch = chain

st = stitch or stitches

sc = single crochet (US), double crochet (UK)

dc = double crochet (US), treble crochet (UK)

tog = together

sc2tog = decrease by working two sc together

bob = bobble (see special stitch instructions)

pop = popcorn (see special stitch instructions)

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 (ch 2, work 6 sc into 1^st ch). The first ch is a slip knot so it will expand and 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.

 

Special stitch instructions:

3 dc bob: bobble stitch for Tiny Teddy ears. YOH (yarn over hook), insert hook into next stitch, YOH and pull through loop, YOH, pull through 2 loops, *YOH, insert hook into same stitch, YOH and pull through loop, YOH, pull through 2 loops, repeat once from*, YOH, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

3 dc pop: popcorn stitch for Little Teddy ears. Work 3 dc into 1 st, take hook out leaving loop, put hook through 1st dc & pull loop through.

4 dc pop: popcorn stitch for arms and legs. Work 4 dc into 1 st, take hook out leaving loop, put hook through 1st dc & pull loop through.

 

 

You will need:

Small amount of yarn, any colour you like, in double knitting or worsted weight.

Small amount of black yarn for eyes and mouth.

Small amount of stuffing.

3.5mm (E) hook.

 

 

 

Little Teddy in middle, Tiny Teddies on left and right

 

Tiny Teddy

 

These teddies really are tiny - depending on the yarn you use they'll be about 3.5 cm/1.5" tall.

 

Round 1: Ch 2, work 6 sc into 1^st ch - 6 st.
Round 2: [2 sc in next st, (3dc bob and sc in next st), 2 sc in next st] 2 times - 12 st.
Round 3 - 4: (2 rounds) Sc in each st around - 12 st.

Round 5: [Sc2tog, sc in next st] 4 times – 8 st.

Round 6: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] 2 times – 10 st.

Round 7: Sc in next 4 st, 4dc pop, sc in next 3 st, 4dc pop, sc in next st - 10 st.

Round 8: Sc in each st around - 10 st.

Round 9: 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 st – 12 st.

Round 10: Sc in each st around - 12 st.

Round 11: Sc in next 7 st, 4dc pop, sc in next 3 st, 4dc pop - 12 st.

Round 12: [Sc2tog] 6 times – 6 sc. FO, leaving a length of yarn.

 

Stuff head and body. Push the bobbles on the head outwards and embroider features using black yarn. Use length of yarn to sew up hole at bottom, pulling yarn upwards through body to make sure the bottom is flat.

 

    

Little Teddy

 

These cute little teddies will end up about 4.5 cm/1.75" tall, depending on the yarn you use.

 

Round 1: Ch 2, work 6 sc into 1^st ch - 6 st.

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around - 12 st.
Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, 3dc pop in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st] 2 times - 18 st.
Round 4 - 6: (3 rounds) Sc in each st around - 18 st.

Round 7: [Sc2tog, sc in next st] 6 times – 12 st.

Round 8: [Sc2tog, sc in next 2 st] 3 times – 9 st.

Round 9: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st] 3 times – 12 st.

Round 10: Sc in next 5 st, 4dc pop, sc in next 4 st, 4dc pop, sc in next st - 12 st.

Round 11 - 12: (2 rounds) Sc in each st around - 12 st.

Round 13: [2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st] 3 times – 15 st.

Round 14: Sc in next 9 st, 4dc pop, sc in next 3 st, 4dc pop, sc in next st - 15 st.

Round 15: [Sc2tog, sc in next 3 st] 3 times – 12 st.

Round 16: [Sc2tog] 6 times – 6 sc. FO, leaving a length of yarn.

 

Stuff head and body and embroider features using black yarn. Use length of yarn to sew up hole at bottom, pulling yarn upwards through body to make sure the bottom is flat.

 

 

Tiny Teddy on left, Little Teddy on right

 

 

 

  

Easter Patterns

Just a quick post to highlight some of my patterns that might make good presents for Easter. In my Etsy shop you can find my Woolly Jumpers pattern, which gives you instructions to make a cute little rabbit or lamb, either a boy in a sweater or a girl in a little skirt.

 I also think my Chubby Gnomes pattern is quite fun for Easter - the gnomes are actually egg-shaped, and I associate gnomes with gardens and all the new spring growth.

 

 

 

Here on my blog I have some free patterns that are perfect for small extra Easter gifts (and good if you're worried about too much chocolate!). They're quick and easy to make, and need hardly any sewing to finish them off. Just click on the names below the pictures to see the patterns.

 

 

Tiny Chick

 

 

  

 

Little Eggie

 

 

 

 

Tiny Rabbit

 

 

 

Wee Sheepie

 

I've got a few more free patterns that I'm going to post in the next few days, some of which will also make good little extras for Easter, so keep an eye out for those.

Leesub Sirln

Last year I was contacted by a lady asking if I would make a custom Star Wars amigurumi for a friend. Well, I don't normally make the toys, only the patterns, but when she said her friend had actually appeared in the original Star Wars, I couldn't refuse. Her friend is Pam Rose, and she played an alien in the background of the Cantina scene, called Leesub Sirln. I must have seen the character lots of time creating part of the atmosphere of the Cantina, but I wasn't quite sure what she looked liked so I went to her website to check - a beautiful leggy alien with a large head.

I made the amigurumi to the same scale as my other Star Wars characters - getting the head just the right shape and working out the unusual hairstyle was an interesting challenge, and it wasn't easy to get the detail into her minimal costume, but I think I did it.

Mini Leesub was given to Pam for Christmas, and apparently she was very pleased with it. She very kindly sent me a signed photo, and I'm very happy to have made a figure for the person who actually portrayed the character!