Exciting News!

I have some exciting news about these two little guys but I think I'm going to wait a little bit longer to reveal what it is so that I don't jinx it! More to come soon :)

New Crochet Pattern: Peppermint Bark and Hot Cocoa

Hi, everyone! I just wanted to give you a sneak peek of my latest pattern -- a box of 4 peppermint bark and two steaming mugs of cocoa. One hot cocoa has mini marshmallows and the other has a dollop of whipped cream!

I started this pattern last November and after 3 redesigns of the box, 2 redesigns of the mugs and 2 redesigns of the peppermint bark I am finally happy with the way it turned out :)

Pattern Giveaway!

Hi! I just wanted to announce that Marie's Cozy Corner is running a giveaway of my Vegetable pattern. The giveaway runs from September 16th to September 23rd so please click here if you are interested in entering :)

New Pattern: Grocery Shopping

I was looking through all of the patterns I've designed and decided that the grocery shopping pattern needed to be freshened up. I kept the market tote the same, but all of the contents are new! I had made a half dozen eggs in a carton for my sons a couple of years ago and finally got around to typing up the pattern. I also made patterns for a milk carton, baguette, swiss cheese and celery bunch. I hope you enjoy it :)

And for now I think I am done updating patterns. I have a ton of ideas for new patterns and need to find time to roll them out prior to the holidays!

Pattern Update: PB&J

I just finished updating my peanut butter & jelly pattern to redesign the bread and knife and to add "pieces" of peanut butter and jelly so that you can make the sandwich. If you previously purchased this pattern from my shop and would like the update for free, just send me a Conversation through etsy. If you could please include the date that you purchased the PB&J pattern that would help me find you in my records. Thank you :)

New Crochet Pattern: Mexican Food

By popular demand, I've designed a pattern for mexican food. A taco, fajita, quesadilla and corn chips with salsa, guacamole and chilli con queso. I hope you all enjoy it :)

Pattern Update: Vegetables

I decided to combine the vegetable patterns from my Vegetable Garden, Fruit & Veggie, Learning Colors and Grocery Shopping patterns into one pattern. I also added cauliflower and made some of the vegetables a little smaller. The result is my new pattern for vegetables. If you previously purchased the Fruit & Veggie pattern from my shop and want the updated pattern for free, just send me a convo through Etsy. And if you could please reference in your convo the date you purchased the pattern that would help me find it in my records. Thank you :)

Summer Special

Yay! Summer is here and to celebrate I'm having a sale in my shop. Buy 3 patterns and get a 4th pattern of equal or lesser value for free! Just note which free pattern you want in the notes to seller at checkout :)

Free Crochet Pattern: Honey Pot

This honey pot was originally requested by a customer. I liked the way that it came out so I decided to share the pattern. Enjoy!

Materials:
Crochet hook size E/4
Worsted weight acrylic yarn in tan, yellow and black
Tapestry / yarn needle
Polyester stuffing
White felt
DMC/embroidery floss in black and white
Sewing needle
* Optional – pinking shears for crinkled edge around label.

You’ll need to know how to do these stitches:
Chain (ch)
Double loop start
Single crochet (sc)
Single crochet together/ decrease

Honey Pot
Outer shell:
with yellow yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (36).
Rnd 7: working in back loops only, [Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (42).
Rnds 8-16: sc in each sc around (42).
Rnd 17: [Sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog] 6 times (36).
Rnd 18: sc in each sc around (36).
Rnd 19: sl st in each sc around (36).
Finish off.
Inner shell:
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Rnd 6: [1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 10 times (40).
Rnds 7-13: sc in each sc around (40).
Rnd 14: [1 sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog] 10 times (30).
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing.

Label:
Cut a piece of white felt that is approximately 3” by 2” (I used pinking shears to get the crinkled edge). Using black DMC/embroidery floss and a sewing needle, stitch the word “Honey” onto the felt as shown in the picture. Stitch the label onto the outer shell using a 12” length of white DMC/embroidery floss and a sewing needle.

Insert inner shell into outer shell. Using a length of yellow yarn and a yarn/tapestry needle, tack the bottom center of the inner shell to the bottom center of the outer shell. Using the tail you finished the inner shell with and a tapestry needle, sew Rnd 14 of inner shell to Rnd 17 of outer shell. Weave in ends.

Lid:
With black yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (36).
Rnd 7: [Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (42).
Rnd 8: sl st in each sc around (42).
Knob:
With black yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (9).
Rnd 3: [1 sc in next sc, sc2tog] 3 times (6).
Finish off leaving a 12" tail. Weave tail through remaining 6 sts and pull up firmly to close hole. Sew to top center of lid. Weave in ends.
Lip:
With black yarn
ch 30, join to first ch with a sl st to form a loop.
Sc in each ch around.
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing.
Sew top edge of lip around the underside of lid at Rnd 5. This will create a “lip” that will extend approx ½” from the bottom of the lid that will fit inside the honey pot when the lid is put on the pot.
End cap:
With black yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. Sew cap to lip about 3/4 of the way around, stuff lightly with polyfil and continue to sew closed. Weave in ends.

Dripper
With tan yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: Sc in each sc around (18).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (21).
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog] 3 times (18).
Rnd 7: Sc in each sc around (18).
Rnd 8: [Sc in next sc, sc2tog] 6 times (12).
Rnd 9: Sc in each sc around (12). Stuff.
Rnd 10: [sc2tog] 6 times (6).
Rnds 11-22: Sc in each sc around (6).
Finish off leaving a 6” tail. Stuff handle. Weave tail through remaining 6 sts and pull up firmly to close hole. Weave in ends.

Spring in a Can

My sons have been asking me lately if they can plant some seeds so they can watch them grow. While I would love to have a garden, we have so much wildlife in our yard that anything we planted would be eaten in no time.

It is still too cold here to plant flowers outside, so I bought the following materials so that they could plant cat grass in recycled cans. It was a quick project that was just long enough for their 3-year-old attention spans. And the grass started growing in about 7 days so they didn't have to be too patient to see results.

Materials:
1 can (I used a 14.5 oz. can from canned corn)
pea gravel or small rocks
potting soil
seeds
trowel
1 brown paper lunch bag
rubber cement

First, I rinsed out a can and dryed it. I didn't use soap to wash it because I was afraid any soap residue would hurt the plants. And here is a tip: the cans with the pop off tops (similar to soda cans) leave sharper edges than the cans that you have to open with a can opener. I learned that the hard way by slicing the side of my hand while drying a can. Needless to say that I threw that can out and opted for a can without sharp edges.

Next, my sons filled the bottom of the can with pea gravel to provide some drainage. My sons then filled the cans with potting soil, sprinkled in the seeds, topped it with more soil and watered it.

Now that their part of the project was done I decided to decorate the cans a little. I wanted to label each can with their name on kraft paper, but I didn't have any kraft paper on hand. Instead, I cut out a piece of brown paper lunch bag that was 8.5" long and about 4" wide. On my computer, I set up a document in Word, chose a font I liked and typed my sons' name. I printed it on the lunch bag and then used rubber cement to glue the label to the can. I'll admit that the lunch bag did get stuck in the printer once but thankfully it wasn't a horrible paper jam. Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the results, especially since it only cost me a couple of bucks for the seeds.

New Crochet Pattern: Coffee and Donuts

Here is a sneak peek of a pattern that will be available in my shop either later today or tomorrow morning. It includes instructions for a coffee cup with a removable lid and drink sleeve and 3 donuts.

Whew! I have been so busy lately finishing all of the projects that I put on hold when I was crazy busy at my day job. I think I'm almost caught up :)

Pattern Update: Lunch Play Set

Lately I have been revising some of my previous patterns and improving them. For the lunch play set pattern, I made the sandwich a little smaller and redesigned the milk carton. If you previously purchased this pattern from my shop and want the updated pattern for free, just send me a convo through Etsy. And if you could please reference in your convo the date you purchased the lunch play set pattern that would help me find it in my records. Thank you :)

Wow Wow Wubbzy!

Here are some more characters from one of my sons' favorite shows on Nick Jr. -- Wow Wow Wubbzy. The pattern is by Leisure Arts and you can find it at your local craft store (such as Hobby Lobby) or on-line.

If you are going to buy this pattern be forewarned that the suggested yarn was difficult for me to find. I couldn't find it at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or JoAnns. I ended up ordering the yellow, pink and purple yarn online at Roberts Crafts. I have to say that the shipping for 5 skeins of yarn was a little ridiculous, but I knew that if I used the yellow, pink and purple yarn that I could find locally that I wouldn't be happy with the finished product. And another tip: you will probably need 3 skeins of yellow to finish Wubbzy rather than the 2 skeins they recommend. I did, and I got to pay shipping for another skein of yarn. Oh well, my sons love the finished dolls so I guess it was worth it :)

As I don't usually make dolls, I enjoyed the challenge that these patterns presented. And I learned some new techniques in the process.

New Crochet Pattern: Woodland Creatures

Here is a sneak peek at a new pattern soon to be available in my shop. It's a hollowed out log with four forest friends -- a skunk, a squirrel, a raccoon and an owl. All of the creatures fit inside the log so that you can easily store and carry them.

Free Crochet Pattern: Pierogies

My sons recently discovered potato pierogies and boy do they love them. So tonight I whipped some up for their play food collection.



Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in off-white
Crochet hook size E/4
Polyester stuffing
Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
Single crochet (sc)
Slip stitch (sl st)

Top:
With off-white yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: sc in each sc around (18).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Finish off.

Bottom:
With off-white yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Do not finish off. With wrong sides facing, continue to slip stitch Rnd 6 of top to Rnd 5 of bottom about 3/4 of the way around. Put a ball of stuffing in the center of the pierogi and continue to slip stitch it closed. Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. Sew through both layers of the pierogi about 1/4" away from the edge all the way around. Secure end. Weave in ends.

If you want to make half moon shaped pierogies, follow this pattern instead:
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (36).
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. Fold the circle you just made in half and sew it closed, leaving a 1" opening so that you can put a ball of stuffing in the center of the pierogi. Finish sewing it closed, then continue to sew through both layers of the pierogi about 1/4" away from the edge along the curved edge of the pierogi. Secure end. Weave in ends.

Crocheting for Charity: Project Linus

I recently learned about Project Linus, a wonderful charity that provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. I contacted my local chapter to see what size blankets they needed and they told me that they would appreciate any size blanket.

I used the patterns on Project Linus' web site and Lion Brand Pound of Love yarn to make 3 baby blankets. I think that they turned out beautifully! I have a couple of ideas for blankets for older children and teens once I find some spare time to work on them. Spare time is in short supply these days :)

Making these blankets was really fun for me, too. The repetitve nature of making a blanket was so relaxing compared to the crocheting I usually do, surrounded by several different colors of yarn and counting stitches in my head.

New Pattern: Gourmet S'mores

This one was a customer request. For those sophisticated little ladies that do not want to make their s'mores by campfire, I have designed a pattern for a mini indoor hibachi grill to toast your marshmallows on. The pattern also includes instructions for sticks, marshmallows with holes in them, graham crackers, chocolate bars and a divided tray to hold it all.

New Crochet Pattern: Picnic

Here is sneak peek of the newest pattern soon to hit my shop -- a picnic basket with a blanket, chicken drumsticks, potato salad, baked beans and watermellon. Yum! My sons love to pretend they are having a picnic so they could barely wait for this set to be finished.

UPDATE: as of 4/13/10 this item is now available. Thank you to everyone who commented! I have been busier than usual at work so it took me longer than I expected to get this listing up :)

Free Crochet Pattern: Hot Potato

Here's a quick pattern for a potato to add to your child's play food collection or use it for a game of hot potato!

Materials:
- Worsted weight acrylic yarn in brown or taupe and off-white
- Size E4 crochet hook
- Polyester fiberfill
* Optional: bean bag filler or polypellets (to give the potato a little more weight)
- Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
single crochet (sc)
single crochet together/decrease (sc2tog)

The potato is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
With brown or taupe yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (9).
Rnd 3: [1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (12).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Rnds 7-19: sc in each sc around (30).
Rnd 20: [sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog] 6 times (24).
Rnd 21: sc in each sc around (24).
Rnd 22: [sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog] 6 times (18).
Rnd 23: sc in each sc around (18).
Rnd 24: [sc in next sc, sc2tog] 6 times (12). Stuff.
Rnd 25: [sc2tog] 6 times (6).
Finish off leaving a 6” tail. Weave tail through rem 6 sc and pull up firmly to close hole. Weave in ends.

To make an “eye” on the potato:
Cut a 12” length of off-white yarn
Using a tapestry needle, insert the off-white yarn into the potato, leaving about 4” sticking out of the potato, pick up a stitch on the opposite side of the potato and pull the needle back out near the insertion point. Tie the loose ends into a knot and trim. Repeat in random spots around the potato.

Yo Gabba Gabba!

My sons love the show Yo Gabba Gabba. So when I found these patterns I knew I had to make them. I started with Brobee and Muno because they looked the easiest. I don't usually make dolls so I was a little intimidated, but the instructions were really easy to follow. I saved Plex for last because he looked the most complicated. But it was actually pretty easy to make him and he is definitely my sons' favorite (although I used a softer yarn for him and I should have stayed with the Red Heart Super Saver so that he'd hold his shape better).

Allison at CraftyIsCool was so nice and I have to say that some of her crocheting techniques are genius. From how she formed the thumbs and feet to her pattern for Plex's ears and antenna. I just couldn't put this project down and was up until 2 a.m. almost every night last week working on these cute monsters.

Shake Your Shaker!

I can't take credit for this cute little shaker. One of my sons' friends has one and I decided to make a couple for my sons.

Materials:
-empty can with a removable lid (I used a small container of Planter's peanuts)
-beads (or anything else that will make a noise when you shake it)
-1/4 yard fur fabric
-1/4 yard felt (in same color as fur fabric)
-glue gun
-glue sticks
-googly eyes

First, I washed and dried the empty peanut can, filled it with beads and hot glued the lid onto it. I didn't want to fill the shaker with rice because that seemed a little unsanitary to me. Does rice mold? I'm not sure, but I don't want to find out.

Then, I cut out 2 circles from the felt that were about 1" in diameter larger than the top of my can. I hot glued one felt circle to the top of the can, folding any excess felt over the side of the can and hot gluing it into place. I repeated this process on the bottom of the can.

Next, I cut out a piece of fur that was about 2" taller than the can and about 1" longer than I needed to wrap it around the can. Warning: the fur fabric will really shed if you have any unfinished edges. I laid the piece of fur on the table and centered the can over it. I folded over the edges about 1" on the top and bottom (so that the fur would be exactly as tall as the can) and hot glued the "hem" in place. Then I wrapped the fur around the can, hot gluing it to the can as I wrapped it around, folded over the excess fur and "hemmed" it using hot glue. I hot glued on the googly eyes and viola -- you have a shaker!

New Idea: Gardening Play Set + Vegetable Garden

Maybe some of you crafty gals have already thought of this, but it occurred to me last night that the potted flowers from my Gardening Play Set pattern would look cute "planted" in the planter box from my Vegetable Garden pattern. So I made some of the potted flowers last night and I think I was right -- they are cute together!

Free Crochet Pattern: Polly Wants a Cracker

The moment I presented the finished pirate set to my sons, they informed me that "Polly needs a cracker." So here it is:

Materials:
Worsted weight acrylic yarn in off-white
Size E4 crochet hook

Abbreviations:
Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Slip stitch (sl st)

Side 1:
Ch 7
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn (6).
Rows 2-6: sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (6).
Sc evenly around. Finish off.
Side 2:
Ch 7
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn (6).
Rows 2-6: sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (6).
Sc evenly around. Do NOT finish off. With wrong sides facing, continue to slip stitch Sides 1 and 2 together by [sl st, ch 1, sl st in the same stitch] around.
Finish off and weave in ends.

I also thought the parrot could look more pirate-y so I gave him a bandana and eye patch.

Materials:
Worsted weight acrylic yarn in red and black
Size E4 crochet hook

Abbreviations:
Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Slip stitch (sl st)

Eye Patch:
with black yarn
Ch 2.
3 sc in 2nd ch from hook.
Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing and sew over one of the parrot's eyes. Weave in ends.

Bandana:
With red yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Ch 8 and sl st back down the ch and in the sc you started in. Sc in next 2 sc. Ch 8 and sl st back down the ch and in the sc you started in.
Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing. Tie the two chains you just made into a knot. Sew the bandana to the parrot's head. Weave in ends.

Getting Organized

When I first started my Etsy shop, one of the first things I purchased was a tuck and roll organizer from coyotecraft. I take my project bag with me everwhere I go and had been using *gasp* a plastic baggie to hold my hooks, etc. I absolutely love this organizer because it is compact, holds all of my hooks securely in place and is much more stylish than a plastic baggie :)

Bean was a pleasure to work with and everything was very well made. She let me pick out my fabrics and she even made me a matching needle book so that I had a place to store my sewing and yarn needles. It's probably the only thing I've bought from Etsy that I use everyday.

National Crochet Month

I was surprised to learn that March is National Crochet Month. Wow, yes crochet gets its own month! I feel like such a bad crocheter that I have been enjoying this hobby for so many years and had no idea about this.

To celebrate, I've decided to have a sale in my shop. Buy one pattern and receive another pattern (of equal or lesser value) 1/2 off now through March 31st. Just put the patterns into your cart, enter the discount code NCM in the notes to seller when you checkout and pay through PayPal. I will issue a refund to you for 1/2 off the least expensive pattern(s) through PayPal.

Happy hooking, fellow crocheters!

Pattern Update: Just Desserts

My Just Desserts pattern is one of my best selling patterns. But I thought that I could improve on the cake so that "stuffing" it was easier and so that the cake wasn't so tall. I also made the cupcakes a tad smaller than they were before. If you purchased this pattern from my shop prior to January 28, 2010 just send a convo to me through Etsy and I'll happily send the revised pattern to you for free. If you could please include your date of purchase in your convo that will help me locate you in my records. Thank you :)

Pattern Update: Mailbox with Mail Bag

I wasn't completely happy with the flag on the mailbox so I decided to make some changes to the pattern. While I was at it, I added a pattern for a package.

If you previously purchased the mailbox pattern from my shop and want the updated pattern for free, just send me a convo through Etsy. And if you could please reference in your convo the date you purchased the mailbox pattern that would help me find it in my records. Thank you :)

Wood Grain Pillow

I have to admit that I never buy Crochet Today magazine. But when I saw this pattern I ran to my nearest store to buy the Jan/Feb '09 issue. The pattern was really easy to follow and I love the way the pillow turned out. I gave it to my sister-in-law this past Christmas and she loved it, too.

The pattern says that it makes a 20x20 pillow, and this turned out to be larger than I was expecting. Maybe one of these days I will find time to convert it into a pattern for a 16x16 pillow. I think it would be really cool to make the pillow dark brown with off-white grain. Hmmm, maybe I will try that when the basement remodel is finished.

Crocheting for Charity: Cat Toys

My sister-in-law volunteers at a local cat shelter. I wanted to get some cat toys for them, but the shelter doesn't allow toys with cat nip. Could you imagine 166 cats going wild on cat nip? Otherwise, I definitely would have bought quite a few of these. They are so cute and look extrememly well made.
So, I decided to make some cat toys using this pattern and this pattern. I just used some yarn I had around the house, some jingle bells for the mouse's tail and some mylar windows from junk mail envelopes to make the sardines crinkly.

The mouse was super easy and worked up quickly. I wanted to make sure that the jingle ball was secured to the tail very well, so instead of following the instructions, I chained 15 stitches, then switched to a tiny hook (1.9 mm) to insert through the loop at the top of the bell, pull the yarn through and slip stitch. I then switched back to the size G hook and slip stitched back up the remaining chains and sewed the tail to the mouse.

The sardines were easy to make too, although there weren't many instructions for the tail. The instructions tell you to make a circle by crocheting in the round and then attach it to the sardine, but the photo didn't look like there was a circle hanging off of the sardine. So I finished off the circle leaving a long tail, folded the circle in half and sewed it along the edge so that I had a semi-circle. I then sewed the round edge of the semi-circle to the last round of the sardine. I hope the kitties like them :)

New Pattern: Ahoy Mateys!

Here is a new crochet pattern that will be in the shop soon! My son started talking like a pirate the moment that he put the hat on. Just too cute :) The pattern includes instructions for a pirate hat, eye patch, gold coins, a pouch to put them in, a treasure map and a parrot.

And I plan to post a free little "extra" to go along with this pattern in the near future.

Free Crochet Pattern: Heart Shaped Cookies

This adorable little pattern was available in my Etsy shop prior to Valentines Day. Now that Valentines Day has past, I decided to save $.20 and not relist this pattern on Etsy but share it on my blog instead.

These cookies work up quickly. I hope you enjoy them :)

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in beige, pink, white and red
Crochet hook size E
Crochet hook size H
Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
Double crochet (dc)
Half double crochet (hdc)
Single crochet (sc)
Slip stitch (sl st)
Triple crochet (tc)

Cookie:
Side 1:
With beige yarn and a size H hook
Rnd 1: 7 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (7).
Rnd 2: sc/hdc/dc in next sc, 2tc/dc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/2tc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/dc/tc in next sc, tc/dc/hdc in next sc (21).
Rnd 3: sc in next two stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next 14 stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, sl st in last stitch.
Finish off. Decorate Side 1 with frosting using the pattern below.
Side 2:
With beige yarn and a size H hook
Rnd 1: 7 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (7).
Rnd 2: sc/hdc/dc in next sc, 2tc/dc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/2tc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/dc/tc in next sc, tc/dc/hdc in next sc (21).
Rnd 3: sc in next two stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next 14 stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, sl st in last stitch.
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. With wrong sides facing, Sew Rnd 3 of Side 1 to Rnd 3 of Side 2. Weave in ends.

Icing:
With red, pink or white yarn and a size E hook
Rnd 1: 7 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (7).
Rnd 2: sc/hdc/dc in next sc, 2tc/dc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/2tc in next sc, hdc/2sc in next sc, hdc/dc/tc in next sc, tc/dc/hdc in next sc (21).
Rnd 3: sc in next two stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next 14 stitches, 2 hdc in next 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, sl st in last stitch.
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. Sew icing to Side 1. Weave in ends.

Free Crochet Pattern: Rocket Ship

I haven't blogged in a long time, but I decided to add a free pattern that has been available in my etsy shop for some time now. Here it is. I hope you enjoy it!

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in light grey, white, blue, lime green, black, red and orange
Crochet hook size E/4
Polyester stuffing
Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
Chain (ch)
Single crochet (sc)
Single crochet together/ decrease (sc2tog)
Slip stitch (sl st)

Rocket ship is worked in the round starting at the bottom and working up to the nose.
With light grey yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Rnd 3: [Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (18).
Rnd 4: [Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (24).
Rnd 5: [Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (30).
Rnd 6: [Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (36).
Rnd 7: [Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times (42).
Rnd 8: working in back loops only, sc in each sc around (42).
Rnds 9-13: sc in each sc around (42).
Switch to white yarn
Rnds 14-28: sc in each sc around (42).
Switch to light grey yarn
Rnd 29: [Sc in next 5 sc, sc2tog] 6 times (36).
Rnd 30: sc in each sc around (36).
Rnd 31: [Sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog] 6 times (30).
Rnd 32: sc in each sc around (30).
Rnd 33: [Sc in next 3 sc, sc2tog] 6 times (24).
Rnd 34: sc in each sc around (24).
Rnd 35: [Sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog] 6 times (18).
Rnd 36: sc in each sc around (18). Stuff rocket with polyfil. From this point on continue to stuff as you go.
Rnd 37: [Sc in next sc, sc2tog] 6 times (12).
Rnd 38: [sc2tog] 6 times (6).
Rnd 39: [sc2tog] 3 times (3).
Finish off leaving an 8" tail. Weave tail through remaining 3 stitches and pull up firmly to close the hole. Weave in ends.

Wings: make 3
Side 1:
With blue yarn
ch 9
Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn (8).
Row 2: sc in next 6 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (7).
Row 3: sc2tog, sc in next 5 sc, ch 1, turn (6).
Row 4: sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (5).
Row 5: sc2tog, sc in next 3 sc, ch 1, turn (4).
Row 6: sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (3).
Row 7: sc2tog, sc in next sc, ch 1, turn (2).
Row 8: sc2tog (1).
Finish off.
Side 2:
With blue yarn follow the pattern above for Side 1 but do not finish off at the end. With wrong sides facing, continue to sl st Side 1 to Side 2 leaving a small opening to lightly stuff the wing with a small amount of stuffing. Continue to sl st together. Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. Using the tail you finished with and a yarn needle, sew the flat edge of the wing to the rocket between Rnds 8 and 16. Repeat for the other two wings.

Windows: make 2
With lime green yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12).
Finish off leaving a 12" tail for sewing. Using a yarn needle, sew a window to the rocket between Rnds 19 and 23 and lined up with the center wing. Sew the other window to the rocket between Rnds 26-30 and lined up with the first window.

Blasters: make 3
With black yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: [sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (9).
Rnd 3: sc in each sc around (9).
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (12).
Rnd 5: sc in each sc around (12).
Using a yarn needle and a length of red yarn, insert the red yarn into the blaster leaving a 2" tail, secure to Rnd 1 of the blaster and bring red yarn back out the blaster leaving a 2" tail. Repeat with red and orange yarn to give the appearance of flames.
Sew blasters to bottom of the rocket.

** By using this pattern you agree to the following:
This pattern may not be sold in full or in part, and products made using this pattern may not be sold on-line. The completed rocket ship may be sold off-line (i.e., at craft fairs). All reproduction, publication, or distribution of this pattern without permission of the copyright owner is prohibited.