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 :)