Squirrel Pattern Available!

The crochet squirrel pattern (including acorn) is now available to purchase at Em’s Emporium at etsy.com!

Crazy Kitten!

Here is the newest member of my springy family! I think she turned out pretty cute. I couldn't find the eyes that I wanted. I even looked in 2 different states, but could not find 12 mm cat eyes. I do have a pair of 18 mm, but they're too big for this little kitten. Now if only my mom would remember to call me next time she heads to Hobby Lobby (hint, hint). :)

Due to my husband's allergies, this is as close as I will ever come to having a cat make a mess of my yarn. Not that I miss that, since I have two young kids to provide me with the joy of constantly rewinding my yarn.

Aliens Invasion

Since my daughter was born (over a year ago) we've been renting the past seasons of X-Files and lately, I've been passing that time crocheting as well. I knew what the result would inevitably be -a crocheted alien.

A lady at Crochetville is doing a toy drive for the children's ward of a hospital. She needs small toys to donate for Bingo prizes. The age group is from 3 or 4 (I think) to 16-17 years old. So I was wondering what a 16 year old boy would want and not much came to mind. There aren't many crocheted things you can give to boys, especially 16 year old boys. So this is the closest I could get. An alien chapstick holder. Quirky, I know. But he didn't turn out to grotesque. We think he looks like an alien embryo. (Too much X-Files!)

Alien Chapstick Holder

Materials Needed:
Caron Simply Soft in Limelight (or other lightweight green yarn)
Black worsted weight yarn for face (small amount)
Size F hook
Yarn needle
Fiberfill (small amount)
Stitch marker (optional)
Mini carabineer or key chain
chapstick

If using other ww yarns, you will have to make some adjustments since Caron SS is thinner.

Head and Body
Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: inc (2 sc) in each stitch around. (12)
Rnd 3-14: sc in each stitch around. (12)
Rnd 15: (working in outside loops only) inc (2 sc) in each stitch around. (24)
Rnd 16-18: sc in each stitch around. (24)
Rnd 19: *sc in next 2 stitches, dec. Repeat from * around. (18)
Rnd 20-21: sc in each stitch around. (18)
Rnd 22: *sc in next stitch, dec. Repeat from * around. (12)
Rnd 23: sc in each stitch around. Sl st in next stitch. Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing. (12)

Fold top over to form head and stuff lightly. Sew Round 23 to Round 7 to close.

Arms (make 2)
Attach with sl st at Round 6. Ch 8, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st back down original chain.

Legs (make 2)
Attach with sl st at Round 6. Ch 8, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st back down original chain.

Loop
Attach with sl st to back of head near top. Ch 5 (or more), sl st to head near original sl st. Sl st back along original chain to first sl st. Fasten off and weave in tail.

Embroider face with black yarn.

Attach carabineer or key chain.

Springer the Puppy

Slinky dog has a new name and a temporary home at Em’s Emporium at etsy.com. He's waiting for someone to adopt his crochet pattern and crochet him! How can you say no to a face like that?

Slinky Dog Needs a Name

I'm currently having the Slinky Dog pattern tested. The testing is almost done, which means soon the pattern will be available. I'm excited since this is the first pattern I've had tested! I've already sold one even! I'm hoping to have it available by Monday. First I have a few adjustments to make to the pattern and then I need to put it into a PDF file.

My only problem is that I'm terrible at naming things and I need 2 names now. I can't call him Slinky Dog, since Slinky is copyrighted. So I need a name for the poor pup. And I need a name for the etsy.com store where I will be selling him. Here are the suggestions so far:

For the Dog
Springer
Floppy
Curly
Springy

For the Store
Auntie Em's

Please, let me know if you have any other suggestions!

Once I get this one out, the Squirrel will be next! I've also had requests for other Slinky animals. Which is great -they are fun to do!

A Fuzzy Bear

I can't resist a cute pattern and this is one that my mother-in-law liked as well. That was all the excuse I needed to make another animal. Fortunately for my mother-in-law, I'd forgotten that I don't like working with fuzzy yarn, although I do like the result. It's an easy pattern, but I really procrastinated on finishing it. At one point I wasn't sure he'd turn out. But now that it's finished, he looks pretty cute. His legs look a little stubby in the picture because he's sitting.

Free pattern

Ribbit, Ribbit!

I tried to make a ball. A couple times actually. Somehow I always make the middle too short so that it looks like someone sat on it. Maybe I'm just too impatient to do that many rows of the same thing. Whatever the reason, the latest attempt didn't turn out either. At least it didn't turn into a ball. Instead it turned into a frog and my son (who didn't like the ball) keeps trying to claim the frog as his own. I think my favorite part is the toes! I did write down the pattern, though I haven't decided what to do with it.

Daisy Charity Square

I have to admit that I've become addicted to Crochetville.org. One of the reasons is all the great people and the other being all the great patterns. Here is an example of both.

A woman named Krystal came up with a wonderful daisy afghan square. She decided to give it away for free to anyone that requested it with just one condition. All you have to do is make up one square and send it back to her. Then she puts them together and donates the afghan to charity. With postage around a dollar, it's not a bad price for a pattern and for a small service opportunity.

She's currently holding a contest. Everyone who sends a square will be entered into a drawing. The winner will be able to choose the non-profit charity that receives the afghan and in whose name it will be given.

To request a copy of the pattern, to read more on the contest, or to view the two beautiful afghans already completed, go to Krystals Blog.

Here's my Daisy Square -already off in the mail!