My Life, My Obsessions

Friday, December 14, 2007

Peguins!

In honor of the snow and ice storms that seem to be occurring everywhere but where we live, I made penguins. Of course, when you find irresistible patterns, you make them regardless of the weather. Both penguins are headed for Kristie's Toy Drive come summer. It gets way to hot to keep penguins in Phoenix during the summer.



The pattern on the left is from Lionbrand's website. It's an easy pattern and works up really fast.

The one on the right is from Peggytoes. The pattern actually calls for black eyelash yarn for all the black parts. It makes a really cute fuzzy penguin. However, I didn't have enough and I hate working with it. So I tend to do fuzzy yarn projects when the kids are in bed. But I just couldn't wait to try out this pattern. Fortunately he looks pretty cute in just plain old Red Heart Super Saver. I left off some of the details from the original pattern. Partly because I prefer the simplistic and because I wanted it to be a little less girly.

Peggy Read is giving away a copy of the pattern for the large penguin (she has one in thread too) if you have donated to Kristie's Toy Drive in the past or as soon as you donate one for the upcoming drive. You have until June 2008 for the current drive.

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Small Christmas Stocking Pattern

Small Christmas Stocking

Crochet Pattern


This pattern has been tested. If you find any errors, please let me know so that I can correct them.
Please do not post this pattern on other sites or attempt to sell it. Instead, please provide a link back to this page. Thank you!
Beginner level

Approximate size: 5 inches


Materials Needed:
Size G hook
Color A ww yarn (1 ounce)
Color B ww yarn (2 ounces)

Do not join rounds.
Pattern is done in a continuous spiral unless otherwise noted.
Stocking
With Color A
Round 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12)
Rnd 3: *sc in next stitch, inc. Repeat from * around. (18)
Rnd 4-5: sc in each stitch around. (18)
Sl st in next stitch. Fasten off and weave in end.

Join Color B with sl st in any stitch.
Rnd 6-10: sc in each stitch around. (18)
Do not fasten off.

Heel
Worked in rows, not rounds.
Row 1: attach with sl st in 6th st from end of round 10. 2 sc in next 2 stitches, sl st in next stitch. Ch 1, turn. (6)
Row 2: sl st in first stitch, sc in next 2 stitches, inc in next, sc in next 2 stitches, sl st into next stitch of round 10. Ch 1, turn. (8)
Row 3: sl st in first stitch, sc in next 3 stitches, inc in next, sc in next 3 stitches, sl st into next stitch of round 10. Ch 1, turn. (10)
Row 4: sl st in first stitch, sc in next 4 stitches, inc in next, sc in next 4 stitches, sl st into next stitch of round 10. Ch 1, turn. (12)
Row 5: skip first stitch, 1 dec over next 2 stitches, sc in next 7 stitches, 1 dec over last 2 stitches, sl st into next stitch of round 10. Ch 1, turn. (10)
Row 6: skip first stitch, 1 dec over next 2 stitches, sc in next 6 stitches, 1 dec over last 2 stitches, sl st into next stitch of round 10. Ch 1, turn. (9)
Fasten off and weave in tail.

Continue Stocking
Pick up Color B from round 10.
Rnd 11: sc in each stitch around. (This will include Row 6 of Heel and the remnants of Rnd 10). (18)
Rnd 12-19: sc in each stitch around. (18)
Sl st in next stitch. Fasten off and weave in end.

Join Color A with sl st in any stitch.
Rnd 20-21: sc in each stitch around. (18)
Fasten off and weave in tail.

Optional Loop
Attach Color A with sl st to round 21 at back of Stocking (above Heel). Ch 4, sl st into next stitch of round 21.
Fasten off and weave in tail.



Abbreviations
Sc = single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
Ch = chain
Inc = increase (2 sc in one stitch)
Dec = decrease (insert hook in next stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, insert hook in second
stitch, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook)


© Emily Miller 2007

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Monday, December 10, 2007

A Bear



My son is convinced that he needs this bear. He's sure that he doesn't have enough bears. We go through this every time I make something. Even sweaters. As soon as I put the item away, he forgets about it. This particular bear is joining the Toy Drive stash that will be sent to Kristie next summer. He looks a little plain right now. I think I'm going to have to dig a little deeper into my craft stuff to see if I can find a good ribbon for him.

The pattern was a free one and can be found here.

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Friday, December 07, 2007

A Little Stocking

I wanted a little stocking to crochet for a simple gift. I tried one that I found online, but didn't like how it turned out. So I improvised one. I thought it turned out well. It's only 5 inches long. The perfect size to fill with chocolate and give away.

Hopefully I'll have the pattern up soon for anyone that's interested.

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A Pocket Dragon

I wanted to try to make a pocket sized dragon. It just sounded fun. So, here is attempt #1.


There are some things that I'd like to change. I think the face looks like a pig. Plus there are a few other things I'd like to do differently.

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SARAH - DON'T LOOK!

Sarah, if you want this to be a surprise, don't read any farther.

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My sister is having her first baby. She has spoiled my kids since they were born. She visited just after each was born. She brings them treats when she visits, sends birthday presents, buys them clothes, etc. Yep, she's a great aunt. And a great sister. I'm sure I won't be the same aunt that she's been, but I had to do something for my upcoming niece. I'm sure that she'll be getting plenty of blankets. I know my mom has made 2. So I decided to make a little sweater.

Here's the little sweater that I made for her. I used a thinner yarn and had to alter the pattern a little. I think I may have made sleeves a little long, but they look cute rolled up.

It's from the Crochet Me pattern Baby, It's Cold Outside.

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Monday, December 03, 2007

Little Alien gets a Spaceship!

The alien may look familiar. It's the same pattern as the one I made for my Dad.

Only now he has his very own spaceship. Both were pretty quick to make. The alien is under 3 inches tall and the space ship is 3 1/2 inches wide. This little alien is headed for Kristie's toy drive next summer.
The pattern is now for sale in my etsy store.

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My First Cradle Purse

I've been wanting to make a cradle purse and decided that Kristie's toy drive was a good excuse to try one. I started and mostly finished the cradle purse in October. All that was left was weaving in the ends. I also wanted to make a pillow and blanket to go with it. So it sat like that for almost two months. Sad, I know. It was a very busy and very sick time at our house. So I finally got around to it last night. I really like the little blanket. I couldn't decide what color to make it, so I alternated both colors.

The cradle purse is from a free pattern.

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