Finger puppets and rattles

Hello there!
Well it's been a long time, again. Almost a month since my last post, naughty me.
The thing is, I've been so very, very busy. I've been busy at home, busy at work, and... busy crocheting!
Would you like to see what I've been making?
Here you are then.

Yes, finger puppets!  They're so much fun to make. Quick and easy :)  I've written up the pattern for the bear, just need to transfer it to the right computer. They're all crocheted with sportsweight yarn and a 3mm hook though you could go down to 2.5 mm. 

I've made another teddy rattle. This one's ecru and navy and has already gone to a new home!

And a ducky rattle! I followed the same pattern as the teddy rattle, adding wings and a beak. 

Here's the pattern for the wings:

Rnd 1: 6sc in a magic circle (see the teddy rattle pattern for details of the magic circle)

Rnd 2: 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, around (9 sc)

Rnd 3: 1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, around (12 sc)

Rnd 4: 1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, around (15 sc)

Rnd 5-6: sc around (15 sc)

Rnd 7: 1 sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, around (12 sc)

Rnd 8-9: sc around (12 sc)

Rnd 10: 1sc in next st, sc2tog, around (9 sc)

Fasten off.

And the beak:

Rnd 1: 6sc in a magic circle

Rnd 2: *[1sc in next 2 st, 2sc in next st] repeat from * (8 sc)

Rnd 3-4: sc around

You can add a further rnd of you want a longer beak.

Fasten off, leaving a long end for sewing.

I hope you enjoy my patterns. I would love to see your creations, please send me a link or share them on the facebook page. 

Here's Zippy!

Isn't he fun?  Zippy has been on the go for quite a while and at last I got around to finishing him! No pattern yet but I might be able to remember how I made him. He wasn't too complicated. And he's so, so cuddly.

Cedric Crab

When a friend asked me to crochet him a crab for a crab-loving friend of his, I decided to have a go at designing one. After several attempts, frogging and starting again (which meant he had to wait longer than planned), I'm pleased to introduce Cedric the crab.

Cedric is a happy little chap. He can bend his claws thanks to pipe cleaners, and he peers out from beneath his African flower shell, bordered with (yes, you guessed), crab stitch!

To make Cedric, you'll need a small amount of DK yarn in two colours (more for the claws colour than for the body colour), a 3mm crochet hook, a small amount of polyfil, two 6mm safety eyes, a tiny strand of black embroidery thread (for the mouth), and a blunt tapestry needle or bodkin.

As I mention in most of my patterns, I have chosen to enclose the polyfil in a piece of old tights.

However, the construction of the crab means that if you crochet tightly, you may not need to do this. There are holes in the African flower, but the crab body is closed up beneath the flower so you may be able to get away with not lining.

Please note that because of the pipe cleaners in the legs, this toy is not suitable for very young children. You can stuff the legs instead of using pipe cleaners, but this will not obtain the same result. And if you want to offer it to young children, you may prefer to replace the safety eyes with embroidered eyes.

You are welcome to sell any crabs you make, but please do not sell this pattern. Do not post this pattern to any website, but link directly to my blog. No file sharing of this pattern. Please respect my designer rights.

Special thanks to Heidi Bears for her tutorial for the African flower pattern, which is an integral part of this design. And thanks to Tamara Kelly for her video explanation of the crab stitch. You'll find links at the relevant points in the pattern below.

If you make a crab using this pattern, it would be great to see it on our flickr page, or share it on the Is it a toy crochet Facebook page. Likes, shares and comments guaranteed!

I shall refer to red yarn and yellow yarn as those are the colours I chose and that correspond to the photo. The crab would look great in other colour combinations too.

Finally, there may still be some errors or incongruences in the pattern. If you have any questions, tips or comments, please post them below.


The ten legs/claws are the longest part of this pattern, so I suggest you start with those. The rest is plain sailing.

If you want to stuff the legs, do so as you go along. If you choose to use pipe cleaners, that's explained below.

Big claws (make 2)

With red

Rnd 1 - Start with a magic circle and 6 sc (for a tutorial on how to make a magic circle, see this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg)

Rnd 2-3 - Sc around (6 sts)

Rnd 4 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 5 - [1sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st] three times (12 sts)

Rnd 6-8 - sc around (12 sts)

Rnd 9 - [1sc in next st, sc2tog] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 10 - In back loops only:  [1sc in next st, sc2tog] three times (6 sts)

Rnd 11 - In both loops: [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 12-14 - sc around (9 sts)

Rnd 15 - [1sc in next st, sc2tog] three times (6 sts)

Rnd 16 - sc around (6 sts)

Rnd 17 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 18-19 - sc around (9 sts)


Now make the "thumb"

With red

Rnd 1 -  Start with a magic circle and 6 sc

Rnd 2-3 - sc around (6 sts)

Rnd 4 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 5 - sc around

Rnd 6 - [1sc in next st, sc2tog] three times (6 sts)

Finish off, leaving a tail of yarn for sewing. Press sides together and sew through both layers and on to three of the visible loops on Rnd 10.


Back legs (make 6)

With red

Rnd 1 -  Start with a magic circle and 6 sc

Rnd 2-3 - Sc around (6 sts)

Rnd 4 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 5 - sc around (9 sts)

Rnd 6 - [1sc in next st, sc2tog] three times (6 sts)

Rnd 7-8 - sc around (6 sts)

Rnd 9 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 10-11 - sc around (9 sts)

Rnd 12 -  [1sc in next st, sc2tog] three times (6 sts)

Rnd 13-15 - sc around (6sts)

Finish off, leaving a long tail of yarn for sewing


For each leg, fold a pipe cleaner in two and enter the folded end into the leg, pushing it to the tip. Trim the ends, folding them back into the leg to avoid pointed ends sticking out.  You don't need to put pipe cleaners into the very back legs:


Very back legs (make 2)

With red

Rnd 1 -  Start with a magic circle and 6 sc

Rnd 2-3 - Sc around (6 sts)

Rnd 4 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in next st] three times (9 sts)

Rnd 5 - [1sc in next st, sc2tog] three times (6 sts)

Rnd 6-11 - sc around (6 sts)

Finish off, leaving a long tail of yarn for sewing


Body (make 1)

With yellow

Rnd 1 -  Start with a magic circle and 6 sc

Rnd 2 - 2sc in each st around (12 sts)

Rnd 3 - [2sc in next st, 1 sc in next st] rep around (18 sts)

Rnd 4 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in each of next st 2st] rep around (24 sts)

Rnd 5 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in each of next st 3st] rep around (30 sts)

Rnd 6 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in each of next st 4st] rep around (36 sts)

Rnd 7 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in each of next st 5st] rep around (42 sts)

Rnd 8 - [2sc in next st, 1sc in each of next st 6st] rep around (48 sts)

Rnd 9 - In back loop only: sc around (48 sts)

Rnd 10-12 - In both loops: sc around (48 sts)

Rnd 13 - In back loop only: [sc in each of next 6st, sc2tog] rep around (42 sts)

Rnd 14 - [sc in each of next 5st, sc2tog] rep around (36 sts)

Rnd 15 - [sc in each of next 4st, sc2tog] rep around (30 sts)

Attach the safety eyes betwee row 11 and 12. Embroider mouth between rows 9 and 10.

Sew on the legs, starting with the big claws, placing each one about 1 cm from the face. Continue to sew the legs on, one on each side at a time, keeping them as symmetrical as you can.

Place stuffing pillow (made from 2 round pieces cut out from a pair of old tights, sewn together, stuffed and close up the hole) or start stuffing.

Rnd 16 - [sc in each of next 3st, sc2tog] rep around (24 sts)

Rnd 17 - [sc in each of next 2st, sc2tog] rep around (18 sts)

Finish stuffing.

Rnd 18 - [sc in next st, sc2tog] rep around (12 sts)

Rnd 19 - sc2tog to end (6 sts)

Sew the hole closed, fasten off and bury the end of yarn inside the body.


African flower shell

Make a two-tone African Flower. You can follow Heidi Bears' tutorial here, but please note that it is slightly different towards the end, so check the round-by-round instructions below too.

http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.fr/2010/05/african-flower-hexagon-crochet-tutorial.html

Some of these instructions are copied from Heidi Bear's website, with her permission.

Rnd 1 - With yellow - Make a magic circle. Ch 3, 1 dc, 1ch. [2dc 1ch] five more times, so you end up with six 2dc groups, separated by a ch. Make 1 final ch and sl st into the 3rd ch of the initial 3 ch. Cut yarn

Rnd 2 - With red - Insert hook into the space just to the right of the 3ch leg from the previous round. Yarn around hook, pull yarn through, ch3 (counts as 1dc).  1dc into the same space, ch 1 and make 2dc into the same space again.

Work the same 2dc, ch1, 2dc into each ch sp around. You will have six groups. Sl st to the 3rd chain to finish the round

Rnd 3 - With red - Insert your hook into the space created by the chain stitch between the 2dcs. Ch 3 (counts as 1dc)
Make 6 further dc into the same space. There should be 7 dc. Continue with 7dc in each ch sp. You will have six 7dc groups. Sl st into top of 3ch.

Cut yarn, join yellow.

Rnd 4 - with yellow - 1 sc into each of next 7 sts. Now work a long dc into the space just above the
yellow "petal" of Rnd 1. Look at Heidi Bear's tutorial for guidance :)

Continue to work you way around the hexagon...7sc, dc, 7sc, dc etc, until you get back to the beginning...as always, join the round by slip stitch into the first sc.

Cut yarn, join red.

Rnd 5 - with red - Working in front loop only. Sc around, but working 2sc in the fourth stitch at the centre of each "petal".

(In rnd 5 I may have used hdc rather than sc, but sc will make a smaller shell, which may look better. Please feel free to experiment!)

Rnd 6 - with red - crab stitch around (see Tamara's great video explaining how to do crab stitch, here: http://www.mooglyblog.com/reverse-single-crochet-crab-stitch/)

Fasten off and weave in the last yarn end. The others can be simply trimmed as they will not be visible when the crab is completed.

Now, using the two visible lines of stiches made which stitching into front stitch or back stitch only, sew the shell onto the crab's body. And you're done!

An old pattern, a new owl

Look who's watching you! I realised that my owl amigurumi pattern is just over a year old, so I thought that to celebrate I'd make a new little owl. The great thing about the pattern is that someone with a bit of crochet experience can adjust it to almost any size, just by making the starting chain row shorter or longer and shaping accordingly. For example, for this little owl I started with just 8ch and working only three increase rows. I love his big red beak and his shiny eyes.
Have you made an owl with the pattern? If so, please share it in our flickr group. You can also see more owls like this one on the Ravelry project page (you have to be a member of Ravelry, but that's free and easy, and Ravelry is such a huge resource I can't imagine anyone who is interested in crochet or knitting not being a member). See you there!

Some recent projects and...

Hi there dear reader,
I hope you are well and happy and not suffering too much from the cold weather that we're having right here in the Northern hemisphere.  Where I am it is damp, damp and more damp. And grey. I'm really missing the South African warmth and vibrant colours. But I suppose that's life.

To cheer myself up, I've been very actively Finishing Things Off. Or trying to. Here's the results:

First of all, a lovely little sausage-dog for a friend's baby. I used Debbie Bliss Eco Baby yarn and a 3 mm hook. The pattern is not one of my own this time - I used this pattern from Premier Yarns. The pattern was straightforward but if I'd have one criticism it would be the sewing together! The pattern has nine pieces that need to be sewn together which may be all right if you like sewing, but I don't... Sewing the head to the body was particularly difficult as it is means sewing two rounded shapes together, and even after all possible efforts the head was still a bit wobbly.  But the parents liked it and I think the baby did too.

 

Secondly, this rather short scarf for a friend. It's such a pity that the photo doesn't really reflect how light and soft this yarn is. It's Faerytale by Du Store Alpakka - a beautifully lightweight and incredily soft brushed Alpaca wool. I only had one 50g ball, but still decided to make this little wrap. I used a free pattern I found on  Ravelry called Airy Shells Scarf. It's an easy pattern and perfect for this kind of yarn.

And today's last project is...

A little fox brooch!  This little guy was easy but a bit fiddly to make out of felt. You need really sharp scissors to cut out the tiny pieces. I'll draw out the pattern pieces and post this up on the blog soon, if you'd like it.

Oh and I've made a promise on my facebook page that there will be a giveaway soon. I'm just waiting to get to 200 followers on the blog (there are already well over 100 likers on facebook) and I'm putting together a little selection of bits and bobs to cheer up a happy winner. More about that very soon!

 

Teddy rattle free pattern

Thank you so much for your interest in my little teddy rattle. Here, at last, is the pattern.

As usual, please do not sell this pattern. Do not post this pattern to any website, but link directly to my blog. No file sharing of this pattern. Please respect my rights as the designer of this pattern, so that I can keep on sharing my patterns for free.

(A word on lining: I line the head with cotton fabric so as to be sure that none of the polyfill will come out. I consider this is especially important when making toys for babies. If you want to do the same, when you get to row 18 of the head, draw around it on a piece of paper and use this as a pattern to cut out two pieces of soft cotton fabric. stitch close to the edge, leaving a gap for stuffing that is also big enough for the rattle insert. Now turn inside out and place it inside the head. Now stuff it and add the rattle insert, sewing it closed by hand.)

For this photo, I stuffed the cotton "bag" before putting it in the head. It's easier to place the empty "bag" in the head before adding the rattle and stuffing it, and then sew the gap closed.

Another solution would be to user a smaller hook, so that your stitches are really very tight. I prefer to line.

For now, though, let's get on with the actual pattern.

(Please note that the pattern has not been properly tested, so there might be some mistakes. If you find any, or if any of it is difficult to understand, please tell me in the comments section and I will update/respond to the best of my ability.)


You will need:

A small amount of sportsweight yarn in two colours (I used Debbie Bliss eco baby)
Contrasting yarn or embroidery thread for the face
A 3 mm crochet hook
A rattle insert
Stuffing

Start with the ears (make 2)

Using colour A make a magic ring

rnd 1 - 6 sc into magic ring
rnd 2 - 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)
rnd 3-4 - sc around (12 sts)
rnd 5 - [sc2tog, 1 sc], rep to end (8 sts)
rnd 6 - working through both thicknesses, 4 sc.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the ears to the head.


Now make the little arms (make 2)

Using colour B make a magic ring

rnd 1 - 6 sc into magic ring
rnd 2 - [1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] twice (8 sts)
rnd 3 - sc around (8 sts)
Change to colour A
rnd 4-10 sc around (8 sts)

Fasten off.

Head 

Using colour A make a magic ring

rnd 1 - 6 sc into magic ring
rnd 2 - 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)
rnd 3 - [2 sc in next st, 1 sc] rep around (18 sts)
rnd 4 - [2 sc in next st, 2 sc] rep around (24 sts)
rnd 5 - [2 sc in next st, 3 sc] rep around (30 sts)
rnd 6 - [2 sc in next st, 4 sc] rep around (36 sts)
rnd 7-9 - sc around (36 sts)
rnd 10 - [2 sc in next st] three times, sc in next 15 sts, [2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 15 sts (42 sts)
rnd 11-13 - sc around (42 sts)
Carry on sc to just below the middle inc stitch of row 10. (If you look carefully, you'll notice that the increases of rnd 10 are visible as three larger stitches on each side of the head. Use those stitches as a guide of where the sides of the head are) Change to colour B.  (see photo)

Can you see the larger stitches?

rnd 14-16 - sc around (42 sts)

rnd 17 - [1sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog] rep around (36 sts)
rnd 18 - sc around (36 sts)

Now is a good time to sew on the ears and embroider the eyes, nose and mouth with contrasting yarn or embroidery thread. To place them, flatten the face, making sure that the increases of rnd 9 are on the edge of the head, giving it the right shape.  Sew the ears on between rows 4 and 7. Embroider the nose in the middle of the face, on rnd 12. Space the eyes evenly in relation to the nose, then add the cheeky smile. Now stuff the head. (See notes above re lining the head before stuffing)

rnd 19 - [1sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog] rep around (30 sts)
rnd 20 - sc around (30 sts)

rnd 21 - [1sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog] rep around (24 sts)
Change to colour A
rnd 22 - sc around (24 sts)

Join in one of the arms by crocheting through both thicknesses together with the rest of rnd 23.

Continue sc until you are at the centre front of the head, then skip 12 sts and sc in the next st. From now on, you will be working only in the remaining 12 sts. Work several rows in colour A, and then add colour B and work in a spiral, changing colour every 12 sts (leaving the yarn to one side every time you change colour - don't cut the yarn!) If you prefer, you can also make the handle in a single colour.

Here you can see how the handle is constructed.

Continue the tube, stuffing as you go. As this part is too narrow to line, I use a very old woollen felted blanket, cut into little shreds, to stuff the handle. Continue until the handle measures approx 19 cm (7 1/2 inches), finishing with colour A, and work the same number of rounds in colour as you did at the beginning of the handle. Join in the second arm, on the same side as the first one (see photo). Finish off the rnd on the opposite side to the arm and finish off, leaving a long thread for sewing.

Now make sure you have stuffed the handle enough, then very carefully sew the open part of the handle to the remaining 12 sts of the head.

Don't hesitate pulling on it to make sure your stitches are strong enough. Safety is an issue here! When you're satisfied that the handle is securely sewn, fasten off and hide the ends inside the head.

And there you have a cute little teddy rattle!

Toys for sale!

Hello there!

Well the organic market has been and gone, and unfortunately I did not obtain the right to sell my items due to the complicated French bureaucracy. The market is not considered as a craft fair, it is for professional sellers, of which I am not, so for insurance reasons I couldn't sell anything there. So my goods are still for sale! Some friends have already expressed their interest (for example the little duck rattle in my previous post has already been snatched up!). But if you're interested in any of my goods, do let me know. You can see the whole lot on the Is it a toy crochet facebook page. And to keep your appetite up, here's a small selection of what's available.

For more, nip over to our facebook page now! And if you don't have access to facebook, send me a message and I'll give you all the information you might need. I look forward to hearing from you!

Teddy rattle MkII

Remember these teddy rattles? Well, I wasn't entirely satisfied with the result, even though lots of my friends and family told me they were fine, cute and very nice. Hmm, I thought, there's something missing. And I found the shape of their head could be improved.  So, back to the drawing board. This new teddy has a slightly bigger head, and most importantly he has arms! Much better, don't you think? 

Spicynat's mum and baby owls

Spicynat has kindly given me permission to share her gorgeous Mom and Baby owls, aren't they just the cutest things? I love the way she's done the eyes. Spicynat shared her pics on our flickr group. We're looking forward to seeing other owls, doudous, etc that you've made using the patterns from this blog :-)

Sammy snake finger puppet free pattern

I've made this little finger puppet several times, so decided to (at last!) write up the pattern and share it here.

For this, and all of my patterns, please respect my designer rights and do not claim this pattern as your own. You are free to use the pattern to make, give and sell toys but please credit me as the designer. If you want to share this pattern, please do not reproduce it on your site, but link back to  http://isitatoy.blogspot.fr/2012/07/sammy-snake-finger-puppet-free-pattern.html. Thank you!

This is the IDEAL last-minute little gift for the small children in your life. It is really quick and easy to make with a tiny amount of yarn, and kids love it! I've offered it to all ages from three to seven, and they all had great fun with their little snake. It works best with worsted/aran yarn, though I've also used DK with success.  The DK yarn makes a smaller snake, but it still fits tiny fingers. The eyes are embroidered, and for the tongue you can either choose the easy option, as I did, just by pulling through the tail of yarn, from the wrong side, or you can use felt, and if you're feeling adventurous, you can crochet a tongue  using embroidery thread. The pattern for the tongue is down below, at the botton of this post. Have fun, ssssssssssss.

You will need:

A small amount of yarn
A crochet hook that corresponds to your yarn (I used a 4mm hook with aran, or a 3.5mm hook with DK)
Embroidery thread for the eyes
(optional) Red or pink felt or embroidery thread for the tongue

The pattern for the crochet tongue can be found below the main pattern.

Row 1 - make a magic circle with 5sc
Row 2 - 2sc in each st (10)
Row 3 - sc around (10)
Row 4 - [1sc in next st, 2sc in next st], continue around (15)
Row 5 - [1sc in next st, 2sctog], continue around (10)
Row 6 - sc around (10)
Row 7- [1sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog] twice (8)
Row 8-10 - turn. sc in same st, sc in next 5sts (6)
Row 10 - turn, sc in 6 sts, 2ch
Now you continute to work in rounds again.

Row 11 - 1sc in 6sts, 2sc in 2 ch sp
Row 12-13 - 1 sc around (8)
Row 14 - sc2tog, sc to end (7)
Row 14-15 - sc around (7)
Row 16 - 1sc in 5 sts, sc2tog (6)
Row 17-19 - sc around (6)
Row 20 - sc2tog x 3
Fasten off and pull end to the inside of the snake, trim ends.

Embroider the eyes, then make the tongue by pulling the beginning thread through to the right side and trimming it to tongue size. Or by cutting out a piece of felt, pulling the end through the middle of the magic ring, and sewing securely in place. Otherwise, you can make a tongue from embroidery thread, as follows:


Snake tongue

You will need:

Red or pink embroidery thread (or another colour if you feel like it)
a small crochet hook (I used a 1.75mm hook)

ch 9
1 ss in 2nd ch from hook, 1 ss in next 2 ch
ch 4
1 ss in 2nd ch from hook, ss to end. Fasten off and knot the ends. Pull the end through the middle of the magic ring, and sewing securly in place.

Please let me know if you find any mistakes in the pattern, or if anything is not clear and I will make corrections. If you make any cute snakes, feel free to share them on our flickr group.

François l'éléphant

Hello there!

A week from today I'll be going on holiday to see family and friends in England. Yay! I'm really looking forward to it. Before I leave, I'm trying to finish off as many Unfinished Projects as possible. This little elephant had been sitting in a bag in my room for several months, and to be honest I didn't really like how it was looking. I was even tempted to throw it out. But yesterday I came across it again and decided to finish it off. I'm so glad I did! I found the pattern on Ravelry, but you can also find it here. 

Why François l'éléphant, I hear you asking, Because when I finished off this little guy, for some strange reason he reminded me of the new French President, There's something in his expression. François l'éléphant président.

My first doll!

Hello there!  My amigurumi activity has until now been solely devoted to toy animals (and a robot) and until now I'd never made a doll. For many years I dreamed about sewing a rag doll but nothing ever came of it, so when I found this pattern I decided to give it a try. The pattern calls for quite a heavy yarn which, going from some of the comments, makes rather a large doll. So I decided to use Debbie Bliss eco baby yarn (sports weight, somewhere between 4ply and DK) and a 3mm hook, and my doll is 26cm or 10 inches tall. I'm not extremely happy with her hair, but never mind. 

Here she is in her underwear! Her legs are really the same length, even though they don't look it in this photo. 

I made the dress from my own pattern, and I'm making some shoes for her too. I remember how much fun it is to dress your dolly. Made from organic cotton, she will be for sale at the organic market at the end of May.

I also finished this keyring at the weekend:

It's a small version of my very own owl pattern. I used some left over Catania yarn and a 2.5 mm hook to make this 8cm/3 inch cutie. I love the result you can obtain from this yarn/hook combination, but it's a bit hard on the fingers and takes a lot longer to make than you'd imagine. Worth every minute, though. 

Marcel, Elly and bunny doudou

Hello there! Well what a terrible, terrible blogger I am. I hang my head in shame. Not only have I not blogged for way too long, but the number of followers has passed the 100 mark and I haven't yet organised anything special to celebrate. Oh dear.

But I have been very busy. That's my excuse. Honestly, life at home and at work has been rather... challenging for the last week or two (or three). I'm sure that some of you can sympathise. But hey ho, there's nothing like a spot of crochet to keep one sane. So I've been making. Up there you can see Marcel the mallard (a very good friend of the last post's Ducky). Marcel is awaiting the organic market at the end of May, hoping to find a new home there.

A pattern for Marcel and Ducky is in the pipeline, but still in the experimental phase. I'll need to make another one or two before it's publishable.

Then we have Elly. Here she is in her egg cup.

Elly is tiny and I think she may well end up as a key ring. Once she manages to escape from the egg cup. The inspiration for Elly came from Dawn Toussaint's Padma, but I made a lot of changes to the pattern and Elly really is quite unique. 

Lastly we have a brand new doudou. This time it's a bunny.

Bunny doudou is made with Debbie Bliss aran eco cotton yarn, and will also be on sale at the organic market. The pattern is very similar to my teddy doudou pattern, but bunny has a hidden secret - she is also a puppet. 

Well I'm afraid that's it for today. You'll have to wait a little while longer for our litle celebration, but I did want to say I love that the number of followers has reached and gone beyond one hundred. I love reading your comments, and I hope that you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy sharing it with you. 

This little ducky went to market

Meet my latest creation - a cute little duck! He hasn't gone to market yet, in a few months he probably will. I have just learned that the next edition of our town's organic market that's held twice a year will happen at the end of May. Here was I thinking that I wouldn't have time to build up any sort of stock, but hopefully by then I will have enough to sell. I'll be showing you some more of my items for sale as they roll off the production line. It would be great to know what you think of them because I don't really know what kinds of things will sell. I'll mostly be selling toys and baby accessories (baby shoes and hats). When I was in England a couple of weeks ago, my sister had bought me some more lovely Debbie Bliss organic cotton aran yarn that will go towards some more owls and whatever else inspires me.

Yes, I have been to the UK! That's also why I've not been blogging much recently. It was a very short visit but I did manage to fit in a lot of things. I went to see my lovely cyber-friend Clare and her little boy and husband - it was great to see them "in the flesh". I'd taken Clare a slouchy hat and cowl in lovely soft yarn but I forgot to take a photo... I did also make a lovely orange and brown owl for her little boy, and managed to take a pic of that before leaving. Unfortunately the battery on my camera's died so I can't paste it up right now. Oh dear. But I will as soon as poss, promise.

I also went to see my sister and we went through some of the old ornaments and china that belonged to my Mum and aunt, and I put my name of a few things. I did bring back a vase and two lovely little bowls that belonged to my aunt. The plan is that each time I go I can bring back one or two items. I just have to find somewhere to put them. I've seen a nice display cabinet in Ikea that might just find its way to our living room one of these days...

I'm going to keep today's post short... and I almost forgot!  My blog has 99 followers! I'm really pleased to have you all following my little blog and I hope it keeps you amused and maybe even inspires you. When the 100th follower comes along, maybe I'll organise a little something. Watch this space :-)

A free pattern for 2012

Another year is coming to an end, and I want to thank all of you for following me and encouraging me to keep up my blog. When I started it almost two years ago, I never imagined I would still be crocheting and writing new patterns today. I wish you all a very happy and successful 2012.

I know there are already lots of owl amigurumi patterns available, but I like to think that this one is a little different. Its oval bottom gives it a nice cushiony shape, great for cuddling. And the crocheted eyes cannot be pulled off. It's made from the bottom up and the wings are crocheted in as you go. I tried several yarns for this pattern, but the best result by far comes by using a 4mm hook and aran yarn (the owl on the right). I particularly love the Debbie Bliss eco aran yarn and will be buying some more of it to make lots more owls that I hope to sell at our local organic market

Organic yarn and the fact that this pattern does not use any buttons or beads makes this a suitable toy for babies and young children. I always line my amigurmis to stop any stuffing from escaping, and the organic owls have a lining made from a recycled cotton sheet.

-- Note added on 10th July when I found someone had copied this pattern and said she had written it herself:

Please do not sell this pattern. Do not post this pattern to any website, but link directly to my blog. No file sharing of this pattern.

Are you ready? Here's the pattern:

Stitches used:

sc single crochet
ss slip stitch
dc double crochet


I recommend Debbie Bliss 100% organic cotton eco aran fair trade yarn and I used a 4 mm crochet hook for the main body. For the eyes and beak I used Debbie Bliss ecobaby 100% cotton fairtrade yarn and a 3mm hook.

You can can use one, two, three or several colours for your owl. Just remember to make the wings before starting on the rows in the body of the owl using the same colour so that you don't need to cut off and start over again! I'd even suggest you make the wings first, so that's what I'll begin this pattern with.


Wings (make 2) (using aran yarn)

Rnd 1 - ch 14, join to first ch with a ss to make a ring.

Rnd 2 - 2ch, 1 dc in each chain to end , join to the top of 2 ch (14 dc)

Rnd 3 - 1 sc in each st (14 sc)

Rnd 4 - [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 5 st] twice (12 sc)

Rnd 5 - [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 4 st] twice (10 sc)

Rnd 6 - sc around

Rnd 7 - sc2tog 5 times.

Finish off leaving a tail of yarn, weave the yarn through the last 5 sts, pull tight to close.  Weave in ends.


Eyes (make 2) (using baby yarn)

Rnd 1 - With dark colour, sc 6 into a magic circle, don't join with a slipstitch

Rnd 2 - Join light colour and slst into first sc of the magic circle, then work 2 sc into each st  (12 sc)

Rnd 3 - *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next st, rep from * to end. Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn to sew the eyes on to the owl's face.

Pull the ends tight so that the "pupil" looks OK.


Beak (using baby yarn)

Rnd 1 - make a magic circle,  ch 3 and then work 5 dc into the magic circle, join with a slst to the top of the 3 ch

Rnd 2 - * 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, rep from * to end  (9 sts)

Rnd 3 -  1 sc in each st around  (9 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn to sew the beak on to the owl's face.



Body (worked from the bottom up)

Rnd 1 - ch 10. 1 sc in 3rd chain from hook (and mark this st), 1 sc in each of next 6 ch. 3sc in next ch, then work down the other side of the length of ch, with 1sc in each of the next 7 ch and 3 sc in the space made by the 2 missed ch you started with. (20 sts)

Rnd 2 - * 1 sc in each of next 7 sts, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * once again (26 sts)

Rnd 3 - * 1 sc in each of next 7 sts, [2sc in next st, 1 sc in next st] 3 times, rep from * once again (32 sts)

Rnd 4 - * 1 sc in each of next 7 sts, [1 sc in each of next 2sts, 2sc in next st] 3 times, rep from * once again (38 sts)

Rnd 5-16 - sc around, changing colours at rnd 14 and 16 (optional)

Rnd 17 - sc 14, join the first wing with 7sc, working through the two layers of the wing and the layer of the body, sc 12, join the second wing with 7sc (the 5th , 6th and 7th sc are the first three sts of the next rnd). Make sure the 1st st of the rnd is still marked.

Flatten the body to make sure that the wings are symmetrical (there are more stitches at the front, for the owl's tummy, than at the back, this is normal).  If it's not symmetrical you might have to add or remove a sc before of after starting the 2nd wing.

Rnd 18-22 - sc around

Rnd 23 - * 1 sc in each of next 5 sts, sc2tog, continue from * to end

Rnd 24 - sc around

Sew on the eyes and the beak now.

Flatten your owl to make sure that when you join it at the top it will look right. If necessary, sc 1 or 2 extra stitches.

Line (optional) and stuff your owl.

Rnd 25 - (working through both layers of the top of the owl) ch 2, 1 dc in next 2 sts, sc to last 3 sts, 1 dc in each of last 3 sts, fasten off and weave in ends.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I have made any mistakes. I always read all comments so don't hesitate!

And I would very much like to see photos of your owls!

Here are some more of mine:

Teddy doudou free pattern

In France, every small child has its doudou. I've seen all sorts of doudou - anything from an old piece of blanket or pillowcase, to an elaborate multi-coloured velours soft-toy masterpiece.

A doudou is simply an easy French name for a comfort blanket. I had an idea to make a teddy comfort blanket, using my chubby teddy pattern for the head, and adding some little arms for baby to grab too. I made it out of lovely soft organic cotton, so safe for baby to suck and easy to wash by hand or machine. For extra safety, I lined the head before stuffing it, and embroidered the face with contrasting organic cotton yarn. 

Here's the pattern:

I used one ball of organic cotton in pink and less than half a ball in cream. Of course you can choose the colour you wish, but in the pattern I mention pink and cream so you can follow it more easily.

I used a 3mm hook for the head and the arms, and a 4mm hook for the blanket part.

Head (the same as my chubby teddy pattern, but I'm repeating it here to make things easier for you)

Start with pink yarn and a magic ring

rnd 1 - 6 sc into magic ring

rnd 2 - 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)

rnd 3 - [2 sc in next st, 1 sc] rep around (18 sts)

rnd 4 - [2 sc in next st, 2 sc] rep around (24 sts)

rnd 5 - [2 sc in next st, 3 sc] rep around (30 sts)

rnd 6-8 - sc around (30 sts)

rnd 9 - [2 sc in next st] three times, sc in next 12 sts, [2 sc in next st] 3 times, sc in next 12 sts (36 sts)

rnd 10 - sc around (36 sts)

rnd 11 - sc in each of next 3 sts, [2 sc in next st] three times, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, [2 sc in next st] three times, sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts, [sc2tog] twice (36 sts)

rnd 12 - sc around (36 sts)

Change to cream yarn

rnd 13-15 - sc around (36 sts)

rnd 16 - [1sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog] rep around (30 sts)

rnd 17 - sc around (30 sts)

Now is a good time to embroider the eyes, nose and mouth with contrasting yarn or embroidery thread.

rnd 18 - [1sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog] rep around (24 sts)

rnd 19 - sc around (24 sts)

rnd 20 - [1 sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog] rep around (18 sts)

rnd 21 - [sc2tog, 1 sc in next 2 sts] rep around (13 sts)

Stuff!

rnd 22 - [1 sc in next st, sc2tog] rep around (9 sts)

rnd 23 - [sc2tog] 4 times

Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the head to the blanket

Ears (make 2)

Start with pink yarn and a magic ring

rnd 1 - 6 sc into magic ring

rnd 2 - 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)

rnd 3 - sc around (12 sts)

rnd 4 - [sc2tog], rep to end (6 sts)

rnd 5 - [sc2 tog] twice

Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the ears to the head.

Arms (make 2)

Start with cream yarn and a magic ring

rnd 1 - 6 sc into magic ring

rnd 2 - 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)

rnd 3 - [1 sc in next 2sts, 2 sc in next st] rep around (16 sts)

rnd 4-5 - sc around (16 sts)

now join in the pink yarn and work 6 more rows of sc.

rnd 12 - 1 sc in each of next 7sts, then squeeze the arm flat and working through both thicknesses, sc into the next 7 sts until the end: Fasten off.

Blanket

For the blanket itself you can use any square pattern you like. It would be nice with a granny square or a simple trebles square. I had some problems with the joining of each round, but I'm sure you'll do better. The square should measure around 26 cm. You can find nice square patterns here:

http://yarnberry.wordpress.com/2007/11/18/first-principles-the-humble-crochet-square/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Crochet-a-Granny-Square/

http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-a-square/

Sewing together

Sew the ears to either side of the head, then sew the head to the middle of the blanket. Sew the arms on to the blanket, below and at either side of the head. Please follow the example of the top photo above for how to place the head and arms.

Have a lovely week!

Back to crochet with a bunny rattle

Bunny rattle
Originally uploaded by aishakenza

I have had the permission from my physiotherapist to do a little bit of crochet, as long as I don't experience any pain.
So, very slowly, I have been making this little rabbit. It's a rattle for my friend's baby.
This kind of project would usually take me one afternoon, but as I've been taking things very slowly it took me about four days to complete.
I had recuperated a rattle from the inside of another very old toy before throwing it away and it was a perfect fit for the bunny's head. I used some yarn from my stash - a slightly shiny, slightly stretchy yarn that made a nice soft finish. I embroidered the eyes and mouth so there's nothing dangerous for the baby, and I also lined the head and body so there's no chance of the stuffing coming out.
Oh I almost forgot, if you want to make a rabbit like this one, you can get the pattern here.

Llama worm

After Manuel la llama, here's llama worm! If you've never seen the "real" llama worm, here it is:

The llama worm is going to a new home in Britanny, where it will be adopted by my son's friend. They spend time look at this kind of thing on the internet and judging by the number of times this image appears on any search engine, they're not the only ones... Anyway my son agreed that it would be funny to make one for his friend, so here it is.

That's another item off my list.

While I was wandering through our small town this afternoon, I came across this:

Naturally, my first thought was, "Why is there a stegosaurus on the back of that truck?"... but then I moved on a bit and on the side of the truck it said:

And sure enough, around the corner, there it was!

A dinosaur exhibition!  But I couldn't visit because it was closed. So the photos will have to do. Anyway they've got something a bit wrong. According to my expert son, neither tyrannosaurus nor pterandons lived during the Jurassic period, they're from the Cretaceous. Stegosaurus was a Jurassic dinosaur, but when he was around the other two didn't exist yet. It did make me think that I've not tried to make an amigurumi dinosaur yet. Hmmm...

Manuel la llama

Anyone who knows me through flickr may have already seen my llama on there, and his flickr name is Miguel. However, he has now been given to his rightful owner and his name is Manuel. "You'll have to forgive him, he's from Barcelona". I'm sure the English amongst you recognise the quote :D

Manuel is going to Norway with his new owner, Maria. I'm very sad that Maria is leaving. She has worked alongside me for the past six months and we shared so much. We had lots of fun, and some serious times too, and there's going to be a big empty space in my life now that she's gone. On the other hand, I'm happy for her that she's going back to her family, and Maria, if you're reading this, I'm counting on you to come back very soon.

To make Manuel I used the same basic pattern as I used for the blue stripy giraffe:

Spot the similar legs and arms, and body shape? However, Manuel's head is a different shape and the ears are different, of course. Well they would be for a llama, wouldn't they? I also used hairy yarn for the body, for the top parts of the arms and legs, and for the back of Manuel's head.

I'm sorry I haven't yet had time to write up the pattern, but I'll do it eventually, I promise!

So that's one item off my list. I've also finished one of my felt owls and I've done some more work on llama-worm, so things are chugging along nicely.

I heart you!

I don't know why, but I' ve been in a heart-making mood. It must be love.

I made these lovely red hearts with this pattern from Red Heart (of course!) and my favourite yarn (Catania cotton for any newcomers who don't yet know that it's my favourite yarn)

I also made a pink one, with different soft, squidgy yarn

and while I was in my hearts mood, I made a granny heart too. No idea what to do with this one.

I've also been through my workbag and I've really should prioritise. I get so excited about starting new things that the old things tend to sit waiting patiently for me to get around to finishing them. It DOES feel good when I finish a project, but there are so many unfinished ones...

First the crochet projects:

• Coasters for M+J  (4 out of 6 finished)
• Jolly Green Giant socks for H (half of one sock made)
• Llama worm for S (almost there!)
• Granny square covers for my poufs (no started yet but my poufs really need them)
• Bootees for baby C (the idea for that lovely wool I bought in the UK in February)
• Garfield that I started over a year ago (no comment)

and finally a Llama for MAW (that I AM GOING TO FINISH THIS WEEKEND)

Then the sewing projects

• The four felt owls from my last post
• An owl pyjama case (about half done)
• Little dress for ???  (about half done)

So I have made a resolution: no more new projects until I've finished all of these. I'm going straight away now to finish off the llama. I'll post them up here as I finish them, so that we can all see where I'm up to! If you see me talking about anything new, please do me a favour and remind me that I've lots of other things to finish off first!