Chinese New Year begins on January 22 this year and ends on February 9, 2024 (Chinese New Year’s Eve). This begins the year of the Water Rabbit, a sign of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. This year is predicted to be a year of hope. People born during the Year of the Rabbit are said to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious. The Rabbit is the fourth sign in the Chinese zodiac cycle and repeats every 12 years. Those born this year, along with those born in 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, and 1927 are Rabbits.
If you’re planning to celebrate Chinese New Year this year, here’s a free card for you:
Crochet was popularized in Ireland and England in the late 19th century. Some researchers believe it was derived from the Chinese art of tambour in which fabric is stretched over a frame, and a hook is used to pull thread and beads through the fabric.
Amigurumi is a combination of two Japanese words “ami” meaning knitted or crocheted and “nuigurumi” which means stuffed creature. This art form gained popularity in Japan after World War II. However, it is also believed to have originated in China because of records found in the Shang Dynasty about knitted and crocheted dolls. Early examples of crocheted and knitted dolls were first found in Japan during the 17th century (the Edo period) because of trade between the Dutch and Japanese people and the interaction between China and Japan during that time.
Rabbit Crochet Patterns
Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit by making a Rabbit Amigurumi. Thanks to my generous designer friends, we have a wide variety of free patterns.
Today is the last day to get the featured pattern on the Crochet Designer Community at 50% off. This gorgeous Summer in Carlingford Pullover is a pattern you won’t want to miss!
Thinking of opening an Etsy shop? Use this link to get 40 free listings. https://etsy.me/3F3kxwc
Money Saving Offers
Check out this free app that gets you cash back on gas and other errands! Click this link or use promo code 46ZCG to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. https://upside.app.link/46ZCG
Hey! Thought you’d like to try Ibotta, a cash back rewards app that I use to make real money every time I shop for groceries, online purchases, and more! Just use my referral code “eugysjd” at registration. Sign up at → https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/8cc13c64?friend_code=eugysjd
Join Rakuten and get $30 cash back. Plus earn money on online purchases.
Now that the Christmas holidays are over, and the decorations have been put away for next year (we hope), it’s time to turn our attention to hearts and roses. Valentine’s Day is less than a month away, and I have so many ideas! It’s just so much fun to make cute pink and red animals, I can’t resist. The first Valentine’s Day design for the year is the Lion Heart Pillow, or as I like to call him, King Richard. Using Bernat blanket yarn makes the project go quickly, and he’s just so darned squishy!! Three different sizes of hearts are combined to make this sweet lion pillow for your special someone.
Pillow measures approximately 12” tall by 14” wide.
Gauge: 9 sc = 4”, 8 rows = 4”
Materials:
Bernat Blanket Yarn:
30 yards White
150 yards Pink
2 yards Red
Size M crochet hook
Yarn needle
Fiberfill
20-mm safety eyes
Directions:
MANE:
Rnd 1: With pink yarn, ch 22, 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 9 ch, 3 sc in next ch (2nd sc is center top), sc in next 9 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next 8 ch, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch (center bottom), sk 1 ch, sc in next 8 ch, sc in last ch (same lp as first ch with 2 sc). Join with sl st. (44 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in first 2 sts, sc in next 8 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next 7 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in last st. Join with sl st. (50 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat once, sc in next 9 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 9 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next 6 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 6 sts, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (56 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat once, sc in next 10 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 10 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next 5 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 5 sts, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (62 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat once, sc in next 11 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center top), sc in next 11 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next 4 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 4 sts, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (68 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat once, sc in next 12 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 12 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next 3 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 3 sts, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (74 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat once, sc in next 13 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 13 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next 2 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 2 sts, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (80 sc)
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat once, sc in next 14 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 14 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next st, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (86 sc)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat once, sc in next 15 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 15 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (94 sc)
Fasten off pink.
Blocking is preferred to allow pieces to lay flat.
FACE:
Rnd 1: With white yarn, ch 16, 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 6 ch, 3 sc in next ch (2nd sc is center), sc in next 6 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next 5 ch, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch (center), sk 1 ch, sc in next 5 ch, sc in last ch (same lp as first ch with 2 sc). Join with sl st. (32 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 7 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next 3 sts, sc in next 4 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 4 sts, sc in last st (same as first sc with 2 sc). Join with sl st. (38 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* twice, sc in next 8 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 8 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next 3 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 3 sts, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (44 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* twice, sc in next 9 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 9 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next 2 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next 2 sts, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (50 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* twice, sc in next 10 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 10 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, sc in next st, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (56 sc)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* twice, sc in next 11 sts, 3 sc in next st (2nd sc is center), sc in next 11 sts, repeat * to * 3 times, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center), sk 1 st, repeat * to * once. Join with sl st. (62 sc)
Fasten off white.
NOSE:
Rnd 1: With red yarn, ch 8, 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, 3 sc in next ch (2nd sc is center), sc in next 2 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next ch, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch (center), sk 1 ch, sc in next ch, sc in last ch (same lp as first ch with 2 sc). Join with sl st. (16 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next 3 sts, sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st, 2 sc in next st. (22 sc) Fasten off red.
Sew red heart (right side up) on the bottom half of the white heart (upside down). Sew white heart (upside down) centered on top of pink heart (right side up). Insert safety eyes at Rnd 3 of white heart, approximately 2” apart.
EDGING:
Place both large hearts wrong sides together and crochet through both pieces to join. Pin in place with one pin marking the center bottom.
Insert hook at st after bottom center marker (through both thicknesses). Sc in this st, sc in next 20 sts, *sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts,* 3 times, sc in next 5 sts, sk 1 st, sc in next st (center top), sk next st, sc in next 5 sts, (sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* 3 times. Begin stuffing pillow.
Sc in each remaining st with 3 sc in marked st (center bottom), stuffing as you go. Join with sl st.
Fasten off yarn. Weave in all ends.
Thinking of opening an Etsy shop? Use this link to get 40 free listings. https://etsy.me/3F3kxwc
Money Saving Offers
Check out this free app that gets you cash back on gas and other errands! Click this link or use promo code 46ZCG to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. https://upside.app.link/46ZCG
Hey! Thought you’d like to try Ibotta, a cash back rewards app that I use to make real money every time I shop for groceries, online purchases, and more! Just use my referral code “eugysjd” at registration. Sign up at → https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/8cc13c64?friend_code=eugysjd
Join Rakuten and get $30 cash back. Plus earn money on online purchases.
The flower for January birthdays is the Carnation, scientific name Dianthus (of Zeus). The ancient Greeks called it “the flower of the gods.” They have a slightly spicy scent, sort of like cloves. Each time I smell a carnation, the scent carries me back to high school – school dance corsages made of red and pink carnations. Today’s free download is a Carnation Gift Tag for the January birthdays.
Thinking of opening an Etsy shop? Use this link to get 40 free listings. https://etsy.me/3F3kxwc
Money Saving Offers
Check out this free app that gets you cash back on gas and other errands! Click this link or use promo code 46ZCG to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. https://upside.app.link/46ZCG
Hey! Thought you’d like to try Ibotta, a cash back rewards app that I use to make real money every time I shop for groceries, online purchases, and more! Just use my referral code “eugysjd” at registration. Sign up at → https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/8cc13c64?friend_code=eugysjd
Join Rakuten and get $30 cash back. Plus earn money on online purchases.
I have a niece who has never liked sweets from the time she was a baby. The one exception is smores – she LOVES smores. Any time they visit us during cold weather, I make sure to have all the ingredients on hand so they kids can roast marshmallows in the fireplace to make smores. This Christmas I crocheted her a Smores Pillow. It turned out so cute!
Materials:
Bernat Blanket Yarn:
7 oz. White
15 oz. Almond
5 oz. Baby Sand
1 yard Pink
Size M (9.0 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle
24-mm safety eyes
Fiberfill
2 pieces Poly Foam 1” x 12” x 12”
Gauge: 7 sts = 3”, 6 rows = 3”
Pillow measures approximately 12” tall.
Directions:
MARSHMALLOW:
Rnd 1: With White yarn, ch 2, 7 sc in 2nd ch. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds unless otherwise noted.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (14 sc).
Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (21 sc).
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (28 sc).
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (35 sc).
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (42 sc).
Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (49 sc).
Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (56 sc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 9: Working in BLO, sc in each st.
Rnds 10-25: Working in both lps, sc in each st. Join with sl st at end of Rnd 25.
Rnd 26: Working in BLO, *sc in next 6 sts, dec over next 2 sts,* repeat around (49 sc).
Rnd 27: Working in both lps, *sc in next 5 sts, dec over next 2 sts,* repeat around (42 sc).
Rnd 28: *Sc in next 4 sts, dec over next 2 sts,* repeat around (35 sc).
Insert eyes at Rnd 18, approximately 6 sts apart.
Stuff marshmallow but not too firmly. Excess stuffing will pouf out the top and bottom.
Rnd 29: *Sc in next 3 sts, dec over next 2 sts,* repeat around (28 sc).
Rnd 30: *Sc in next 2 sts, dec over next 2 sts,* repeat around (21 sc).
Rnd 31: *Sc in next st, dec over next 2 sts,* repeat around (14 sc). Finish stuffing.
Rnd 32: Dec 7 times (7 sc). Fasten off white yarn leaving a 6” length. Insert length into yarn needle and pull up remaining 7 sts, tighten to close.
CHOCOLATE: (Make 2 pieces)
Rnd 1: With Baby Sand yarn, ch 2, 7 sc in 2nd ch. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds unless otherwise noted.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (14 sc).
Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (21 sc).
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (28 sc).
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (35 sc).
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (42 sc).
Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (49 sc).
Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (56 sc).
Rnd 9: *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (63 sc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 10: Working in BLO, sc in each st.
Rnd 11: Working in both lps, *sl st, sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc, sl st,* repeat around. Join with sl st.
Fasten off yarn leaving 12” length for sewing.
Sew one piece to top and the other piece to the bottom of marshmallow.
GRAHAM CRACKERS: (Make 2)
Row 1: With Almond yarn, ch 27, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (26 sc).
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Rows 3-50: Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 26” long. Finished piece should measure approximately 13” x 26”.
Lay piece flat and place 1 piece of poly foam on one half of top. Fold other half over and sew 3 sides together.
Sew one graham cracker centered on bottom of the Smores and the other centered on top of the Smores.
Embroider mouth with Pink yarn at Rows 11-14.
Weave in all ends.
Weekly Featured Pattern from Crochet Designer Community
The Ladies’ Sugar Skull Poncho has been one of my most popular designs. The one-size-fits-all design is an intermediate pattern using two colors of worsted weight yarn (cotton or acrylic). It is truly a must-have for anyone who loves sugar skulls.
This bundle is packed full of the top selling patterns from 40 indie designers hand picked for the new 2023 Season at over 90% off.
From shawls and cardigans to adorable amigurumi and blankets, this bundle has every pattern you could ever need for this winter. This bundle has so many gorgeous patterns, you’ll have no shortage of new crochet projects to keep you busy on those cold winter nights.
Thinking of opening an Etsy shop? Use this link to get 40 free listings. https://etsy.me/3F3kxwc
Money Saving Offers
Check out this free app that gets you cash back on gas and other errands! Click this link or use promo code 46ZCG to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. https://upside.app.link/46ZCG
Hey! Thought you’d like to try Ibotta, a cash back rewards app that I use to make real money every time I shop for groceries, online purchases, and more! Just use my referral code “eugysjd” at registration. Sign up at → https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/8cc13c64?friend_code=eugysjd
Join Rakuten and get $30 cash back. Plus earn money on online purchases.
The Ladies’ Sugar Skull Poncho has been one of my most popular designs. The one-size-fits-all design is an intermediate pattern using two colors of worsted weight yarn (cotton or acrylic). It is truly a must-have for anyone who loves sugar skulls.
This bundle is packed full of the top selling patterns from 40 indie designers hand picked for the new 2023 Season at over 90% off.
This bundle has 40 premium best selling patterns. There are so many gorgeous, trendy patterns that are quick work-ups and just perfect for gifts, to donate and even sell in your craft shop.
From shawls and cardigans to adorable amigurumi and blankets, this bundle has every pattern you could ever need for this winter. This bundle has so many gorgeous patterns, you’ll have no shortage of new crochet projects to keep you busy on those cold winter nights.
Thinking of opening an Etsy shop? Use this link to get 40 free listings. https://etsy.me/3F3kxwc
Money Saving Offers
Check out this free app that gets you cash back on gas and other errands! Click this link or use promo code 46ZCG to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus the first time you make a purchase. https://upside.app.link/46ZCG
Hey! Thought you’d like to try Ibotta, a cash back rewards app that I use to make real money every time I shop for groceries, online purchases, and more! Just use my referral code “eugysjd” at registration. Sign up at → https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/8cc13c64?friend_code=eugysjd
Join Rakuten and get $30 cash back. Plus earn money on online purchases.
The Ladies’ Sugar Skull Poncho has been one of my most popular designs. The one-size-fits-all design is an intermediate pattern using two colors of worsted weight yarn (cotton or acrylic). It is truly a must-have for anyone who loves sugar skulls.
