Businesses across the country are beginning to open again, and people are returning to work. Do you have a little one who is returning to day care? Benjamin Turtle would be the perfect companion. He’s a cute plush toy that unfolds to reveal a toddler blanket for naptime.
I hope you enjoy making him as much as I enjoyed designing him. Thanks to also to tester Sharon Reid who provided me the beautiful photos.
Materials
I Love This Yarn worsted weight
21 oz. Dark Olive
6 oz. Mild Green
5 oz. Toasted Almond
2 oz. Sungold
Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Fiberfil
Yarn needle
Two 8-mm black safety eyes
Three 3/4” buttons
Blanket Directions:
Row 1: With Dark Olive yarn, ch 101, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in remaining chs (100 hdc).
Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st.
Rows 11-12: Ch 1, turn, switch to Mild Green yarn and hdc in each st.
Repeat stripe pattern of 10 rows Dark Olive and 2 rows Mild Green 9 times. Then work another 10 rows of Dark Olive hdc.
Edging:
With Dark Olive yarn, ch 1, turn, hdc in each st across top with 3 hdc in corner. Turn to work down side, work hdc with approximately 3 sts for every 2 rows. Lay work on a table occasionally to make sure it is laying flat; adjust sts as necessary. Turn to work across bottom with 3 hdc in corner, hdc in each unused loop of starting ch, 3 hdc in corner. Turn to work up next side using the same number of sts as the other side. Join with sl st in 1st hdc.
Okay, the easy part is done. Stay tuned for part 2 to make the turtle shell which will hold the blanket. Pattern PDF is available for download at My Fingers Fly. Please feel free to share photos on Instagram or Facebook.
With the country just beginning to open back up, travel is still on hold for us. In the meantime, I’ve been working on my next book – Halloween crochet. This week I’m offering a simple pattern for sugar skull jewelry. If you have some cotton thread to use up, this is a great project. I normally prefer working with worsted yarn, but lately I have come to love using thread to make earrings.
Materials:
Aunt Lydia’s Cotton–
15 yards ivory
Few yards of a few bright colors for skull decorations
Size 1.5 mm steel crochet hook
Needle
Directions:
Row 1: With ivory thread, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of next 5 ch (6 sc).
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc across to last st, inc in last st (12 sc at end of Row 4).
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Leave loop hanging. Using separate piece of yarn, go back to Row 4. Skip 6 sts, sc in each of last 3 sts.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Ch 6, join with sl st in first section of Row 6. Fasten off. Pick up loop on Row 6, sc across 3 sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc across all sts & chs (12 sc).
Rows 9-10: Repeat Row 2 (16 sc).
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Row 12: Repeat Row 2 (18 sc).
Rows 13-14: Repeat Row 11.
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, sc in 4 sts.
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc in next 2 sts (3 sc).
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Row 18: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc in next 2 sts (4 sc). Leave loop hanging. With separate piece of yarn, sk 3 sts on Row 14. Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, ch 1, turn, dec twice. Ch 1, turn, sc in 2 sts. Ch 1, turn, inc twice. Ch 3, sl st in 1st st of Row 18. Fasten off.
Go back to Row 14. Sk 3 sts, ch 1, sc in last 4 sts. Ch 1, turn, sc in next 2 sts, dec (3 sc). Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Ch 1, turn, sc in 2 sts, inc next st (4 sc). Ch 1, sl st in middle section of Row 18. Fasten off.
Row 19: Pick up loop on first section of Row 18. Ch 1, sc in each st and ch (18 sc).
Rows 20-22: Ch 1, turn, dec first 2 sts, sc across to last 2 sts, dec last 2 sts (12 sc).
Row 23: Dec, sc next 8 sts, dec, continue down side, sc around entire skull. Join with sl st in 1st sc of Row 23. Stop here for single-color skull.
To make multicolored skull, continue with adding colors.
With pink yarn, sc around both eye openings.
Heart:
With pink yarn, ch 3. In 3rd ch from hook, work 2 dc, 4 hdc, ch 1, 4 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st in same ch. Fasten off leaving 12” length and sew to forehead of skull.
Nose:
With purple yarn, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in 3rd ch. Fasten off leaving 6” length and sew to center of face.
Attach jump ring and necklace chain or earring hooks.
This PDF pattern is available to download on Ravelry, separately or included in the Sugar Skull Crochet Patterns ebook. If you prefer, it is also available on Amazon as a Kindle download or paperback.
Benjamin Turtle Nap Buddy, World Turtle Day
Next month I will start the first CAL for My Fingers Fly, Benjamin Turtle Nap Buddy. The toddler blanket folds up after naptime and is stored in Benjamin’s shell, giving your child a plush toy the rest of the day. The pattern uses worsted weight yarn with a simple striped blanket and the African flower motif for the turtle. The pattern will be published in stages throughout June 2020, and I hope you will share your progress photos on Facebook and Instagram.
Finished blanket measures approximately 50″ long by 28” wide (with instructions to make it longer if necessary). When rolled up, Benjamin measures approximately 18” long by 10” wide by 7” tall.
Materials you will need:
Worsted weight yarn (I used I Love This Yarn)
21 oz. dark olive
6 oz. light green
5 oz. tan
2 oz. gold
Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Fiberfil
Yarn needle
Two 10-mm black safety eyes
Three 7/8”-1” buttons
To celebrate June, each day will have a different animal or fish pattern on sale on Ravelry. I will post a calendar by June 1 with more details.
Rattlesnake Wreath
This week I completed another pattern which will go into my Halloween crochet book, Rattlesnake Wreath. For this weekend only, it is introductory priced at 50% off. Already well on its way, but I still have a list of patterns to make for this book. Is there a Halloween pattern you would like to see included?
Now that restaurants are opening up, I’m off to have lunch with the hubby. Happy crocheting everyone! Stay safe.
Last month the Getty Museum challenged people to recreate famous works of art. The results were sometimes amazing, sometimes hysterical. The Getty Challenge
I decided to try my own recreation using crochet. Turns out, one of the biggest challenges was finding a famous painting that looked easy enough to duplicate in yarn but still appealed to me visually. I wanted something colorful to cheer me up on these dreary days. Settling on one of Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings, I rummaged through my yarn stash to find the appropriate colors.
This pattern was just for fun and has not been tested, so feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Finished panel measures approximately 21” tall by 15” wide.
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn:
4 oz. blue
1.5 oz. lavender
2 oz. green
2 oz. yellow
2 oz. gold
½ oz. brown
¼ oz. light green
½ oz. saffron
1 oz. dark green
5 yards blue denim
5 yards pumpkin
Crochet hook size G (4.0 mm)
Directions:
Canvas:
Row 1: With lavender yarn, ch 59, hdc in second ch from hook and each remaining ch (58 hdc). .
Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st.
Row 11: (wrong side) Ch 1, turn, 55 hdc in lavender, 3 hdc in blue.
Row 12: Ch 1, turn, 4 hdc in blue, 21 hdc in lavender, 13 hdc in green, 20 hdc in lavender.
Row 13: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in lavender, 15 hdc in green, 17 hdc in lavender, 7 hdc in blue.
Row 14: Ch 1, turn, 14 hdc in blue, 8 hdc in lavender, 18 hdc in green, 18 hdc in lavender.
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, 17 hdc in lavender, 20 hdc in green, 21 hdc in blue.
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 22 hdc in green, 16 hdc in blue.
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, 16 hdc in blue, 22 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 18: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 19: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 19 hdc in blue.
Row 20: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 21: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 19 hdc in blue.
Row 22: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 23: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 19 hdc in blue.
Row 24: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 24 hdc in green, 15 hdc in blue.
Row 25: Ch 1, turn, 15 hdc in blue, 23 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 26: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 22 hdc in green, 16 hdc in blue.
Row 27: Ch 1, turn, 17 hdc in blue, 20 hdc in green, 21 hdc in blue.
Row 28: Ch 1, turn, 21 hdc in blue, 19 hdc in green, 18 hdc in blue.
Row 29: Ch 1, turn, 19 hdc in blue, 17 hdc in green, 22 hdc in blue.
Row 30: Ch 1, turn, 23 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 31: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 23 hdc in blue.
Row 32: Ch 1, turn, 23 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Row 33: Ch 1, turn, 20 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 23 hdc in blue.
Row 34: Ch 1, turn, 23 hdc in blue, 15 hdc in green, 20 hdc in blue.
Rows 35-60: Ch 1, turn, hdc blue in each st. Fasten off at end of Row 60.
Sunflower #1:
Rnd 1: With brown, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st. Do not fasten off.
Rnd 3: With yellow, ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. Do not fasten off. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Pick up brown, ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. Fasten off brown. (24 sc).
Rnd 5: With gold, ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (30 sc).
Rnd 6: Pick up yellow, ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in 3rd ch, dc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st next sc,* repeat around. Repeat this round with sl sts in skipped sts of previous rnd so you have 2 layers of petals. Fasten off yellow leaving 12” length for sewing.
Rnd 8: Attach dark green yarn in sl st between petals at back of Rnd 7. *Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in next 2 ch, sl st between next petals,* repeat 3 times. (Ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in next 2 ch, tr in next 2 ch) twice, repeat * to * twice.
Stem: Ch 18, hdc in 2nd ch and each remaining ch. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Sunflower #2:
Rnd 1: With blue, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnd 3: With gold, ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. Do not fasten off gold. (18 sc)
Attach brown yarn and alternate between brown and gold for Rnds 4-8. This should be a random pattern, so precision with colors doesn’t count here.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (24 sc).
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (30 sc).
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (42 sc).
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (48 sc). End on a gold st and fasten off brown. Join with sl st.
Rnd 9: *Ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, hdc in 6th ch, sc in 7th ch, sl st in next st (do not sk sc on Rnd 8),* repeat around. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Sunflower #3:
Rnd 1: With green, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next ch, 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st. (8 sc).
Rnd 2: 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc in next st, 2 sc in each of next 2 sts. Join with sl st. (14 sc). Fasten off green.
Rnd 3: Join saffron yarn, sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in next st, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* 3 times, sc in next st, * to * 2 times. (20 sc).
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (25 sc).
Rnd 5: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (30 sc).
Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (36 sc).
Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (42 sc).
Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (48 sc).
Rnd 9: *Sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (54 sc).
Rnd 10: *Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (60 sc). Fasten off saffron.
Leaves: Attach dark green in next st, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st, *ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, sk next sc, sl st next sc,* repeat twice. Fasten off dark green.
Sk 18 sc on Rnd 10, *sl st next st, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch, hdc in 3rd ch, dc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st next 2 sc, *repeat 6 times. Sl st next st, sc in BLO of next 5 sts, (ch 1, turn, sc in each st) for 10 rows. (Ch 1, turn, dec, sc in remaining sts) repeat until 1 sc remains. Fasten off.
Sunflower #4:
Rnd 1: With brown, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st. (24 sc).
Rnd 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. Join with sl st. (30 sc).
Rnd 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. Join with sl st. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. Join with sl st. (42 sc).
Rnd 8: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat 3 times in brown, 2 times in denim. (48 sc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 9: Ch 1, with yellow yarn, *sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (54 sc).
Rnd 10: *Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, sl st in next st, sk next sc on Rnd 9,* repeat around. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Behind yellow petals, attach gold yarn in skipped sc. *Ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in last ch, sl st in next skipped sc,* repeat around. Ch 20 for stem, hdc in 2nd ch and remaining ch. Sl st in joining st. Fasten off.
Sunflower #5:
Rnd 1: With green, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in circle. Join with sl st.
Rnd 2: With yellow yarn, ch 1, 2 sc in each st. Join with sl st.
Rnd 3: In FLO, *ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat 5 times (6 petals). Fasten off yellow.
Rnd 4: With pale green yarn working in BLO of Rnd 2, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (18 sc)
Rnd 5: In FLO, *ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat around (9 petals).
Rnd 6: Working in BLO of Rnd 4, *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (24 sc)
Rnd 7: In FLO, *ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 3rd ch, hdc in 4th ch, dc in 5th ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat around (12 petals).
Rnd 8: Working in BLO of Rnd 6, *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around. (30 sc)
Rnd 9: In FLO, *ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch, sc in 2 ch, hdc in 2 ch, dc in last ch, sk next sc, sl st in next st,* repeat around (15 petals). Fasten off light green.
Rnds 5, 7, 9: Sl st around edges of each petal with yellow.
Stem: Attach gold in any skipped st of Rnd 8, ch 20, hdc in 2nd ch and all remaining ch. Sl st in joining st of Rnd 8.
Sunflower #6:
Row 1: With dark green, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch and each remaining ch (4 sc).
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, inc in first st, sc across, inc in last st. (6 sc).
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, inc in first st, sc across, inc in last st. (8 sc).
Row 4: Turn, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, sc in next 8 sc of Row 3, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch and next 3 ch. Sc down side, across bottom, and up other side. Join with sl st. Fold piece in half and mark center st of Row 4.
Attach dark green, ch 3, 7 dc in same st. Sk 1 st, sl st in next st. Attach gold at center top, sl st around all edges. Join. Ch 12, sc in 2nd ch and next 10 ch for stem.
Leaves under Flower #2: (Make 2)
Row 1: With dark green, ch 16, sc in 2nd ch, sc in next 3 ch, hdc in next 7 ch, sc in last 4 ch.
Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, in BLO, sc in 4 sts, hdc in 7 sts, sc in 4 sts. At end of Row 5, turn to work across side edge with 1 sc in each row end. Turn to work across bottom in remaining loops of starting ch, sc in 4 ch, hdc in 7 ch, sc in 4 ch.
Leaf above Flower #3:
Row 1: With dark green, ch 24, sc in 2nd ch and next 3 ch, hdc in next 4 ch, dc in next 7 ch, hdc in next 4 ch, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in 3 ch, hdc in 4 ch, dc in 7 ch, hdc in 4 ch, sc in 4 ch.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in 4 sts, hdc in 4 sts, dc in 7 sts, hdc in 4 sts, sc in 4 sts, (ch 4, sl st in 2nd and 3rd ch, sc in last ch), sc in 4 sts, hdc in 4 sts, dc in 7 sts, hdc in 4 sts, sc in 4 sts. Fasten off.
Row 3: Do not turn. Count 12 sts from beg of Row 2. In BLO, attach yarn in 12th st. Ch 1, hdc in same st, hdc in next 10 sts, ch 4, sl st in 3 ch, sc in next st, sl st in next st. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
Sew flowers and leaves to canvas using photo as guide for placement. Block flowers and leavings, again using photo to block petals in the right direction. Use double strand of yellow and straight st to embroider a line between purple and blue portions of canvas. Use single strand of gold to outline right side of vase and leaves of flower #3. Use double strand of pumpkin yarn to outline flower #3 and single strand to outline leaves of flower #2 and stem of flower #1. Use saffron to outline stems of flowers #4 and #5.
Lots of us are using this time at home to catch up on crafting for family members, Christmas gifts, and donations. This pattern will hopefully help those of you who donate to cancer hospitals. It can be made with any color ribbon you prefer, and it’s quick enough that you can make several a day.
Materials: Worsted yarn – 2 [2.5] oz. white, 5 yards pink Tapestry needle Addi King knitting machine
Measurements: Women’s sizes Small and Large – 22” head circumference, 8” [9”] tall
Instructions: Cast on MC. Work 80 [100] rows. Cast off.
With pink yarn, work duplicate st beginning at row 16 [26] according to the chart.
Double up hat and close ends. Sew both ends together on the inside. If desired, attach a pompom.
Since all the events for which I had tickets were cancelled or postponed, today’s blog post is a simple one. I hope everyone has a happy St. Patrick’s Day and stays safe through this crisis. There are over 30 free patterns posted in the past year of this blog to keep your hands busy and your mind occupied. Crochet away!
Pot of Gold Potholder Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Peaches & Cream cotton yarn – 1 oz black, ¼ oz gold, few yards green
Size G and J crochet hooks
Yarn needle
Directions:
POT:
Row 1: Holding 2 strands of black yarn together, ch 16, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (15 sc).
Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc across (19 sc at end of Row 5).
Rows 6-7: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Rows 8-12: Ch 1, turn, dec over 1st 2 sts, sc across (14 sc at the end of Row 12). Ch 1, turn to work down side. Sc down side, across bottom, and up other side making sure right and left sides have the same number of sts. Working across top in front loop only, sc across. Join. Ch 8, sl st in same st (hanging loop).
GOLD:
With double strand of gold or yellow yarn, attach in remaining back loop. *Sl st, sk 1 st, 5 dc next st,* repeat across ending with sl st in 13th st. Fasten off.
SHAMROCK:
With G hook and single strand of green yarn, ch 4, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st in 4th ch from hook, *ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, sl st,* repeat once. Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next 3 ch, sl st in beg ch. Fasten off leaving length for sewing. Using photo for placement, sew shamrock onto front of potholder.
