Since we are three months away from Election Day, I thought I would try something different this month. My newest designs are gnomes of the two major U.S. political parties. Based on the number of downloads of these two patterns over the next three months, I will make a prediction for the Presidential election on November 2.
The designs are easy to crochet using worsted weight yarn – a Republican Elephant Gnome and a Democrat Donkey Gnome. Each design gives instructions for vertical stripes and horizontal stripes on the hat.
The patterns are also available at Ravelry and My Fingers Fly, along with Kindle on Amazon. Show your support for your political party by crocheting the corresponding gnome. Make a few for friends. Please post photos of your gnomes to Instagram. I would love to see your finished gnomes!
August Sales
This week’s 50% specials on Etsy based on the National Day Calendar:
In addition to the political party gnomes, the Halloween Gnome Crochet Pattern is now available. This little cutie is so much fun to make – use your own color scheme and embellishments to make this a truly unique item for your Halloween decor. As always, I would love to see your gnomes on Instagram.
Coming Attractions
Stay tuned for more great Halloween patterns coming in August and a Halloween Crochet Pattern Ebook to be published in early September. More half price sales for the month of August will include Bowling Day, Aviation Day, Dog Day, and many more.
In the meantime, try to stay cool, stay safe, and happy crocheting!
Since today is Collector Car Appreciation Day, I thought it would be fun to post a cute pattern I designed a few years ago, a baby rattle shaped like an impact wrench. It can be crocheted using cotton or polyester worsted, but I prefer I Love This Cotton for baby toys. It makes a great baby shower gift for expectant parents who are car enthusiasts, NASCAR fans, and automotive technicians, and even serves as a drill rattle for a future dentist.
Impact wrench rattle measures approximately 3 1/4” x 5”
Materials:
Sport yarn or cotton worsted –
2 oz. gray
Few yards black
Size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook
Fiberfil
Yarn needle
Rattle insert column
BODY:
Rnd 1: With black yarn, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc).
Rnd 3: Working in back loops only, sc in each st around. Do not join.
Rnds 4-7: Working in both loops, sc in each st around. At the end of Rnd 7, join with sl st. Fasten off black.
Rnd 8: Attach gray yarn, *sc in next st, 2 sc in each of next 2 sts* repeat around (18 sc). Do not join.
Rnd 9: *Sc in each of next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (18 sc).
Rnd 10: *Sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (24 sc).
Rnd 11: *Sc in each of next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (27 sc).
Rnd 12: *Sc in each of next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (30 sc). Join with sl st.
Rnd 13: Working in back loops only, sc in each st around.
Rnds 14-23: Working in both loops, sc in each st around. At end of Rnd 23, join with sl st.
Rnd 24: Working in back loops only, *sc in each of next 3 st, dec,* repeat around (24 sc). Do not join.
Rnd 25: Working in both loops, *sc in each of next 2 st, dec,* repeat around (18 sc). Fill with Fiberfil and rattle insert.
Rnd 26: *Sc in next st, dec,* repeat around (12 sc).
Rnd 27: Dec around (6 sc). Fasten off leaving length for sewing. Thread through yarn needle and weave through last 6 sts. Pull tight to close opening and sew closed.
HANDLE:
Rnd 1: With gray yarn, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12 sc).
Rnd 3: Sc in each st. Continue to work even in sc until piece measures 2 ½”.
Next rnd: *Sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (18 sc).
Last rnd: *Sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (24 sc). Fasten off leaving length for sewing.
HAND GRIP:
With black yarn, ch 13. Join with sl st to form ring. Sc in each ch. Continue to work even on 13 sc until piece measures 1 1/2’”. Slide over handle and sew in place. Stuff handle firmly and sew to bottom of wrench body.
The matching baby auto mechanic sweater is also available at My Fingers Fly which includes the sweater and rattle patterns.
Who doesn’t love a cute little kitten? Several months ago, I published the Addi Fat Cat Pattern. He’s adorable and makes a quick project to use up your stash. Also in the cat world, this Kittens in a Row Afghan is currently 40% off on Etsy.
Head Start on Halloween
I know it’s the middle of summer, and the heat that goes along with it sometimes limits our crojo. Try making a few small projects that won’t cover you in yarn. My mind has been set on Halloween lately, and I came up with this spooky plague masks for Halloween using I Love This Cotton yarn.
Halloween projects are so much fun – I’m looking forward to doing a few more in the next couple of months.
Coming Up:
In two weeks I will publish a special blog post for Christmas in July. Several other designers will be joining me to offer free Christmas patterns so you can get a head start on your holiday crafting. By that time, my new A to Z Animal Crochet book will be available on my website, Amazon, and Etsy. It will feature over 50 animal patterns – from home decor to Christmas ornaments to plush toys to silly hats.
Happy Crocheting!
There are still a few days left to take advantage of my 50% off crochet pattern sale. Use coupon code CGOA for any crochet pattern or ebook at My Fingers Fly.
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.
