Posted on November 15, 2019November 11, 2020 by My Fingers Fly — 14 Comments

London Trip Part II – Toy Soldier Cuddler – Pumpkin Pie Earrings

Day 2 of our London adventure included a tour of Westminster Abbey, The Royal Mews (stables), and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. I have always loved poetry, so visiting Westminster Abbey has been a dream of mine since I was a teenager. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior is the first thing you see when stepping inside, and it is truly a magnificent site. (Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside.) During World War I, an army chaplain saw a grave marked by a wooden cross, and he wanted to do something to honor this soldier and the many others who were not identified. He contacted the Dean of Westminster in 1920 about honoring these soldiers “amongst the kings.” Four unnamed soldiers were exhumed, placed in coffins draped in Union flags, and taken to a church in France. Brigadier L.J. Wyatt entered the chapel and placed his hand on one of the coffins. A tomb was built just inside the entrance of Westminster Abbey, and King George V personally chose one of his swords to cover the casket with the inscription “A British Warrior who fell in the Great War 1914–1918 for King and Country.” The soldier was interred on November 11, 1920 – now known as Remembrance Day. It is surrounded by red paper poppies and is truly a stirring site. It is the only tomb in the Abbey on which it is forbidden to walk. For State ceremonies, the red carpet is laid around the tomb so as not to disturb it. Royal brides lay their bouquets on the tomb at the end of their wedding ceremonies.

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk

We then walked through the Green Park along the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk on the way to Buckingham Palace. This marker brought me to tears again – such a beautiful person, gone much too soon.

I grew up in Galveston County and have seen my share of pelicans, but the size of these guys amazed me!

Buckingham Palace

You really have to see Buckingham Palace in person to comprehend its size – 775 rooms including 19 State rooms, 52 Royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices and 78 bathrooms. This is the Queen’s primary residence and place of business. It is considered “The Office” by the Royal Family. Next week I’ll post about our tour of Windsor Castle, the Queen’s weekend residence and childhood home.

Changing of the Guard

Stunning! Spectacular!

Changing of the Guard (YouTube)

I was so looking forward to this tour, I had to make a little Royal Guard crochet pattern.

Toy Soldier Cuddler Pattern

Day 1 in London

Pumpkin Pie Earrings

Here’s a fun pattern to start off your holidays. Earrings measure approximately 1.5″ each, but you can use this pattern with #10 thread to make them larger, cotton worsted to make coasters, or double cotton worsted for potholders.

Materials:

DMC Cotton Perle #5 thread:

Color 351

Color 738

Blanc

Steel hook size 3

Crewel needle

2 Earring hooks

Directions:

Rnd 1: With color 351, 2 sc (or magic circle), 7 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (14 sc). Do not join.

Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (21 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off color 351.

Rnd 4: Using color Blanc, *sc in next st, popcorn in next st,* repeat around. In last sc, work sc, popcorn (11 sc and 11 popcorns). Join with sl st. Fasten off Blanc.

Rnd 5: With color 738, *2 sc in sc, 2 sc in ch-1 behind popcorn,* repeat around (44 sc). Join with sl st.

Rnd 6: Reverse sc around. Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving 4” length. Use length to attach earring hooks. Weave in all ends.

Texas Horned Lizards

I want to thank SA Monthly Magazine and Texas Hill Country for their article on my Horny Toad crochet patterns.

Horny Toads

National Days

November 16 Button Day Snowman with Button Nose

November 18 Princess Day Royal Baby Sweater Crochet Pattern

November 20 Absurdity Day Boob Bowling Ball Bag Crochet Pattern

Next Week:

London Trip Part III – Crown Ornament – Cyber Week Sales
Instagram Giveaway
New Christmas Pattern
Etsy Cyber Week Sale
Ornaments for fiber artists

Until then, happy crocheting!

Posted on April 26, 2019June 25, 2021 by My Fingers Fly — 19 Comments

TSA Rules for Crochet – Mother’s Day Poetry – Poodle Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern

One of the questions that I see over and over in the crochet groups on Facebook is, “Can I take my crochet hooks on a plane?” Personally, I have never had a problem with my hooks, and I carry a small nail clipper rather than scissors just to be safe. According to the TSA website, crochet hooks and knitting needles are allowed.

Scissors are allowed, but they must be less than 4″.

Airline travel involves lots of down time, so I always pack a small project in my carry-on to keep me occupied on long flights and layovers. There’s nothing more satisfying than turning down time into productive time. Enjoy your summer vacation and happy crocheting!

The latest edition to my pattern collection is a series of bowling ball carriers, but these would make great carry-on bags for your travels. Stay tuned for the fourth in the series along with an ebook of novelty bowling ball bags. https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/eyeball-bowling-ball-bag-crochet-pattern

Take Baby to Work Day Sweaters – Military Edition

To celebrate Month of the Military Child, I am giving away a copy of Military Baby Sweaters Kindle book. Like the post and tag a friend by 4/28/2019 to be entered. See my Instagram for details. http://instagram.com/p/Bwr1M6fBfAX/

If you’re interested in a ready-made item, I have green camo, blue camo, and sailor sweaters available in Newborn-3 month size. https://my-fingers-fly.myshopify.com/admin/collections/192715014

My most popular pattern last Mother’s Day was the Poodle Eyeglass Holder. This free pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry with instructions for crochet or to make on the Addi King knitting machine. The pattern is also available translated to Dutch by Jeannette Kemp – Poedel Brilhouder. It’s a great Mother’s Day gift, and it also works well for those of you who do spring craft shows. Several other eyeglass holders are also available including elephant, tiger, lamb, and clown. Post a photo of your poodle to Instagram and tag @myfingersfly. I’d love to see them all!

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/poodle-eyeglass-holder

Materials:

Red Heart worsted weight yarn – 2 oz. MC

Size G crochet hook

Yarn needle

Plastic googly eyes

¾” black pompom

Directions:

HEAD:

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc).

Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat around (18 sc).

Rnd 4: *Sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, * repeat around (24 sc).

Rnd 5: *Sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (30 sc).

Rnd 6: *Sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (36 sc).

Rnd 7: *Sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (42 sc).

Rnd 8: *Sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (48 sc).

Rnd 9: *Sc in each of next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (54 sc).

Rnd 10: *Sc in each of next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (60 sc).

Rnds 11-22: Work even on 60 sc.

Rnd 23: *Dec, sc in next 8 sts,* repeat around (54 sc).

Rnd 24: *Dec, sc in next 7 sts,* repeat around (48 sc).

Rnd 25: *Dec, sc in next 6 sts,* repeat around (42 sc).

Rnd 26: *Dec, sc in next 5 sts,* repeat around (36 sc).

Rnd 27: *Dec, sc in next 4 sts,* repeat around (30 sc).

Rnd 28: *Dec, sc in next 3 sts,* repeat around (24 sc).

Rnd 29: *Dec, sc in next 2 sts,* repeat around (18 sc). Stuff firmly.

Rnd 30: *Dec, sc in next st,* repeat around (12 sc).

Rnd 31: Dec around (6 sc). Fasten off leaving 6” length for sewing. Weave through last 6 sts and pull firmly. Sew opening closed.

SNOUT:

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 4 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (8 sc).

Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat around (12 sc).

Rnd 4: *Sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, * repeat around (16 sc).

Rnd 5: *Sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (20 sc).

Rnds 6-10: Work even on 20 sc. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing. Sew to center front of head.

Make two 1-1/2” pompoms for ears and sew to sides of head even with snout.

Make a 3” pompom for top knot and sew to top of head.

Glue black pompom to end of snout, and glue eyes to face above snout.

Zoo Blog Hop Day 25 – Dog Crochet Patterns

More Eyeglass Holders

Koala

Easter Lamb Free Pattern

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Patterns Ebook

Owl Eyeglass Holder

Octopus

Another alternative for a Mother’s Day gift is poetry. If Mom loves the greeting cards you buy her every year and saves them in a scrapbook, she’ll flip over this poetry book. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095818457

Mother’s Day Handbag Blog Hop

Posted on April 9, 2019January 23, 2023 by My Fingers Fly — 12 Comments

National Unicorn Day – Bunny Bath Pouf Pattern

As expected, the weather kept us from attending the Poteet Strawberry Festival last weekend. No worries – we’ll catch the Tejano bands at Fiesta’s Oyster Bake this weekend. On the upside, staying home Saturday night allowed me to get a new Easter pattern done.

Easter Bunny Bath Pouf Crochet Pattern

This pattern works up quickly in worsted yarn. Make a few this evening for your littles’ Easter baskets, add some egg-shaped bath bombs, and bath time will be extra special for them.

Materials:

Cotton worsted yarn:

1 oz. MC for small, 2 oz. for large

Few yards CC

Size H crochet hook

Yarn needle

Pompom

Sewing needle and thread

Directions:

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 10 hdc in 2^nd ch from hook. Join with sl st in 1^st hdc.

Rnd 2: 3 hdc in each st (30 hdc).

Rnds 3-4: Repeat Rnd 2 (270 hdc). Stop here for small puff.

Rnd 5: For large puff, repeat Rnd 2 again (810 hdc).

Fold last Rnd in half and sl st through both sides. Ch 15, sl st in same space. Fasten off.

EARS:

Rnd 1: In 2^nd st to the right of hangar loop, attach CC yarn, ch 5, sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in next 3 ch. Sl st in same st as joining. Fasten off CC. Attach MC yarn in st next to base of ear, sc in 4 unused loops of beg ch, sc in tip of ear, sc in 4 sts of Rnd 1, sl st in Rnd 4 [5] of puff. Fasten off MC. Repeat on opposite side of hangar loop for 2^nd ear. Weave in all ends.