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Valentine’s Day – Free Crochet Calendar

Well, things are moving along with my Texas crochet book to be published by the end of the month. That’s the good news. The bad news is I haven’t had time for much else lately. For Valentine’s Day, though, I have a free heart eyeglass holder crochet pattern. He’s as cute as a button and can be finished in an evening.

Heart Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn

1.5 oz. red

0.5 oz. white

0.5 oz. black

Size G (4.00 mm) crochet hook

Yarn needle

Plastic googly eyes, 40 mm

2” white pompom

 Finished item measures approximately: 4.5” tall by 4.5” wide (excluding ears).

 Directions:

HEAD:

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd 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).

Rnd 6: *Sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (24 sc).

Rnd 7: *Sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (28 sc).

Rnd 8: *Sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (32 sc).

Rnd 9: *Sc in each of next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (36 sc).

Rnd 10: *Sc in each of next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (40 sc).

Rnd 11: *Sc in each of next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (44 sc).

Rnd 12: *Sc in each of next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (48 sc).

Rnd 13: *Sc in each of next 11 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (52 sc).

Rnd 14: *Sc in each of next 12 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (56 sc).

Rnd 15: *Sc in each of next 13 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (60 sc).

Rnds 16-25: Sc in each st.

Rnd 26: Ch 10, sk 30 sts, sc in rem 30 sts. Do not join.

Rnd 27: Sc in each ch and sc around (40 sc).

Rnd 28: *Dec, sc in next 6 sts,* repeat around (35 sc).

Rnd 29: *Dec, sc in next 5 sts,* repeat around (30 sc).

Rnd 30: *Dec, sc in next 4 sts,* repeat around (25 sc).

Rnd 31: *Dec, sc in next 3 sts,* repeat around (20 sc).

Rnd 32: *Dec, sc in next 2 sts,* repeat around (15 sc).

Rnd 33: *Dec, sc in next st,* repeat around (10 sc).

Rnd 34: *Dec around (5 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving 6” length. Thread this length through needle and pull through rem 5 sts. Pull tight to close. Stuff bottom and top half.

Return to unused sts of Rnd 26. Sc in each st and rem loops of 10 ch (40 sc).

Repeat Rnds 28-31: Stuff. Repeat Rnds 32-34. Fasten off leaving 6” length. Thread this length through needle and pull through rem 5 sts. Pull tight to close.

EARS (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With red yarn, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sc). Do not join.

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

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

Rnds 4-5: Sc in each st. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing.

Lat flat and sew Rnd 5 closed. Curve ear slightly and sew to side of head between Rnds 16-26.

SHOES (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With black yarn, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sc). Do not join.

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

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

Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st.

Rnd 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in next 16 sts. Leave rem sts unworked.

Rnds 8-11: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Fasten off leaving 6” length for sewing. Turn inside out. Fold heel and sew both sides of Rnd 11 together. Turn back to right side.

LEGS:

Rnd 1: Attach white yarn at back of shoe opening. Ch 1, work 16 sc evenly spaced around opening. Do not join.

Rnds 2-6: Sc in each st. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing. Stuff legs very firmly to support body. Sew legs to body starting at Rnd 6 of body.

Glue pompom nose and googly eyes to face.

More Eyeglass Holders

Koala

Octopus

Owl Eyeglass Holder

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Patterns Ebook

Crochet Calendar

The other good news (for you) is that I need to clear space in my craft room for the new books, so I’m offering the remaining stock of crochet calendars free to anyone who will pay for shipping (limit one per customer please) while supplies last. That’s a great bargain for 12 kitchen crochet patterns in a variety of themes.

2020 Crochet Calendar

Crochet – Texas Style

Follow my blog, Instagram or Facebook to get updates on my new book – over 30 Texas-style crochet patterns. Free pattern – Texas Flag Christmas Tree Ornament

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London Trip Part III – Crown Ornament – Cyber Week Sales

Crown Ornament Crochet Pattern

The last days of our London trip were just as amazing as the first two. Our tour guide for Windsor Castle was Alfie, and our driver for the 22-mile drive was Graham. Can’t get much more British than that! The weather was cold and rainy, but Alfie was a fountain of knowledge of British history. Windsor Castle is the Queen’s childhood home and where she spends her weekends. The first part of the tour was the church in the castle – St. George’s Chapel. Construction began on this section of the castle in the 14th century. It is called a Royal Peculiar, which is a fancy way of saying that it is under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch. The Queen’s parents and sister are interred in St. George’s Chapel, along with Henry VIII and his beloved Jane Seymour.

YouTube – Windsor Castle

The State Apartments are on the north side of the castle and contain a vast collection of artwork, antiques, artifacts, and royal china.

Outside of the castle is a shopping mall with souvenir shops and restaurants. I wanted to warm up, so we went into a pub called Bella Italia for a cappuccino. Wow! I’ve never seen a liquor with my name on it.

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After warming up and doing a little shopping, it was time to walk down to Bel & The Dragon Pub for lunch with the rest of the group. Their website says “The historic restaurant and tea room has been serving food and drink since the 11th Century.”

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Bel & The Dragon

It was a lovely luncheon with spiced cauliflower soup followed by roasted suckling pig and potatoes roasted in duck fat. After lunch and several cups of tea, we had a little time to wander the shops of the area. By this time, the rain had stopped and the view of the river was gorgeous.

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Once we got back to London, the rain started again, so we decided not to attend the dinner cruise on the River Thames. Instead, we opted for Trader Vic’s in our hotel for drinks and an excellent steak dinner.

Texans v. Jaguars

Sunday started out with a pregame party at Sway with tailgate-style food and two of the best party hosts ever. Sway Bar

Screenshot_20191129-160721_Instagram

The hat is from a pattern in my Etsy shop – Football Earflap Hat.

Then it was back onto the bus for the 1-hour ride to Wembley Stadium. The attendance that day was 85,000 people – wow! I never realized Europeans like American football so much, but we were surrounded by British, French, German, and Croatian fans. Fortunately, our Texans won the game.

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It was an unforgettable adventure!

Crown Christmas Tree Ornament

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn:

0.4 oz. red

0.2 oz. gold metallic

Crochet hook size G (4.00 mm)

Finished crown measures approximately 2-3/4” diameter by 1½” tall.

Directions:

RED:

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (or magic circle). Sc 7 in second ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc (14 sc).

Rnd 3: *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (21 sc).

Rnd 4: *1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (28 sc).

Rnd 5: *1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (35 sc).

Rnd 6: Working in back loop only, mark first st and sc in each st around. Do not join.

Rnds 7-10: Working in both loops, sc in each st in continuous rounds.

Rnd 11: *Dec, sc in next 3 sc,* repeat around (28 sc).

Rnd 12: *Dec, sc in next 2 sc,* repeat around (21 sc).

Rnd 13: *Dec, sc in next st,* repeat around (14 sc).

Rnd 14: Dec around (7 sc). Fasten off leaving 4” length. Thread this length through yarn needle and draw up all 7 sts. Pull tight to close.

GOLD:

Rnd 1: Go back to marker at Rnd 6 of red. Using remaining loop, attach gold metallic yarn, ch 1, sc in each st (36 sc). Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, *sc in next st, sk next st, (2 dc, ch-3 picot, 2 dc) in next st, sk next st,* repeat around. Join with sl st.

Ch 14, sl st on opposite side of crown with ch-14 going across top of crown. Join with sl st to gold crown. Fasten off leaving 6” length. Mark halfway point between the ends of the ch-14 and attach gold yarn. Ch 14, going across top of crown and sl st in opposite side of crown. Fasten off leaving 6” length. Use both one 6” length to tack down tops of ch-3 picots. Use the other 6” length to tack down both ch-14s. Weave in all ends.

Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook.

PDF download available at My Fingers Fly on Etsy

More about our London trip –

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

London – Phone Booth Scarf Pattern

Another ornament I made this past week is a pumpkin pie. Last week’s free pattern was earrings, so I changed to worsted weight yarn and a G hook to make a pie large enough for a Christmas tree ornament. Pumpkin Pie Earrings

pumpkin pie ornament.jpg

With the holidays upon us, crocheters (and all crafters) are super busy, but there are many opportunities to discover new patterns for your Christmas gift list. I have joined the Sunflower Cottage Crochet 12 days of Christmas Round-up – 10 designers and 16 patterns. 12 Days of Christmas

More Christmas Patterns

Melted Snowman Ornament

Steer Skull Ornament

Fox Christmas Ornament

Texas Flag Christmas Tree Ornament

Roller Skate Christmas Stocking

2020 Crochet Calendar

Use code CROCHET2020 to get free domestic first class shipping on my 2020 Crochet Calendar. Free Shipping

Shop my Etsy shop during Cyber Week to get 20% off any $5.00 purchase. My Fingers Fly on Etsy

Join me on Instagram for a giveaway!

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London – Phone Booth Scarf Pattern

London the second time around was so much better. Last August, we winged it. This year we went on as a group for the Houston Texans game and signed up for all the tours available. NFL On Location handled everything, and we got to see so much more of the city than we did last year. After arriving in London and checking in at the Hilton Park Lane hotel, we were treated to brunch by the Hard Rock Café just around the corner.

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That afternoon was a tour of the city on a double-decker bus, culminating in a ride on the London Eye. It’s a 30-minute ride during which you can see all of London. Our tour included a champagne toast with our group.

https://youtu.be/dLNv1f3Kd4U

Since my first visit to London last year, I have been toying with the idea of a scarf made to look like the phone bbooths scattered around London. For this trip, I just had to make one and get a photo.

London Phone Booth Scarf

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn –

4 oz. red

2.5 oz. white

Few yards yellow

Crochet hook size H (5.00 mm)

Yarn needle

Gauge:

7 dc + 2”; 4 rows = 2”

Women’s scarf measures approximately 7.5” wide by 52” long (instructions are given to lengthen scarf if desired).

Directions:

Row 1: With red yarn, ch 25, sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 2 (sc, ch-2 counts as first dc), dc in each ch across (24 dc).

Row 2: Turn, sc in first st, ch 2, dc in st across.

Rows 3-94: Repeat sts of Row 2, alternating colors as per chart.

Rows 95-97: Turn, sc in 1st st, ch 2, dc next 2 sts tog, sc across to last 2 sts, dc next 2 sts tog. (18 dc at end of Row 97). Do not fasten off. If a longer scarf is desired, repeat Rows 7-14 until desired length.

Edging:

At end of Row 97, ch 1, turn, sc in each st across top, sc down the side with 2 sc in the side of each dc. Work 3 sc in each corner, sc across bottom, 3 sc in corner, sc up other side with 2 sc in the side of each dc. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.

Crown:

Rnd 1: With yellow (or gold) yarn, ch 10, sc in 2nd ch and next 7 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting ch, sc in next 7 ch, 2 sc in last ch (20 sc). Join with sl st.

Rnd 2: Ch 10, sk 3 sts, sc in 4th st, ch 10, sk 3 sts, sl st in next st.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn, 12 sc around 1st ch-10. Sl st in sc, ch 7, sl st in 3rd ch from hook (picot), *ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch,* repeat once, sl st in remaining 3 ch, sl st in sc between 2 ch-10s, ch 1, work 12 sc around ch-10 loop, sl st in Rnd 1. Fasten off leaving length for sewing. Center crown at top of scarf and sew in place. Weave in ends.

crown applique

YouTube video for crown

Pattern Testers Wanted

unicorn outside.jpg

Looking for unique patterns for Christmas gift this year? Join my Facebook testers group and check out the patterns available for testing. All you need is a basic knowledge of crochet and the desire to give feedback on the patterns. Most of my designs are easy to Intermediate.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/875538646117910/

United States Marine Corps Birthday

Marine Baby Sweater

Veterans Day, November 11

eagle-potholder

Bald Eagle Potholder

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/bald-eagle-crochet-pattern

2020 Crochet Calendar

Update your kitchen with a new crochet pattern each month. Twelve patterns on a hanging wall calendar – a great value at only $14.99 each. Makes a great Christmas gift for the crafters on your list.

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/2020-crochet-calendar-12-kitchen-crochet-patterns

Calendars printed by Printing Center USA.

Next Week:

Etsy Sale

Help me get to 1400 sales in my Etsy shop this week. Use code 1400SALES to get 14% off any item through 11/10/19. Also, the person who purchases the 1400th item gets a free gift with their order.

My Fingers Fly on Etsy

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Las Vegas – Slot Machine Pillow Crochet Pattern

slot machine pillow

Ordinarily I like to travel to a new city, see new sites. Las Vegas (in my opinion) is the exception to that rule. There’s always something new to see. This time we went to see Smokey Robinson in concert. As much as I enjoy live music, I can honestly say that I have never enjoyed a concert more than this one. On the way out, I heard a man telling his wife, “Now let’s go make a baby.” The show was that sexy!

https://youtu.be/cxkonQWer6I

This time we stayed at the Luxor Hotel and had dinner at Diabla’s Cantina. Since I live in San Antonio with the greatest TexMex food in the country, I was pleasantly surprised by how good the mixed fajita dinner was – beef, chicken and shrimp cooked to perfection.

Diabla’s Cantina

The other reason I love Las Vegas is the slot machines. I’m a bargain hunter, so I stick to the penny slots, but I really love the ones that have a story to them. If you also love the slots (or know someone who does), here’s a free pattern for you.

Slot Machine Pillow Crochet Pattern

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn

     6 oz. red

     ¾ oz. yellow

     ½ oz. black

     ½ oz. green

     ½ oz. white

     Fabric paint

Crochet hook size I (5.50 mm)

Yarn needle

14 x 14 pillow form

Directions:

Back:

Row 1: With red yarn, ch 54. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of the next 52 chs (53 sc).

Rows 2-60: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Fasten off red.

Front:

Work in sc according to chart.

Weave in ends.

Assembly:

Holding wrong sides together, sc both sides together with red yarn and I hook. Because sc is not a perfect square, there are 53 sts across and 60 in height to form a square. Work 53 sc evenly spaced on sides with 3 sc in each corner.

Large Button:

Rnd 1: With yellow yarn and I hook, ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in 2nd ch. 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). Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing. Sew to bottom right corner of pillow. Embroider or pain “PLAY” on button.

Small Buttons (Make 2 in desired colors):

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in 2nd ch. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving 12” length for sewing. Sew to bottom left corner of pillow.

Paint on numbers or add appliques as desired to personalize your pillow. Chart also includes block letters for “JACKPOT” if you prefer to embroider rather than paint. To download the PDF version, please visit https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/slot-machine-pillow-crochet-pattern.

More Pillow Patterns

Axolotl Pillow

Free Taco Pillow Pattern

Roller Skate Pillow Crochet Pattern

Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in Crochet

Horny Toads

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/texas-horny-toad-horned-lizard-crochet-pattern-6

Topping off my Las Vegas trip was this cute horny toad at the airport. Anyone who knows me knows that’s my favorite animal!

 

turtle ornament

Turtle Ornament Crochet Pattern