Did everyone have a great Thanksgiving weekend? Ours was nice and quiet, and I got a lot of crocheting done. The tree is up, and the nutcrackers are all standing at attention on the mantle, so now I have to start wrapping presents. There are still quite a few more small ones that I need to make but only one big one left to go. Hopefully I’ll make it in time!
One of the designs I did over Thanksgiving weekend is a Reindeer Butt Ornament. It looks so cute hanging on the tree!
Ornament measures approximately 5” tall (including tail).
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn:
30 yards MC
10 yards CC
2 yards black
Size G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
Ribbon (or other decoration)
Gauge: 9 sc = 2″, 9 rows = 2″
Directions:
Rnd 1: With MC yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 10 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout.
Rnd 2: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (15 sc).
Rnd 3: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (20 sc).
Rnd 4: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (25 sc).
Rnds 5-7: Sc in each st.
Rnd 8: *Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts,* repeat around (20 sc).
Rnds 9-10: Sc in each st.
Rnd 11: *Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts,* repeat around (16 sc).
Rnd 12: Sc in each st.
Rnd 13: *Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts,* repeat around (12 sc).
Rnds 14-18: Sc in each st. Join with sl st at end of Rnd 18. Fasten off MC.
Rnd 19: Join CC, sc in each st. Join with sl st. Fasten off CC yarn.
Rnd 20: With black yarn, sc in each st.
Rnd 21: Lay flat and sc through both sides – 2 sc in first st, sc across, 2 sc in last st (8 sc).
Using black yarn, wrap yarn around center of black rows and pull tight to create a divot between the 2 hooves. Use CC yarn to embroider line between legs from Rnd 3 to Rnd 12.
Tail:
Rnd 1: With CC yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (6 sc). Do not join.
Rnd 3: Sc in each st. Join with sl st. Fasten off yarn leaving 6” length for sewing. Sew tail centered on top of Rnd 1.
Heart:
With CC yarn, ch 3, in 3rd ch from hook work 3 dc, 2 hdc, ch 1, 2 hdc, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st in same sp. Pull center tight. Fasten off yarn leaving 9” length. Sew to Rnds 5-10.
Add a bow or bell to the tail for decoration.
Weave in all ends.
Cut a piece of ribbon approximately 12” long and fold. Pull through top of horse butt and tie off for hanger.
Thanksgiving is over, the kitchen is clean, and there are enough leftovers that you don’t have to worry about cooking the rest of the weekend. This is when I usually put up my tree, simply because the long weekend gave me extra time to decorate. With a full-time job and taking care of children, time was at a premium in my house. Now I can relax and put up the Christmas tree whenever I want, but I think I’ll do it today anyway. It wouldn’t seem like Thanksgiving weekend without it.
So what will you be crocheting this weekend with all the extra time you’ll have? I’m still working on a couple of gifts, and then I’ll work on more stuffed animals and hats to go to the children at the women’s shelter.
We’ve worked hard this year making all those handmade gifts, so now it’s time to sit down and decide what we want for Christmas. I’ve put together a list from some of the internet’s top crocheters. You might want to print this out and (accidentally) leave it on the kitchen table for your significant other to see. 😊
Some of these links are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Patterns and Books
Personally, my yarn collection comes and goes, but it’s simply a supply I need to practice my craft. Patterns on the other hand are my weakness. I still have books from 40 years ago, and I still make many of those designs. Every time we move, I purge more pattern books, but there are some that I just cannot part with.
There are so many talented designers in the world of crochet, and I am proud to be one of them. Check out my patterns on Ravelry with a Cyber Week Sale – Buy 1 Get 1 Free on all patterns and ebooks. No coupon code required. https://www.ravelry.com/redeem/my-fingers-fly-designs?sale=296868
There is no limit to the jokes people make about the size of their yarn stashes! My yarn collection is considerable, but I try to keep it under control by purchasing only what I need for the next project. Hey, it’s not my fault that none of my available yarns are suitable for the next project! 😉
Like designers, there are many yarn companies from which to choose. These are two of my favorite:
Don’t forget about Etsy’s Cyber Week Sale. You can get 25% off any purchase from my shop. This is a great time to shop for your holiday gifts, or buy a gift for yourself. https://www.etsy.com/shop/myfingersfly
The end of May is graduation season, so I created this cute little owl to make for your graduate. He can sit on the nightstand in the dorm room and guard their eyeglasses. There are several variations of the crocodile stitch, so I have posted a video on YouTube for this version.
The owl works up quickly with worsted weight yarn using about 2 1/3 ounce of ombre or variegated and 1 ounce of a matching solid color.
Rnd 1: With ombre yarn, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd 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). Join with sl st.
Rnd 11: Ch 4 (counts as 3 dc plus ch-1), dc in same st, sk 2 sts, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in same st (V-stitch made), sk 2 sts,* repeat around (20 V-stitches). Join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch-4.
Rnd 12: Ch 1, in first V-stitch, *work 5 dc around post of first dc of V-stitch, then work 5 dc around post of second dc of V-stitch (crocodile stitch made). Sl st in center of next V-stitch,* repeat around (10 croc st).
Rnd 13: Ch 4, dc in same st, *V-stitch in center of croc st, V-stitch in center of V-stitch,* repeat around. End with V-stitch in last croc, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-4.
Rnds 14-20: Repeat Rnds 11 & 12 three times, then repeat Rnd 12 once more. Fasten off ombre yarn.
Rnd 21: Switch to solid yarn, ch 1, *sc in V-stitch, 2 sc across first half of croc st, sc in center of croc st, 2 sc across 2nd half of croc st,* repeat around (60 sc).
Rnds 22-26: Sc in each sc. Do not join.
Rnd 27: *Dec, sc in next 8 sts,* repeat around (54 sc).
Rnd 28: *Dec, sc in next 7 sts,* repeat around (48 sc).
Rnd 29: *Dec, sc in next 6 sts,* repeat around (42 sc).
Rnd 30: *Dec, sc in next 5 sts,* repeat around (36 sc).
Rnds 31-33: Sc in each st. Join with sl st at end of Rnd 33.
Insert pantyhose into body to prevent stuffing from showing, stuff pantyhose.
Rnd 34: Holding both sides of Rnd 33 tog, sc through both thicknesses to close. Fasten off.
EYES: (Make 2)
With ombre yarn, ch 23, Join with sl st in 1st ch. Ch 1, hdc in each ch. Join with sl st. Fasten off. Sew eyes to top of body and glue googly eyes inside.
WINGS: (Make 2)
Row 1: With solid yarn, ch 8, hdc in 2nd ch and in next 6 chs. (7 hdc).
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in remaining sts (8 hdc).
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st with 2 hdc in last st (9 hdc).
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, *sk 1 st, 4 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st,* repeat once. Fasten off leaving 12” length. Sew to sides above top croc st row with scalloped edge toward the front.
BEAK:
Rnd 1: With orange yarn, ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts (4 sc).
Rnd 3: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts (5 sc).
Rnd 4: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts (6 sc).
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts (8 sc). Fasten off leaving 6” length. Sew beak to face between eyes.
Cut 4 pieces of yarn 3″ long. Fold 2 in half, insert hook into top corner of head, pull loops through, then pull ends through loop. Repeat on the other side of the head.
For a book containing all 15 eyeglass holder crochet patterns (available in Kindle and paperback formats), please visit my Amazon author page. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3WPQ2K
Last year I had the opportunity to work with a home builder to coordinate a house for Operation Finally Home that was donated to a local Marine veteran who was injured while working as a police officer after returning home. My contribution was a Thin Blue Line afghan created on the Addi Pro knitting machine.
As a follow-up to my recent post regarding TSA rules and what crafters can carry on a plane, yesterday I found this great pair of travel scissors that are TSA compliant. There’s even a keychain hole, so I can carry them everywhere!
Also released this week is the Sugar Skull Purses Crochet Patterns. Instructions include three different versions – waist bag (fanny pack), messenger bag, and neck wallet. Two versions require an approximately 4″ zipper which is very difficult to find, so I made a YouTube video on how to shorten a zipper. https://youtu.be/s8fyr_As-tA
Stay tuned for Sugar Skull Crochet Patterns ebook which will be available also on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. I am also working on some California-themed patterns and hope to visit Los Angeles next month to snap some photos.
To celebrate my new line of crochet-themed clothing, I will be giving away one free pattern for each t-shirt or set of leggings purchased through May 31, 2019. Simply place your order, then email me at lisa@myfingersfly.com with the name of the pattern you would like (ebooks not included). I will email you the requested pattern with 24 hours.
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