My summer has started off great. Last weekend was a trip to Houston to Daughter #2’s house for my grandson’s birthday. Daughter-in-law and granddaughter accompanied me on the drive from San Antonio. We got stuck in Houston traffic and arrived at the party late, but we still had a great time. More importantly, the birthday boy had a wonderful day! The return trip included a detour to Austin to give Daughter #4 a ride home.
Wednesday night was a sleepover at my house for my grandaughter, 3 nieces, and a nephew. We live far enough out of the city to enjoy a little bit of wildlife in the evenings, and the kids had a great time catching frogs, naming them, and then releasing them.
As far as crochet is concerned, the big question is what to crochet in the summertime. Many people believe it’s only a hobby that can be done in cooler months, but that is far from the truth. Blankets are great for winter crochet, especially once they get big enough so you can cover yourself while you work. However, there are lots of great options for crocheting in the warmer weather. Small projects such as amigurumi won’t smother you while you work on them. Potholders and scrubbies made of cotton are also great ideas. For many years, I have made a Christmas list at the beginning of January and spent the year filling in the slots with completed crocheted gifts. Summer is a great time to complete holiday gifts, prepare for winter craft shows, or make hats and scarves for your favorite charity. Of course, baby items are always such fun to make, and there always seems to be a new baby in the family or in the neighborhood. One of my most requested baby patterns is a Lumberjack Axe Rattle, perfect for Paul Bunyan Day today. The rattle requires just a few ounces of yarn (my favorite for this project is I Love This Cotton).
For this week’s Friday Freebie, in honor of Camera Day on June 29, I have chosen a pattern on the Addi Express knitting machine for a Camera Lens Buddy. These were designed for a photographer I worked with last year, because she wanted something to make children smile at her camera. It’s a fun pattern that works up quickly and easily with yarn from your stash. I would love to see photos of your lens buddies at http://instagram.com/myfingersfly
Materials:
½ oz. worsted yarn
Size G crochet hook
Yarn needle
2 googly eyes
Picot st: ch 3, sl st in 1st ch.
Directions:
Cast on with waste yarn and work 4-5 rnds. Switch to MC yarn and work 12 rnds. Switch to waste yarn and work another 4-5 rows. Cast off.
Holding both sides together, with G hook and MC yarn, work *sc, ch 1* through both sides. Do not fasten off.
OWL:
Ears:
Row 1: In back loop only, sc across 13 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in next st, picot in next st, hdc in each of the next 5 sts, sl st in Row 2, hdc in each of the next 6 sts, picot in next st, sl st in same st as last hdc. Fasten off.
Wings: (Make 2)
Row 1: Leaving 6” length with CC yarn, ch 2, work 4 hdc in 2nd ch.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dec twice.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, dec. Fasten off. Sew wings on sides of lens buddy.
Glue on googly eyes.
LION:
Rnd 1: With MC yarn working in back loops only, hdc in each st. Do not fasten off.
Ears:
Row 1: Hdc in each of next 3 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc 3 sts tog.
Skip 8 sts on lens buddy and repeat Rows 1-2 for other ear.
Cut 4” pieces of CC yarn for mane. Pull through loops at back with 1 piece in each st.
Glue on googly eyes.
UNICORN:
Rnd 1: With MC yarn working in back loops only, hdc in each st. Do not fasten off.
Ears:
Row 1: Hdc in each of next 3 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc 3 sts tog.
Skip 8 sts on lens buddy and repeat Rows 1-2 for other ear.
Horn:
Rnd 1: Attach yellow or gold yarn in center top of head. 2 hdc in this st and 2 hdc in next st.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, hdc, dec, hdc.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, dec, hdc.
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, dec. Fasten off.
Cut 4” pieces of yarn in rainbow colors for mane. Pull through loops on either side of horn with 1 piece in each st.
Glue on googly eyes.
There’s still time to take advantage of half off patterns in my Ravelry store. Use code HALFOFF and get 50% off any $5.00 purchase through 6/30/2019. Get a head start on your Christmas gift list or back-to-school clothing.
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lisa-ferrel
Stay tuned next month for some fun patterns for National Ice Cream Month. I will also be attending the CGOA Chain Link Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire next month and will be sharing about that trip.
Please join my Facebook group if you would like to be a pattern tester. https://www.facebook.com/groups/875538646117910/?source_id=106106443174
Happy summer and happy crocheting!
