Materials:
12 yards white sport weight yarn
Crochet hook size F (3.75 mm)
Yarn needle
Ribbon or cord
Flowers or other decorations, as desired
Directions:
Rnd 1: Ch 2 (or magic circle), 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds unless otherwise specified.
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: Working in BLO, sc in each st.
Rnds 5-6: Sc in each st.
Rnd 7: Working in FLO, *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (27 sc).
Rnd 8: Working in both loops, sc in each st.
Rnd 9: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (36 sc).
Rnd 10: Sc in each st. Join with sl st. Fasten off white. Block hat.
Glue on ribbon or flowers as desired for the hat band. Cut a piece of cord or ribbon about 10” long. Pull through a stitch at the top of the back of the hat and make a knot.
If you’re looking for a great gift idea for a fellow crocheter (or for yourself), a membership to my Patreon will give you access to new designs every month.
Pick your level – from $2.00 to $25.00 a month. November’s Pattern of the Month is Miles the Jazzy Elephant Plush Toy. Database will be updated on December 2 with Christmas-themed patterns.
Fasten off YAL
The Off-Ravelry sale is still going strong – 91 indie designers with over a thousand patterns from which to choose. Use code FO2020 to get 25% off knit and crochet patterns from participating designers.
20% off any $10.00 purchase in my Etsy shop through December 2, 2020. Lots of great fiber artists gifts including ornaments, t-shirts, tote bags, and more.
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.
Good morning everyone! We had a cool front come in this week with gorgeous morning temps. It will be a hot one in the afternoon, but I’ve been enjoying my morning coffee on the patio enjoying the 70-degree weather.
Benjamin is proving to be as popular with crocheters as I had hoped – he’s just so cute! Please share your color combinations on Instagram or Facebook. This week we’ll be making the African flower motifs for his shell and putting them together. Next week will be making the turtle head and bottom flap, then attaching the blanket to the turtle shell.
Rnd 1: With Sungold yarn, Magic Ring (MR), ch 3 (counts as dc), dc, ch 1, *2 dc, ch 1,* repeat 4 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. Fasten off Sungold.
Rnd 2: Attach Mild Green yarn in any ch-1 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same sp, (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next 5 ch-1 sps. Join with sl st in top of beg ch-3.
Rnd 3: Sl st into ch-1 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 6 dc in same ch-1 sp, 7 dc in remaining 5 ch-1 sps. Join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. Fasten off Mild Green.
Rnd 4: Attach Toasted Almond yarn at first dc of any 7-dc group, ch 1, *sc in each of 7 dc across top of shell, sc in sp between shells two rows below in Rnd 2,* repeat 5 times. Join with sl st in top of first sc. Fasten off Toasted Almond yarn.
Rnd 5: Attach Dark Olive Yarn, ch 1 (does not count as st), *hdc in each of 8 sc across side of hexagon, ch 1,* repeat 5 times. Join with sl st in top of first hdc. Fasten off Dark Olive Yarn. Block squares and sew together in the following configuration.
Each side of the hexagon is 8 hdc with a ch at each end. Sew these sts together. On the hexagons that form the outer edge (as indicated in photo below by arrows), continue this seam for an additional 4 sts.
Edging:
Rnd 1: Attach Dark Olive yarn at any st, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next st and each st around. Some hexagons will still have ch-1 sps. Skip these. At seam, work dc dec across both sides of seam. Join with sl st in top of ch-3. Fasten off Dark Olive.
Rnd 2: Attach Sungold yarn, ch 1, sc in same st, *sk 2 sts, 6 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st,* repeat around. It may be necessary to manipulate the skipped sts towards the end of the rnd in order to finish with a shell st rather than a sc. Join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off Sungold.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions on this pattern. The pattern PDF is available at My Fingers Fly. If you prefer Ravelry, turtles are the featured animal on June 13 – Benjamin Turtle. Each day in June, a different animal pattern is half price.
Last year I published an Elephant Crochet Pattern ebook, but I just wasn’t satisfied with the amount of patterns, so I added a few more patterns. The ebook PDF is now available on Etsy and My Fingers Fly. Kindle and paperback versions are also available on Amazon.
Miles the Jazzy Elephant was so much fun to make; I hope you’ll enjoy him too. Elephant patterns are also available separately on Ravelry, Etsy, Lovecrafts, and My Fingers Fly. Also included in the book is an Elephant Ear Saver Crochet Pattern (free on the blog).
Miles and Benjamin will both be included in my next book, A to Z Animal Crochet. Animal patterns are so much fun!
I still have a few 2020 Crochet Calendars left – just pay shipping. Even though the year is almost half gone, the 12 kitchen crochet patterns can be used forever.
With the country just beginning to open back up, travel is still on hold for us. In the meantime, I’ve been working on my next book – Halloween crochet. This week I’m offering a simple pattern for sugar skull jewelry. If you have some cotton thread to use up, this is a great project. I normally prefer working with worsted yarn, but lately I have come to love using thread to make earrings.
Materials:
Aunt Lydia’s Cotton–
15 yards ivory
Few yards of a few bright colors for skull decorations
Size 1.5 mm steel crochet hook
Needle
Directions:
Row 1: With ivory thread, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of next 5 ch (6 sc).
Rows 2-4: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc across to last st, inc in last st (12 sc at end of Row 4).
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Leave loop hanging. Using separate piece of yarn, go back to Row 4. Skip 6 sts, sc in each of last 3 sts.
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Ch 6, join with sl st in first section of Row 6. Fasten off. Pick up loop on Row 6, sc across 3 sts.
Row 8: Ch 1, turn, sc across all sts & chs (12 sc).
Rows 9-10: Repeat Row 2 (16 sc).
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Row 12: Repeat Row 2 (18 sc).
Rows 13-14: Repeat Row 11.
Row 15: Ch 1, turn, sc in 4 sts.
Row 16: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc in next 2 sts (3 sc).
Row 17: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.
Row 18: Ch 1, turn, inc, sc in next 2 sts (4 sc). Leave loop hanging. With separate piece of yarn, sk 3 sts on Row 14. Ch 1, sc in next 4 sts, ch 1, turn, dec twice. Ch 1, turn, sc in 2 sts. Ch 1, turn, inc twice. Ch 3, sl st in 1st st of Row 18. Fasten off.
Go back to Row 14. Sk 3 sts, ch 1, sc in last 4 sts. Ch 1, turn, sc in next 2 sts, dec (3 sc). Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Ch 1, turn, sc in 2 sts, inc next st (4 sc). Ch 1, sl st in middle section of Row 18. Fasten off.
Row 19: Pick up loop on first section of Row 18. Ch 1, sc in each st and ch (18 sc).
Rows 20-22: Ch 1, turn, dec first 2 sts, sc across to last 2 sts, dec last 2 sts (12 sc).
Row 23: Dec, sc next 8 sts, dec, continue down side, sc around entire skull. Join with sl st in 1st sc of Row 23. Stop here for single-color skull.
To make multicolored skull, continue with adding colors.
With pink yarn, sc around both eye openings.
Heart:
With pink yarn, ch 3. In 3rd ch from hook, work 2 dc, 4 hdc, ch 1, 4 hdc, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st in same ch. Fasten off leaving 12” length and sew to forehead of skull.
Nose:
With purple yarn, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2, sl st in 3rd ch. Fasten off leaving 6” length and sew to center of face.
Attach jump ring and necklace chain or earring hooks.
This PDF pattern is available to download on Ravelry, separately or included in the Sugar Skull Crochet Patterns ebook. If you prefer, it is also available on Amazon as a Kindle download or paperback.
Benjamin Turtle Nap Buddy, World Turtle Day
Next month I will start the first CAL for My Fingers Fly, Benjamin Turtle Nap Buddy. The toddler blanket folds up after naptime and is stored in Benjamin’s shell, giving your child a plush toy the rest of the day. The pattern uses worsted weight yarn with a simple striped blanket and the African flower motif for the turtle. The pattern will be published in stages throughout June 2020, and I hope you will share your progress photos on Facebook and Instagram.
Finished blanket measures approximately 50″ long by 28” wide (with instructions to make it longer if necessary). When rolled up, Benjamin measures approximately 18” long by 10” wide by 7” tall.
Materials you will need:
Worsted weight yarn (I used I Love This Yarn)
21 oz. dark olive
6 oz. light green
5 oz. tan
2 oz. gold
Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook
Fiberfil
Yarn needle
Two 10-mm black safety eyes
Three 7/8”-1” buttons
To celebrate June, each day will have a different animal or fish pattern on sale on Ravelry. I will post a calendar by June 1 with more details.
Rattlesnake Wreath
This week I completed another pattern which will go into my Halloween crochet book, Rattlesnake Wreath. For this weekend only, it is introductory priced at 50% off. Already well on its way, but I still have a list of patterns to make for this book. Is there a Halloween pattern you would like to see included?
Now that restaurants are opening up, I’m off to have lunch with the hubby. Happy crocheting everyone! Stay safe.
Since I was a little girl watching the Sonny & Cher Show on TV, I have wanted to see her in concert. Dreams do come true – I got to see an amazing show last week in Houston. Her songs brought back so many memories, especially when she did her tribute to Sonny including video of them performing together. At 73 years old, she is an inspiration to women everywhere. She said she has never believed in saying no, and that philosophy has guided her very successful career. For those who think they’re too old or can’t do it, she says, “What is your granny doing at 73?”
They took me back in time to the disco era with “Le Freak,” “We are Family,” and many others. Kimberly Davis’s vocal prowess is something you have to see in person!
Texas Flag/Yellow Rose Christmas Tree Ornament
This ornament is my last Christmas pattern for this year, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Add a yellow rose in the middle, or leave it without – either way it’s a must for every Texas Christmas tree.
Finished ornament measures approximately 4” wide x 2.5” tall
Materials: Sport weight yarn – small amounts of red, blue, white, yellow Size G (4.00 mm) crochet hook Yarn needle Felt for backing Metallic cord, approximately 16”
Directions: FLAG: Row 1: With red yarn, ch 13, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 11 ch (12 sc). Rows 2-6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Rows 7-12: With white yarn, ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Fasten off white.
Row 1: Turn on side and work 1 sc in each row end with blue yarn (12 sc). Rows 2-6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Do not fasten off. For edging, ch 1, turn, sc in each st around with 2 sc in each corner, changing colors as needed.
Embroider star with white yarn or sew on star applique.
ROSE: With yellow yarn, ch 20, 3 dc in 4th ch from hook, *sc in next ch, 3 dc in next ch,* repeat across. Rolling from the center, stitch in place as you roll. Sew to center of flag. Weave in all ends.
This year’s hottest crochet pattern was the Horny Toad Plush Toy, which is available in paperback format along with the Horny Toad Hat and Horny Toad Coin Purse.
For your New Year’s party, here’s the perfect hat! Don’t tell anyone – I made one for the white elephant gift exchange. If you use an Addi knitting machine, there’s also a pattern for beer socks.
It has been a wonderful year, and I’m looking forward to more good things to come in 2020. Hoping everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a successful new year.
