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Mission Inn, Riverside – Bald Eagle Crochet Potholder – Labor Day Sale

Here I am, sitting at the airport waiting to start another California adventure. This time I will be going to Riverside and staying at the historic Mission Inn. It was built as a boarding house in 1876 and was designated as a historic landmark in 1977. Several wings have been added over the years, including the Cloister, the Spanish Wing, and the Rotunda Wing. The oldest bell in Christendom (dated 1247) is currently housed at the Mission Inn.

Mission Inn Courtyard
https://www.missioninn.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2K3rBRDiARIsAOFSW_4C161I284X84mXQgBoXYuGJG8vroDwt4zWgovjJz1ulM0iVeL_hQwaAg71EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I am so looking forward to exploring this beautiful inn and the surrounding Riverside community. What new designs will this trip inspire? I promise to take lots of photos and post them next week.

This week includes both Labor Day and V-J Day on September 2. V-J Day celebrates the day that Japan surrendered to the U.S. to end World War II on September 2, 1945. To honor the veterans of that war and all U.S. veterans, this week’s free pattern is a Bald Eagle Potholder.  Eagle Plushie Crochet Pattern is also available. 

For PDF download, click here
https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/bald-eagle-crochet-pattern

Materials:

Peaches & Crème cotton worsted yarn

     ½ oz. brown

     ½ oz. white

     Few yards gold

     1 yd black

Crochet hook size J

Yarn needle

Directions:

Row 1: With double strand of brown yarn, ch 16. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each of th enext 14 chs (15 sc).

Rows 2-5: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.

Rows 6-7: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc across (13 sc). Fasten off brown.

Row 8: Switch to white yarn. Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, *sk next st, 3 dc in corresponding st of Row 6, sk next st, sc in next st,* repeat twice.

Rows 9-10: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc across, dec (9 sc).

Rows 11-13: Repeat Row 6 (6 sc).

Rows 14-17: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st.

Row 18: Repeat Row 9. Fasten off white.

EDGING:

With right side facing, attach brown yarn at side of Row 7. Ch 1, sc in same st. Sc in each row end with 2 sc in last row end. Sc in each unused loop of beg ch with 2 sc in last ch. Continue up side with sc, changing to white at Row 8. Sc around head in same manner with 3 sc in corners. At center top of head, ch 6, sl st in same st for hanging loop.

BEAK:

With double strand of gold yarn, ch 4. Counting backwards on white sts, in 7th st from brown section, sl st in 7th st. Sc in 1st ch, 2 sc in next ch, sc in next ch, 3 sc in next ch. Working on opposite side of ch, dec, sc in last ch. Sl st in next white st on head. Fasten off with 12” length. Use this length for straight sts to better define the beak.

Use double strand of black to make French knot for the eye. Weave in all ends.

Stay tuned for October’s release – Kitchen Crochet Pattern 2020 Calendar – which will include the bald eagle along with 11 other patterns to make for your kitchen.

More Potholder Designs

Zoo Blog Hop Day 21 – Giraffes

Beaver

Smiling Duck

Kitchen Crochet Pattern Ebook – 17 Patterns in PDF format

LABOR DAY SALE

There’s still time to get 15% off all crochet-themed gifts – t-shirts, leggings, tote bags, and coffee mugs. Use coupon code LABORDAY through 9/2/2019.

https://www.myfingersfly.com/discount/LABORDAY

With the holidays coming up, I will have several new patterns. As always, pattern testers are needed. See my Facebook group for more information. https://www.facebook.com/groups/875538646117910/?source_id=106106443174

Happy travels and happy crocheting!

 

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Summer Fun – Camera Day – Paul Bunyan Day

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).

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/baby-lumberjack-axe-rattle-crochet-pattern

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

https://www.etsy.com/MyFingersFly/listing/664266704/lens-buddy-addi-express-pattern-owl-lion?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1561740868771

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.

Owl

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.

Lion

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.

Unicorn

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!

Fun Summer Patterns

Granny Triangle Bandana

Free Turtle Pattern

Butterfly Flip-flops

Lion Amigurumi

Unicorn Fanny Pack

Owl Crochet Patterns

Posted on 22 Comments

Friday Freebie, Owl Eyeglass Holder

owl crochet pattern

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.

To download the pattern as a PDF or to see other eyeglass holders, please visit https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/owl-eyeglass-holder-crochet-pattern
Please remember to share your projects on Instagram @myfingersfly.

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn

   2 1/3  oz. ombre or variegated

   1 oz. solid

   Few yards orange

Size G crochet hook

Yarn needle

Plastic googly eyes 40 mm

Fiberfil

Pantyhose

Crocodile stitch video – https://youtu.be/HN_SNZDW21w

Directions:

BODY:

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. 

YouTube tutorial

Visit My Fingers Fly on Etsy to purchase a complete crochet kit. 

More Owl Patterns

owl crochet patterns

Zoo Blog Hop Day 2 – Owl Crochet Patterns

More Eyeglass Holders

Koala

Easter Lamb Free Pattern

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Patterns Ebook

Poodle

Octopus

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.

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/thin-blue-line-afghan-pattern-for-addi-pro-thin-red-line-afghan-pattern-for-addi-pro

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

http:// https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/sugar-skull-purses-crochet-pattern
These bags were inspired by a purse I bought for my daughter on our recent trip to Monterrey, Mexico.

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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