Distractions…

I’m feeling a little lonesome tonight, my daughter Maia is away at a school camp. She will be there for three nights, coming home Friday. I am worrying about all manner of (unlikely) things that could happen to my precious nine year old while she is away and so thought a blog post was in order – to distract me from my overactive imagination.

Here’s a little bit of what I’ve been up to…In between sock knitting, yes, still on that knitting jag! I’ve been crocheting small woodland creatures;

A squirrel for Carter, pictured here with much loved lion…
And a fox for Maia…
And since its autumn, today is in fact the last day, I’ve also made a few of these cute crochet acorns…Which make lovely little necklacesAll of these patterns come from Genuine Mudpie, if you’ve been visiting for a while you will know I’ve made a number of Trish’s patterns, always with great success.

What have you been up to? What’s your favorite distraction pastime? J xox

Cheep cheep the crochet chick

As promised, a new friend for your bunnies! Here’s a cute easy chick for you to crochet:This chick is super easy, I promise you will be able to whip 1 or 3 up in no time at all – I know Easter is almost here… but these guys are a breeze to make!

If you would like to make some chicks in time for Easter you will need:

• Various scraps of yarn and a corresponding hook – I used 8ply and a 4mm hook.
• 2 x 9mm safety eyes (or beads or buttons)
• A needle to sew your creation together with.

1. The body- this is the SAME as the bunny – so for detailed round by round photos check out this tutorial.

Round 1: Make a Magic Circle and chain 3, then crochet 13 DC into the circle and pull tight, join with a SS to complete the round (14 DC). I’ve had a few questions about the magic circle before, it’s my preferred way to start a round. You can find a video showing how it’s done here. If you prefer chain 4 and DC into the fourth chain from the hook (then your DCs) or chain four, join with a SS to form a ring and then chain 3 and 13 DC into the ring. All techniques work equally well, I think it just comes down to preference.

Round 2. Join yarn in space between two DCs, chain 3 and DC in between the same space. 2 DC between each stitch around, join with a SS to the top of chain 3 to complete the round. Fasten off.(14 2DC pairs).

Round 3. Join yarn in space between two pairs of DCs, chain 3 and 2 DC in same space. Make 3DCs in each space between two pairs of DCs around, join with a SS to the top of chain 3 to complete the round. Fasten off. (14 3DC pairs).

Round 4. You are now working in the top space between each stitch, not the space beside the stitch. Join your new colour through the top loop of the stitch only. Chain 2, 2DC into next stitch, 1 DC into next, 1 DC into next, 2DC into next stitch, 1 DC into next, 1 DC into next, 2DC into next stitch, 1 HDC into next, Chain 1, SC into each remaining stitch around.  Complete round by joining with a SS into the Chain 2. Do not fasten off.

Round 5. Chain 1, SC into each stitch around. SS into chain 1.

Round 6. Chain 1, HDC in next 11 stitches, chain 1, SS into next stitch. Fasten off leaving a long end to sew your two bunny halves together. Repeat – you need a front and a back!2. The beak:

Round 1: Magic circle (see notes above), CH 1 and 6 SC into the circle, do not join this or any round, continue working in a circle without joining. Use a stitch marker if necessary to mark your rounds (personally I just count the stitches) (6)

Round 2: *SC in the next stitch, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (9).

Round 3: *SC in the next 2 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (12).

Round 4: SC in each stitch around. Fasten off leaving a long tail.3. The wings (make two!):

Round 1: Magic circle (see notes above), CH 1 and 6 SC into the circle, do not join this or any round, continue working in a circle without joining. Use a stitch marker if necessary tp mark your rounds (personally I just count the stitches) (6)

Round 2: SC in the next stitch, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (9).

Round 3:*SC in the next 2 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (12). Change colour.

Round 4:*SC in the next 3 stitches, 2 SC in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (15).

Round 5:SC  in each stitch around (15). Change colour.

Round 6:SC  in each stitch around (15).

Round 7:SC  in each stitch around (15). Change colour.

Round 8: *SC in the next 3 stitches, 2 SC together (decrease) in the next stitch*, repeat between * and * around (12).

Round 9: SC  in each stitch around (12).

Round 10: Sc in each stitch around. Fasten off leaving a long tail.That’s all your chick parts assembled…. now to put them all together.

Position eyes and secure, and sew on beak: With wrong sides together sew front to back: Leave a small gap, stuff, then finish sewing together. Looking pretty cute! Sew wings in place: Almost done… just a little tuft on the top! Sew through 2 strands of each color: Tie in a knot and snip to desired length… you’re all finished!Happy Easter everyone! Janette xox

Crochet mouse tutorial and free pattern

Squeakers!

Its finally here!!

How to make your own tiny, adorable crochet mouse… just in time for Christmas!

I found the best results with these mousies using 4ply sock yarn and a 2.5mm hook. I also made some with 3ply and a 2mm hook. I’ve yet to try this pattern with any heavier weight yarn, and I must admit I’m reluctant to, as I like the small size that the lighter weight yarn and small hook gives… I may well yet try one an even smaller mouse (squeakness… baby mice!)

These mice are about 6-7cm tall (2.5 inches) and are perfect for small hands. Holding….and loving♥…or even adventuring…These cuties are made in four pieces- the body, with arms, legs and tail are crocheted all as one piece. Head and ears are crocheted separately and then sewn together. A clever little stitch called a 3 dc pop (or popcorn stitch) is used for hands and feet. It goes like this: Work 3 dc into third ch from hook, take hook out leaving loop, put hook through 1st dc & pull loop through. Hopefully the photos below will help this make sense!

Other stitches/abbreviations (all US crochet terms):

• ss = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• st = stitch
• ch = chain
• Sc2tog = single crochet two together (decrease)

One other note, please use a marker to mark your rounds and keep track of where you are up to. And count your stitches at the end of each round. If you don’t, the arms and legs are less likely to match up.

I know some of you are going to go ahead and not use a marker. If you lose your place or end up a stitch or two out you can always eyeball it – just remember to make sure your legs are in the same stitch on the round as your arms (so they line up)!Lets begin….

First up we are going to make the body:
Round 1: Make a magic circle ch 1 and work 6 sc;

Pull tight – 6 st.

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around – 12 st.

Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] repeat around – 18 st.

Round 4: Sc in each st around – 18 st.

Round 5: Sc in next 6 st, [arm: ss into next st, ch 6, …3dc pop into 3rd ch from hook, …ss into next 3 ch, ss back into original st], …sc in next 6 st, [arm], sc in next 4 st – 18 st.

Round 6 – 11: Sc in each st around – 18 st.Round 12:  Sc in next 8 st. [leg: ss into next st, ch 8, 3dc pop into 3rd ch from hook, ss into next 5, ss back into original st], sc in next 6 st, [leg], sc in next 2 st (18)Round 13: Sc2tog, sc in next st, ss into next st, [tail: ch 22, ss into second ch from hook and each st, back into original st] sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next st, sc2tog (12) At this point you are going to stuff your wee mousie… Round 14: Once you have stuffed it, sc 2tog until hole is closed. Fasten off leaving long end, sew in ends and securely close hole.

Head:
Round 1: Make a magic circle ch 1 and work 6 sc into mc – 6 st.
Round 2: 2 sc in each st around – 12 st.
Round 3: [2 sc in next st, sc in next st] repeat around – 18 st.
Round 4-5: Sc in each st around – 18 st.
Round 6: Sc2tog, sc in next 2x 4, Scin last 2 – 14 st.
Round 7: Sc2tog, sc in next st x4, Sc2tog – 9st. Stuff as much as possible.

Round 8: Sc2tog, sc in next st x4, ss into next st and FO leaving a long end.Sew head onto body…

Ears:
Round 1: Magic circle, ch1 and 8 sc in circle. Pull tight, do not join. 2sc in each st around, ss into next st. Fasten off and leave long end… Sew in ends, then sew ears to head.Sew face in place… no real instructions here, just use your imagination. I like mousies with a pink nose and black 8ply yarn for the eyes and a tiny mouth. I tried a french knot for eyes but actually just like eyes which are a tiny stitch or two in the right spot. The face gives each one an individual personality 🙂Enjoy your new wee friend!

But be careful… they’re addictive and before you know it they multiply… like… well… mice!I hope you enjoy making these mousies as much as I do! If you do give them a try, Id love to see how they turn out so send me a pic. If you notice any errors in the pattern, please let me know!

Edit to add: Find a Christmas hat and scarf for your mousie here.

And you can find out how to make a cute mouse bed, here.

 

Decorating with crochet

When I saw how Maia’s class were painting their book bags, I was inspired to have a go and make a multimedia work of art myself! Here’s how I made and decorated my book bag… or as I like to refer to it:

Cut out the fabric; the book bags we made were approximately 84 cm x 36cm. Over sew all edges and fold in half – the fold is the bottom of your bag. Draw your design, in my case this was a tree (but you are only limited by your imagination) in the center of the front half:Using fabric paint, fill in the tree truck and branches (once dry, iron the paint to set it). Crochet up your favourite flowers, leaves and other decorations. I used this lovely flower pattern, I kind of winged the leaves, but here’s a good basic pattern, and here’s another. I also crocheted a wee birdie and some circles. Sew everything in place, and add buttons and other embellishments for interest:Make a lining, very slightly smaller than the size as your bag. Sew side seams together and fold over the top 2cm:Insert lining inside bag (wrong side to wrong side): Cut webbing handles to desired length, and insert between your layers. Pin in place, so when you sew the top seam everything comes out even 🙂Fill with treasures and enjoy……Or make one for a gift, and pay it forward! Have a lovely week, everyone! ♥ Janette xo

Pay it forward diy book bags

You might recall me mentioning a while back that I was sewing up a storm making book bags for Maia’s class pay-it-forward project. I’ve just finished sewing handles on the bags, and I thought you might like to see some of the end results:

There were a real mix of designs…But the overall effect is amazing. So bright and colourful:I really love children’s art at this age because it is largely uninfluenced by their (mis) perception that they cant draw, or paint and the end results are so unaffected.

Here’s our girl with her bag (she is very proud of it):And, keeping with the pay it forward theme here is my bag… which I plan to give to the class teacher, because teacher’s do such a wonderful job – and often don’t get recognized for their extra efforts. Ill be back tomorrow with a little ‘how to’ including the links to the flowers used on the bag. Love Janette xoxox

First tooth fairy visit

We had our first ever visit from the tooth fairy last night. The prospect of the upcoming visit was very exciting… so exciting we were up at 1.50am checking if the tooth fairy had been (by we I mean Maia had her light on, and I was scrambling around half asleep turning lights off and tucking her back under the covers with comments about it being the middle of the night and threats to ensure we weren’t tempted to turn the light back on at some ungodly hour again).Here’s the teeny note (complete with tiny envelope) left by our local tooth fairy Columbine Shimmer – Tooth Fairy Team Leader of the Hamilton Tooth Department (if you click on the photo it will enlarge it and you can read what Columbine had to say!).My baby is growing up, and that smile is going to become a whole lot more toothy real soon!