Sunday 26 October 2008

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Tuesday 21 October 2008

Elmo Pattern, yay!





After posting cookie monster on craftster, all I heard form people was, "you have to make Elmo" and "pattern please" so two birds, one stone, I made Elmo and wrote the pattern, if you make him then let me know how you get along. Can't wait to see what you guys think.




Elmo:
You will need:
Red Fuzzy wool
White, Black and Orange DK or WW
3.5/E Hook
Sewing needle
Stitch marker
10mm pair of black eyes

NOTE: this is an intermediate to advanced pattern, if you are having problems check the comments below the pattern as the answer may be there or there is always Google.

Head and body:
R1, 6sc in ring
R2, inc in every st (12sc)
R3 sc in first st, inc in nxt, rep around (18sc)
R4 sc in first 2, inc in nxt, rep around (24sc)
R5 sc in first 3, inc in nxt, rep around (30sc)
R6 sc in first 4, inc in nxt, rep around (36sc)
R7 sc in first 5, inc in nxt, rep around (42sc)
R8 sc in first 6, inc in nxt, rep around (48sc)
R9-13 sc around
R14 inc in first st, sc 23, inc, sc rest around (50sc)
R15 inc in first st, sc 23, inc, sc rest around (52sc)
R16 sc in first 2, ch 23, skip 23 st, sc 28
(The chain creates a gap in the head for you to sew the mouth onto, on the next round you single crochet onto this chain and continue with the rest of the head and body. You sew the mouth in after you have completed the body.)
R17 sc in first 2, sc 23 on chain, sc 17, dec, sc 8
R18 sc 3, dec, rep around, sc 1 (41sc)
R19 sc 2, dec, rep around, sc 1 (31sc)
R20 sc 1, dec, rep around, sc 1 (21sc)
R21-23, sc around
R24-25 sc around inc 4 times evenly spaced
R26-27 sc around
R28-29 sc around inc 4 times evenly spaced
R30-32 sc around
R33 sc around in 4 times evenly spaced
R34-40 sc around
R41-45 sc around dec 5 times evenly spaced
R46 dec until closed


Mouth (make 2 with black yarn)
R1 4sc in ring, ch 1, turn
R2 inc in every st, ch 1, turn
R3 sc in first, inc, rep around, ch 1, turn
R4 sc in next 2, inc, rep around, ch 1, turn
R5 sc in next 3, inc, rep around, ch 1, turn
R6 sc in next 4, inc, rep around, ch 1, turn
R7 sc in next 5, inc, rep around, ch 1, turn
R8 sc in next 6, inc, rep around, ch 1, turn
R9 sc in next 7, inc, rep around, ch 1, turn
R10 sc around in red coloul, FO red, not black

sc across flat edge of half circle in black, FO
Sew together the flat edges with black, sew top part of mouth to head with red and stuff body, continue to stuff body while sewing on bottom of mouth. you may want to add two half circles of card of shaping before sewing.


Eyes (make 2 with white yarn)
R1 6sc in ring
R2 inc around (12sc)
R3-5 sc around insert safety eye in ring
R6 dec around, stuff firmly
dec untill closed and FO
Sew eyes together then sew to top of head.


Nose(with orange yarn)
R1 6sc in ring
R2 inc around (12sc)
R3 sc in first st, inc, rep around (18sc)
R4-6 sc around
R7 sc in first, dec in next, rep around
R8 sc around, stuff
R9 dec around
R10 sc around
dec untill closed and sew to head


Legs (make 2)

R1 6sc in ring
R2 inc around (12sc)
R3 sc in first, inc in next, rep around (18sc)
R4 sc in next 2, inc in next, rep around (24sc)
R5 sc in next 3, inc in next, rep around (30sc)
R6-7 sc around
R8 sc in first, dec, rep 6 times, sc in rest (24 sc)
R9 dec in next 6, sc in rest (18sc)
R10 dec in next 3 sc in rest (15 sc)
R11-30 sc around. Stuff FO leaving tail to sew


Arms (make 2)
R1 6sc in ring
R2 inc around (12sc)
R3 sc in first, inc, rep around (18sc)
R4 sc in next 2, inc, rep around (24sc)
R5-8 sc around
R9 sc in first 2, dec, rep around (18sc)
R10 sc in first, dec, rep around (12sc)
R11-26, sc around, stuff

FO leaving tail to sew
Sew arms and legs to body and enjoy your new Elmo!



Thursday 16 October 2008

I want.....

Through randomly trawling through the net I found a few funky crochet bits and pieces,
Note: If you are wondering what to get me for Christmas, pay attention...
OK first up is The Clover Crochet Lite,
http://www.woollyworkshop.co.uk/acatalog/Crochet_Lite.html
this is for hard core hookers who likes to do it in the dark, lol, as you can guess, the tip of the hook lights up so you can see what your doing if your working in dim light or with dark wool, I just want it for the novelty value (and that would be a 3mm hook you'll be getting me for Xmas, he he).

OK now this one is a bit expensive and I could never justify spending £24.99 on one hook ( and that doesn't even include shipping) but it is beautiful none the less:
http://www.angelyarns.com/knitting/hand-turned-hooks.php
They are so pretty but you'd never want to use it in case you damaged it, they also do lovely Double Pointed Knitting Needles which my friend Clare covets.

Now this is something that I don't have to beg for because I can make it myself, http://www.girlontherocks.com/knit/blog/2007/02/11/keychain-crochet-hook-a-tutorial/
its a crochet hook and a key chain, very handy for knitters on the go, for picking up that dreaded dropped stitch, or just whipping up a beenie hat while you're waiting in line somewhere. Gonna get on this in the next few days I think.

And last but not least some weird wool
http://www.recycledsilk.com/banana.html
This is Banana Silk yarn, it sounds so delightfully weird that I have to give it a go and at around £6 for 200g its not a bad price.

Right, I've got to get ready for work
TTFN

Wednesday 15 October 2008

My First Pattern Post

Thought I would get things started with a pattern I did a while ago. If you are an anime fan you will love this, it's Alphonse from Full Metal Alchemist. I made him for my husband as he watched every episode in a few days/weeks. It was a bit of a nightmare writing the pattern as I went along.




If you do try it out plese let me know how you got on with it as it's the first pattern i've written and constructive criticism would be helpful.
Alphonse - Full Metal Alcamist

You will need: 3mm hook
DK or ww grey wool
red yellow and black embroidery floss
Needle
stuffing
stitch marker
Purple felt
pins for positioning

Spikes (make 11)
sc 3 in magic circle
R1 sc 1 in next 2 st, sc inc in next st
R2 sc 1 in next 2 st, sc inc in next st, ss in next st to finish off,
leave tail to sew

Head
sc 6 in magic circle
R1 sc in around (12sc)
R2 sc in 1, sc inc in next, rep around (18sc)
R3 sc in next 2, sc inc in next, rep around (24sc)
R4,5,6,7 and 8 sc around (24sc)
R9 sc in next 2, sc dec, rep around (18sc)
R10 sc around (18sc)
R11 sc in first, sc dec in next, rep around, (12sc)
r12 sc around (12sc)
STUFF
R13 dec untill closed, FO leave tail to sew

Body
Ch 5
R1 sc in next 3 chain, 3sc in last chain, 4sc along other side of chain (10sc)
R2 sc inc in first st, sc in next 2 st,inc, sc, inc, sc in nxt 2 st, inc, 1 sc.
R3 sc, inc, sc in next 3, inc, sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 3 st, inc, 1sc
R4 inc, sc, inc, sc in next 4 st, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc in nxt 4, inc, sc
R5 inc, sc, inc, sc in next 7 st, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc in next 7, inc, sc.
R6 sc, inc, sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 8, inc, sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 8, inc, sc
R7 sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 11, inc, sc in nxt 2, inc, sc in nxt 2, inc, sc in nxt 11, inc.
R8 sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 14, inc, sc in nxt 2, inc, sc in nxt 2, inc sc in nxt 14, inc.
R9 sc in next 2, inc, sc in next 2, inc, sc in nxt 18, inc, sc in nxt 2, inc, sc in nxt 2, inc, sc in nxt 16, inc.
R10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 SC AROUND
R21 sc in next 6, dec, rep around (48SC)
R22, 23 SC AROUND
R24 sc in next 4, dec, rep around (40sc)
R25 sc in next 3, dec, rep around (32sc)
R26 sc in next 2, dec, rep around (24sc)
R27,28,29,30,31,32 sc around
R33 sc in next 2st, dec, rep around (18sc)
R34 sc around
STUFF
R35 sc i nxt st, dec, rep around (12sc)
R36 sc around
R37 dec untill closed and fo.

Neck
ch 10, ss into first ch
R1, 10 sc around, ss into first, FO leaving tail to sew

Sew neck to head slightly behind the point (chin)
Embroider face
Sew spike to fore head
Sew neck and head to body

Collar
ch 18
R1 sc 17, ch 1 turn
R2 inc in first st, sc 5, inc, sc 9, inc in last st, ch 1, turn
R3 inc in first st, sc 8, inc, sc 9, inc in lasr st, ch 1, turn
R4 inc in first st, sc 9, inc, sc 11, inc in last st, ch 1, turn
R5 sc across, FO leaving tail to sew

Pin collar into position and sew

I recomend embroidering the body now

Shoulder (make 2)
6sc in ring
R1 inc around (12sc)
R2 1 sc in first st, inc in next, rep around (18sc)
R3, 4, 5, 6,sc around
R7 9 hdc, ss,fo
Sew to body with the row of hdc at the top

Upper arm (make 2)
6 sc in ring
R1 1 sc in first, inc next, rep around (9sc)
R2, 3, 4,5,6,7,8,9 sc around FO
sew to shoulder

Lower arm (make 2)
rep instructions for upper arm + 1 row

Hand (make 2)
6sc in ring
R2 inc in every st (12sc)
R3 sc in every st around (12sc)
R4 dec in every st around (6sc)
R5 sc around, FO
leave tail to sew

Shoulder Embeleshment (make 2)

sc 11
R1 sc 10 along chain, 3 sc in last chain, 9sc along opposite side of chian, inc in last st
R2 4sc, inc, inc, 4sc, inc, 4sc, inc, inc, 3sc, inc
R3 5sc inc, inc, 5sc, inc, 5sc, inc, inc, sc to end, inc in last st, fo

sew 3 spikes to each shoulder piece the sew to body

Sew two spikes to each fore arm

Legs (make 2)

6sc in ring
R1 inc in every st, (12sc)
R2 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 mark this round 16, 17sc around
R18, 19, 20, 21,sc around inc 1 random st on round.
R22, 23, 24,25, 26, 27.fo
at round 15 sew dimples into knee

Feet (make 2)
sc 5 in ring
R1 inc in evey st around (sc 10)
R2 3 4 5 6 7
R8 5 hdc, fo
sew feet to legs, sew legs tp body,

Make a loin cloth from to rectangles of purple felt and a waist band, sew to body
Sew 3 strands of yellow floss to top of head to make pony tail

DONE!!!!
Hope you enjoy, Keep watching this space as I will be writing an Elmo pattern soon :)

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Lets get this started

Well as you may tell form the title of this blog, it's all about Crochet. This will hopefully, one day, be the pre curser to my book of crochet patterns, but first I must take a journey from being an average hooker (person who crochets) into a Crochet Ninja.

As we go along I will be having a right old rant on wool related subjects, sharing patterns that I have written, keeping you updated on what I've been making and maybe going "oooh look at that" at a few cool things. I also like to share tips and tricks and links to other cool related sites.

I usually prefer to crochet Amigurumi (Dolls and toys) so that is most of what you will find here, though you may find the odd hat and scarf, and the less said about my husbands hoodie the better. You may hear me reference http://www.craftster.org it's a brilliant place to find like minded crochet and knitters and also a good place to steal ideas....er I mean gain Inspiration.

Anyway I'm gonna leave it at that for the moment.
All the Love
~Maggie