wreath change

in expectation of the fine weekend weather, easter and general well-being, the christmas wreath and its bird have finally been separated from the wall to be replaced with a festive bunny. 

the inspiration came from a beautiful etsy shop here:  

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBakersDaughter?ref=seller_info

and all the crocheted bits have patterns available for free!

the flowers are lucy's from the attic:

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2012/04/easter-blossom.html

the bunny comes from Lion Brand:

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90230AD.html

and i posted the black poplar leaf pattern a while ago:

http://timicshome.blogspot.ro/2012/07/black-poplar-leaf-and-some-flowers.html

success for everyone in other spring bits and projects, lots of sunshine and happy easter!:)

(yes, he's a bit sceptical, but that's constructive)

 

Bowl in a hand

Finally, in an unfruitful mess of aborted projects over the last few months, here are some useful and happy pieces of crochet.

I needed small containers and I certainly did not invent the crochet bowl, but here's my version of it. You can find loads of free patterns on Ravelry, of course. I especially liked this one: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/felted-bowl-4 (felted ones are awesome).

The birdies come from here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/110394909/felted-bowl-cream-white-wool-bowl-with. She has fabulous bowls and I love the appliques (!!!), but you can leave yours blank or embroider or sew or crochet anything you like on them.

They're made of bulky yarn and size 3 hook, this gives them a bit of stability and shape, and the diameters are 8 cm at the bottom and 7 cm at the top.

So here's the pattern:

R1:: ch 3 (ch 2 and 3 count as the first hdc), 11 hdc in first ch, sl st to top of ch-3 (12 hdc)
R2:: ch 2 (always counts as first hdc), hdc in same st as ch-2, 2 hdc in each hdc around, sl st to top of ch-2 (24 hdc)
R3:: ch 2, hdc in same st as ch-2,  1 hdc in next st, *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next st* around, sl st to top of ch-2  (36 hdc)
R4:: ch2, hdc in same st as ch-2, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts* around, sl st to top of ch-2  (48 hdc)
R5-10:: repeat R4
R11:: ch 1, sl st around, ending with a sl st in that first ch-1 (48 sts)

All done in an hour or less! :)
Happy crocheting!:D

Black Poplar Leaf and Some Flowers

wanted to do another set of sunny summer flowers with leaves, skirt seems satisfied! ornamental or brooch, feel free to experimentally attach! :)

Another Pointy Flower

these were made with a 2.70 mm hook and fairly bulky yarn - turned out pretty small: 6 cm in diameter.

R1:: with color A, start with a magic ring and work into it: ch 1, 18 sc, join with sl st to first sc, pull ring tight but leave a small hole at the centre (18 sc)

R2:: for petals: join in with color B, (ch 1 and hdc) in same stitch, (1 tr, ch 2- picot from there and 1 tr) in next st, (hdc and sl st) into next st. (sl st and hdc into next st, 1 tr and ch 2- picot  from there and 1 tr again into next st, hdc and sl st into next st) repeat 5 times (6 petals in total)

note: after the last sl st, you may do an additional sl st by inserting your hook somewhere approximately into the 18th sc from R1, and finish off after that - this makes it look a bit neater, for me, at least.

and: chain 2- picot: ch2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook

Black Poplar Leaf

i worked with holding two yarns together, but it's entirely your choice. in this version it is 10 cm long and 8 cm at its widest, and fairly bulky.

R1:: ch 4 (for the base of the stem) + ch 11 (for the primary vein), make a chain 2- picot, make 14 sc into the chain stitches just created and add an inc into last ch. finish off (16 sc)

R2:: having the work in front of you, the picot pointing up and the base pointing down, start on the right hand side in what was the 5th ch in R1: join in thread, ch 3 + ch 1 for turning, sc2tog in 3rd ch, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining stitch on primary vein. you have now completed 2 of the 11 rows for the right hand side half of the leaf.
3rd row: now ch 1, turn, sc, sc, sc, inc, ch1, turn (5 sc)
4th row: inc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (6 sc)
5th row: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, ch1, turn (6sc)
6th row: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (6 sc)
7th row: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc2tog/ inv dec, ch 1, turn (5 sc)
8th row: sc2tog, sc, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (4 sc)
9th row: sc, sc, sc2tog, ch1, turn (3 sc)
10th row: sc2tog, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (2 sc)
11th row: sc2tog, ch1, turn, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, somewhere below the picot (1 sc)

make another chain 2- picot into the top most point of the picot created in R1

now, you'll be doing the left hand side, much like the right hand side, but inverted

R3::
1st row: ch 1 + ch 1 for turning
2nd row: work inc into first ch 1, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (2 sc)
3rd row: sc, inc, ch1, turn (3 sc)
4th row: inc, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (4 sc)
5th row: sc, sc, sc, inc, ch 1, turn (5 sc)
6th row: inc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn  (6 sc)
7th row: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, ch 1, turn (6 sc)
8th row: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (6 sc)
9th row: sc, sc, sc, sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (5 sc)
10th row: sc2tog, sc, sc, sc, sl st to adjoining st on primary vein, ch 1, turn (4 sc)
11th row: sc, sc, sc2tog, finish off (3 sc)

OPTIONAL BORDER::
i made a thin border around the thing, using only the lighter colored yarn, just to smooth the edges out. to do that: join in yarn anywhere along the edge, ch 1 and make a sl st in next st and then all around the leaf, join with sl st into initial ch 1, finish off.

that was long!

this has been pretty hard to write a pattern for! so please send error corrections, help, and comments on how it works/ does not work out!

Owly Owl

well, this is finally an owl of mine that i'm totally satisfied with! created almost accidentally. 

you can use him as an applique for baby things (yes, mind the small parts), but i'd definitely go for a brooch.

 

2.70 mm hook, bulky yarn and 4 x 5 cm here.

R1:: with color A, ch 5 + ch2. make a dc in 3rd chain from hook (that is, the 5th chain from the start!!), tr  and dtr in next ch, trtr and chain 2- picot on top of that and another trtr in the same st as first trtr, dtr and tr in next st, dc in next st, ch2 and sl st into same stitch as last dc, finish off.

by the trtr, i mean: yo (4 times), insert hook in next stitch to be worked, yo, draw yarn through st, * yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook *, repeat from * to * 4 times

R2: (working all R2 in blo, starting at the right hand side of the right side of work) join in with color B into top of initial ch2 from beginning of R1, and ch1. sc in next dc, dc in next tr, dc in next dtr, tr in next trtr. somewhere into the picot, into the stitch below the top-most stitch or point (see pic below), make (1 tr, a chain 2- picot on top of that, 1 tr). into the uppermost point of the picot, make: dc, sc, dc. you'll be now going down on the left-hand side of the owl, doing much the same thing as on the right side, but reversed.

so: into the other somewhere-into-the-picot, that stitch below the top-most point, make (1tr, a chain 2- picot from there, 1 tr). tr in next trtr, dc in next dtr, dc in next tr, sc in next dc, ch 1 and sl st into top of ch2 from end of R1. finish off

sew on eyes and nose.

hope it worked! please let me know! enjoy!

Birds

there are loads of birds over on Ravelry, if you feel like it, you may try some, they are mostly very easy to make and happy things to behold. i made the one above from Hannah Kaminsky's free pattern

the best idea of this is still the bird mobile from the 5 minutes blogger; in the dream-baby room:

 

another of the favorites is Lucy's hanging decoration. it's also a free pattern, and looks something like this or any crazy variation:

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inspired by all and by a friend's drawings, i've tried to come up with some bird appliques of my own, so there you go:

OWL

this owl is approximately 5 cm in height. it can be used as an applique, brooch, hanging ornament, toy - whatever you like!!! if you make another oval shape, you can sew that on its back and add light stuffing, like in the picture.

i guess it can be made in all colors with any type of yarn and matching hook, although i used a bigger hook with thicker yarn for the body and a smaller hook and thin yarn for the rest.
can be done in a jiffy!

BODY::
the oval shape that's the core of it all comes from THIS cute and delightful and popular pattern by Betsi Brunson. look for the muzzle and belly piece.

EYES::
for the smaller one, 10 hdc into magic ring, finish off
for the larger, 12 hdc into magic ring, then a row of sc around, finish off

BEAK::
ch 5, turn, inv dec two times, ch1 and turn, inv dec, finish off

WINGS::
12 dc in magic ring, then a row of sc around, finish off
fold in half or partially slip between the two sides of the owl

finally, sew the parts together, embroider or make some knots for eyes, add ears, legs, any bits and pieces you choose!!

THE KIND NEW ZEALAND PUZZLED SOMETHING

i'm not sure of the species, it may be another owl... or whatever you imagine into it! :) size and specs are the same as well: approximately 5 cm in height, the oval body made with a 3 mm hook and thicker yarn, eyes and the rest with thinner yarn and a 1.5 mm hook.

get creative, embroider, add beads and bits, color up, use as brooch, ornament, toy, et cetera!

here's the pattern:

BODY::
the oval shape that's the core of it all comes from THIS cute and delightful and popular pattern by Betsi Brunson. Look for the muzzle and belly piece.

to get the plump look, make one as the front and one as the back, sew them together and stuff lightly.

EYES::
just make the same oval shape as for the body, finishing with row 1, finish off

BEAK::
R1:: ch 5, sk 1 st, inv dec, inv dec (2 sc)
R2:: ch 1, turn, inv dec, finish off (1 sc)
R3:: turn triangle, join new thread to what was the first ch, make a sc-cluster into the 4 ch's (1 sc), finish off (this creates the diamond shape)

WINGS::
make the oval shape, finishing with row 2, finish off
position wings between the front and back body parts

BELLY::
make 15 hdc into magic ring, then make one row of sc around, finish off

finally, sew body parts together, make legs, feathery bits, nostrils and whatever you like.

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and if you're the fan of owls and books, here's a bookmark based on the free pattern Huhuhuuu Eulen

i modified the original pattern by clarice39 to make the owl taller and to add claws at the bottom.
for the body, turning with ch1 at the end of each row:

R1:: as indicated in the original pattern
R2:: 10 trc
R3:: 2 trc in fist stitch, 8 trc, 2 trc in last stitch (12 trc)
R4:: 2 trc in first st, 10 trc, 2 trc in last st (14 trc)
R5:: 2 trc in first st, 12 trc, 2 trc in last st (16 trc)
R6:: skip first stitch, 14 trc, skip last st (14 st)
R7:: 3 trc, skip 2 st (first claw made), 4 trc, skip 2 st (second claw made), 3trc, slip stitch to side, fasten off

SOO

created after the Lion Brand Yarn free pattern

HA!ENJOY!

Picot Flowers

the winterflowers.

R1:: with color A, working into magic ring (ch 1, 20 hdc, sl st in ch1), pull ring tight

R2:: * sc, (sc, hdc, dc, trc, dc, hdc, sc) in next st, skip 1 st, sc * repeat 5 times to form petals, sl st into first sc of first petal

R3:: changing to color B, * without dropping loop from hook, insert hook into center of magic ring from front to back, yo, pull to the front, pull through both loops; don't skip any stitch (first foot made), 4 sc, in trc work (1 sc, ch2, sc in second chain from hook, sc) - this is for the pointy top, 4 sc * repeat 5 times to form pointy border around petals, sl st into first foot, finish off

for center, with color B, ch 6, do a popcorn stitch beginning in second chain from hook, sl st into ch-1, finish off, attach to front by pulling loose thread to the back and tying a knot or any fixing method you think fit.

another project i undertook is a smaller applique of a pointy flower (but someone rightly remarked it's more like a sand dollar). so.

the sand dollar.

FLAT CIRCLE::

R1:: into magic ring: ch2, sc 9, sl st to top of ch2 (10 sc)

R2:: ch2, sc in same st, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to top of ch2 (20 sc)

R3:: ch2, *2 sc in next st, 1 sc in next* around, sl st to top of ch2 (30 sc)

R4:: ch2, sc in next st, *2 sc in next, 1 sc in each of next two sts* around, sl st to top of ch2 (40 sc), do not fasten off

POINTY FLOWER::

R1:: ch4, join with sl st in first st to form a ring

R2:: ch2, then, working into the ring: sc 9, sl st to top of ch2 (10 sc)

R3:: *ch3, make a 3-dc cluster with the base of one dc in same stitch as ch3 and the other two in the next, fasten off cluster leaving a long tail* repeat 5 times to form petals: each petal requires 2 sc's from the 10-sc circle in the middle

ASSEMBLY::

place the flower on top of the flat circle, both with right side facing. holding the hook in the last loop of the circle, insert hook through the top point of a petal, then through the next st on the circle. YO, draw through st on circle and petal top, YO and draw through the remaining 2 loops. petal secured!

now sc in next 7 sc’s on the circle. repeat until all petals are in place. make the last 7 sc’s and close round with sl st in first st. fasten off.

FINISHING TOUCHES (OPTIONAL)::

draw the loose ends to the wrong side through the sc located above each petal point.

working on the wrong side, insert hook into a space right above the hole in the middle of the circle, in straight line below the petal-top sc. resurface the hook (still on the wrong side) just below the drawn-though end. pull the tail through. repeat with each loose end. in this way, all loose ends are in a neat circular bunch near the center. tie them in a knot and draw them all to the right side through the hole in the middle. they should remain hidden under the flower, so make sure you cut all the extra thread.

whoo. that’s it. enjoy!! :)

Hedgehog Coaster

BODY

R1:: ch 4, join with sl st to form ring OR magic ring
R2:: working into ring, ch2, 14 dc, join with sl st, pull ring tight (15 dc)
R3:: ch 2, dc in same st, 2 dc in each dc around (30 dc)
R4:: *ch 4, sk 1 st, sc in next 2 ch's, sc in next 3 dc* 2 times - FIRST TWO SPIKES
*ch 4, sk 1 st, sc in next 2 ch, sc in next 2 dc* 5 times - SO FAR YOU HAVE 7 SPIKES
ch 4, sk 1 st, sc in next 2 ch, sl st in next dc, - LAST SPIKE. finish off

HEAD

R1:: working on right side of body: sk 5 dc down from what was the first spike, join in with color B, ch 1, sc in next 4 dc, ch 1, turn
R2:: inv dec 2 times, 1 sc , ch 1, turn
R3:: inv dec, sc, ch1, turn
R4:: inv dec, finish off

ebroider eyes and nose.

you can use it not only as a coaster (note that it's quite small - about 5 cm in diameter), but even as an applique or decoration. enjoy! :)