Space Cheesecake Crochet

Monday, November 1, 2010

Penguin Coasters

Please read this before continuing or starting a new project. Thanks.

My most popular pattern!

I have been a lifelong admirer of penguins; I even did a school project on penguins in first grade. In the past few years, the general public has grown an obsession with penguins as well (I blame it on Happy Feet and March of the Penguins). Now I hate telling people I am penguin lover because we feel like people think I just jumped on the bandwagon or something. Anyway...

Since everyone loves penguins now, and it's getting to that time of the year where people start decorating with winter-y elements including these cute little guys, I decided to whip up something and share the pattern with you!

Please do not distribute or sell this pattern. Items made from this pattern are for personal use only; do not sell items made from this pattern.

Materials:
※ Worsted weight yarn in black, white, orange, and blue - you won't need much (I used Lily Sugar 'n Cream, use whatever you like)
※ Size H hook
※ Yarn needle

Abbreviations (all American):
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = triple crochet
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
rnd = round
F/O = fasten off
dec = decrease
RS/WS = right side/wrong side

Instructions:

Body
• Rnd 1: with white, ch 4. Join with sl st to form a ring.
Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc). 11 dc in a ring. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. (12 st)
Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc) and dc in same st. 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of ch 3, using black to switch colors. (24 st)
Rnd 4: with black, ch 3 (counts as 1st dc) and dc in same st. 2 dc in each st around. Sl st to the top of ch 3. (48 st)
Do not F/O!

Wings
• Starting where you left off in rnd 4 of the body - sc in next 12 st, hdc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 3 tr in next st. F/O. In the st next to the first sc (where you started the 12 sc), reattach yarn with sl st, sc in next 5 st, hdc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 3 tr in next st. F/O.

Head
• Row 1: Reattach yarn with sl st in the same st where you started the 2nd wing. sc in same st, sc in next 8 st, sl st in next st. (10 st) Turn, but DO NOT CH (as you normally would).
• Row 2: sc in next 8 st, sl st with next st after the rows of sc. Ch 1, turn.
• Row 3: sc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, 2 dc in next 2 st, hdc in next st, sc in next 2 st. In the rnd below (the rnd of sc made by making the 1st wing), sl st in next st. F/O.

Beak
• ch 5
• Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc in next 3 st. Ch 1, turn. (4 st)
• Row 2: 2 dec, ch 1, turn. (2 st)
• Row 3: dec, F/O.

Feet
• Row 1: Attach orange yarn to bottom of the body in desired position using 1 sc. sc in next 3 st. Ch 1, turn. (4 st)
• Row 2: dec 2 times. F/O.
Repeat for the second foot.

Finishing
Sew on beak. Use a French knot or embroider eyes using blue yearn (or whatever color you want the eyes to be).

Done! Make several more and you'll have a super cute coaster set.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Ribbed Pumpkin Hat

Please read this before continuing or starting a new project. Thanks.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, and October is my favorite month. I've already made both of my sons' Halloween costumes (in fact, I finished them about 2 weeks ago) and as I posted before, I made them each a spiderweb hat that I got out of Crochet Today. We are going to go to a local farm this weekend and take some pictures in their pumpkin patch, so I wanted to make something for myself. I've seen some baby pumpkin hats, so I decided to crochet one of my own :) I just used a basic side-to-side hat pattern and made it in orange, basically.

Me and my husband

Here's the pattern for free. If you use it, please don't distribute it or sell products made from it. Thanks!

This hat will fit an average size woman's head. It can easily be adjusted to fit a younger person (teen or child) or man (or I guess someone with a bigger head) - just add more rows!

Materials:
※ About 4 oz. of worsted weight orange yarn (I just used Red Heart Super Saver)
※ A small amount of green yarn
※ Size H hook
※ Yarn needle

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
hdc = half double crochet
BL = back loop
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
rnd = round
dec = decrease
dc = double crochet
RS/WS: right side/wrong side
F/O: fasten off

Gauge:4 st hdc and 2 rows hdc = approx. 1" x 1"

Notes:
For the stem of the hat, I completed the rounds using continuous rounds. However, if you prefer to join rounds, that's fine too. Also, the hat WILL be very long; this is so you can fold up the bottom half as seen in the picture. If you would rather have a "beanie" look to the hat (without the folded part), just omit some chs from the foundation row so it won't be so tall.

Instructions:
• With orange, ch 40
• Row 1: In the 3rd ch from hook, hdc in each ch (38 st). Ch 2, turn
• Rows 2-41: hdc in BL in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in BL of each st, ch 2, turn (38 st)
• Row 42: hdc in BL in 3rd ch from hook, hdc in BL of each st, ch 1 (38 st)
Finishing: Fold the piece in half, matching up row 42 with row 1. Sl st in each st down the row through both sides to join them together. F/O and weave in ends. Turn inside out (this will be the RS of the hat).

Stem of hat
Insert your hook near the top of the hat near the seam (whichever end you want the "top" of the hat to be, it doesn't matter). With the green yarn, pull up a loop and sl st to attach. Sc in this same st.
Rnd 1: Sc in each st around (about 38-40 st)
Next few rnds: Dec in each rnd around until you have 6 st left.
Next rnd: Sc in each st around (6 st)
Next rnd: Sc in each st around until you have a "stem" to your desired height.
Finishing: F/O. Weave in tail and pull tightly to gather. Tuck in tail and weave in ends.

Vine
Ch 25. In 3rd ch from hook, 2 dc in each st (46). F/O. Sew to bottom of stem.

Fold up the bottom of the hat to the desired height, or to wherever you can see :) Take a picture of yourself in your hat, post it on Facebook, and let everyone be envious of your awesome hat that they don't have. Happy October! :)