Monday, April 8, 2019

Fox Basket

I made this super cute, mini-sized, Fox Basket with a repurposed plastic water bottle. This is an easy project to make for kids and adults and fill with goodies or to use on your desk, at home, in the car - basically anywhere that you need a “catchall” to place small items. Plus, it’s completely enclosed so there’s no chance of any sharp edges...

I’m planning on making several different animal-themed baskets. The pattern will be coming soon!!! So, check back often for this fun, freebie.

The basket itself measures 3” tall.

Fox Basket

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Caterpillar Bib

How cute is this "Caterpillar Baby Bib?"  I’m a huge fan of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle.  And, I love how this project turned out.

It is gender neutral so this would make a great baby shower gift.  You can make this bib any color and add the Caterpillar applique and it will look perfect.

I hope you will enjoy this FREE pattern...

Caterpillar Bib Pattern
Size:  7" wide x 11" long

Materials:
--5.0mm hook for bib 
--3.5mm hook for applique
--#4 worsted weight yarn in your colors of choice (approximately 50-80 yds)
--small amount of black embroidery thread
--(1) 3/4" black button
--tapestry needle for weaving

U.S. Stitch Abbreviations:
Ch:  chain
St:  stitch(es)
Sl st:  slip stitch 
SC:  single crochet
SC2tog:  single crochet 2 stitches together (creates a decrease)
Rep:  repeat
Sk:  skip
MR:  magic ring
FO:  fasten off

Special Stitch:
Picot Stitch -  Ch 3 and slip stitch into first chain
Directions:
Bib:
1.  With 5.0mm hook and red yarn, Ch16.  SC in 2nd ch from hook and across.  Ch1 and turn.  (15)
2.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 13 st, 2 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (17)
3.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 15 st, 2 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (19)
4.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 17 st, 2 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (21)
5-24.  1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (21)
Straps:
25.  1 SC in each of the first 6 st.  Ch1 and turn.  (6)
26.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 2 st, SC2tog.  Ch1 and turn.  (4)
27-41.  1 SC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (4)
Buttonhole:
42.  1 SC in first st, Ch2, Sk2 st, 1 SC in last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (2 st; 2 ch)
43.  1 SC in first st, 2 SC in Ch2 space, 1 SC in last st.  FO and weave ends.  (4)

Repeat on opposite side for the second strap.  Do not make buttonhole on the second strap.  For rows 42 and 43, just SC across and then FO and weave ends.  Attach button on this strap.  

Border:
For the border, I started in the corner, outer stitch of the second strap.  1 SC in the first stitch, *Picot, 1 SC in the next 3 st.* rep from * to * until you reach the last outer stitch of the buttonhole strap.  FO and weave ends.   

Caterpillar Appliqué:
I used scrap yarn I had on hand for each circle I made.  It takes very little yarn.  I used green for the head and then yellow, blue, orange and purple for the body.

All of the circles are made the same way (with the addition of antennas for the head):
1.  With 3.5mm hook, 6 SC into MR.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  Pull tail to tighten/close center.  (6)
2.  2 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  Leave a long enough tail for attaching to bib.  

For the head:
Before fastening off yarn in round 2 of the head, you will want to Ch5, sl st into first ch (first antenna is made).  Now you can either, sl st 3 times over and make the 2nd antenna the same way as the first OR you can FO yarn after making the first antenna, Sk2 st and then join yarn in the 3rd st and Ch5, sl st into first ch (second antenna is made).  FO and leave a long tail for attaching.

For the facial features:
I used black embroidery thread and made the eyes, mouth and eyebrows.   

Attaching:
I attached each circle overlapping each other in the lower corner of the bib.  While attaching I only worked in the top stitches of the bib so that none of the circle colors shows up on the backside of the bib.  

And, that's it!!!  I hope you all will enjoy this super cute Caterpillar Baby Bib...

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:
--don't use/claim my design as your own
--don't use/claim my pics as your own
--okay to make and sale your finished work
--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog

Social Media:
If you are on the following sites, let's connect and hook up...
  • Instagram:  Rilla2u
  • Pinterest:  Rilla2u
  • Twitter:  Rilla2u
  • Facebook:  /rilla.edwards 

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Fox Lovey

Here's my newest design, a "Fox Lovey."  It is absolutely adorable.  The colors, the cuteness - just the perfect gift for a boy or girl.

I made this in one evening.  So, it's quick, easy and doesn't require a lot of yarn.  I don't know the exact amount of yarn for this project but I used yarn from partial skeins I had on hand.

I hope you all will enjoy this pattern...

Fox Lovey Pattern

Size:  Approximately 14" x 14" (blanket portion)

Materials:
--4.5mm & 5.5mm hooks
--I Love This Yarn in Terra Cotta, White and Black
--(2) 9mm safety eyes (or you can make crocheted eyes)
--small amount of Poly-fil stuffing for head and arms
--tapestry needle for weaving & attaching

U.S. Stitch Abbreviations:
Ch:  chain
St:  stitch(es)
Sl st:  slip stitch
SC:  single crochet
DC:  double crochet
SC2tog:  single crochet 2 together (creates a decrease)
MR:  magic ring
Sk:  skip
Rep:  repeat
FO:  fasten off

Warning:  If you are making this for a baby, please be mindful with using "safety eyes."  You may want to make crocheted eyes to prevent any potential choking.  For crocheted eyes, you can use a 4.5mm hook and black yarn.  6 SC into MR.  FO and attach.  

Directions:

First we will make our Granny Square.  I made mine to measure approximately 14" x 14."  You can do a Traditional Granny Square, a variation of a Granny Square or use my pattern below.

Note:  most Granny Squares start with a magic ring with 12 DC stitches; I made 24 DC stitches into my initial round. 

1.  With Terra Cotta yarn and 5.5mm hook, start with a MR.  If you are not familiar with starting with a MR, you can Ch4 and sl st into the first ch to form a circle.  Ch3 (counts as first DC), DC two times, Ch1, DC three times; this forms your first corner.  Ch1.  For the second corner, *DC three times, Ch1, DC three times.  Ch1.*  For the third corner, repeat from * to *.  For the fourth corner, DC three times, Ch1, DC three times.  Ch1.  Sl st join to the third Ch.  Pull tail to close/tighten the center hole.  

2.  For Round Two, you will continue with the Terra Cotta yarn.  Sl st over three times.  You will be working the first corner of this round into the Ch1 space. Ch3 (counts as first DC), DC two times, Ch1, DC three times. Ch1.  *Sk 2 st.  3 DC into the previous round's Ch1 space.  Ch1.  Sk 2 st.  Now, you are making the next corner.  3 DC into the Ch1 space.  Ch1.  3 DC into same space.  Ch1.*  Rep from * to * around.  After the last Ch1 is made, sl st join into the 3rd ch of the Ch3.  FO and weave ends.

3.  Join White yarn with a sl st into any corner.  Ch3 (counts as first DC), DC two times, Ch1 DC three times.  Ch1.  *Sk 2 st.  3 DC into the previous round's Ch1 space.  Ch1.  Sk 2 st.  3 DC into the next Ch1 space of the previous round.  Ch1.  Sk 2 st.  Now, you are making the next corner.  3 DC into next Ch1 space.  Ch1.  3 DC into same space.  Ch1.*  Rep from * to * around.  Sl st join to the 3rd ch of the Ch3.  FO and weave ends.

4.  Join Black yarn with a sl st into any corner.  Repeat the same pattern scheme as in Round Three.  (see below pic)
5.  With Terra Cotta yarn, continue pattern scheme.
6.  With White yarn, continue pattern scheme.
7.  With Black yarn, continue pattern scheme.
8-10.  Rep 5-7.  FO and weave ends.
Now, we will make the Fox...

Head:
1.  With 4.5mm hook and Terra Cotta yarn, 6 SC into MR.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (6)
2.  2 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (12)
3.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (18)
4.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 2 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (24)
5.  2 SC in first st, 1 SC in next 3 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (30)
6-8.  1 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  Weave ends.  (30)
9.  With White yarn, join with a sl st into any st and Ch1.  1 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (30)
10-12.  1 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (30)
13.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 3 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (24)
14.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 2 st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (18)
15.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (12)

Before proceeding you will want to add your safety eyes.  I placed mine at Round 13, with a 4 st space between the eyes.  This is a good time to go ahead and stuff your head with the Polyfil.

16.  SC2tog.  Rep 5 more times around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  Leave a long enough tail to weave in and out of this last round to close up the opening.  Leave a long tail for attaching the head to the center of your Granny Square.  (6)

Nose Stripe:
1.  With 4.5mm hook and Black yarn, Ch2, 1 SC in the 2nd ch from the hook.  FO yarn and join Terra Cotta yarn.  Ch1.  (1)
2.  2 SC into st.  Ch1 and turn.  (2)
3.  2 SC into first st, 1 SC in next st.  Ch1 and turn.  (3)
4.  2 SC into first st, 1 SC in next st, 2 SC into last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (5)
5.  1 SC into each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (5)
6.  2 SC into first st, 1 SC into next 3 st, 2 SC into last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (7)
7.  1 SC into each st across.  FO and leave a long tail for attaching.  (7)

Ears (make 2):
1.  With 4.5mm hook and Terra Cotta yarn, Ch2, 1 SC into the 2nd ch from the hook.  Ch1 and turn.  (1)
2.  2 SC into st.  Ch1 and turn.  (2)
3.  2 SC into first st, 1 SC in next st.  Ch1 and turn.  (3)
4.  2 SC into first st, 1 SC in next st, 2 SC into last st.  Ch1 and turn.  (5)
5.  1 SC into each st across.  FO and weave ends.  (5)
6.  Join Black yarn into any st and Ch1.  1 SC into each st around.  Sl st join and FO.  Leave a long enough tail for attaching ears.

Arms (make 2):
1.  With 5.5mm hook and Black yarn, 6 SC into MR.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (6)
2.  2 SC into first st, 1 SC in next st.  Rep around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  Weave ends.  (9)
3.  Join Terra Cotta yarn, 1 SC into each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  (9)
4.  1 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st.  Join White yarn.  Do not fasten off Terra Cotta yarn.  You can carry it over while working with the White yarn, or just leave it in the background while working the next round.  (9)
5.  With White yarn, 1 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  Weave ends.  Pick Terra Cotta yarn back up and Ch1.  (9)
6-10.  With Terra Cotta yarn, 1 SC in each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.  At the end of Round 10, FO and leave a long enough tail for attaching the arm.

Assembly:
1.  Attach Nose Stripe at Round 8, with the Black nose time in the center of the eyes.  (see my pics for help)
2.  Attach Ears to each side of the head.  I attached mine between Round 4 - 8.
3.  Attach Head to center of Granny Square.
4.  Attach Arm to each side of the Head.

And, that's it for this cute Fox Lovey that is sure to be a cherished heirloom for your little one.  Below you will see my "Deer Lovey."  I will hopefully get this pattern added to my blog this weekend...

I would love to hear your thoughts on this pattern.  If you make this, please share with me on Instagram - #rilla2u...

Enjoy!!!

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:
--don't use/claim my design as your own
--don't use/claim my pics as your own
--okay to make and sale your finished work
--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog

Social Media:
If you are on the following sites, let's connect and hook up...
  • Instagram:  Rilla2u
  • Pinterest:  Rilla2u
  • Twitter:  Rilla2u
  • Facebook:  /rilla.edwards