Teddy Turtle

I started working on another Daisy Doll over two weeks ago. I planned to add pink petals. Daisy Doll was almost done before I realized this doll could not be a Daisy Doll. This doll was destined to be different. 

This doll sat unfinished for a couple days until its true identity finally came to me. I set to work making the necessary alterations to create a totally new crochet critter.

Allow me to introduce Teddy Turtle. Isn't he adorable?

Teddy Turtle was happy to show off his shell from every angle as he twirled and posed for the camera... such a handsome little fellow.

Teddy Turtle was excited to join the rest of the gang in the basket. 

To make Teddy Turtle, I followed my Sunflower Doll pattern, but instead of adding hood trim and petals, I made a turtle shell for his back. I love how such a simple change makes a completely different crochet critter.

For Teddy Turtle's shell, I followed this free pattern by blogger Sharon Ojala at Amigurumi to Go just increasing the size to fit Teddy. 

What should I make next ... possibly another lamb or perhaps a bear? Whatever I decide, I'll be sure to share when I finish.

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Ellie Elephant Ta-Dah!

Just look at Ellie Elephant. Isn't she sweet in her frilly blue top? She lifts her trunk, flaps her ears and wags her tail with excitement.

  

 

Ellie looks a bit nervous meeting the whole gang even though they welcome her with open arms and smiles. It won't take long to settle in with such a friendly bunch in a basket.

Ellie was made from scraps of worsted weight acrylic yarn (Bernat Satin in Grey Mist Heather, Sapphire and Sandstone) and a 3.25 mm hook. 

I was running low on Grey Mist Heather and could find no more in London, so decided to add a blue (sapphire) top with a ruffle edging. 

Now that I see what's left, I think there might have been just enough to finish Ellie in grey. Oh well, Ellie likes her pretty top and so do I. 

When I finish writing Ellie's pattern, I will be sure to share and add the link to my Free Crochet Patterns page.

Update: Pattern for Ellie Elephant has been posted here. Enjoy!

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Lucy Lamb

I am slowly working through my yarn stash making toys. I'd like to use up most of it before buying new to make another ripple blanket. Don't you think making toys is a good way to clear up yarn clutter? Luckily crochet critter clutter doesn't bother me.

This time I made a lamb and called her Lucy. Lucy loved posing to show off both her front side and back side. Isn't she cute with her big white fluffy body and lovely lamb ears? 

Lucy meets the rest of the gang and they hit if off right away.

To make Lucy, I used #4 worsted weight yarn for the legs, hands, head and inside ears, but the body, arms, hood and outside ears were made using #5 bulky weight yarn. The different yarn weights required pattern alterations to make everything fit. 

I've listed the alterations below in case you might like to make one too. 

Word of warning - my jot notes were scribbled and difficult to decipher, so I may have got it wrong in a few places. I do plan to test this pattern to make a kitten, so will be sure to provide updates if I find any errors.

lucy lamb PATTERN

PDF Version

Materials used:

partial ball of Patons Divine (#5 bulky weight yarn) in icicle white

partial ball of Patons Divine (#5 bulky weight yarn) in pink

partial ball of #4 worsted weight yarn in pink (100% acrylic)

partial ball of #4 worsted weight yarn in beige (100% acrylic)

Hook size = 3.5 mm

yarn needles to join pieces

Polyester Fiberfill for stuffing

Small amount of black yarn (for eyes)

Small amount of light pink yarn (for mouth)

Stitches used:

ch - chain stitch

ss - slip stitch

sc - single crochet

sc2tog - single crochet 2 together

Magic Circle - see how here (start each piece with magic circle)

Time to Complete - 10 hours (approximately)
Finished size - 13 inches tall

Legs (x2)

Start with pink worsted weight yarn

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5-R6 - sc around (24)

R7 - sc2tog x4 + 16 sc (20)

R8 - sc2tog x4 + 12 sc (16)

R9-R13 - sc around (16)

R14 - (3 sc inc) x4 (20)

R15-R16 - sc around (20)

R17 - (4 sc inc) x4 (24)

Switch to white Patons Divine yarn

R18 - sc around (24) 

Body

Use white Patons Divine yarn to join legs

R19 - sc around (50)

R20 - sc around (50)

R21 - (5 sc inc) x 7 + 3 sc (60)

R22 - sc around (60)

R23 - (8 sc inc) x 6 (66)

R24 - sc 24 + (sc inc + 2 sc) x6 + 25 sc (68)

R25 - sc around (68)

R26 - sc around (68)

R27 - sc around (68)

R28 - sc around (68)

R29 - (6 sc dec) x7 + 2 sc dec (60)

R30 - sc around (60)

R31 - sc around (60)

R32 - sc around (60)

R33 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54) 

R34 - 7 sc dec dec + 23 sc dec dec + sc to marker(50)

R35 - (3 sc dec) x10 (40)

R36 - sc around (40)

R37 - (8 sc dec) x4 (36)

R38 - sc around (36)

R39 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)

R40 - sc around (30)

R41 - (2 sc dec) x6 (24)

R42 - sc around (24)

R43 - (1 sc dec) x6 (18)

R44 - sc around (18)

Finish off leaving a long tail for joining.

Arms (x2)

Start with pink worsted weight yarn

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - sc around (18)

R5 - (4 sc dec) x3 (15)

R6 - sc around (15)

R7 - (3 sc dec) x 3 (12)

R8 - sc around (12)

R9 - (4 sc dec) x 2 (10)

R10-R11 sc around (10)

Switch to pink Patons Divine yarn

R12-R26 - sc around (10)

Switch to white Patons Divine yarn

R27 - sc around (10)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff only hands and part way up arm.

Head

Use beige worsted weight yarn.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)

R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)

R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)

R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)

R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)

R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)

R11 - sc around (60)

R12 - sc around (60)

R13 - sc around (60)

R14 - sc around (60)

R15 - sc around (60)

R16 - sc around (60)

R17 - sc around (60)

R18 - sc around (60)

R19 - sc around (60)

R20 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)

R21 - sc around (54)

R22 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)

R23 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)

R24 - (5 sc dec) x6 (36)

R25 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)

R26 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)

R27 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)

R28 - (2 sc dec) x3 + 6 sc (15)

R29 - sc around (15)

R30 - sc around (15)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff head and neck firmly to hold shape.

Hood

Use white Patons Divine yarn.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)

R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)

R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)

R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)

R9 - sc around (48)

R10 - sc around (48)

R11 - sc around (48)

R12 - sc around (48)

R13 - sc around (48)

R14 - sc around (48)

R15 - sc around (48)

R16 - sc around (48)

R17 - sc around (48)

R18 - sc around (48)

R19 - sc around (48)

R20 - sc around (48)

R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (42)

R22 - ss loosely around (42)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Position on head as shown in photos above. After attaching head to body, I like to wrap the tail from the hood around the neck to cover joining stitches.

Ears

I used this pattern for lamb ears provided by blogger Sarah at RepeatCrafterMe. The inner ear was made with a starting chain of 8 instead of 6, so it would fit nicely inside the outer ear made with bulky weight yarn.

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Bunny Pattern Perfected

Last week I started another Bunny using Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly yarn in cobalt blue and white. I chose this yarn mostly because of the colour and partly because of the name Snuggly Wuggly. It is 100% acrylic DK (#3) weight yarn available in a variety of colours. I like that it is easy care, long wearing and soft; perfect for baby projects. I also like that it comes in relatively large 5 oz (446 yard) size balls so there is no fear of running out with this project.  

I decided to use my Bobo Bunny Pattern as a prototype. I love how Bobo looks but felt he could be improved and perfected with a few tweaks. Using DK (#3) weight yarn and a smaller hook produces a tighter, neater stitch. Since I wanted this bunny to be similar in size to Bobo, I had to make significant changes to the pattern.

A friend at work asked me to make a bunny for her nephew's baby shower gift. She also asked me to add his name if possible. I had been trying to decide where to put a name when I came up with the idea of an ear 'tattoo'. I will embroider his name inside his ear. It will be subtle yet easy to see which is perfect.

I couldn't wait to show you Blue Bunny so I took advantage of the late afternoon sunshine to take his photo in the final stage before assembly. I still have to embroider his name and face then sew all the pieces together. I love this part of the process. I am more than pleased with the way Blue Bunny is turning out. I think he will be perfect for babies.

I expect to finish tonight but will wait for more sunshine to take proper photos posing Blue Bunny on his own and side-by-side with Bobo so you can see the differences more clearly. 

Since this bunny is SOLD, I think I will make another using DK weight yarn and my pattern as written below. I would like to test it once more to make sure it's a properly Perfected Bunny Pattern. 

I might also make one using worsted weight yarn with a smaller hook (3.5 mm) keeping yarn weights consistent so everything fits. I would like to see how much bigger it would be.

As always, I will continue to share photos as my bunnies grow and propagate. 

BLUE BUNNY PATTERN

PDF Version

Materials used:

1 ball (5 oz) of Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly yarn in cobalt blue.

1 ball (5 oz) of Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly yarn in white.

Polyester Fiberfill for stuffing

Small amount of black yarn (for eyes)

Small amount of pink yarn (for mouth)

Stitches used:

ch - chain stitch

ss - slip stitch

sc - single crochet
inc - sc increase (2 sc in same stitch)
dec - sc dec (sc2tog - single crochet 2 together)

Magic Circle - see how here (start each piece with magic circle)

Time to Complete - 16 hours (approximately)
Finished size - 12 inches tall

Legs (x2)

Use blue yarn. Working from the bottom up, starting with a magic circle, use stitch marker to mark end of rows (work in continuous rounds with no joining)

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5-R6 - sc around (24)

R7 - sc2tog x4 + 16 sc (20)

R8 - sc2tog x4 + 12 sc (16)

R9-R16 - sc around (16)

R17 - (3 sc inc) x4 (20)

R18-R20 - sc around (20)

R21 - (4 sc inc) x4 (24)

R22 - sc around (24) Finish off and stuff leg.

Body

Join legs on middle 2 stitches as shown in this tutorial. The instructions are in German but the video alone is enough to understand the technique. Once the legs are joined continue crocheting around both legs to form the body.

R23 - sc around (46)

R24 - sc around (46)

R25 - (5 sc inc) x 7 + 4 sc (53)

R26 - sc around (53)

R27 - (9 sc inc) x 5 + 3 sc (58)

R28 - (8 sc inc) x 2 + 40 sc (60)

R29 - sc around (60)

R30 - sc around (60)

R31 - sc around (60)

R32 - sc around (60)

R33 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)

R34 - sc around (54)

R35 - sc around (54)

R36 - sc around (54)

R37 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48) [attach pom-pom tail]

R38 - sc around (48)

R39 - sc around (48)

R40 - sc around (48)

R41 - (6 sc dec) x 6 (42)

R42 - sc around (42)

R43 - sc around (42)

R44 - sc around (42)

R45 - (5 sc dec) x6 (36)

R46 - sc around (36)

R47 - sc around (36)

R48 - sc around (36)

R49 - sc around (36)

R50 - sc around (36)

R51 - sc around (36)

R52 - sc around (36)

R53 - sc around (36)

R54 - sc around (36)

R55 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)

R56 - sc around (30)

R57 - sc around (30)

R58 - sc around (30)

R59 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)

R60 - sc around (24)

R61 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)

R62 - sc around (18)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail to attach the head. Stuff body firmly.

Arms (x2)

Start with white yarn

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - sc around (18)

R5 - (4 sc dec) x3 (15)

R6 - sc around (15)

R7 - (3 sc dec) x 3 (12)

Change to blue yarn at end of R7

R8 - sc around (12)

R9 - (4 sc dec) x 2 (10)

R10-R30 - sc around (10)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff only hands and part way up arm.

Head

Use white yarn.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)

R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)

R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)

R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)

R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)

R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)

R11 - sc around (60)

R12 - sc around (60)

R13 - sc around (60)

R14 - sc around (60)

R15 - sc around (60)

R16 - sc around (60)

R17 - sc around (60)

R18 - sc around (60)

R19 - sc around (60)

R20 - sc around (60)

R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)

R22 - sc around (54)

R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)

R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)

R25 - (5 sc dec) x6 (36)

R26 - (4 sc dec) x6 (30)

R27 - (3 sc dec) x6 (24)

R28 - (2 sc dec) x6 (18)

R29 - (2 sc dec) x3 + 6 sc (15)

R30 - sc around (15)

R31 - sc around (15)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Stuff head and neck firmly to hold shape.

Hood

Use blue yarn and follow pattern for Head up to Row 24. Use hook size 3.5 mm to make hood slightly bigger than head to allow for an easier fit.

R1 - 6 sc (6)

R2 - inc x6 (12)

R3 - (sc inc) x6 (18)

R4 - (2 sc inc) x6 (24)

R5 - (3 sc inc) x6 (30)

R6 - (4 sc inc) x6 (36)

R7 - (5 sc inc) x6 (42)

R8 - (6 sc inc) x6 (48)

R9 - (7 sc inc) x6 (54)

R10 - (8 sc inc) x6 (60)

R11 - sc around (60)

R12 - sc around (60)

R13 - sc around (60)

R14 - sc around (60)

R15 - sc around (60)

R16 - sc around (60)

R17 - sc around (60)

R18 - sc around (60)

R19 - sc around (60)

R20 - sc around (60)

R21 - (8 sc dec) x6 (54)

R22 - sc around (54)

R23 - (7 sc dec) x6 (48)

R24 - (6 sc dec) x6 (42)

R25 - ss loosely around (42)

Finish off and cut yarn leaving a long tail for joining. Position on head as shown in photos above. After attaching head to body, I like to wrap the tail from the hood around the neck to cover joining stitches.

Ears (x2)

I followed a free pattern found here for the ears.

Check out photos of Blue Bunny in this post before joining ears, head and arms. I like to pin the pieces in place and pick the most pleasing look before attaching.

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