Saturday 27 June 2020

Whale

This is a quick and easy whale pattern. You can get the PDF version here.



You will need:
·       Yarn needle 
·       Soft toy filling
·       3mm crochet hook 
·       DK Yarn – Approx. 80m
o    Wendy Peter Pan DK – Blue
o    Wendy Peter Pan DK – Black
o    Wendy Peter Pan DK – White


Stitches and abbreviations used: (US terminology)
·       MR - Magic ring (sc unless otherwise specified)
·       Ch - Chain 
·       SC - Single crochet 
·       Inc - Increase stitch (2 single crochets into one stitch)
·       Dec - Decrease stitch (single crochet 2 stitches together)
·       FLO – Front Loop Only 
·       YO – Yarn Over 
·       ST - Stitch                                                      
·       SLST - Slip stitch 
·       R – Round or Row 
·       FO - Finish Off

Other things to note....
·       This pattern is worked in continuous rounds. It is helpful to use a stitch marker to keep track.
·       The number in ( ) at the end of each round indicates the total stitch count for that round.
·       *  * indicates repeated series of stitches. 
·       Use invisible decreases for a neater finished product. This is done by using the FLO of the stitches while making the decrease. 
·       Stitches in [ ]  are worked into one stitch.
·       Remember to stuff the product little and often as you work.



Body - Blue 
1.
6sc into MR (6)
2. 
*inc* x6 (12)
3.
*1sc, inc* x6 (18)
4.
*1sc, inc, 1sc* x6 (24)
5.
*3sc, inc* x6 (30)
6.
*2sc, inc, 2sc* x6 (36)
7.
*5sc, inc* x6 (42)
8.
*3sc, inc, 3sc* x6 (48)
9.
Sc (48)
10.
*7sc, inc* x6 (54)
11-19.
Sc (54) – 9 rounds 
20.
10sc, *dec, 2sc* x6, 20sc (48) -mark the decrease section in this round to help with positioning the eyes and fins later.
21.
Sc (48)
22.
7sc, *dec, 2sc* x6, 17sc (42) – start stuffing and continue stuffing until closing.  
23-24.
Sc (42) – 2 rounds 
25.
5sc, *dec, 2sc* x6, 13sc (36)
26.
Sc (36)
27.
6sc, *dec, 2sc* x4, 14sc (32)
28.
Sc (32)
29.
*3sc, dec, 3sc* x4 (28)
30.
Sc (28)
31.
*5sc, dec* x4 (24) 
32.
Sc (24)
33.
*2sc, dec, 2sc* x4 (20)
34.
Sc (20)
35.
*3sc, dec* x4 (16)
36.
Sc (16)
37.
*1sc, dec, 1sc* x4 (12)
38.
Sc (12) – Finish stuffing, the rest of the of the whale and parts are unstuffed.  
39.
inc into the stitch, skip the next 6 stitches, inc into the last 5 stitches (12) – This is making one of the tail fins.
40.
*1sc, inc, 1sc* x4 (16)
41-42.
Sc (16) – 2 rounds 
43.
*1sc, dec, 1sc* x4 (12)
44.
Sc (12)
45.
*dec* x6 (6)

FO – Close hole  
39b.
Join yarn at the unworked stitch from R39 above - *inc* x6 (12) - This is making the second tail fin. 
40b.
*1sc, inc, 1sc* x4 (16)
41b-42b.
Sc (16) – 2 rounds 
43b.
*1sc, dec, 1sc* x4 (12)
44b.
Sc (12)
45b.
*dec* x6 (6)

FO – Close hole  


Eyes x2 – White 
1.
6sc into MR (6)
2. 
*inc* x6 (12)
3.
*1sc, inc* x6 (18)

FO – Leaving yarn tail. This will be used to sew the eye to the head after adding the detail. 


Detailing in the eyes x2 - Black
1.
Insert hook into any st between R2&3 of the eyes. Surface slst into the next 7sts. 

FO – Tie off yarn tails. 

Sew eye pieces to R10-16 of the head approx. 16st apart. Use the increased stitches marked from R20 of the body to help placement. 


Side fins x2 – Blue 
1.
4sc into MR (4) 
2.
*inc* x4 (8)
3.
*1sc, inc* x4 (12)
4.
Sc (12)
5.
*1sc, inc, 1sc* x4 (16)
6-7.
Sc (16) – 2 rounds 
8.
*1sc, dec, 1sc* x4 (12)
9.
*1sc, dec* x4 (8)

FO – leaving yarn tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the piece. Sew to body at approx. R21. 20st apart. 


Detailing 

Using a strand of white yarn, sew onto the tail ensuring not to pull too tightly. See picture for placement. 


Using a strand of black yarn, sew a mouth at approx. R7.

Using a strand of black yarn, add detailing above the eyes if desired. 



Damien the Donkey

Say hello the Damien. He has a choice of two hair styles. Each gives such different character. You can find the pattern here.



Thursday 14 May 2020

Milo the Monkey






You will need:
·       Yarn needle 
·       Soft toy filling
·       8mm safety eyes 
·       3mm crochet hook (This pattern can be made with any size yarn and hook. I recommend using a hook 1 size smaller than suggested on the yarn)
·       DK Yarn – Approx. 140m
o    Sirdar Snuggly DK – Brown
o    Sirdar Snuggly DK – Oatmeal 
o    Sirdar Snuggly DK – Black (for mouth detail)


Stitches and abbreviations used: (US terminology)
·       MR - Magic ring (sc unless otherwise specified)
·       Ch - Chain 
·       SC - Single crochet 
·       Inc - Increase stitch (2 single crochets into one stitch)
·       Dec - Decrease stitch (single crochet 2 stitches together)
·       FLO – Front loop only 
·       BLO – Back loop only 
·       YO – Yarn Over 
·       ST - Stitch                                                      
·       SLST - Slip stitch 
·       R – Round or Row 
·       FO - Finish Off

Other things to note....
·       Most of this pattern is worked in continuous rounds. It is helpful to use a stitch marker to keep track.
·       The number in ( ) at the end of each round indicates the total stitch count for that round.
·       *  * indicates repeated series of stitches. 
·       Use invisible decreases for a neater finished product. This is done by using the FLO of the stitches while making the decrease. 
·       Changing colour – complete the stitch before the colour change by working the last yarn over of the stitch with the new colour. 
·       Stitches in [ ]  are worked into one stitch.
·       Remember to stuff the product little and often as you work.



Head – Starting in oatmeal 

1.
6sc into MR (6)

2. 
*Inc * x6 (12)

3.
*1sc, inc * x6 (18)

4.
*1sc, inc, 1sc * x6 (24)

5.
*3sc, inc * x6 (30)

6.
*2sc, inc, 2sc * x6 (36)

7.
*5sc, inc * x6 (42)

8.
Change to brown - *3sc, inc, 3sc * x6 (48)

9-16.
Sc (48) – 8 rounds – Place safety eyes between R5-6, approx. 8st apart 

17.
*3sc, dec, 3sc * x6 (42) 

18.
*5sc, dec * x6 (36) - Stuff the head and continue stuffing until closed 

19.
*2sc, dec, 2sc * x6 (30) 

20.
*3sc, dec * x6 (24) 

21.
*1sc, dec, 1sc * x6 (18)

22.
*1sc, dec * x6 (12)

23.
*dec * x6 (6)


FO – Close hole 




Muzzle – Oatmeal

1.
6sc into MR (6)

2. 
*Inc * x6 (12)

3.
1sc, inc x3, 3sc, inc x3, 2sc (18)

4.
2sc, inc x3, 6sc, inc x3, 4sc (24)

5.
3sc, inc, 2sc, inc. 8sc, inc, 2sc, inc, 5sc (28)

6-7.
Sc (28) – 2 rounds 


FO – Leaving long yarn tail, sew to the bottom half of the face between R1-7, stuffing as you sew.
Using a stand of brown yarn, embroider on the nose detail. 
Using a strand of black yarn, embroider on the mouth detail. See pictures for guidance.




Ears x2 – Brown  
1.
6sc into MR (6)
2. 
*Inc * x6 (12) 
3.
*1sc, inc * x6 (18)
4-5.
Sc (18) – 2 rounds 
6.
*dec, 1sc * x6 (12)

FO – Leaving yarn tail, sew to the head between R12-14. Approx. 16st apart. This piece is not stuffed. 



Body – Brown

1.
6sc into MR (6)

2. 
*Inc * x6 (12)

3.
*1sc, inc* x6 (18)

4.
*1sc, inc, 1sc * x6 (24)

5.
*3sc, inc * x6 (30)

6.
*2sc, inc, 2sc * x6 (36)

7-19.
Sc (36) – 13 rounds 

20.
*7sc, dec * x4 (32) - Stuff the piece and continue stuffing until end.

21.
Sc (32) 

22.
*3sc, dec, 3sc * x4 (28)

23.
*5sc, dec * x4 (24)

24.
*2sc, dec, 2sc * x4 (20)


FO – Leaving yarn tail, sew to R10-18 of the head. 




Thumbs x2 – Oatmeal

1.

5sc into MR (5)

2.
SC (5)


FO – Leaving yarn tail to close any gaps from joining to the hand in the next step.




Hands & Arms x2 – Starting in Oatmeal

1.
6sc into MR (6)

2.
Inc x5, 1sc (11)

3-4.
Sc (11) – 2 rounds 

5.
2sc, 5sc around the thumb, 9sc around the rest of the hand. (16) 

6.
*dec, 2sc * x 4 (12) – Use the yarn tail from the thumb to close up any gaps from joining.

7.
Change to Brown – *4sc, dec * x2 (10)

8-21.
Sc (10) – 14 rounds - Stuff the piece and continue stuffing until end.

22.
*dec * x5 (5)


FO – Close hole. Leaving yarn tail, sew to the top of the body just below where the head is joined with the thumbs facing forward, approx. 8st apart. 




Legs x2 – Starting in Oatmeal 

1.
6sc into MR (6)

2.
*Inc * x6 (12)

3.
*1sc, inc * x6 (18)

4.
*8sc, inc * x2 (20)

5-6.
Sc (20) – 2 rounds 

7.
6sc, dec x4, 6sc (16)

8.
6sc, dec x2, 6sc (14)

9-22.
Change to Brown – sc (14) –14 rounds - Stuff the piece and continue stuffing until end.

23.
*dec * x7 (7)


FO - close hole, leaving yarn tail, sew the legs to the side of the body at approx. R5-9 of the body.




Tail – Brown

1.
6sc into MR (6)

2.
*Inc, 2sc * x2 (8)

3-20.
Sc (8) - 18 rounds – Stuff lightly


FO – Leaving yarn tail, sew to body at the centre of the
back at R5-7.