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Monday, August 30, 2010

New Pattern Project



Here's a preview of the colors. The yarns are Red Heart Super Saver "Spring Green" and some No Boundaries WalMart brand boucle yarn I picked up about 5 years ago and it just keeps hanging around my stash. I'm sure that it could be substituted with another Red Heart yarn. The product label on the WalMart yarn calls for a size K, so I'm sure another worsted weight will be more than sufficient.

I am starting the pattern today and will post pictures as I get some things done. :)

This is going to be another Learning Baby Toy.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

As I sit here scarfing my lunch (soooper hungry) of leftover sauteed peppers, onions, garlic and zucchini with feta cheese and a homemade spelt pita....I remember the pictures of Toby that I promised to share with you featuring the Barnyard Gang.
There is only one picture of the carnage that I won't be able to show you. It is on my phone and although I carry a small media center around in my purse, the one cable I don't have is the one for my phone to connect to the computer. I will, however, describe the picture to you. It's a little blurry. Lola is dangling from my mother's cupboard by her tail, upside down, udder facing out. No one is quite sure how Toby, who is 13 months old, was able to coordinate such an effort. But, it made for a hilarious picture. One I really, really wanted to show you. :) It's a testament to the hardy structure of the toy itself. From the moment Lola came out of the bag, she was one of his favorites (the other was Jedediah's hat). He tried to behead her, de-tail her and rip most of the rest of her limbs off as well. Watching him play with the Barnyard Gang reaffirmed for me why I double sew everything on. It needs to last and not be a choking hazard. And Toby would have found a way to make it a choking hazard, if he could. LOL
Without further ado...here's Toby.
Notice that Bob is almost flat? He's gotten crawled over a few times...

So that was the Tobinator.
Next up: Baby Socks.
When I was looking through my yarn stash a day or so ago I came across little balls of leftover sock yarn. So, yesterday, I got a wild hair and decided that I needed to make some baby socks out of those little balls. The balls looked so small to me I thought, "I won't be able to get more than one baby sock out of each of those balls. This'll be a great way to stash bust some of this mess out of here, baby socks work up fast AND I'll be able to work my way back into sock making (I haven't touched them in almost 2 years)." Well. Let me share a little secret. Little balls of sock yarn make many baby socks. Because the little balls of yarn sit in my bag and reproduce...so they never end. Ever.
I did have a grand time surfing the web for baby sock patterns, though, and I printed off a pile of them to make. I am going to do with these what I did with the dishcloth patterns I printed off. I want to make at least one pair of every pattern I printed. I am 1 sock done on the first pattern. lol I know I made it sound like I had knitted 15 socks off of one ball, but I didn't. Only one sock...but I was so sure that darn thing would've taken up alot more yarn than it did.
Here's the picture and pattern of my fat, little baby socks.

Here is the extra yarn I brought with me today. Although if I don't get off this computer, I won't even finish the second sock to the first pair....
Here's the list of patterns I will be tackling in the next few days in an effort to **Bust the Stash** (insert loud, echo-ey announcers voice here):
and some Just for Fun items from Lion Brand Yarn Company:
*You will have to sign up for free membership to view these patterns*
Thought Stefani might enjoy a pair of the leg warmers. We'll see if I have enough ambition to get them done. lol
Tah!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Barnyard Gang Toy Bag Pattern



Barnyard Gang Toy Bag Pattern
by Elizabeth Mareno


An ad-free version of this pattern can be purchased on ETSY or my website.

If you are here from the Cozy Comfort Cancer Hop on Facebook, click here and use today's coupon code to receive a PDF copy of the pattern FREE!



BARNYARD GANG
by Elizabeth Mareno

Skill: Intermediate or Advanced Beginner (due to color changes and assembly)



Supplies:
(all amounts are approx, you may need more or less depending on how tightly you stitch)
FOR BARN:
4oz Red (used RHSS Cherry Red)
2oz Black (used RHSS Black)
Small amt Brown (used RHSS Warm Brown)
Small amt White (used RHSS White)
Small amt Gold (used RHSS Gold) for straw in window (optional)
FOR ANIMALS: Approx an ounce of each
Horse: Dk Brown (used Patons Astra Dark Tan)
Lt Brown (used Patons Astra Med Tan)
Black- for hooves (used Caron SS Black)
Tiny amt of eye color
Farmer: Skin color (used Caron SS Off White)
Pants Color (used Patons Astra Hot Blue)
Shirt Color (used Patons Astra School Bus Yellow)
Boot Color (used Patons Astra Dark Tan)
Hat Color (used Patons Astra Med Tan)
Tiny amt for hair, eye, smile
Chicken: White (used Patons Astra White)
Red (used Patons Astra Hot Red)
Yellow (used Patons Astra School Bus Yellow)
Tiny amt black for eyes
Pig: Pink (used Patons Astra Bright Pink)
Tiny amt of black for eyes
Cow: Black (used Caron SS Black)
White (used Patons Astra White)
Pink (used Patons Astra Bright Pink)
Tiny amt of brown for eyes


F Hook and H or G Hook
Polyester Fiberfill, Needle for assembly & embroidery, Scissors, Stitch marker
2- 5/8" Buttons, preferrably shank
Small piece of plastic canvas, about 3" circle


Front, door closed

Front, door open



Back with 'fence'


BARN BAG: with larger hook
Start with Warm Brown: Bottom (tutorial video below)
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch. (6) do not join.
Row 2- 2sc in each sc (12)
Row 3- (1sc, 2sc in next) around. (18)
Row 4- (1sc in 2, 2sc in next) around (24)
Row 5- (1sc in 3, 2sc in next) around (30)
Row 6-10- continue increasing 1 sc per stitch series until you have (1sc in 8sc, 2sc in next). (60)
Row 11- BLO (back loops only) sc in each sc (60)
Row 12- in Both Loops, sc in each (60) Cut Brown, Attach Red and continue
Row 13-20- repeat row 12 (60)
Row 21- BLO- (sc in 8, sc dec) around (54)
Row 22- in Both Loops(sc in 7, sc dec) around (48)
Row 23-28- continue decreasing 1sc per stitch series until you have (sc in 1, sc dec) (12)
**Begin to stuff firmly at about row 25, placing the piece of plastic canvas on the bottom before filling- Make sure your open loops are to the outside or right side.
Row 29- (sc dec) around. (6)
Finish off leaving a long end.
Using needle sew top closed and weave ends.


Bottom of the Bag Tutorial


Continue with Red: Body (tutorial video below)
Row 1- Attach with sc to any open loops from row 21 of bottom. Sc in each open loop around. (60 ) *I did this so my jagged color changes were to the back of the bag.
Row 2- sc in 50sc, ch 1, turn. (50)
Row 3-14- Repeat row 2
Row 15- sc in 50, ch 10, join to 1st sc across opening w/sl st. (50sc, 10ch)
Row 16- sc in each sc and ch around. (60)
Row 17-27- sc in each sc around (60) Finish off.


Body of the Bag Tutorial

With Black: Top **do not join unless noted**
Row 1- Ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)
Row 2- sc in each sc (6)
Row 3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around. (9)
Row 4- sc in each (9)
Row 5- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (12)
Row 6- sc in each (12)
Row 7- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) around (15)
Row 8- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
Row 9- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
Row 10- Repeat row 9 (32)
Row 11- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) around (40)
Row 12- Repeat row 11 (50)
Row 13-14- sc in each (50)
Row 15- (sc in 4sc, 2sc in next) around (60) Mark this row
Row 16- (sc in 5sc, 2sc in next) around (70)
Row 17-18- sc in each (70)
Row 19- (sc in 6sc, 2sc) around (80). Finish off.
Row 20-From bottom side of roof attach black around post from row 15 (marked row), ch1, sc in same space. Sc around post of each sc of row 15 (60) join.
Row 21-24- ch1, sc in sm sp as join, sc in each sc, join.
Finish off. Leave long piece for sewing to barn body. *Don't put on yet!*


Barn Roof Tutorial



With Red: Door
Row 1- ch12, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. (11)
Row 2-14- ch1, turn, sc in each. Do not cut @ the end of row 14
Row 15- working on the outside, evenly space sc on the ends of each row, in each sc and open loop from starting ch, put 3sc in each corner. Cut.
**Slip stitch decoration on outside of door with white.
**Loops for door closure: attach w/red and a sl st to side of door, ch5, sl st in sm sp. Tie off. Do this twice, evenly spaced.
Attach door & Buttons to front of Barn


With White: Fence Posts- Make 4 total
-Ch 19, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (18) Cut off.
**Sew on evenly space with bottom of fence post touching the brown(dirt).
**Sl St "fencing" between fence posts.
*Attach Roof Now!*

Handle: with red
R1- ch8, sc in 2nd ch and each (7)
R2-50- ch1, turn, sc in each
Cut off, attach to side of barn with buttons on it.

Barn Door, Window, Fence Posts, and Handle Tutorial




Chuck, The Horse, Front View

Chuck, The Horse, Side View


HORSE: with smaller hook
With Dark Brown: Body
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6) do not join
R2- 2sc in each (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5-15- sc in each sc (24)
R16- (sc in 2sc, dec) around (18) Stuff
R17- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (12)
R18- (sc dec) around (6)
Finish off, weave end and pull tight. 

With Dark Brown: Head
R1- Ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) (9)
R3-4- Sc in each
R5- 2sc in 3sc, sc in rem (12)
R6-7- Sc in each
R8- sc in 2sc, 2sc in 2sc, sc in rem sc (14)
R9- Sc in each
R10- Sc dec around (7)
R11- sc dec around, sc in last sc (4)
Finish off, weave end and pull tight.

With Dark Brown: Neck
R1- ch14, join, ch1, sc in each ch (14) join
R2-4- ch1, sc in sm sp as join, sc in each sc, join (14)
R5- ch1, (sc dec, sc in 2) 3 times, sc dec, join(10)
R6-7- ch1, sc in each sc.
Sew on to head, making sure "bump" from head is facing up.
**EARS** Join w/ sl st around post of sc on top of one side of the head, 4sc in sm sp, sl st to other side of head, 4sc in a spot an equal distance from the other. Finish off.
**Stuff neck and sew to body, making sure the head stays "straight"**

With Black & Dark Brown: Legs (make 4)
Start w/black
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join (6)
R2- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (9)
R3- sc in each (9) Cut black, join dark brown
R4- with dk brwn, sc in each (9)
R5-13- sc in each.
Finish off. Flatten edges, sew to the underside of the body, 2 on each side.
**For Mane and Tail**- Cut pieces of Lt Brown 3-4" long. Attach to the neck & butt area with a "latch hook style" attachment. Do as many or as few pieces as you like.

Jedediah, The Farmer, with Chuck, The Horse

Jedediah, The Farmer, Taking A Break
THE FARMER: with smaller hook
With Skin Color: Farmer
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6) do not join
R2- 2sc in each sc around (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) (18)
R4-8- sc in each (18)
R9- sc dec around (9) Stuff
R10- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (6)
R11- sc in each sc (6)
R12- 2sc in each sc (12) Mark Row, Change to shirt color
R13- (sc in1sc, 2sc in next ) around (18)
R14-16- sc in each sc (18)
Change to bib color
R17-21- Sc in each (18)
R22- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (12) Stuff
R23- (dec) around (6) sl st tojoin, finish off, weave ends tightening up bottom.

With Shoe color & Pants Color: Legs (make 2, don't stuff)
Start with shoe color
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join (6)
R2- 2sc in each sc (12)
R3- sc in 4sc, sc dec twice, sc in 4sc (10)
R4- sc in 4sc, sc dec once, sc in 4sc (9) Change to pants/bib color
R5-13- sc in each
Finish off. Flatten edge and sew on to bottom part of body, evenly spaced

With Skin Color & Shirt Color: Arms (make 2, don't stuff)
start with skin color
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join (6)
R2-3- sc in each (6)
Change to shirt color
R4-10- sc in each sc.
Finish off, sew to body @ row 12 (marked row)
**Straps for Pants** Attach with blue with a sl st to post of sc from first row of pants color. ch15, attach to backside of pants with sl st around post of first row of pants color. Make 2
Finish off. Weave ends.
**Embroider hair, eyes & mouth**

With Hat Color: Hat
Repeat rows 1-3 of farmer body
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5- sc in each (24) join with FLO of 1st sc
Working in FLO for the next round
R6- ch2, hdc in sm sp and next 3sc, (2hdc in next sc, hdc in 3sc) to ch2, sl st and cut off. (30)
Sl st "hat band" in complementary color.


Boy and Girl Farmer Tutorial



Bob, The Chicken, Side View

Bob, The Chicken, Front View

Bob, The Chicken, Tail Feather View


CHICKEN: with smaller hook


With White: Body
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, do not join(6)
R2- 2sc in each sc (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in next) around (30)
R6-7- sc in each
R8- (sc in 3sc, dec) around (24)
R9- (sc in 2sc, dec) around (18)
R10- (sc in 1sc, dec) around (12) Stuff
R11- (sc dec) around (6).
Cut off, weave and pull tight. Weave ends.


With White: Tail
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (9)
R3-4- sc in each
R5- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in each) around (12)
R6- (sc in 3sc, 2sc in each) around (15) sl st to join.
Cut off, leaving a long end for attachment. Lightly stuff. Sew to one edge of top of body. Follow picture for placement.


With White: Tail Feathers
Attach yarn around sc post from chickens body just below tail's end with a slip stitch.
R1- ch3, sl st around post of next row up- repeat, working @ an angle towards the tip of the tail, then work down the opposit side finishing at the same row as beginning sl st.
R2- w/o chaining, turn, sl st in 1st ch3 loop from previous row, ch3, sl st in next ch3 loop. repeat this until you reach the last loop. Cut off yarn and weave in ends.
Follow picture for guidance on placement.


With White: Head
Repeat Tail through Row 6
R 7-8 Sc in each sc
Sl st to join, Cut


With Yellow: Beak
R1- ch2, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook (2)
R2- ch1, turn, 2sc in each sc (4)
R3- ch1, turn, 1 sc in each (4)
Cut. Fold row 3 in 1/2. Sew to face
With Red: Wattle
R1- ch3, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in last ch. (6)
*Sew under beak
*Embroider eyes with black
With Red: Comb
Attach w/ sl st around post of sc from row 4 of head. Repeat 1st row of tail feathers for 4 loops. Comb should end "between" the eyes.
With Yellow: Legs (make 2)
R1- Ch5, sc in 2nd ch and each ch across. (4)
Cut. Sew to bottom.

Paco, The Pig, Front View

Paco, The Pig, Side View
PIG: with smaller hook
With Pink: Body
Repeat Horse Body
With Pink: Head
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- 2sc in each sc (12)
R3- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- (sc in 2sc, 2sc in next) around (24)
R5-6- sc in each
R7- (sc in 2sc, sc dec) around (18)
R8- (sc in 1sc, sc dec) around (12) Stuff
R9- (sc dec) around (6)
Cut, Leave opening. Sew to body
With Pink: Ears (make 2)
Repeat chicken beak and place on head equal distance apart.
With Pink: Nose
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- in BLO, sc in each (6)
R3- in both loops, sc in each
Do not stuff. If you will be giving your pig nostrils, embroider them on before you attach the nose to the face. Sew nose into place.
**Embroider eyes and mouth**
With Pink: Legs (make 4)
Repeat for snout through row 3
R4- Sc in each.
Cut, and sew on.
With Pink: Tail
Ch7, 3sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across.
Sew on to butt.

Lola, The Cow, Front View

Lola, The Cow, Side View

Lola, The Cow, Udder View
DUTCH-BELTED or "OREO" COW: with smaller hook
Body:
With Black- Repeat horse body to row 7, change to white
With White- Repeat horse body rows 8-13, change to black
With Black- Repeat horse body for rows 14-18.
Finish off.
With Pink & Black: Head
start with pink/nose
R1-ch3, 2sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2sc in last ch, (work opp side of ch), 2sc in sm st, 2sc in last ch. (8sc)
R2- sc in 1, 2sc in 2, sc in 5sc. (10) join.
R3- ch1, sc in join, sc dec twice, sc in 5 (8) join. change to black
R4- ch1, sc in join and each sc around (8) do not join, work in rounds again.
R5- 2sc in 5sc, sc in rem 3 sc (13)
R6- sc in 2, 2sc in 6sc, sc in 5sc. (19)
R7-8- sc in each
R9- sc in 5sc, sc dec 5 times, sc in 4sc (14)
R10- (sc in 1sc, sc dec) 4 times, sc in last 2sc (10) Stuff
R11- sc dec around (5).
Cut and close.
With Black: Ears (make 2)
R1- Ch4, sc in 2nd ch and next, 3sc in last ch, (working opposite side of chain) sc in last 2 ch. (7)
Apply to side of head
With Black: Neck
R1- ch11, join w/o twisting to make a circle. sc in join and each chain. (11) join with sl st, ch1.
R2-4- sc in each sc, join.
Cut, sew head to neck, making sure the head is straight, stuff neck and sew to body.
With Pink: Udder
R1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)
R2- *(sc in 1sc, ch4-sl st in 1st ch (teet), sc in sm st) 2times, 2sc in next sc, repeat from * once. (12sc-4teets)
R3- skipping teets- (sc in 1sc, 2sc in next) around (18)
R4- sc in each (18)
Cut, sew to under belly, leaving a small opening for stuffing. Stuff and sew shut.
With Black: Legs (make 4-don't stuff)
R1- ch2, 7sc in 2nd ch from hook (7)
R2-10- sc in each.
Cut, sew to body.
With Black: Tail
ch10- attach to butt with a sl st. Cut some 3" pieces of black yarn and tie to tail end.

Hey, Hey, The Gang's All Here!!
**Any technical difficulties or questions, don't hesitate to email me and I'll try to help!**
Hope you have as much fun making this as I did. :)
Biz




Thursday, August 19, 2010

Meet the Barnyard Gang!!

I couldn't wait until I had the pattern ready to post for you to meet the "Barnyard Gang".

Here they are all together with their little barn bag. This bag has a similar construction to the others that I have here on my blog, but this one has a hollow roof to allow for more space for critters to be stored. And if you'll notice, we have 5 characters this time instead of the usual four. I just couldn't leave out the chicken or the cow.


Meet Jedediah. The steady-handed, faithful farmer. (Thanks for the name, Michael!)

Jedediah, farmer, with removable hat.
Here is Bob the Chicken. He is an attitude on wheels! And don't you dare ask him for an egg! He can't help it that he has frilly girl feathers on his butt!
Bob, the Chicken

Can you say, Moo? Lola, the cow, is the anatomically correct Dutch Belted Cow, otherwise known as the "Oreo" cow. :) If crocheting teets on an udder makes you uncomfortable...just leave them off...she can be the Ken doll of the Amigurumi world.

Lola, the cow

Neigh, neigh baby! Chuck, the horse, is ready for action! His legs and his neck are a little long, but he makes up for it with blue eyes and a great mane. You should see him swish it in the wind!

Chuck, the horse

Paco, the pig. The cutest munchkin on the whole farm. He's friendly and helpful and likes to have a good time. He's a little wary of large holes containing wood and buildings with lots of smoke.
Paco, the pig
So make sure you come back and visit us here on the farm! We can't wait to be made by you for your little critter!





Monday, August 02, 2010

Coming Soon....


Here's a sneak peek of a pattern that I will be posting soon (my flash washed it out a bit)....


Wonder if you can figure out what it is or is going to be??

Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL

     Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL Oh my gosh!! It's the last week of the Memories CAL already!! I can't ...