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Sunday, August 20, 2017

Winter Lodge and Lumberjack Sampler Patterns (with bonus pattern)

Winter Lodge and Lumberjack Sampler Patterns

by Elizabeth Mareno

You can purchase these patterns on ETSY or my website.



Today I would like to introduce two patterns; Winter Lodge (on the left) and Lumberjack (on the right), and I'm going to tell you a story about how these two blankets came into being.

These designs went through almost a year of metamorphosis into their final states. They both started out as a totally different blanket design. That design was then changed into Winter Lodge because I was submitting it for possible publication. That fell through and I didn't feel like pursuing outside publication anymore, so the Winter Lodge was set aside for a bit. 

However, there were more design ideas I wanted to pursue with the pattern. I picked it back up, changed the yarn I used, went with a new color palette, altered stitches in strategic places, and the Lumberjack was born. I guess you could call Winter Lodge and Lumberjack fraternal twins. They share traits, they share "DNA", but they are not identical. 

Winter Lodge is a more delicate feminine look, and Lumberjack is a sturdier more masculine look. They are both 50" x 50" finished size and make a nice snugly blanket. I love them both.



Through the development stages, my friend and tester, Theresa, created an amalgam of the two blankets that uses two cakes of Whirl fingering yarn by Scheepjes. By doing that she also created an extension for anyone that wants to increase the size of their Lodge or Lumberjack blankets beyond 50" x 50".  Theresa used two cakes of the Salted Caramel Matcha colorway because it reminded her of when she lived in Alaska. 

This extension is also included with the Winter Lodge and the Lumberjack patterns. Essentially, you are getting three patterns in one. 


You can purchase these patterns on ETSY or my website.



Here's what you'll need for Winter Lodge:
Materials:
Worsted Weight yarn- (#4 medium US, 10 ply UK)
Brand used: Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn *- 7 oz skeins (198.8 grams/skein)
Colors Used:
Off White- 3 skeins
Glacier- 1 skein
Desert Glaze- 1 skein                                 
Hot Orchid- 1 skein
Cranberry- 1 skein
Brown- 1 skein
Turquoise- 1 skein
Buttercup- 1 skein
Dark Olive- 1 skein
White- 1 skein

H hook
Large-eye needle for weaving ends


Here's what you'll need for Lumberjack:


Materials:

Worsted Weight yarn (#4 medium US, 10 ply UK)
Heartland by Lion Brand *  (4oz/5oz, 113g/142g, 200yd/251yd, 183m/230m)
Kenai Fjords 4.5oz
Glacier Bay Tweed 3oz
Olympic 9.5oz
Acadia 5.5oz 
Redwood 2oz
Joshua Tree 5oz,
Hot Springs 3.5oz,
Yosemite 8.5oz
Bryce Canyon 4.5oz
Mount Ranier 3.75oz,
Kings Canyon 3.75oz
Grand Canyon 4oz
H hook
Large-eye needle for weaving ends

Here's what you'll need for the Adaptation blanket:
Materials:
Scheepjes Whirl * – 2 cakes  (Fingering weight, 215g/1000meters)
D crochet hook
Large-eye needle for weaving ends




© Bizzy Crochet and Design 2018
*Links marked with asterisks are affiliate links. If you use one of my links to make a purchase it won't cost you any more, but the company will give me a small bit of money back which helps me pay for the free content on my blog. Thank you for your support!

Monday, July 17, 2017

Traveling Cow Pattern!

Traveling Cow Pattern

by Elizabeth Mareno

An ad-free version with extensive assembly pictures can be purchased on ETSY or my website





Material:

The materials list for these little cows is not super precise, A) because I was traveling and used only stash/leftover yarn, and B) because gauge isn’t super important for this toy. I encourage you to use whatever you have on hand, whatever makes you happy, whatever you like to work with!

Yarn- Whatever yarn you are using you will need about 2 ozs (57 gms) for the body, and small bits (less than an ounce) for the extras. I used Light #3/baby (DK) weight yarn for the light brown cow and worsted (10 ply) garment cotton for the dark brown.444444

Hook- Choose a hook about one size smaller than you would use regularly with your chosen yarn so that your stitches can be tight enough to keep the fluff from poking through. I used an F (3.75mm) with the Light #3/baby weight yarn, and a G (4mm) with the worsted kitchen cotton.

Large Eye Needle for assembly

Scissors, Polyester fluff for stuffing, Safety eyes (if you choose), Straight pins

NOTES:

Do not join unless instructed to do so.

Leave a long tail on all pieces except the body/head to use for sewing.

Pattern:

Head and Body: starting at the bottom

Rd1 - MR, 6sc 
Rd2 - Inc around (12) 
Rd3 - (Sc in next, inc) around (18) 
Rd4 - (Sc in next 2, inc) around (24) 
Rd5 - (Sc in next 3, inc) around (30)
Rd6 - (Sc in next 4, inc) around (36) 
Rd7 - (Sc in next 5, inc) around (42) 
Rd8-13 - Sc around 
Rd14 – (Sc in next 5, inv dec) around (36) 
Rd15-16 - Sc around 
Rd17 -(Sc in next 4, inv dec) around (30) 
Rd18-19 Sc around 
Rd20 – (Sc in next 3, inv dec) around (24) 
Rd21-22 Sc around 
Rd23 – (Sc in next 2, inv dec) around (18) 
Rd24-25 – Sc around. START STUFFING
Rd26 – (Sc in next 2, Inc in next) around (24) 
Rd27 – (Sc in next 3, Inc in next) around (30) 
Rd28 – (Sc in next 4, Inc in next) around (36) 
Rd29-33 Sc around. 
Rd34 – (Sc in next 4, inv dec) around (30) 
Rd35 - (Sc in next 8, inv dec, sc in next 3, inv dec,) twice (26) 
Rd36 - (Sc in next 2, inv dec) x6, sc in last 2 (20) 
Rd37 - (Sc in next, inv dec) x6, sc in last 2 (14) Finish Stuffing
Rd38 – inv dec around (7) 
Cut and sew closed. 


Face details: If you choose to use safety eyes, you will need to get them placed before you close up your head. Safety eyes belong about Round 30.

You can embroider eyes, mouth, nostrils as you please.

Udder:

Rd1 – MR, 6sc 
Rd2 - *(sc in next sc, ch5-sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 ch (teet), sc in sm st) 2times, 2sc in next sc, repeat from * once. (12sc-4teets)
Rd3 - skipping teets- Inc around (24) 
Rd4 – Sc around (24)




When you apply your udder, it can be very helpful to use some stick pins to hold it in place while you attach it to the body. It just helps to keep it from shifting on you.

Muzzle:

Rd1 - Ch7, 3sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Working on other side of ch, sc in 4 ch. JOIN. (14) 
Rd2 - Ch1, Inc in sm st as join, Inc in next 2, sc in next 4, Inc in next 3, sc in next 4 sc, JOIN. (20) 
Rd3 - Ch1, sc in sm st as join and each sc around (20) 
Stuff your muzzle just before finishing.


 



Horns: make 2

Rd1 - MR, 6sc 
Rd2-3 Sc around (6) 
Rd4 - (Sc in next, inc) around (9) 
Rd5 - (Sc in next 2, inc) around (12) 
(Don't stuff!! Place them evenly spaced on the top of the head and sew them on.)




Legs: make 4 with hoof color and leg color

Rd1 - MR, 6sc 
Rd2 – (sc in next, inc) around (9) 
Rd3 – In FLO of rnd 2, sl st in each sc (9) 
Rd4 – In BLO of rnd2, sc in each (9) 
Rd5 – (back to both loops) sc around, changing to leg color in last st (9) 
Rd6-10 – sc around (9) Finish off. Stuff




If you keep your sl st loose you will have a more pronounced hoof, and it will make the back loop easier to find when you start creating the leg part.
I like to apply my bottom legs closer to the udder so that they help hold my cow up when I put her on a flat surface. 😊…or a not-so-flat surface.


Ears: Ch10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next 3 ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 2 ch, 3sc in last ch. Working on other side of the chain, hdc in next 2 ch, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 3 ch, sc in last ch, join. Finish off leaving long tail for sewing. Sew to head just behind horn and make sure it hangs down. 



Tail: Attach with a sl st at the top of the butt. 
Chain 15, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 12 sts 
Finish off. 
Cut desired number of yarn pieces and tie to free end of tail. 

Collar: Chain 25.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain. 
Wrap around neck and tack ends together. 
Bell: MR, place 4 sc and 4 hdc into MR. Finish off


Terminology used:
Sc (UK dc)- single crochet (double crochet)
Hdc (UK htrc)- half double crochet (half treble crochet)
Dc (UK trc)- double crochet (treble crochet)
Sl st (UK ss)- slip stitch
Ch- chain
Sp- space 
Inc- increase – place 2sc (UK 2dc) in space indicated
Inv dec- worked like a 2sc (UK 2dc) decrease, but only in the front loops

© Bizzy Crochet and Design 2017

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Some Friendships Become "Framily"

Sorry for my absence these last couple Sundays. We were traveling seeing family and friends up north. Today's post just happens to be about a small portion of that:


The top picture was taken in 2010 in Bayfield, WI. We were the Bushareno clan which included Sam and Chris Bushman and their three kids Bryen, Jasper, and Vanessa, and our family, the Mareno's, Tony, Biz, Stefani, and Teo.  
L-R in back: Stefani, Bryen, Tony, Chris, Sam, Teo
L-R in front: Vanessa, Biz, Jasper

In 2011, the Marenos moved to Florida. *insert heart-wrenching sad music*
Many tears were cried, and we have desperately missed our good friends all six years we have been here, but...we just can't do WI weather anymore.

Over time my brother's kids, the Fishers (Emily, Sam, Liz, and Josey), have gotten to be good friends with the Bushman kids. So, the next picture was done just a week ago at a 90th birthday party for my grandmother, and they are now known as the 
Busharenofish clan. 

It was so wonderful to see them all together again. They are almost all adults now, and they enjoyed each other immensely. Chris wasn't able to make the trip, but Tony and I had a great time visiting with Sam. Just made us miss them all the more. We are making plans to take an anniversary trip together to the Smokey Mountains next year. NO KIDS.
Some friendships only get better with time. 



                    L-R: Sam, Bryen, Vanessa, Stefani, Emily, Liz, Teo, Jasper, and Josey


That picture makes me wax nostalgic, because it reminds me of the movie Sandlot and their group picture. The last summer before they all split up and went on to different lives. Yet, there was a story of enduring friendship woven in. *sigh* I like to think our little group has it's own "Yeah-Yeah", and "Squints", and "Ham."
 These guys are second generation framily. :)

Sam (17) and Vanessa (17) will be a Seniors this year. Bryen (19) works on a farm. Stefani (22) has moved 1200 miles away from home to work in a ministry. Emily (19) is getting ready to leave for 9 months on a missions trip to Taiwan. Lizzie (15) starts HS this year. Teo (20) is going back to school this Fall to get his Carpentry certificate. Jasper (18) just graduated HS this year and will be going to school for Cabinetry and Engineering. And Josey (12) is bringing up the rear starting 7th grade. 

What an adventure life is....



Sandlot picture credit screenrant.com


Sunday, May 14, 2017

The Magic of Changing Your Hook and Yarn Weight

Happy Mother's Day!!

I am thoroughly enjoying my lazy Sunday, so I figured today is as good a day as any to start blogging again. To start off my foray back into regular blogging, I am going to talk about the magic of changing the recommended hook size and yarn weight in a project. I'm sure I'm talking to a bunch of old pro's at making modifications to a pattern, but just in case a new crocheter happens to read this post, I am going to talk about the modifications I have made to a simple beginner's pattern from Lion Brand called the Amigurumi Frog

This particular pattern calls for regular worsted weight/aran weight/10ply yarn and an H hook. For me, that makes a frog that is about 4" tall/wide (first picture). I decided that I didn't want to make a frog that big. I wanted to make more than one frog in rainbow colors and put them together as a baby gift, so I decided to go with a #3 light/DK weight yarn and an F hook. That produced a frog about 2" tall/wide (second picture- I wish I had a side by side). 

What is the significance of this, and why would I write a blog post about it? Not everyone who is new to a craft knows that you can use the written pattern as you see it and make something "new" just by changing up the hook size and yarn weight you work with. No, it's not a new product. You are essentially making the exact same item as the pattern, but what is "new" is that you can then take your resized toy and do more with it. 

**I am going to take a quick moment and emphasize that this is something you would do with toy patterns or afghan patterns. I do not recommend making these sorts of nonchalant changes to a clothing pattern. Clothing is MUCH more precise and you don't want to create a Barbie sweater when you are trying to make something for the new baby in your family.**

So, what do you do with your resized toy? I'm going to reference the Amigurumi Frog as a sample;  If you go down in size, you can make more than one in a variety of colors, sort of what I am doing with my rainbow frogs, and make a learning set as a gift for a baby shower. 
My favorite way to go with toy patterns is to shrink them down and make up a fun bag to house all the characters, then give them as gifts for new babies or donate to children's homes. Some of the projects that I have made in the past using someone else's toy pattern, and creating a special bag to go with, are the Frog Pond Bag and the Whimsical Castle Bag

I encourage you to find a pattern and play with a different hook and yarn weight than recommended. Stick to the instructions, and see what size you can come up with. Maybe make one according to the recommendations, and one with a different hook/yarn? This will also help you become familiar with your gauge if you are new to the craft, or have just never really paid attention to it before. It's very useful to know what your work looks like with different tools. 

Well, I'm going to go visit my mama since it is Mother's Day. I hope this helps someone. 
See you next week! :)




Saturday, April 01, 2017

Prairie Family Adventure Set



Hello, all you beautiful people! Announcing the Prairie Family pattern! The Prairie Family are getting ready for their trip out West. They have finished the process of purchasing their covered wagon and livestock, so they have a little time on their hands before they start on the trek. They thought it might be nice to get to know you before you start the journey since you're going to be spending so much time together!

You can find the written pattern here:
Now, let's get our wagon and supplies ready to go! 

                                           
If you don't have a wagon all ready to pack, that's ok! The pattern includes full details to create your very own that is completely open on the inside to store all of your characters and livestock! 

                                             
The pattern also includes a family and a Scottish black face sheep. Ma and the girls all have pantaloons under their dresses, and the boys have overalls. The characters are a great opportunity to create your own family. Just customize their hair, skin, and eye colors and finish them off by using their favorite colors in their clothes.  



My friend, Theresa, expanded her set by using some of the animal patterns from a few of my other toy bag patterns. 


Theresa used the steed from my free Fantasy Castle pattern, the cow from my free Barnyard Gang pattern, and the dog from my free Tiny Pets Rescue pattern. These links are also included in the written pattern so you can find them again.



Theresa also added safety eyes to some of her characters, however, these instructions are not included in the pattern. 





Westward, Ho!











Saturday, January 14, 2017

Stash Busting Sock Yarn BFF's

Stash-Busting BFF's

by Elizabeth Mareno 

I wanted a pattern that would use one skein of sock yarn since that seems to be the yarn that floats around my stash unused the longest. Here we have 3 little buddies that are each made from no more than 50g of sock yarn. However, my good friend Theresa also made some out of regular cotton to show them in a different size. I think they turned out great, so I included her versions in the pattern!

Remember, these guys are here to help you STASH-BUST, so use up whatever random yarns you have floating around.  

Dragon, Bear, and Unicorn; perfect for all my fantasy-loving people out there!

This pattern can be purchase on ETSY or my website.

Daisy Dragon, Charlie Bear, and Penelope Unicorn



Charlie Bear in sock yarn and B hook, by Theresa

Daisy Dragon in worsted cotton and E hook, by Theresa

Penelope Unicorn in worsted cotton and E hook, by Theresa

Flossy Bunny's instructions are available in the extended portion of the pattern. 
worsted cotton, by Theresa


Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL

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