"Shaggy Tops" Cute Monster Crochet Softies

Being summer here in Melbourne, I've put aside a lot of my crochet blankets and winter hats and have been focusing instead on making Amigurumi toys. My latest addition to my Etsy shop are these cute little Shaggy Top toys. Each one is unique, but they all have their shaggy, spunky, Mohawk. Here are a few pics. If you'd like to adopt one of these cuties you can find them at my Etsy shop.

Update - these are all SOLD.

Free Crochet Pattern - Bow in the Round

This is an Easy-Peasy Crochet Bow!

There are an abundant of great crochet tutorials available on how to make a pretty crochet bow, but I couldn't find one that creates a bow by working in the round. I thought I'd give it a go and I was really happy with the how it turned out. This bow is so easy to make and by working in the round it creates a different effect with a nice looking puffy texture. One of the best things about making a bow in the round is that it's so easy to work the edging. All you do is make another round in contrast colour. You can also play with colours a bit and make a striped bow, like my pink and purple one below. You can whip these up in no time and attached to a simple headband they make a lovely gift for a little (or big) girl. I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern. 

Materials

Instructions are given for 4 ply and 8 ply, though gauge is not really important. The instructions are more of a guide. You can work your bow to any size you like by working more or less rounds.

8 ply - 5mm hook
4 ply - 4mm hook

Pattern Notes

3d ch at beginning of round counts as a dc. Attach last dc of each round to top of 3ch of previous round.

Round 1   12dc in magic circle.
Rnd 2   ch3, dc in same st, *2dc in next st* repeat around – (24).
Rnd 3   ch3, 2dc in next st, *dc in next st, 2dc in next st* repeat around – (36).
Rnd 4   ch3, dc in next st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st* repeat around – (48).
Rnd 5   ch3, dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 3sts, 2dc in next st* repeat around – (60).
8 ply only - Fasten Off
Attach CC with slip stich. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc around, join to top of first sc. Fasten Off.
Weave in ends
4 ply Continue 
Rnd 6-8   dc around [3 rounds] (60).
Fasten Off.

Attach CC with slip stitch. Ch 1, sc in same st, sc around, join to top of first sc.
Fasten Off.
Weave in Ends.


Here is what my circles (8ply) looked like after completing the pattern...

Now to complete your bow, pinch the circle at the centre and bunch out sides as desired. While holding the circle, wrap a long piece of yarn (at least 50 inches) in contrast colour around its middle and tie a knot to secure, leave one end short and the other long.

Now wrap the long end repeatedly around the centre. Work your yarn over the other the short strand to hide it. You can trim any excess strand poking out later.

To finish, darn in the end by weaving under the wrapped centre back and forth. You can either tie a knot and trim your end, but I prefer to keep some length of yarn to use for attaching later. And that's it, your bow is finished! Now you can sew it on to a little dress or hairband or whatever you please : )

 

Bow-delicious!

Candy cane stripes

Scally Moo Baby Booties Free Pattern - Easy and Quick!

These booties were inspired by my little scallywag Dorian...he loves wearing his Mama's handmade booties. And, why the name Moo? Well, the yarn is made with 30% milk. It's the first time I've seen or worked with yarn made with milk, and it's great. It's so silky smooth and is ideal for the littlies. The yarn is called Chantilly, and is made by Spotlight's house brand, Moda Vera.

Have you ever seen milk used in yarn before? If so, please let me know, I'd love to try some other milk yarn blends. So here it is, the Scally Moo Baby Booties. I hope you enjoy.

Materials
I used Chantilly yarn by Moda Vera. It's a 12 ply yarn. The gauge on the yarn packet reads 13.0 to 15.0 sts = 4 inches in stocking stitch (knitting).

5mm (H) hook
6mm (J) hook

Size
Approximately 3 month +

Gauge

After round 2 is completed the sole of the bootie measures approximately 8 - 8.5cm (just over 3 inches) length, and 5cm (2 inches) width through the middle.

This pattern is written with US terminology.

Begin: Using 5mm hook

Recommended method - 7 Foundation Double Crochet (FDC) - You will now begin to work on the bottom side of the dc stitches, working back towards the beginning fdc to form an oval -
3dc in the same base as last fdc worked, dc in each base of next 5 dc, 3dc in next base of dc (i.e. the 1st  fdc) join with ss to top of 1st fdc. Continue with Rnd 2. (18 dc)

Alternative method - If you don't know how to do FDC then follow this alternative method. Ch 10, working in the top chain loop only, dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. You will now begin to work into the other side of the chain loop working back towards the beginning dc to form an oval - 3dc in next ch, dc in next 5 ch, 3dc in next ch, join with ss to top of 1st dc. Continue with Rnd 2 (18 dc)


Pattern Notes: End each round with a ss, to top of beginning ch3

Rnd 2   ch3, dc in same dc and in next 4 dc, 2dc in next 5dc, dc in next 4dc, 2dc in next 4 dc (28)
Change to 6mm hook

Rnd 3   ch 3, (continue this rnd in blo), dc in next dc and each dc around  (28)

Rnd 4   ch 3, dc in next 7 dc, dc2tog 4 times, dc in next 9 dc, dc2tog, dc in last dc (23)
Rnd 5   ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, dc2tog 4 times, dc in next 9 dc (19)

Rnd 6   ch3, dc in next 3dc dc2tog 4 times, dc in next 7 dc (15)
Rnd 7   ch 3, dc in each st around dc (15)
Fasten off

Edging and tie-up laces -   Using CC and 5mm hook ch 30, with right side of bootie facing attach yarn with ss to the dc that is left of the front middle st. Change to 6mm hook. ch 1, sc in next dc,  and in each dc around. Change back to 5mm hook. ss in same dc where last sc was worked, ch 30.
Fasten off, Weave in ends.

Make 2 

I hope you enjoyed this free croceht pattern by Roaming Pixies.

 

Free Crochet Pattern - Le Champignon Beret Hat

I wanted to design a hat that was not only stylish but would be functional as well; a hat that's dressy enough to wear to social occasions, but keeps you warm and is able to change with the seasons. The result is this French style beret. This hat is so soft and slouchy, allowing you to wear it in a number of ways...wear it at the back of your head for those crisp autumn days, or when it is freezing cold in the heart of winter, you can pull it down over your ears to keep your head snug and warm. This is a very easy pattern and is suitable for beginners. I hope you enjoy crocheting and please feel free to leave comments or ask me any questions below.

Slouchy French Beret Pattern

Materials
I used three strands of Dk yarn held together, one being mohair to give it a touch of fuzziness and warmth. I think a 12 ply to bulky yarn could work too, as long as you get correct gauge. Just play around with your yarns, and change your hook size if needed to get your gauge right.

9mm hook (or hook size to get correct gauge)


Gauge
The diameter measures approximately 5 inches after the completing the first 3 rounds.

This pattern is written with US terminology. Work in continuous rounds. Join each round and replace the first dc of each round with chain 3.

Rnd 1  Work 10 dc in Magic Circle

Rnd 2   2 dc in each dc around  (20)

Rnd 3   *dc in next stitch, 2dc in next stitch* around  (30)

Rnd 4   *dc in next 2 stitches, 2dc in next stitch* around  (40)

Rnd 5   *dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch * around  (50)

Rnd 6 - 9   dc around (50) [4 rounds]
Rnd 10   *dc in next 3 stitches, dc2tog* around (40)

Rnd 11   *dc in next 2 stitches, dc2tog* around (30) 

Rnd 12  dc around (30)

Fasten Off