Bumbee Pattern

Hooray!

I finally got my very first PDF pattern written and available for purchase!  It seemed like a lot of hassle to get all the little steps done, but now that I have a workflow, I expect it to go much faster the next time.  I will be listing my patterns on both Ravelry (where you do not have to be a member to purchase), and Etsy.  I have added links to both of these shops to my blog's sidebar so that they are always easy to find!
And here she is...

I decided to name her Bumbee.

It was hard choosing a name as all the good ones are taken, but this one felt just right.

I hope you folks like her!  Of course, I will continue to offer the occasional free pattern as before.  Also, I want to start a series of posts with tips and tricks for common crochet issues.  Ah, but now I'm getting ahead of myself.  For today I think I'll slow down a bit and enjoy today's accomplishment.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Free Crochet Bullfrog Pattern!

Happy Spring!

I enjoy celebrating the seasons.  Not necessarily from a pagan perspective, but from a naturalist perspective. I love the changing seasons and all the natural cycles that are dictated by these changes.

As one season fades into the next, I feel an internal change; a shift towards something positive.

I like to think it is me growing more and more into myself as I age.

I made my toddler a Bullfrog amigurumi as a Spring gift.

I am sharing the pattern with my readers (few as they may be) in celebration of this beautiful season of life and new beginnings.

Enjoy!

Bullfrog Amigurumi

Materials:    yarn, safety eyes (or whatever you will be using for eyes), something to stuff your ami with (I used polyester fiber fill), and a crochet hook, yarn needle, and scissors

Gauge and yarn weight will determine the final size of your ami.  I used worsted weight and held two strands together throughout, and an H hook.  For eyes I used a pair of safety eyes that were gifted to me.  They seem to be a combo of googly and safety eye.  Regular safety eyes will also work.  You can use buttons or make eyes out of felt or yarn.  Be creative!

Head and Body:  worked in the round
Rnd 1:  6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Rnd 2:  2 sc increase in each st around (12)
Rnd 3:  sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 4:  (2sc increase in first st, sc in next st) repeat around (18)
Rnd 5: sc in each st around (18)
Rnd 6:  (2 sc increase in first st, sc in each of next 2 sts) repeat around (24)
Rnd 7: sc in each st around (24)
Rnd 8:  sc in first 6 sts, 2 sc increase in next st, sc in next 13 sts, 2 sc increase in next st, sc in last 3 sts  (26)
Rnds 9-12:  sc in each st around (26)
Place safety eyes between rounds 7 & 8
Rnd 13:  sc in first 7 sts, decrease, sc in next 10 sc, decrease, sc in next 5 sts (24)
Rnds 14-16:  sc in each st around (24)
Rnd 17:  sc in first 6 sts, decrease, sc in next 9 sc, decrease, sc in next 5 sts (22)
Rnd 18: sc in first 5 sts, decrease, sc in next 8 sts, decrease, sc in next 5 sts (20)
Rnd 19- 20: sc in each st around (20)
Rnd 21: (decrease, sc in next st) repeat 6 times, decrease in last 2 sts  (13)
Rnd 22: (decrease, sc in next st) repeat 4 times, sc in last st  (9)
Rnd 23 : decrease a final time and leave the rest of the round unworked, finish off & leave tail slightly long to sew body shut with
Stuff & weave yarn through last 8 sts, pull tight and tie off, weave in end

Thigh: worked in the round, make 2
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 2 sc increase in first st, sc in remaining sts around  (7)
Rnds 3-5: sc in each st around (7)
Rnd 6:  2 sc increase in first st, sc in remaining sts (8)
Rnd 7-11:  sc in each st around (8)
finish off, stuff lightly, weave yarn through the 8 sts, pull tight and tie off, leave yarn long for attaching to body

Calf:  worked in the round, make 2
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnds 2-10: sc in each st around (6)
finish off, do not stuff, weave yarn through the 6 sts, pull tight and tie off, leave yarn long for assembly

Foot: make 2
ch3, turn
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, ch 1, turn (2)
Row 2: increase in first st, sc in next st, ch 1, turn  (3)
Row 3: increase in first st, sc in next 2 sts , ch 1, turn (4)
Rows 4-7:  sc in each st across, ch 1, turn (4)
Row 8: ch3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 4 sts, ch 1, turn
Row 9: sc in first 3 sts, ch 1, turn (3)
Row 10: ch3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in first st, (ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next sc) twice
finish off, weave in end

Arms: worked in the round, make 2
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
Rnds 2-6:  sc in each st around (6)
Ch 1, turn, this begins the hand section
flatten opening of arm and work through both sides to close
Row 1: sc three times across (3)
Row 2: ch3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in first st, (ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next sc) twice (3picots)
finish off, weave in end

Assembly: use the images as a guide :)
The end of the thigh that was cinched closed is attached to the body at the rear with the other end pointing towards the front of the body.  The cinched end of the calf is attached to the magic ring end of the thigh with the other end of the calf pointing towards the back of the body.  It is easiest to attach these two parts while holding them next to each other or stacked on top of each other as opposed to holding them end to end.  The foot is attached to the ankle with the toes facing towards the front.  The arms are attached at the sides slightly towards the underside, but not quite underneath the body.  Try to hold them against his body with the fingers pointing towards the front as you attach them so that they point forward as opposed to straight out to the sides.

Weave in any ends, and don't forget to kiss him!

Feel free to comment if you have any questions.

free Jack 'O' Lantern coin purse pattern

In honor of Halloween, I whipped up this super quick, super easy pattern for a Jack o' lantern coin purse. 

Enjoy!

Jack o' lantern coin purse

 What I used: 2 different shades of orange worsted weight yarn (A&B), a G hook, scraps of black felt, a small amount of green worsted weight yarn, a coordinating 7 in. green zipper, two large black buttons, black embroidery thread, a tapestry needle, & a yarn needle.

In true Jack o' lantern fashion, I suggest you put your own spin on it!  You can use yellow felt if you want the lit up look, or perhaps you prefer a solid orange pumpkin, or even a white pumpkin!  Have fun with it!  

PATTERN

with A, ch 32 

(I made my coin purse rather large as I often like to use them as wallets, but if you prefer a smaller coin purse, I suggest you ch 28 for beginning chain, and work 27 sc across for all subsequent rows)

row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hk & each ch across (31)

row 2: ch1, turn, sc across (27)

switch to B

rows 3 & 4: repeat row 2

switch to A

rows 5 & 6: repeat row 2

continue pattern for 22 rows, finish off both colors (I suggest 18 if you are making a smaller version)

TIP: When switching colors in rows this way, I find it easier to drop one strand of yarn, work the next color, then pick up that yarn again, as opposed to finishing off at the end of each row.  This way there are WAY less ends to weave in!  Here is how I do that:  At the end of the row of one color, yarn over, pull up a loop, and pull tightly on that loop so your work is secured.  Next attach your next color and work your rows and finish off in the same way, also leaving a loop.  When you go to pick up the previous color, insert your hook in the loop and pull the loop snug around your hook.  Slip stitch up the side of your work until you are where you need to be (for this project I sl stitched twice), ch 1, and continue working the pattern!

Fold work in half with stripes running vertically.  Use a long length of orange yarn and a yarn needle to sew the sides closed, leaving the top open. 

Turn work inside out.

Attach Green just before one of the side seams along the top opening.

round 1: ch 1, sc around the top -- you will be working in the sides of your previous stitches  (the number of stitches doesn't really matter here, as long as you work as evenly as you can, trying not to decrease or increase the circumference)

round 2:  this round you will sc in each sc around, decreasing twice above each side seam for a total of 4 decreases, sl st in next st, finish off

Sew your zipper along the top opening using green yarn & a yarn needle.  Keep the stitches small enough where a coin cannot slip through. Since it is made in sc, there is no need for a liner, but one in a nice Halloween or Autumn fabric would look lovely!  I chose not to add a liner because I suck at sewing, and I was running short on time to get this posted before Halloween!

Clip off the excess section of zipper, & sew over the end a few times to ensure that it doesn't open. (I don't know if this last step is even necessary, but I always do it for good measure.)

Braid a few pieces of yarn as a zipper pull.

weave in ends

Next, design your face!  Play around with your design until you find one you like!  Cut out your shapes in black or yellow felt, and sew onto your coin purse using embroidery floss.  I sewed mine on using blanket stitch.  Add buttons, and whatever notions you'd like!

 

 

 

Trick-Or-Treat!