“Jowls!” A dog toy

Mister calls Louis “jowls” all the time. He’s got some loose lips on him and my all time favorite movie is Jaws, so in my household it’s the best knick name. 😍
Louis is a crazy little beast who adores toys and sits ever so sweetly in my lap as I crochet, so I thought it was about time to make him something.
I present to you:
JOWLS!!!

Supplies:

* G-hook
* Worsted weight yarn
* Yarn needle
* Poly-fill stuffing
* Squeaker ( optional )

Terms:

* ch – chain
* sc – single crochet
* inc – increase
* dec – decrease
* slp st – slip stitch
* hdc – half double crochet

Special Notes:

* Make sure to pull your stitches tight! It will make the toy stronger and keep your stuffing in.
* If your dog is a destroyer, I suggest using a cotton yarn. Thankfully Louis does not eat his toys so we don’t have to worry about him swallowing acrylic yarn.
* If you’re going to use a squeaker, stuff the shark halfway, insert the squeaker, and stuff the sides around it firmly.

Pattern:
Body:
Ch 2
1. 5sc in the second ch from hk – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3. ( sc, inc )5x – 15
4. ( sc 2, inc )5x – 20
5. sc around – 20
6. ( sc 3, inc )5x – 25
7. sc around – 25
8. ( sc 4, inc )5x – 30
9. sc around – 30
10. ( sc 5, inc )5x – 35
11. sc around – 35
12. sc around – 35
13. ( sc 6, inc )5x – 40
14. sc around – 40
15. sc around- 40
16. ( sc 7, inc )5x – 45
17. sc around – 45
18. ( sc 8, inc )5x – 50
19-26. sc around – 50 each row
27. ( sc 8, dec )5x – 45
28-29. sc around – 45
30. ( sc 7, dec )5x – 40
31. sc around – 40
32. ( sc 6, dec )5x – 35
33-34. sc around – 35
35. ( sc 5, dec )5x – 30
36. sc around – 30
Start Stuffing
37. ( sc 4, dec )5x – 25
38. sc around – 25
39. ( sc 3, dec )5x – 20
40. sc around – 20
41. ( sc 2, dec )5x – 15
42-46. sc around – 15
Sew tail end shut flat. Weave in ends.

Side Fins: make two
Ch 2
1. 4sc in second ch from hk – 4
2. 2sc in each st around – 8
3. sc around – 8
4. ( sc, inc )4x – 12
5. sc around – 12
6. ( sc 2, inc )4x – 16
7. sc around – 16
8. dec 2, sc 12 – 14
9. dec, sc 12 – 13
10. slp st 7, hdc 2, slp st 4, fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.

Dorsel fin:
ch 2
1. 4sc in second ch from hk – 4
2. 2sc in each st around – 8
3. sc around – 8
4. ( sc, inc )4x – 12
5. sc around – 12
6. ( sc 2, inc )4x – 16
7. sc around – 16
8. sc around – 16
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.

Tail Fin: make two
Ch 2
1. 6sc in second ch from hk – 6
2. sc around – 6
3. inc, inc, sc 4 – 8
4. sc around – 8
5. sc 2, inc, inc, sc 4 – 10
6. sc around – 10
7. sc 4, inc, inc, sc 4 – 12
8. sc 5, inc, sc 6 – 13
9. sc around – 13
Fasten off, sew the ends shut flat, leave long tail for sewing to body.

“Tail Center”
Holding two strands of yarn together,
Ch 7
1. starting in second ch from hk: sc across – 6
2. ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2, dec – 4
3. ch 1, turn, dec, dec – 2
4. ch 1, turn, dec
5. ch 1, turn, sc
Fasten off, weave in ends.

Tail Assembly:
Line up edges as shown, sew together.

Sew the tail onto the body. I doubled my yarn and ran it a few times to make it strong.
Being that it is for a dog, I used embroidery floss for the eyes, no risking him swallowing plastic safety eyes.
Finished size 9 1/2 inches long from tip of nose to tail.

As you can see, someone knew it was his and was not feeling the photo shoot.

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I’ve learned to knit! ( barely )

Hope everyone had a happy holiday and the new year is good to you as well!
For the first time in a long while, we decided to just stay home this year and had the most amazing and calm Christmas. I took the opportunity to try my hand at something new. I’ve started knitting! It’s something I’ve been wanting to get into and just never found the time.
I have much to learn and lots of practice to go, but I feel I’m off to a good start.

I’m loving chunky wool, it makes such delicious and warm hats! The shawl was a gift for my mother for Christmas, she loved it. 😊
Also working on some new crochet hats. Trying to be prepared this year for the craft fair season and am working out patterns and items I want to sell. I feel the knit hat is on my list, but still on the fence with the tunsian hat, it mocks knit so well, is very thick and warm, but a bit stiff. The Pom Pom one is definitely on my list to make more of. It’s so soft and has an amazing slouchy drape!

By the way, was gifted a clover Pom Pom maker, I highly recommend getting one. They are amazing!!
Well that’s it for now.

Strawberries and Cream

I’ve been in love with Tunisian crochet lately. I just love the way it stays loose and yet thick. So I decided to make a scarf using the Gobelin stitch. It’s a bit of a yarn eater, but oh so squishy in the finished form!! I grabbed some left over Caron one pound I had from a previous project and got to work. My daughter named it, she said its all she could thing of while I made it!! So here’s how I made the strawberries and cream scarf:
Supplies:
-worsted weight yarn, I used Caron One Pound
-afghan hook, size J ( out of personal preference, I’m using an extended hook, you don’t need to, you can use a basic straight one )
-yarn needle

Ch 30
Starting in second ch from hk:
1. *Insert hk into ch, yarn over, pull through, leave loop on hk.

Insert hk through next ch, yarn over, pull through, leave loop on hk* repeat across ch. -30 loops on hk

2. Yarn over hk, pull through first loop.
Yarn over hk, pull through next TWO loops.
*yarn over hk, pull through nest TWO LOOPS* repeat across.
You’ll end with one loop on hk.

Now we’re going to use the space between the stitches:

3. Insert hk through vertical space ( 1 ), yarn over hk, pull through, leave loop on hk. Insert hk through next vertical space ( 2 ), yarn over hk, pull through, leave loop on hk

Continue using vertical spaces until the end, skip the last vertical space and insert hk through the ch spot, yarn over, pull through. -30 loops on hk

4. Yarn over hk, pull through first loop. *Yarn over hk, pull through next TWO LOOPS.* repeat until end, ending with one loop on hk.

5. insert hk through second vertical space ( 2 ), yarn over hk, pull through, leave loop on hk. *Insert hk through next vertical space ( 3 ), yarn over, pull through, leave loop on hk.*

repeat to end, including the last vertical space. Insert hk into ch space, yarn over, pull through -30 loops on hk
Repeat rows 2 – 5 until,desired length.

To finish:
Finish on a repeat of row 4, fasten off the yarn leaving a long tail.
You can sew the two ends together or leave as a straight scarf, your choice!

Taxidermy Rudolph!!

Ok, this guy cracks me up! I know he’s not for everyone, but come on, how cute and funny is he!! He’s on the small side so you can make him as a stocking stuffer or just some silly holiday decor.

**_Terms:_**
ch – chain
hk – hook
sc – single crochet
inc – increase
dec – decrease

**_Supplies:_**

* G hook
* Two shades of yarn in medium weight 4 for the head and antlers
* Red yarn in medium weight 4
* Poly fil stuffing
* Safety eyes or embroidery floss
* Yarn needle
* Wooden plaque for mounting ( optional )
* Green yarn in medium weight 4 for holly leaves ( optional )

**_Head:_**
Ch 2
1. 5sc in second ch from hk – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3. ( sc, inc )5x – 15
4. ( sc 2, inc )5x – 20
5-7. sc around – 20
8. dec 3, sc 5, inc, sc, inc, sc, inc, sc 4 – 20
9. inc 2, sc, inc 2, sc 6, inc, sc 8 – 25
10. inc 2, sc 6, inc 2, sc 6, inc, sc 8 – 30
11. sc 3, inc 5, sc 22 – 35
12 – 16. sc around – 35
17. ( sc 5, dec )5x – 30
18. sc around – 30
Attach eyes now if using safety eyes, begin stuffing.
19. ( sc 4, dec )5x – 25
20. ( sc 3, dec )5x – 20
Do remaining rows in back loops only to help keep the back of the head flat.
21. ( sc 2, dec )5x – 15
22. ( sc, dec )5x – 10
23. dec 5
Sew shut, leave long tail for attaching to board.

**_Nose:_**
Using red, ch 2
1. 5sc in second ch from hk – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3. sc around – 10
4. ( sc, dec )3x, sc
Fasten off, stuff lightly, leave long tail for sewing.

_**Ears:**_ make two
Using head color ch 2
1. 5 sc in the second ch from hk – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3. ( sc, inc )5x – 15
4. sc around – 15
5. ( sc 3, dec )3x – 12
7. sc around – 12
8. ( sc 4, dec )2x – 10
9-10. sc around – 10 each row
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.
**Inside: **make two ( optional )
Using lighter color ch 3
1. starting in 2nd ch from hk, sc across – 2
2. ch 1, turn, sc across – 2
3. ch 1, turn, inc, sc – 3
4. ch 1, turn, sc across – 3
5. ch 1, turn, sc, inc, sc – 4
Sc around whole piece to clean up edges.
Fasten off, leave long tail, sew into ear.
Do not stuff

**_Antlers:_**
Ch 2
1. 6sc in the second ch from hk – 6
2-4. sc around – 24
Fasten off, stuff lightly, leave long tail for sewing.

**_Holly leaves:_**
I used the awesome pattern by this lovely lady:

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/holly-leaves.html

I used three different hook sizes when making my leaves in order to have three different sized leaves.

**_Assembly:_**
_Sew head together first in this order:_

* Ears
* Antlers
* Nose

_If using holly leaves and board:_

* Make sure to attach hanger to back of board or drill holes for hanging first
* Drill two holes completely through to tie the head on

* Run yarn from the back of head through the two holes and knot securely to the back of board.
* I added a couple of small stitches to the leaves to make them one piece
* Then used three small dabs of hot glue to the two ends and bottom to glue on
* Finished size: Head – 2 1/2 inches not counting antlers

Mini tree topper Carol-er

My love of vintage and mid-century shows its head with this one. I recently acquired some of my grandmothers paper angel and carolers. You know the ones I mean, with the paper cone bases and plastic heads. Well as I was gently trying to clean them up it struck me how fun they could be to make!
So here she is. She sits perfectly on a mini table top tree ( used my grandmas for the photo, it only seemed fitting ) or make a bunch in different colors and line them up on a mantle.

_**Supplies:**_
F – hook
G – hook
Yarn : any worsted weight. skin tone, white, any color for dress, bonnet, and hair
Poly-fil stuffing
Yarn needle
Embroidery floss for eyes and mouth
Ribbon ( optional )

_**Terms:**_
ch – chain
hk – hook
st – stitch
sc – single crochet
inc – increase ( two sc in the same stitch )
dec – decrease ( single crochet two sts together )

_**Head/Base:**_
Using the F hook and skin tone, ch 2
1. 5sc in the second ch from hk – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3. ( sc, inc )5x – 15
4. ( sc 2, inc )5x – 20
5. ( sc 3, inc )5x – 25
6 – 10. sc around – 25 each row
11. ( sc 3, dec )5x – 20
12. ( sc 2, dec )5x – 15
Begin stuffing, stuff firmly.
13. ( sc, dec )5x – 10
14. dec 5 – 5
15. In front loops only: 2sc in each st around – 10
16. ( sc, inc )5x – 15
17-18. sc around – 15
19. ( sc 2, inches )5x – 20
20. sc around – 20
21. ( sc 3, inc )5x – 25
22. sc around – 25
23. ( sc 4, inc )5x – 30
24. sc around – 30
25. ( sc 5, inc )5x – 35
26. sc around – 35
27. ( sc 6, inc )5x – 40
28-35. sc around – 40
Fasten off, weave in ends.

**_Arms:_ make two**
Using F hook and skin tone
Ch 2
1. 6sc in second ch from hk – 6
2. sc around – 6
3. sc around – 6
Switch to dress color
4. sc around – 6
5-12. sc around – each row
Fasten off, do not stuff, leave long tail for sewing.

_**Hair:**_
Using F hook, Ch 2
1. 5sc in second ch from hk – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3. ( sc, inc )5x – 15
4. ( sc 2, inc )5x – 20
5. ( sc 3, inc )5x – 25
6-10. sc around – 25 each row
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.
**_Bun:_**
Using hair color, ch 2
1. 5sc in second ch from hk – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3-4. sc around – 10 each row
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.

**_Dress:_**
Using G hook and dress color
Ch 24 ( leave a long tail at end of ch, we’ll use it later )Slip at the first ch to the last ch to form a ring.
1. Being careful not to twist your chain, sc around – 24
2-3. sc around -24 each row
4. ( sc 5, inc )4x – 28
5. sc around – 28
6. ( sc 6, inc )4x – 32
7. sc around – 32
8. ( sc 7, inc )4x – 36
9. sc around – 36
10. ( sc 8, inc )4x – 40
11. sc around – 40
12. ( sc 9, inc )4x – 44
13. sc around – 44
14. ( sc 10, inc )4x – 48
15-16. sc around – 48
Fasten off, weave in end.

**_Bonnet:_**
Using G hook and dress color
Ch 4
1. starting in second ch from hk, sc – 3
2. ch 1, turn, sc across – 3
3. ch 1, turn, sc across – 3
4. ch 1, turn, sc, inc, sc – 4
5. ch 1, turn, sc across – 4
6. ch 1, turn, sc, inc, sc, inc – 6
7. ch 1, turn, sc across – 6
8. ch 1, turn, sc 5, inc – 7
9-22. ch 1, turn, sc across – 7 each row
23. ch 1, turn, dec, sc 5 – 6
24. ch 1, turn, sc across – 6
25. ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2, dec – 4
26. ch 1, turn, sc across – 4
27. ch 1, turn, sc, dec, sc – 3
28. ch 1, turn, sc across – 3
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing on.

**_Collar:_**
Using G hook and color of choice
Ch 24
1. starting in second ch from hk, across – 23
2. ch 1, turn, sc across – 23
3. ch 1, turn, sc 7, slp st 9, sc 7 – 23
Fasten off, leave tail for sewing.

**_Assembly:_**
-Sew on hair base, add bun wherever you’d like, stuff it lightly as you sew on.
-Add face details.
-Weave the long tail on the top of the dress loosely through the first row. It is going to act like a drawstring to tighten the neck.
-If you’re going to decorate the dress, it’s best to do it now while the dress is flat.
-Slide the base through the neck of the dress and pull the “drawstring”, the neck will cinch up tightly. Tie off.
-Sew the arms to the dress.
-Sew the collar in place.
-Sew the bonnet on.
– Finished size: 5 1/2 inches.

Snow Day Scarf ( super fast, last minute gift idea! )

Went to Michaels today, saw this yarn, fell in love, had to have it. That’s it, that’s the whole reason/inspiration behind this scarf!!

Seriously though, it worked up so thick, warm and squishy!! And bonus, even though it’s called wool ease, it’s machine washable!!
So here you go, make yourself something that laughs at the cold days when the snow just keeps falling.
Supplies:

Super Bulky yarn ( size 6 ) I used two skeins of Lions Brand Wool Ease in Hudson Bay
P – hook
Yarn needle

For this cowl, we’re going to work in the third loop of a hdc:

In the first photo, you’re looking at the hdc from the front, in the second photo, we’re looking at it from the top. Work all of your stitches into the marked loop.

Ch 100
Slp st to form a ring being careful not to twist.
1.Ch 2, hdc in each st around – 99
2.slp st into first 2 ch, hdc in the third loop of each st around – 99
3-10. Repeat row #2
Fasten off, weave in ends.

Look! You can wear it two ways!!
This one is super easy to customize, use more than one color, just switch colors on each row, make it thicker or thinner by adding or subtracting rows.
Have fun with it and stay cute and toasty!
Alright, I had this pattern written up and on hold for a couple of weeks now. It’s been scheduled to post this morning, I woke up, looked out the window, saw this:

First significant snowfall of the season! And it’s still going. Turns out this scarf was named properly!!
Following the pattern, this took me only a couple of hours. So if you need a cute last minute gift, it’s perfect. The yarn can run you up to $10 a skein depending on your location, but don’t fear, go online and grab yourself a coupon. Michaels and joanns always have coupons available on their websites! 😉

The making of a “scrap-ghan”

All yarn-ists, will inevitably have the issue of too many left over scrap balls. I found myself in this predicament recently and it was stressing me out. So many small balls of yarn taking up space, not big enough to do anything spectacular with, yet still enough to be unable justify just tossing them. I spent weeks trying to figure out what to do with them and then one day inspiration struck!
I love blankets, I’m notorious for heading straight to blanket sections of thrift stores and can whole heartily admit I have too many. However, when you live in New England and winter strikes, nothing is better than curling up on your couch wrapped in soft cozy blankets!
With that in mind, I made the scrap-ghan!

Get it scrap-afghan, scrap-ghan!? Anyway….
The stitch choice is crucial in my opinion, get it wrong and the blanket ends up a hot mess. I settled on a C2C ( corner to corner ). It works up quickly and makes a soft drape.

If you need instructions for this stitch, I highly suggest watching The Crochet Crowd video on YouTube.

My first step was to gather all my scrap balls and pair them up by size. I tried my best to keep one light color with one dark color, didn’t always work, but hey I tried. I should also note that I made sure to use all the same weight yarn to keep it cohesive. Mine are all worsted weight.
Next I grabbed my N-hook. Went with the large hook here because I held two strands of yarn together the whole time, hence the pairing of sizes!!
And then, just C2C, I had plenty of yarn and extended it into a rectangular shape as opposed to the typical square. This took me about a week to make, had issues with a certain someone being obsessed with it!

We had a lot of that going on….
What started as a way to use up yarn, quickly became my family’s favorite blanket! Everyone who sees it loves it and want their own. It’s so soft, warm, and squishy.

So save up all those leftovers and make a new blanket for your home. 😍

Tiny little turkey!

I don’t really decorate for thanksgiving, which is strange because I do love this time of year?! So I thought I needed to make something in honor of turkey day and of course a turkey was perfect!
Here he is, I just love him! He’s the perfect size for table settings, not too big and not too small.

_**Supplies:**_
G – hook
Medium weight ( 4 ) yarn: brown, yellow, and any color of choice for feathers
Safety eyes ( I used 9mm ) or black embroidery floss for eyes
Poly-fil stuffing
Yarn needle

_**Terms:**_
ch – chain
sc – single crochet
inc – increase ( 2 single crochets in same hook )
dec – decrease ( crochet 2 stitches together)
slp st – slip stitch

_**Head/Body:**_
Using brown, ch 2
1. sc 5 in second ch from hook – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3. ( sc, inc )5x – 15
4. ( sc 2, inc )5x – 20
5-8. sc around – 20
9. ( sc 2, dec )5x – 15
10. sc around – 15
If using safety eyes, attach to the sides of the head now. I put mine in between row #4&5
Begin stuffing
11. ( sc, dec )5x – 10
12-13. sc around – 10
14. ( sc, inc )3x, sc 4 – 13
15. ( sc 2, inc )3x, sc 4 – 16
16. ( sc 2, inc )4x – 20
17. ( sc 3, inc )5x – 25
18-21. sc around – 25
22. ( sc 3, dec )5x – 20
23. ( sc 2, dec )5x – 15
24. ( sc, dec )5x – 10
25. dec 6, sew shut, fasten off, weave in ends

**_Beak:_**
Using yellow, Ch 2
1. 4sc in the second ch from hook – 4
2. 2sc in each st around – 8
3. sc around – 8
4. ( sc, inc )4x – 12
5. sc around – 12
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.

**_Wings:_ Make two**
Using brown, ch 2
1. 5sc in second ch from hook – 5
2. 2sc in each st around – 10
3-7. sc around – 10 each row
8. dec 4 – 6
9-11. sc around – 6 each row
Whip st closed ( do not stuff ) leave long tail for sewing.

**_Legs_: Make two**
Using yellow, ch 2
1. 6sc in the second ch from hk – 6
2. 2sc in each st around – 12
3. ( sc, inc )6x – 18
4-5. sc around – 18 each row
6. ( sc, dec )6x – 12
7. dec 3, sc 5 – 9
8. sc, dec 2, sc 4 – 7
Begin stuffing.
9-12. sc around – 7 each row
Do not stuff last two rows of leg. Sew shut flat. Leave long tail for sewing to body

_**Feathers**_: **make at least four of each**
Using brown ch 13
1.starting in second ch from hk, sc 10, slp st 2 – 12
2. ch 1, turn, slp st 3, sc 8, inc – 13
3. Now continuing around the back of the chain: inc, sc 8, slp st 3 – 13
From this point, you will have 26 stitches around with a flat base.
4. ch 1, turn, slp st 5, sc 7, inc, sc, inc, sc 7, slp st 5- 29
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.
_Using any color you choose and an F-hook_
Follow the pattern for the feather base row 1-3.
Leave a long tail, sew onto the brown base

**_Wattle:_ Make two**
Using red
Ch 4
1. starting in second ch from hk, slp st 2.
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.

**_Assembly:_**
Sew the beak on stuffing lightly as you go.
Sew wattles under the beak.
Sew on the feathers.
Sew on wings.
Sew on legs

Finished size: 4 1/2 inches sitting down.

Costume time!!

My daughters school does “senior Halloween”. It’s a right of passage deal where only seniors are allowed to dress up for school. The classes are basically cancelled and the kids are encouraged to go full out and stay in character all day. I give those teachers so much credit, she’s taken photos and videos of previous classes and its utter chaos!!
But, this is her year! They start planning in early summer and its now crunch time.
All over town you can see the high schoolers running in and out of thrift stores looking for pieces, the goal is always to be the best!
Happily I got to make one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite shows!! Momma didn’t even mind helping out, even taking on some of her friends pieces to get this perfect for them.
We spent a total of $20 and still plan on getting orange hair dye ( I’m not kidding about how serious they take this! ) and a box of Scooby snacks for her to feed “Scooby” throughout the day. So all in all I think we did well. She also has pink tights and some amazing retro purple heels. But here it is:

They’ve been practicing posing as a group, character runs, walking and the iconic Scooby/shaggy jump. Also “Scooby” has a mini van so they’re all being picked up and entering school as a group. Can’t wait to see the group photos!!