Crochet Butterfly Appliqué

So after trying (and failing) a few different butterfly patterns, which were too small, had two sets of wings or wouldn't lay flat, I finally wrote my own pattern. The pattern I wrote uses a very similar technique to this pattern which was too small. (Note: the original pattern is on Ravelry so if you're not a member you may not be able to access it)

Here is the pattern I wrote:
Using an I/9 (5.5mm) crochet hook and worsted weight yarn
Make magic loop, chain 3,
Rnd 1: Dc 12 in loop, close magic loop, Do Not join, ch 3, turn, (12st)
Rnd 2: Dc 2 in each dc, Do Not join, ch 3, turn, (24st)
Rnd 3: (dc 2 in nxt st, dc 1) 12 times, Do Not join, turn, (36st)
Rnd 4: *sk 4 st, dtr 9 in nxt st, sk 4 st, sl st,* (sk 3 st, dc 9 in nxt st, sk 3 st, sl st,) twice, repeat once from * to *, tie off, (if you leave this tail long you can use it sew the butterfly on)

Antenna: Sl st in 2nd sl st of rnd 4, ch 3, sl st around 12th dc of rnd 2, ch 3, sl st in  magic loop, ch 9 very tight, ch 1 very loose, ch 9 very tight, sl st in magic loop, tie off, weave in ends, cut the loose ch, pull out short threads, pull others tight and cut them to be the same length.

Crochet Puppet Scarf

One day while causally browsing Ravelry's free crochet pattern data base, I ran across this adorable scarf which had puppets on the end. It was such a fun idea I instantly added it to my favorites and tried to think of someone to make it for. Eventually I thought of a little four year old girl who loves puppies (what four year old doesn't?) and rainbows. Since the original pattern didn't have dog puppets I had to tweak the ears and the nose a little to make them look like puppies. I also decided to add wiggle eyes instead of the crocheted eyes the pattern dictated.

 For the nose I just omitted round 29, and for the ears I wrote a new pattern:
ch 6 (leave a tail long enough to sew with)
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc 3, ch 2, turn,
Row 2: dc 2 in next st, dc 2, dc 2 in next st, ch 2, turn
Row 3: dc 2 in next st, dc 1, (dc 2 in next st) twice, dc 1, dc 2 in next st, ch 2, turn,
Row 4: (Dc2tog) twice, dc 2, (dc2tog) twice, ch 2, turn,
Row 5: (dc2tog) 3 times, turn
Row 6: sk 1st st, hdc 3 in next st, sl st in next st, tie off. weave in this end only and use the other end to attach it to the puppet

I think overall after all my changes it turned out pretty cute. :)

Granny Square Bag

Here is a really simple idea that I found a while back...

 Just take three granny squares that are the same size...

 Fold them in half diagonally, sew the edges together (as shown below) and add a handle to make a bag! I'm sure you could use blocks other than granny squares to get a unique designs. For my squares I decided to change colors every two rounds...

You can also use an extra square to make a flap as shown  here (the place I originally found the pattern)

Crochet Puppy Dog Package

Spring is supposed to be coming and now it seems as though there is a baby shower every weekend...well I guess that means my crochet schedule will be packed with hats and booties for the little ones. I think it's time for some variety, so here comes my puppy dog package.

 Even though I did not use the yarn the pattern called for I still think it looks cozy.

 The cute, matching gift bag and tag are contributions of  Spare Thyme Ink.

Shells and Flowers hat

This is the pattern that really got me going on baby hats, and to write my baby football beanie pattern. I love the shells and the incorporated flowers. Unfortunately I ran out of yarn and had to omit/change the last few rounds. You can find the pattern here but I'm not sure if you'll be able to link to it if you don't have an account on ravelry.

Once again I made a matching fleece blanket with a crocheted edge.

Mi Ami Ami Dogs

   Okay the title to this post is somewhat misleading...these are not "my" amigurumi dog patterns, but I did follow the pattern to make these adorable dogs. For a Christmas gift I was given two books written by Mitsuki Hoshi Ami Ami Dogs and its sequel, Ami Ami Dogs 2.

 Mi Ami Ami Husky

 

Mi Ami Ami Labrador

 Mi Ami Ami Dogs Birthday Party

And last but not least Mi Ami Ami Cell Phone Charm.

Crochet Paper Valentines Edging

Only days before I realized that I needed to make Valentines, I gave away all my scrapbook paper because "I wasn't going to get into paper crafting". When I decided that it was time to make Valentines I knew that I wanted to crochet them, and after browsing through google images I determined that I would crochet around card stock... even though I had just gotten rid of all my paper. So I asked my mom (of SpareThymeInk), who daily swims in paper crafts, if she would help me cut out some paper hearts with holes around the edge on her Silhouette Cameo (a paper die cut machine...will try to post cutting file soon.)

So this is me "not getting into paper crafting"

The pattern is actually very similar to my fleece baby blankets...except that (depending on what edging you do) it matters where you start.

With crochet thread and any crochet hook that will fit through the hole you punched, (I used a #2),
Rnd 1: sc in the start stitch, ch 1, (sc, ch 1) in each st until you get to the corner stitch.

(sc, ch 1) 3 times in the corner stitch

(sc, ch 1) in each st until you get to the start stitch again, then sl st in the 1st sc, (NOTE: For the rest of the pattern you will only be working in the sc sts.)

Rnd 2: (Hdc 5 in nxt st, sl st in nxt st) all the way around (NOTE: you don't have to do anything different for the corner st), sl st in 1st sc of rnd 1, fasten off, weave in ends. Write your message. (I tied to refrain from using the ones I marked the stitches on.) <3