Mermaid Shell Beanie (Adult)

H hook
5 oz Caron Simply Soft
Gauge: rnd 1 = 2"

Special stitches:
Beg trcl- ch 3, yo twice, insert hook into stitch indicated, pull up loop, *yo, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from* twice more. Beg trcl completed.

trcl- *yo twice, insert hook into stitch indicated, pull up loop, **yo, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from** once more. Repeat from * once. Yo, pull through all 3 loops. trcl completed.

Begin with magic circle.
Rnd 1: Beg trcl, 12 trcl into magic circle. Pull magic circle tightly closed, sl st into tr from beg trcl (13 cl)
Rnd 2: ch 3, dc, sc in same st. *2dc, sc in next st. Repeat from * 11 more times. Sl st into top of beg ch 3.
Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in same st, sk next st, *3 dc in next st, sc in next st, sk next st. Repeat from * 11 more times. End with 3 dc in next st, sl st into beg sc.
Rnd 4: ch 3, 2dc in same st, *sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st, 3 dc in next st. Repeat from * 11 more times. sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.
Rnd 5: sl st into next st, ch 1, sc in same st. *sk next st, 3 dc in next st, sk next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * 11 more times. sk next st, 3 dc in next st, sk next st, join with sl st in beg sc.
Rnds 6-7: Repeat rnds 4-5.
Rnd 8: ch 3, 4 dc in same st, *sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st, 5 dc in next st. Repeat from * 11 more times. sk next st, sc in next st, sk next st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.
Rnd 9: sl st into next 2 sts, ch 1, sc in same st. *sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st. Repeat from * 11 more times. sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk next 2 sts, join with sl st in beg sc
Rnd 10: ch 3, 4 dc in same st. *sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st. Repeat from * 11 more times. sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, sk next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.
Rnds 11-22: Repeat rnds 9-10
Rnds 23-24: ch 1, hdc in same st and each st around, join with sl st in beg hdc
Rnd 25: ch 1, sc in same st and each st around. Sl st into beg sc, fasten off. Weave in ends.

Super Hero Play Mask Crochet Patterns (Small and Large)

Toddler/small child super hero mask
G hook
Small amount worsted weight yarn
8"+ braided elastic (or length needed for custom fit)

Ch 25.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch 1, turn
Row 2: sc across, turn
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 2 sts, ch 10, sk next 8 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch 10, sk next 8sts, dc in last 3 sts, turn
Row 4: ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in next st, dc in next st, dc in next 2 chs, 2 dc in each of the next 3 chs, dc in next 3 chs, 2 hdc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc2tog over next 2 sts, hdc in next ch, 2 hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 chs, 2 dc in next 3 chs, dc in next 2 chs, dc in next st, hdc in next st, hdc in top ch of ch 3 from previous row, ch 1, do not turn.
Row 4 continued: Rotate work to continue along side. Sc 6 sts along side, rotate work and sc across in opposite side of beg ch, rotate work and work 6 sc evenly across last side. Sl st in next st and fasten off. Weave in ends. Attach elastic to each side of mask between rows 2 and 3, stretching elastic on end to tie, leaving little overhang. Folded flat in half, you want it to measure approximately 7" for a total circumference of 14" unstretched. Tie a tight double knot to secure.

Medium/Large Child-Adult
G hook
Small amount worsted weight yarn
8"+ braided elastic (or length needed for custom fit)

Ch 36.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch 1, turn
Row 2: sc across, turn
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next 4 sts, ch 12, sk next 11 sts, dc in next st, tr in next st, dc in next st, ch 12, sk next 11 sts, dc in last 5 sts, turn
Row 4: ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in next 3 sts, dc in next st, dc in next 4 chs, 2 dc in each of the next 3 chs, dc in next 3 chs, 2 hdc in each of the next 2 chs, sc3tog over next 3 sts, 2 hdc in each of the next 2 chs, dc in next 3 chs, 2 dc in each of the next 3 chs, dc in next 4 chs, dc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc in top ch of ch 3 from previous row, ch 1, do not turn.
Row 4 continued: Rotate work to continue along side. Sc 6 sts along side, rotate work and sc across in opposite side of beg ch, rotate work and work 5 sc evenly across last side. Sl st in next st and fasten off. Weave in ends. Attach elastic to each side of mask between rows 2 and 3, stretching elastic on end to tie, leaving little overhang. Folded flat in half, you want it to measure approximately 8" for a total circumference of 16" unstretched. Tie a tight double knot to secure.

Flower Fairy & Mushroom Amigurumi (Free)

Today is my birthday and as my birthday present to you, here is Flower Fairy. I made the little basket with Easter in mind. I just love the look of the jelly beans. Yum! Of course, thank you Lotte for the idea!

Difficulty: This is an intermediate pattern, but the hair is difficult. I have been wanting to do this technique for a while, because I hate doing fringed hair. I am of course not the first, nor the last person to use this method of making hair. MyGurumi has an excellent tutorial for making hair. If you scroll down, you will see a method similar to the one I used. Her "troll with a short haired curly wig" has been made with the same concept. Please refer to that if you have trouble. http://mygurumi.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-amigurumi-hair.html

Also, like I have said before, if you are unfamiliar with the adjustable loop, it is also known as the Magic Ring. June Gilbank has an excellent tutorial. http://www.planetjune.com/blog/magic-ring-for-amigurumi/ If you are uncomfortable, please use the "ch 2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook method instead through rnd 1.

Materials:
F hook
small amounts of Cream, Hot Pink, Hot Blue, Hot Green, Hot Orange, and White worsted weight yarn (I use Sugar'n Cream)
Stitch Markers
tapestry needle
2-6mm black amimal eyes


Notes: Parts are worked in continuous rounds without joining unless otherwise specified. Mark stitches to keep track of rows.

Hair:
Note: Hair is worked as a traditional sc circle, but with hair strands every 2 sts. Hair strands do not count as a st, so ignore them when working in "next sc." Work around hair strands, pulling them forward toward you.
With Hot Pink, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: [2 sc in loop, {ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs} hair strand made] 3 times (6sc, 3 hair strands)
Rnd 2: [2 sc in next sc of rnd 1, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs] repeat around (12sc, 6 hair strands)
Rnd 3: [sc in next 2 sc of rnd 2, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs, continuing rnd 3, sc in same st of rnd 2, sc in next sc, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs, 2 sc in next sc of rnd 2, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs] repeat around (18sc, 9 hair strands)
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sc of rnd 3, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs, continuing rnd 4, 2 sc in next st of rnd 3, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs] repeat around (24sc, 12 hair strands)
Rnd 5: [sc in next 2 sc of rnd 4, ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 8 chs] 8 times, [sc in next 2 sc of rnd 4, ch 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc remaining 5 chs] 4 times, sl st in beg sc, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing (24sc, 8 long strands, 4 short strands)

Head & Body:
With Cream, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12sc)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (18sc)
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (24sc)
Rnd 5-8: sc around (24 sts each rnd)
Rnd 9: [sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog] repeat around (18sc)
Rnd 10: [sc in next st, sc2tog] repeat around (12sc)
**Put safety eyes in between rnds 6 and 7 now if desired**
Rnd 11-12: sc around
Rnd 13: [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (18sc)
Rnd 14: sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts (20sc)
Rnd 15: sc in next 11 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts (22sc)
Rnd 16: sc in next 10 sts, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc in next 4 sts (18sc)
Rnd 17-24: sc around (18 sts each rnd)
**STUFF**
Rnd 25: [sc2tog] repeat around (9sc)
Rnd 26: [sc2tog] repeat around, sc in last st, sl st into next st, fasten off. Weave tail through each st of rnd 26, pull taut, knot to secure and weave in end (5sc)

Dress:
With Hot Green, Ch 24, join with sl st in 1st ch to create a ring, being careful not to twist ch.
Dress Skirt
Note: Beg ch 3 counts as dc.
Rnd 1-4: ch 3 (mark bottom of ch 3 where ring was formed), dc in each st around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3 (24 sts each rnd)
Rnd 5: [{ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, sk next st of rnd 4, sl st in next st} point made] repeat around, make last sl st in sl st in top of ch 3 of rnd 4 (12 points)
Dress Bodice
Rnd 1: Working on other side of foundation ch, join with sl st in marked st, sc in same st, sc in each remaining st around (24sc)
Rnd 2: sc in next 11 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts (26sc)
Rnd 3: sc in next 12 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 10 sts (28sc)
Rnd 4: sc in next 11 sts, [sc2tog] 4 times, sc in next 9 sts (24sc)
Rnd 5: (sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) twice, ch 5, sk next st, sc in next st, sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog, sc in next st, ch 5, sk next st, sc2tog in next st, sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog (13 sc, 2-ch5 spcs)

Wings:
With White, Ch 25, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts, sc in next 8 sts, hdc in next 5 sts, dc in next st, 6 dc in next st, working on other side of foundation ch, dc in next st, hdc in next 5 sts, sc in next 8 sts, hdc in next 5 sts, dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Arms (Make 2):
With Cream, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6sc)
Rnd 2-12: sc around, sl st into next st and fasten off leaving long tail for sewing at end of rnd 12 (6 sts each rnd)

Legs (Make 2):
With Cream, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 8 sc in loop, pull loop taut (8sc)
Rnd 2-15: sc around, sl st into next st and fasten off leaving long tail for sewing at end of rnd 15 (8 sts each rnd)

Finishing: Weave tail in and out of sts of rnd 26 of body, pull taut and knot to secure. Sew hair to top of head, lining up 4 shorter hair strands in front for bangs, centered with bust, and tack down on all sides of head. Sew legs to bottom of body. Place dress on body, lining bust of body up with bust of dress. Weave tail through sts of rnd 12 of arms. Sew sides of arms to body through arm holes (straps) made in dress. Sew wings to back of body, sewing through dress and body to secure. Sew mouth to rnd 9 of face, using 2 strands of 4ply yarn or embroidery thread.

Mushroom:
With Hot Blue, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12sc)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (18sc)
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (24sc)
Rnd 5: [sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (30sc)
Rnd 6: [sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (36sc)
Rnd 7: [sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (42sc)
Rnd 8-14: sc around (42 sts each rnd)
Rnd 15: [sc in next 5 sts, sc2tog] repeat around (36sc)
Rnd 16: [sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog] repeat around, sl st into next st, fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing (30sc)
Large Spot (Make 2):
With White, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12sc)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] repeat around, sl st into next st, fasten off leaving long tail for sewing (18sc)
Small Spot (Make 2):
With White, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around, fasten off leaving long tail for sewing (12sc
**Sew Spots to Mushroom, alternating between large and small.**
Bottom of Mushroom:
With White, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12sc)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (18sc)
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (24sc)
Rnd 5: [sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (30sc)
Rnd 6-8 sc around, sl st into next st and fasten off at end of rnd 8 (30 sts each rnd)
**Begin sewing bottom of mushroom to top, leaving an opening for stuffing. Place pennies in bottom of mushroom before closing up to give it some weight and stability if desired.**

Basket:
With Hot Orange, Make adjustable loop, ch 1.
Rnd 1: 6 sc in loop, pull loop taut (6sc)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (12sc)
Rnd 3: [sc in next st, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (18sc)
Rnd 4: [sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st] repeat around (24sc)
Rnd 5-7: sc around, sl st into next st (24sc)
Rnd 8 (handle): ch 15, sk next 12 sts, sl st in next st being careful not to twist ch, sl st in next st, ch 1, sc in each of the next 15 chs, sl st in next st of rnd 7, fasten off.

Looking For Ideas...

I want to design a new ami for Easter and/or Spring. I am going to post it as a free pattern here, so please let me know what you would like to see. I am trying to stay away from the traditional rabbit or egg, because there are so many out there already. :)

What I've Been Making

Though I haven't been busy making up new patterns lately, I've been quite busy stitching. Here's some of what I've made recently! :)

Featured Blog

Every now and then you just have to give it up for the creative people out there! This is one of those moments. It's a good thing I didn't have liquid in my mouth when I saw this picture. I really had a good laugh from this one!

Copyright: Spindles and Spices on Blogspot

Check out her blog: http://spindlesandspices.blogspot.com/

Carrot Cake TP Cosy

Materials:
small amount of aran/off white worsted weight yarn
small amount of tan, reddish brown, or other appropriate color worsted weight yarn
scrap amounts of green and orange worsted weight yarn for carrots
g hook
tapestry needle
washable fabric glue if desired

Stitches and abbreviations:
beg=beginning
flo=front loop only
blo=back loop only
hdc=half double crochet
fpdc=front post double crochet
beg popcorn=ch 3, 4 dc in same st, remove hook from loop and insert from front to back through 1st dc, with 1st dc on hook insert hook back through loop, pull loop through first dc, ch 1.
popcorn=5 dc in indicated st, remove hook from loop and insert from front to back through 1st dc, with 1st dc on hook insert hook back through loop, pull loop through first dc, ch 1.

Notes: ch 2 counts as hdc, ch 3 counts as dc.

TOP
With aran, ch 3.
Rnd 1: 8 hdc in 3rd ch from hook, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2 (9 hdc).
Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc in same st, 2 hdc in each remaining st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2 (18 hdc).
Rnd 3: Ch 2, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st) repeat around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2 (27 hdc).
Rnd 4: Ch 2, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st) repeat around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2 (36 hdc).
Rnd 5: Ch 2, hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st) repeat around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2 (45 hdc).
Rnd 6: Ch 2, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, (hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st) repeat around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2 (54 hdc).
Rnd 7: beg popcorn in flo of first st, sc in flo of next st, (popcorn in flo of next st, sc in flo of next st) repeat around, join with sl st in beg popcorn, fasten off (27 popcorn, 27 sc).

CAKE/SIDES:
With tan/brown, join with sl st in any back loop of rnd 7 of top.
Rnd 8: Ch 3, dc in blo of each remaining st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (54 dc).
Rnd 9-19: Ch 3, (fpdc around next st, dc in next st) repeat around, ending with a fpdc, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3 (27 dc, 27 fpdc).
Rnd 20: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st in 1st sc, fasten off (54 sc).

WHIP CREAM:
With aran, ch 15. hdc in 3rd ch from hook, 2hdc in each remaining st, fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. Arrange whip cream in a spiral and sew across bottom to hold shape. Sew whip cream to center of top.

CARROTS (make 8):
With orange, ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next st, fasten off. For stem, attach a 3" piece of green yarn to one loop in the side of the last hdc made as you would when attaching fringe (fold the yarn in half, pull the loop through, insert the loose ends through, then pull tight). Trim stem and fray/separate strands with a tapestry needle. Sew or use fabric glue too attach carrots as shown in picture. To make it easier, arrange carrots as they will lay once attached, then pin them if sewing or pick them up one by one and glue them into place.