Crochet Bunny Beanie...

Miss Maddie, my great-grandaughter is so adorably cute and such a precocious little one!  When she comes to visit Great-gram the whole house seems to become animated!

With Easter coming right up, and the weather is still quite chilly, this little bunny beanie is perfect for her.

 Many thanks to Pikadilly Charm  for this free crochet pattern.  You can find it here:

                   http://pikadillycharm.blogspot.com/2011/04/little-cottontail-hat.html

I used Bernat Pipsqueak yarn for this beanie.  I love the soft and fluffy texture of this yarn, and so does every child that touches it!   It works up fairly quickly and the pattern is simple and easy to follow.   I made this one a bit larger than the pattern called for since my little Maddie is not an infant.  I think she will love it, and I can't wait for her to come to Great-gram's house to get it!

I hope this post inspires you to make a bunny beanie for your little one!  You'll be glad you did!

Blessings!
Reny

Crochet a Flock of Sheep! Free Pattern

I developed this pattern in November of 2017 as a Christmas ornament project.  These little sheep are about 2-3 inches long and stuffed with fluffy polu-fil stuffing.  Each sheep can be completed in a short time with minimal materials.

     Materials:

• Bernat Pipsqueak Yarn for bodies. (I used white, but other colors are available)
• Caron Simply Soft yarn for accents  (black or tan)   
• Poly-fil polyester stuffing.
• Colored Ribbon or yarn for hangers.
• G crochet hook

     Terms:

• SC-  single crochet
• Ch.-  chain
• Inc.-  2 sc in 1 stitch
• Dec-  Sc 2 stitches together
• **  - repeat instructions to end of round.

First crochet ears and tail from worsted weight yarn. (Ears and tail are made exactly the same way.)

Leaving about a 2 inch tail, chain 5  Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 chs. (4 sc).  Fasten off leaving a 2 inch tail of yarn.  Make 2 ears and one tail for each sheep.

To crochet the feet:

1. Make 4 sc in a mc.

2 and 3.  Sc in each st.

Fasten off.

• If you feel confident with the method for attaching the ears and tail detailed below, you could also use that method for attaching the feet, just leave long enough yarn tails to tie inside the body as you go.

 Body:
Rnd. 1. With black make 5 sc in a magic circle.
         2.  Inc. in each stitch (2 sc in each)  (10)
          3-4.  Sc in each st.  (10)
          5.  Attach white pipsqueak,  *Sc 1, inc*  (15)
          6-10  Make 15 sc evenly around each round.  If you have trouble keeping count of your rows, just make the body about 2 inches long.
          Attach ears to top of head by pulling yarn tails through to inside from outside making sure to keep a stitch between the two tails, then turn sheep body inside out and tie yarn tails securely together.  Do the same with tail except ,of course, it goes on the backside of the sheep.  Attach the crocheted feet to the bottom of the sheep using the same technique.  ( If you choose to use pompoms for the feet, hot glue them on after the sheep body is completed.)  Firmly stuff the body.
 11.  Continue with pipsqueak yarn and dec. stitches until  the body is closed.  Hide yarn in by pulling it to the inside of the sheep with your crochet hook.   

Note:  I do not recommend glueing on parts if this is to be used as a child's toy.  Feet, ears and tail should be securely tied if this sheep is to be given to a small child.

I hope you enjoy this sweet and simple little pattern.  For more YarnVarmint patterns you can visit my Etsy shop at  

                https://www.etsy.com/shop/YarnVarmintsPlus

Happy crocheting and have a great day!

Blessings!

Reny

Bunny Time.....

    I know it's just January.  We even have snow on the ground left from last week's snowstorm.

But I can't help letting my mind wander ahead to sunny days, gentle spring breezes and flowers peeking up through the sod to check the environment for a friendly temp.

And along with spring comes Easter!  The time for colored eggs, pretty dresses, bright colored baskets and of course, bunnies!  Who doesn't love a furry little cottontail with a cute little nose and ridiculously large ears!?

These two cuties came out of my balls of Bernat Pipsqueak yarn.  They are just the right size to fit easily into an Easter basket at about 4 inches long.  The ears can be bent to different positions for added cuteness and fun.

You can find either a downloadable pattern or a complete kit to make one bunny here.   https://www.etsy.com/shop/YarnVarmintsPlus

Last year around Easter I designed these two cute amigurumis.  They are two of my favorite designs.  You can find patterns for them at my Etsy store as well.

So look forward to warm weather and sunshine.  They are on the way!  In the meantime, make a bunny or a duck to help pass the time.  Your kiddos will think you're a magician and that your crochet hook is a magic wand!

Blessings!

Reny

Happy Crafty New Year.....

     It has been a great holiday season!  Lots of time with family and friends, good food and a general feeling of joy and peace!

      But it's a new year with new ideas and creativity.   I wish I could find more time to work on my crochet projects!  Yes, I am retired from my job, but I have so many things I would like to make!  My Pinterest boards are full of potential projects!  Where to begin?  

     My latest original YarnVarmint creation is pretty cute.

This pair of mischievous raccoons took a while to  design.  I ended up changing several of the features and still think I like the eyes on the left one better than the right.  But overall, they turned out pretty good.  They are both made using the same pattern with just a few minor variations.    

     I like that they are not overly big, but just a good size for little hands to hang on to.  Of course they could be smaller just by using a smaller size crochet hook.  This pair were crocheted with a #4 or G hook.  In a sitting position they are about 8 inches tall.

     If you would like to check out my original patterns, visit my Etsy store at: 
           https://www.etsy.com/shop/YarnVarmintsPlus

     Also, check out my Facebook page at:
        https://www.facebook.com/Renycrochets/

     Right now I am working on a couple of projects, one that has been in progress for several months, a kimono for my grand-daughter. It is crocheted in Cleo cotton yarn and has a gorgeous diamond pattern worked into the fabric.  It will be one of the finest garments I have made yet.  The cleo yarn has such a beautiful drape and sheen to it!  I will try to post a pic when it is finished.

 The other is this cute stuffed Pikachu for another grand-daughter. He was a bit of a challenge, even though the pattern is easy to follow.  I have made a couple more of them since this one, and they do get easier and better with each one.  I must say, though, that the tail is quite unique.  It has an armature of plastic canvas to help it keep it's shape.

 Since I have 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren you can understand why those Pinterest pins will have to wait.  

     All in all, I don't see myself running out of projects any time soon.  But that's OK with me.  I love blessing these kids!  It's my function!

     So I hope your new year will be filled with fun projects and lots of love.  Have a Happy, Crafty New Year!