Crochet Pokeball Beanie for Our Littlest Pokemon Master

Our youngest grandson, Bentley, has been playing Pokemon since before he was born!  His momma and daddy and big brother Blane got lots of exercise prior to labor and delivery.  And they all still go out as often as they can to add more Poke Characters to their collection.   They must have hundreds by now!

The extent of my own Pokemon hunting has been following around my 10 year old grandson, Sam, as he 'taught' me how to play the game.  I'll tell you, he's a lot better at it than I am!

But one thing I can do is make things from yarn!  So I designed this adorable little beanie for Bentley.  While there are several similar beanie patterns out there, this one was designed especially for an infant in mind.  The yarn is soft and a little stretchy and the stitch is close for comfort and warmth.

Here is the pattern, designed for a baby's head. 

 Before I began, we measured the circumference of Bentley's head and used that measurement as my gauge.  The ribbed band on the hat needed to be about the same length as Bentley's head.  In his case, that was 16 inches.

This beanie is made from the band upward to the top.  I used single crochet stitches throughout.  The beanie is made from baby or sport yarn.  I just used what I found in my stash so I can't give you a brand name on this.  I used a G or 4mm hook.  You will also need a yarn needle to stitch on the button and to weave in ends.

Hat band:

1.With white yarn chain 8.  Sc in 2nd chain from hook and remaining 6 chains for a total of 7 sc.

2-72.  Sc in each stitch back loop only.  Chain 1 and turn.  Using the back loop on the band is what gives it the ribbed texture and a very neat look.   (Your band may need more or less rows depending on your head circumference measurement.)  Remember that the stitch count may be different from what I have listed if your measurements are different.

When your band is the length you need put the two ends together being careful not to twist it and slip stitch the ends to one another.  Do not fasten off yarn!  Turn the band so that the slip stitching is on the inside.  

Hat:

1.  Now sc in each row of the band to form the first row of the hat.  (72)  I use a running stitch marker to keep track of my rounds.

2-7.  Sc in each stitch.

8-10.  Change to black yarn.  Sc in each stitch.

11.  Change to red yarn.  Sc in each stitch.

12-13.  Sc in each stitch.

14.  *Sc in 7, dec*  (64)

15.  Sc in each stitch.  (64)

16.  *Sc in 6, dec*  (56)

17.  Sc in each stitch.  (56)

18.  *Sc in 5, dec*  (48)

19.  *Sc in 4, dec*  (40)

20.  Sc in each stitch.  (40)

21.  *Sc in 3, dec*  (32)

22.  Sc in each stitch.  (32)

23.  *Sc in 2, dec*  (24)

24.  *Sc in 1, dec*  (15)

25.  *Sc in 1, dec*  (10)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew top closed.  Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and weave the tail through the sc stitches of the last round.  Pull the yarn tail fairly snug so that the hole at the top is pulled closed.  Secure the yarn tail with a couple of stitches inside the hat to secure.  Weave in the end.

Button:

1.  With white yarn  make 6 sc in a magic ring.

2.  Increase in each stitch.  (12)

3.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (18)

4.  *Sc in 2, inc*  (24)

5.  *Sc in 3, inc*  (30)

Change to black yarn.

6.  *Sc in 4, inc*  (36)

7.  *Sc in 5, in*  (42)

Fasten off yarn leaving a long tail to stitch button to front of hat.  Line the button up as pictured and stitch securely to the front of the hat.

Your infant Pokemon Beanie is finished!

If you enjoyed this little free pattern and want to be sure that you don't miss new things coming up, click here  to receive updates.

Blessings!

Reny

Week 6, Cute Little Monsters Christmas Ornament Crochet-a-long

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 What better way to decorate a Whimsy Tree than with cute little monsters with silly grins and crazy hair. 

In case you missed the beginning of this Crochet-a-long, check out this post for more info.
https://renysplace.blogspot.com/2018/06/christmas-crochet-long-new-ornament.html

This was my very first crochet pattern design and it was so well received that I have decided to offer it again to my readers!

    I absolutely adore bright colors and funny expressions. At our house we call it the 'cuteness factor'.  It is what I strive to achieve in all my varmint creations.  At times this means making several tries before it meets the requirements.  But the satisfaction of finally getting it right is so worth it!

   These little monsters are about 3 inches tall and are just the right size for little hands to carry around.  And I wish I could describe to you the delight we see in every child who has received one of these.  Big smiles, audible giggles as they toss them up in the air or hug them close to their little chests.    The wonder is that such a simple little monster could elicit all that.

    So I invite you to  enjoy this free crochet pattern.  I suggest you make several for adorable Christmas gifts.  And keep some extra's around for little visitors.  I try to do this and it is such a great help to parents when their child has something special to play with during the visit.  And then I send it home with them!

    All you need to make this free crochet pattern are some bits of leftover yarn, stuffing and some felt for the eyes.  Be sure to stitch eyes, arms and legs securely if you plan to give one of these to a baby.

   Once you have completed one, it's hard not to make more.  And the more you make, the more delighted your littles will be!

                                 Giggle Monster Pattern

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn

G crochet hook

fiberfill for stuffing

felt for eyes (or may use safety eyes if you like)

needle and thread to sew on eyes

yarn needle for weaving in ends

   This pattern is worked in rounds and I used a running stitch marker to keep track.  An understanding of basic stitches and general crochet terms is helpful.

    If you are not familiar with how to make a magic ring, this is a great tutorial to explain it.

  http://www.instructables.com/id/Crochet-Magic-Ring-Adjustable-Ring/

Rnd 1:  In a magic ring make 6 sc.

       2:  Make 2 sc in each st.  (12 sc)

       3: *Sc in next st., 2sc in next st.* Repeat to end of rnd.  (18 sc)

       4:*Sc in next 2 sts., 2 sc in next st.*  Repeat to end of rnd. (24 sc)

       5 *Sc in next 3 sts., 2 sc in next st.* Repeat to end of rnd.  (30 sc)

       6:*Sc in next 4 sts. 2 sc in next st.* Repeat to end of rnd.  (36 sc)

      Rounds 7 through 11, Sc in each stitch around.

Rnd 12: *Sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog*  Repeat to end of rnd.  (30 sc)

       13 and 14  Sc in each stitch around..

       15: *Sc in next 3 sts.,  sc2tog*   Repeat to end of rnd.  (24 sc)

       16 and 17  Sc in each stitch around.

       18: *Sc in next 2 sts., sc2tog*  Repeat to end of rnd. (18 sc)

        19: Sc in each stitch around.

        20: *Sc in next stitch, sc2tog*  Repeat to end of rnd. (12 sc)

        Stuff your ‘Giggle’ and then sc2tog around until opening is closed. 

        Fasten off and  weave in the yarn end.

   To make the arms and legs visit this website for a great pictorial tutorial. 

 http://www.fiberfluxblog.com/2012/07/how-to-crochet-curlicue_31.html

   Attach your finished curlicues to the sides and bottoms of your ‘Giggle’ for arms and legs.

   Now, let your creative juices flow as you envision and create unique facial expressions.  I used felt shapes for the eyes and stitched them securely onto the ‘Giggle’.  If you decide to use safety eyes, attach them before you stuff and finish off your ‘Giggle’.  I used yarn to embroider on the mouth.  You can make the face as simple or as detailed as you like.

   For the hair I attached strands of yarn as if attaching fringe.  This tutorial does a great job of showing how to do this.

http://rescuedpawdesigns.com/2014/07/10/how-to-add-fringe-to-crochet-projects/#_a5y_p=4486753                            

     So there you  have it!  Happy little monsters that are sure to make you smile!

Blessings!

Reny

I Wanna Make a Cute Doll...

I'm in the mood to make a cute doll, so I'm asking my Facebook friends to help me choose a project.  This is really going to be fun!  Already I have a variety of suggestions with some adorable pics posted on my Yarn Varmints Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Renycrochets/   And I am looking forward to more participation in the days to come.

With so many awesome suggestions already posted I'm thinking I may just have to have a drawing of all of them to make it fair.  And to make it easier on me, because, so far, I want to make every one of them!                           

Of course, my sister, who keeps up with everything I am doing, was the first to post!  I just think that these little mummy dolls are adorable!  Way to go, Sis!







My niece was the second person to jump on board!
These little octopi are so cute that I know I will be
making them at some point, either for this contest or
some other occasion.  Thanks Dana!  You have awesome
taste!






This slinky dachshund just intrigues me!  This is another one that
I will probably have to make at some point just for the challenge!
Thanks Lori!  I'm excited about this one!  I happen to know
someone special who would love this!









Who can resist this Raggedy Ann doll complete with dress, apron and pantaloons?  Oh my goodness!  What a treasured heirloom  she would be for some lucky child!  Another future
project, I am sure!  Thanks Cindy, my friend!










These are just a few of the entries so far.   Check back next week to see more awesome pics of potential projects.   On March 10th I will announce which project I will be doing and who the lucky winner will be.  So be sure to choose a project for me and post it on my Facebook page.      https://www.facebook.com/Renycrochets/

Babies, Babies, Babies!!!

Babies are such adorable little humans!  Such tiny little beings that just captivate nearly everyone in their immediate environment and cause even the most reserved and proper adult to revert to extreme silliness and gyrations trying to get that cute little baby grin response!

Every few years we seem to get  another one of those cute little critters welcomed into our family.    Since we have several grown up grand-children now, it's always possible that we could have another baby to love and adore!

In preparation for this anticipated event I have been looking at a lot of baby items on Pinterest.   And of course, anything that I make has to be totally cute and colorful!  One of my favorite things to do is to get me some inspiration and then add my own special style in the way of features and colors to the crochet project.

Last week I worked on a couple of teething rings and this week I made a nursing necklace.  I know that most crocheting grandma's like to make booties and blankets, but I'm so much more into different and fun things.

This is the first teething ring I made.    I borrowed the idea from this Pinterest pin 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/175992297922792125/

and then added some cute little eyes and a rattle inside the head.

He turned out so cute that I decided he needed a companion.   So I whipped up this lovely little lady!

And then I ddesigned this  'Little Monster' Nursing Necklace.

The little monster is a Yarn Varmints original character which I  affectionally refer to as a 'giggle' because they just make you want to giggle each time you look at them.  I crocheted him in miniature just for this project.  He is so cute that I think more miniatures are going to be cropping up in the future.

So, who knows what my next project will be.  I have so many ideas that I want to try!  Be sure to check back in often to see whats up at Yarn Varmints.  And if you see something here that you like, you can most likely find it in my Etsy store.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/YarnVarmintsPlus.  

Oh, and I love doing custom items, so contact me if you want a special color or style.  

Have a great and crafty day!

Blessings!

Reny

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

Here's a Happy Little Hippo for you!

In keeping with my crocheted 'Giggles' characters, this week I have created the cutest little hippo!
The ears and nose were a little tricky and required a couple of redos, but I am satisfied with the end result.  I really love the color combination on this one!  The pattern can be found here at Ravelry and on Craftsy by searching Hippo 'Giggles' Amigurumi.   So, I now have 3 jungle animal 'giggle' patterns published.  What should I design next?

Spring headbands anyone?

This week I got a request for some spring headbands for little (and big) girls.  I really haven't made many headbands, so it's a new project for me.  Here's what I have come up with so far.  I'm still thinking on the 'big girl' headbands.  There are lots of patterns out there to choose from, but I would love to come up with something original.  I'm thinking of something boho/hippie style.  We'll see if my boho mojo kicks in.

Flowers and butterflies.  

Love the sweet little rose on this one.

This one is my favorite so far.  Love the
adorable little daisies.  This one is for
my sweet great-granddaughter, Maddie.

Stem Cell Research

There's something inherently wrong with embrionic stem cell research.

When I look at our little Sammy, and think of stem cell research, I just get cold chills! You see, he was an embryo not that long ago.

What if little Sam had been sacrificed in the early stages of his development for stem cell research? Without even realizing it, we would have been robbed of one of the most excellent blessings God gives.

What if the recipient of little Sam's stem cells happened to be an uncaring, hateful person who had spent their life doing terrible things? Perhaps a tyrant or a murderer or a child predator who should have been locked away, but instead gets a chance to be cured from some dreadful disease so that they can go out and destroy the lives of more innocent people?

I know there are some wonderful people that may benefit from stem cell research, but there have been great strides in adult stem cell research that should be investigated before we sacrifice our precious children.

I shudder at the thought of creating a life only to destroy it for the sake of science. In my mind, this is just as bad, if not worse than abortion or infanticide.

Just saying....