Wednesday, January 31, 2018

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


Monday, January 22, 2018

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  


Happy crocheting and have a great day!
Blessings!
Reny







Sunday, January 21, 2018

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