Win a small DweeBall!

Periwinkle,  red, jade, & Heather grey DweeBalls

Now is your chance to win a small DweeBall  (or DweeBall pattern)!!

Visit Mommy Made Crochet on Facebook and see pinned post for your chance to win!

Good luck!

My newest pattern... DweeBalls

What is a DweeBall?  Do you ever see something out of the corner of your eye but when you turn to look you see nothing?  You aren't crazy, you just glimpsed the shy Dweeball!  

This pattern will teach you the dsc (dendrite single crochet) and yield you one super cute little critter!

Pattern is available now in my etsy shop! #DweeBalls 

Small Dweeball investigating the Blue Sky Vine flower

Medium Dweeball eyeing a passion flower

This Large Dweeball feels a kinship with the passion flower...

Ninja Turtle inspired Ice Pop Cozy

Ninja Turtle inspired Ice Pop Cozy

A friend was looking for some cool ice pop cozies for some kiddos...I saw some great patterns on Ravelry but I wanted to create a Ninja Turtle inspired one.  I found great patterns for everything but no ninjas...or turtles.

Here is my meager attempt at creating some cool little reptiles wearing masks ;)

Materials:

E hook (if you find this too tight/loose go up or down in hook size)

ww cotton in green

ww cotton in mask color - purple, orange, red, blue 

ww cotton in black for eyes (you can use and yarn for this or even embroidery thread)

scissors

Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

mr: magic ring
ch: chain
rnd: round
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
blo: back loop only, instead of both loops you will use only back loop
f.o. : finish off

Notes:

All terms American.   If pattern reads "sc, sc2tog, 2sc" it would be read as, " single crochet, single crochet 2 stitches together, 2 single crochet in the next stitch", directions are to be repeated to end of row/round unless otherwise noted.  As with any pattern, be sure to read through once before beginning, and don't forget to mark your rounds! (I use a bit of contrasting yarn) This is an original design by me, Anna Wilson 2016.  

You may do whatever you like with your completed Ninja Turtle inspired Ice Pop Cozies, you can embrace your inner child and use these yourself, sell them to others ready to keep the evil Foot Clan at bay or even give them as a gift!  I only ask that you please not claim this pattern as your own.  You can share a link to this pattern if you like.


Directions: worked in joined rnds. Ch1 at end of each rnd does NOT count as a st in this pattern

1: mr 8sc (8) join with a sl st, ch1 at end of each rnd

2: 2sc (16) be sure to secure mr end before continuing

3: blo: sc (16)

4-9: hdc (16) change to mask color at end of rnd 9

10:  ch11, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, hdc to end, ch11, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and each remaining ch, join to first hdc with a sl st (16)

11: hdc (16) change to green

12-13:  hdc (16) f.o. weave in ends.

Finishing:

With black, create eyes.  I do one eye at a time and secure the ends with knots on the inside of the cozy and cut short.  (they won't show)  I also give the mask a little single tie.

That's it, pretty simple right? Now your kiddos can stay cool and feel super cool at the same time!

What is "1 rnd uncounted sl st" ?

In many of my patterns I like to use rounds of uncounted slip stitches.

Why?  Because it creates a nice clean edge in crochet.

Why is it called "uncounted slip stitches"?  Because a round of the slip stitches will not count in your final round count.

This technique creates a raised area as well, so it gives the appearance that the clothing of a doll is separate from the doll.

The wrist cuff of this doll has a round of uncounted slip stitches to create a clean transition back to the peach color.

Materials:

Any 2 colors of yarn you want to practice with, I used Red Heart Super Saver in Blue and light blue (I think?)

crochet hook, I used an F hook for the example

scissors - if you want

Abbreviations:

mr: magic ring

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

rnd: round

Note:

Unless noted otherwise: ch 1 at end of each row does not count as stitch.  If pattern reads "sc, sc2tog, 2sc" it would be read as, " single crochet, single crochet 2 stitches together, 2 single crochet in the next stitch", directions are to be repeated to end of row/round unless otherwise noted.  

Instuctions:

With 1st yarn color

1: mr 6sc (6)

2: 2sc (12)

3: sc, 2sc (18)

4: sc (18) pull through new yarn color as you finish last st

Color change on last st of rnd 4

 work 1 rnd uncounted sl st

uncounted sl st finished, now to begin rnd 5, be sure to work in sts from rnd 4 and NOT the uncounted sl st 

5-7; sc (18) change to 1st color with last st

Change back to 1st color, no sl st 

The black yarn is my rnd marker. I begin with rnd 2,
 if you count the rnds this way you can count by 2's .
 This is the end of rnd 5.

8: sc (18)  

Do you see the difference?

End of rnd 8.  Can you see the clean transition created by the uncounted sl st?

I hope you enjoy incorporating this technique into your crochet!

Star Scrubby Washcloth/Dishcloth crochet pattern

I finally got all the orders on my Etsy board cleared last night and came up with a new design...pretty basic - think granny square-ish, but I think they turned out cute!

Star Scrubby

Materials

I hook

cotton ww yarn in colors of choice I used Peaches & Creme & Crafters Secret cotton

Red Heart Scrubby in your choice of colors

tapestry needle

scissors

Abbreviations

mr: maging ring

ch: chain

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

dc: double crochet

f.o.: finish off

sk: skip

mc: main color

cc: contrast color

* : repeat directions between * for times (x) indicated

Note:

Unless noted otherwise: ch 1 at end of each row does not count as stitch.  If pattern reads "sc, sc2tog, 2sc" it would be read as, " single crochet, single crochet 2 stitches together, 2 single crochet in the next stitch", directions are to be repeated to end of row/round unless otherwise noted.  

This is an original design by me, Anna Wilson, and I share it freely with all you crafty crocheters!  You may do whatever you like with your finished Star Scrubby washcloths/dishcloths: sell them at farmer's markets, use them, gift them, fly to the moon with them or take over the world with them!! But I ask that you not reproduce/sell this pattern.


Directions:

Version 1:  Grey cotton/Orange Scrubby

1: begin with cotton: mr, ch3, 2dc, ch3 *3dc, ch3, 3dc* x4 join with a sl st to top of beginning ch3. tighten mr. (10 3dc, 5 ch sp) turn

2: sl st in 3ch sp, ch3 2dc ch3 3dc in ch sp, *3dc, ch3, 3dc in ch sp* x4, join with a sl st to top of 1st 3ch - do NOT turn work again

3: sl st, ch3, dc, 3dc ch3 3dc in ch sp (point of star) dc2, sk 2 sts *dc2, 3dc ch3 3dc in ch sp, dc2 sk2 sts* x4 join with a sl st to top 1st ch 3.

4: sl st, ch3, dc3, 3dc ch3 3dc in point, dc4 sk 2 sts, *dc4, 3dc ch3 3dc in point, dc4, sk 2 sts* x4 join with a sl st to top of 1st ch3.

5: sl st- CHANGE to Scrubby yarn, ch3 dc5, 3dc ch3 3dc in point, dc6, sk 2sts *dc6, 3dc ch3 3dc in point, dc6 sk 2 sts* x4 join with a sl st to top of 1st 3ch- CHANGE to cotton yarn

6: sl st, ch1, sc8, 7sc in point, sc8, sk 2 sts *sc8. 7sc in point, sc8 sk 2 sts* x4 join with a sl st, f.o. weave in ends

Version 2 :

Work the same as version 1 except:

Begin with Scrubby yarn: start with a ch4 joined with a sl st instead of mr.  Use Scrubby yarn for rnds 1 & 2.  CHANGE to cotton for rnds 3-6

I hope you enjoyed making your Star Scrubby!

Share pictures of your creations using #MommyMadeCrochet & MMCStarScrubby on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, I love seeing your work!

You can also share your work on my Facebook page!

Divisive Orange Candidate Stressball - Trumpelstiltskin - Free Crochet Pattern

Seriously, the greatest stressball. 

The Divisive Orange Candidate stressball (based on Trumpelstiltskin) is the best stressball. Not only is it the best stressball, it is the orangest and greatest stress relieving stressball ever, and I know because I feel that way so it must be true. I'm not kidding, no stressball could ever top this.

^^^ seriously ...that was difficult type lol

The Divisive Orange Candidate Stressball was created because I honestly needed to physically poke this candidate in the nose!

The hair is fabulously neon yellow, and perfect. He has his mouth poised to say something...what could it be? Who knows? It's like a wild card for a deck of wildcards.

I hope you enjoy making your very own Divisive Orange Candidate, please share with #MommyMadeCrochet or #Trumpelstiltskin so I can be sure to see your creations!

Materials:

*a small amount of white felt for teeth

*fine tip black marker - to create "teeth"

*orange yarn, small amount black yarn - I used Red Heart Super Saver in orange (pumpkin maybe? it's bright)

*black yarn for eyes

*skn colored yarn for lips _ I used Caron Simply Soft in Lt Country Peach

*Yarn needle (tapestry etc) for weaving in ends and finish work

*F hook - or size you need to create a tight fabric, so stuffing material doesn't show through

*fiberfill 

*scissors

* neon yellow fun fur ( I found this in a discount bag at Hobby Lobby and I knew where it had to be used!)

Abbreviations:

mr- magic ring

blo: back loop only - sts are worked through back loop instead of both

yo- yarn over

ch - chain

f.o. - finish off

sl st - slip stitch

sc - single crochet

sc2tog - sc 2 sts together-decrease : insert hook into first st, yo draw through stitch- 2 loops on hook, insert hook into next st, yo draw through st - 3 sts on hook, yo draw through all sts on hook. If you work this st in the flo (front loop only) you will create an "invisible decrease", the st lies flatter.

hdc: half double crochet

dc: double crochet

tr: treble crochet (some ppl call it "triple crochet")

Notes:

All terms American.   If pattern reads "sc, sc2tog, 2sc" it would be read as, " single crochet, single crochet 2 stitches together, 2 single crochet in the next stitch", directions are to be repeated to end of row/round unless otherwise noted.  As with any pattern, be sure to read through once before beginning, and don't forget to mark your rounds! (I use a bit of contrasting yarn) This is an original design by me, Anna Wilson 2016.  

You may do whatever you like with your completed Divisive Orange Candidate, you can embrace your inner business person and sell your Trumpelstiltskin, watch him fly as you fastball pitch him into a wall or even give it as a gift!  I only ask that you please not claim this pattern as your own, I worked hard to design Trumpelstiltskin a.k.a. Divisive Orange Candidate :)  

Top of Head: with orange

1: mr6 (6)

2-3: 2sc (12/24)

4: sc, 2sc (36)

5-19: sc (36)

20: blo- sc, sc2tog (24)

21: both loops again: sc2tog (12) stuff.  Squeeze it, make sure you're happy with the squishiness of your stressball

22: sc2tog (6) f.o. use tail of yarn to cinch bottom closed, weave in ends

Lips:  x2 with skin color

1: ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (5) f.o. leave a tail for attaching to face

Ears: with orange

Ear 1:

1: ch6, hdc in 2nd ch, hdc, 2dc, 2dc, tr, ch2, sc in same st as tr   (8) f.o.leave a tail for attaching to head

Ear 2:

1:ch6, sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch2,, tr into same st as sc, 2dc, 2dc, hdc2 (8)  f.o.leave a tail for attaching to head

Eyebrows: x2  with orange

1: mr4 (4)

2-6: sc (4) f.o. leave a tail for attaching to head. do not stuff eyebrows

Nose: with orange starting at bridge of nose

1: ch2, 3sc in 2nd ch from hook (3) turn

2: ch1, sc across, join with a sl st to first sc of this row.  f.o. leave a long rail for attaching to face,

You should have all kinds of body parts now!  

Finishing:

I took a few pictures along the way to help demonstrate location and a little fuzzy surface crochet technique. Someone took picture with a better view: I use  "Method 2" located here .

The mouth I made with a fine tipped Sharpie on some white felt

Look at the front of the face and attach your mouth, you can glue the felt or add a cpl stitches with thread, it will mostly be hidden by the lips.  The lips are placed ch side down and curved around the mouth to give a puckered look.  You could even make one lip, no teeth and use as a pouty looking lower lip form, your stress ball, you decide!

Nose, bridge up

Eyebrow, ear, nose & eye placement.  If you pull the eye yarn to the next eye you can sink his beady eyes in a little, just weave between the eyes while squeezing his eye area towards each other,

Surface crochet hair.  You can see a outline the hairline with the fun fur, then I will continue in a shrinking spiral until i'm happy with the hair amt. 

one row of surface crochet across the outside of his brows helps to add emphasis to his scowling face.

the eyebrow on the left has already been "fluffed".  I do this by using a tapestry needle and pulling the trapped hair loops free. His Eyebrows will need trimming before you are completed but they will loop fuller.

Another view of "fluffed" fun fur vs unfluffed

I don't trim his yellow locks, but I do trim the eyebrows after fluffing.

                                                                

I hope you enjoyed creating your little Divisive Orange Candidate stress ball and I hope it brings you relief!

Birdie the Candidate (Birdie Sanders) - Crochet Pattern

Birdie the Candidate (Birdie Sanders)

The pattern writing process never seems a problem...transcribing is a different story!  I write out my patterns in a small binder with pencil. I tend to draw my idea before I crochet, then I compare my work to the drawing as I work to see if I'm happy with results, proportions are to my liking etc etc.

Birdie the Candidate example of pattern writing process

Birdie the Candidate is a quick little project that can easily be completed in a couple hours (I spend a lot of time with "finishing" lol)  You will only need a few supplies and an eagerness to crochet!  If you create Birdie I would love to see your pictures, use #MommyMadeCrochet on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!

Materials:

*6mm safety eyes - you can embroider if you prefer

*a small amount of white felt for sclera (whites of eyes)

*blue yarn and a darker blue yarn (for beak) - I used Red Heart Super Saver in blue for Birdie and Royal for beak

*20 gauge craft wire - I used a cheap roll of copper jewelry making wire I got at Wal-Mart for a couple of dollars. 

*round nose/needle nosed pliers and side cutters - another cheap purchase I picked up for a few dollars in a pack together at Wal-Mart

*Yarn needle (tapestry etc) for weaving in ends and finish work

*F hook - or size you need to create a tight fabric, so stuffing material doesn't show through

*fiberfill 

*scissors

* white fun fur

Abbreviations:

mr- magic ring

yo- yarn over

ch - chain

f.o. - finish off

sl st - slip stitch

sc - single crochet

sc2tog - sc 2 sts together-decrease : insert hook into first st, yo draw through stitch- 2 loops on hook, insert hook into next st, yo draw through st - 3 sts on hook, yo draw through all sts on hook. If you work this st in the flo (front loop only) you will create an "invisible decrease", the st lies flatter.

Notes:

All terms American.   If pattern reads "sc, sc2tog, 2sc" it would be read as, " single crochet, single crochet 2 stitches together, 2 single crochet in the next stitch", directions are to be repeated to end of row/round unless otherwise noted.  As with any pattern, be sure to read through once before beginning, and don't forget to mark your rounds! (I use a bit of contrasting yarn) This is an original design by me, Anna Wilson 2016.  

You may do whatever you like with your completed Birdie the Candidate, you brought this cutie to life so it is yours. You can sell your Birdie, fly across the country with your Birdie or even bring Birdie along to a Bernie rally!  I only ask that you please not claim this pattern as your own, I worked hard to design Birdie the Candidate :)  

Body: with blue starting at top of head

1: mr 6sc (6)

2: 2sc (12)

3: sc, 2sc (18)

4-6: sc (18)

7: sc10, *2sc, sc* x4 (22)

8: sc10, *2sc, sc2* x4 (26)

9: sc10, *2sc, sc3* x4 (30)

10-12: sc (30)

13: sc2tog x5, sc20 (25)

14: sc3, sc2tog (20)  cut your felt for sclera , insert safety eye shaft and place between rows 6/7 4sts apart.  While holding my Birdie upright I counted approx 4 sts to the right of my round marker and inserted the first eye into the 4th st.  Begin stuffing firmly and continue as you progress

15-16: sc2tog (10/5) f.o. leaving a tail of yarn to close hole.

Beak: with royal

1: mr 4sc (4)

2: sc, 2sc (6)

3: sc2, 2sc (8)

4: sc (8) f.o. leave a long tail for attaching to body

Wing 1: with blue

1: mr 8sc, join with a sl st to first st (8)  turn

2: ch1, sc3 (3) turn

3: ch6, sl st in 1st sc, sl st in next st

    ch8, sl st in same st, sl st in the next st

    ch10, sl st in same st, sl st in the next, sc around to beginning row 3, f.o. leave a tail for attaching to body.

Wing 2: with blue

repeat 1 & 2 from wing 1 and then:

3: ch10, sl st in first sc, sl st in the next st

    ch8, sl st in same st, sl st in the next st

    ch6, sl st in same st, sl st in the next, sc around to beginning row 3. f.o. leave a tail for attaching to the body.

Tail: with blue

1: mr 8sc, join with a sl st to first st (8) turn

2: ch1, sc4 (4) turn

3: ch 8, sl st in first sc, sl st in the next st

    ch 12, sl st in same st, sl st in the next st

    ch 12, sl st in same st, sl st in the next st

    ch 8, sl st in same st , sl st f.o. leave a long tail for attaching to body.

 

Finishing:

Begin by attaching Birdie's beak, wings (shortest chain towards bottom of Birdie) and tail. I used a technique called surface crochet to attach hair to Birdie. Here is a great tutorial, because you will be working on 3 dimensional surfaces I use "method 2"  I only made about 2 rows of hair, you can judge if its enough or too little.  I also trimmed Birdie's hair a bit because it is pretty long :)

The glasses are the trickiest part for me.  The "lens" area is approx 0.5" squared (1.25cm) I made a small template with a bit of plastic I had cut from a Rubbermaid tote (leftover scrap from a dog house I made for my little old muppie). 

There are two options after you shape your glasses: option 1- use your round nose pliers to create little clamps to hold the glasses together. Option 2 - use a bit "E6000" glue and along the top of the glasses and allow it to cure for a bit.  After your glasses are ready to be put on, set them gently into the position you think looks best, I then will bed the "earpiece" a bit to mark location of loops to be made, I place mine in the hair a bit to hide the loops. Take your round nose pliers and create a loop, make sure you can pass a needle through the loop!  now that that is done on both earpieces its time to attach!  I use a small bit of white embroidery floss, you could use sewing thread if you prefer.  I also use a single strand of black embroidery thread to secure nose-piece of glasses.

Finishing can be fun! This is where your artistry shines!

Rubbermaid template

The black represents wire in back and red is wire in front.  All one piece of wire.

I truly hope you enjoyed creating a Birdie the Candidate!  If you have any questions please Message me!