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| 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.
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| Birdie the Candidate example of pattern writing process |
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.
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| Finishing can be fun! This is where your artistry shines! |
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| Rubbermaid template |
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| 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!
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