Sunday, May 15, 2016

Super Bulky Baby Bear

My beautiful niece is pregnant after a tubal 5 years ago...not just pregnant...identical twin girls! I had to get crocheting for these new little sweeties!
I started with a great baby socks pattern from Mamma That Makes.  These are fabulous little booties/socks with sizes down to 26-28wk.  I whipped up 10 pairs in 32 week size, twins tend to be a bit smaller ;)

Mamma That Makes: fabulous pattern!
My bff found some yarn on clearance and picked some out for me, among the yarns were a couple Bernat Baby Blanket...so soft!  I love these soft yarns for babies :)  So I started immediately on a teddy pattern to use Bernat Baby Blanket super bulky yarn. Each Super Bulky Baby Bear took less than 1 skein to complete project.

Close up of Bear face

Twin Teddies for two little sweet twins!


Materials:

*Super Bulky yarn (size 6)  I used Bernat Baby blanket in "Little Girl Dove" & " Little Lilac Dove"
*L hook
*tapestry needle
*scissors
*small amt of ww yarn or embroidery floss for face details
* fiberfill

Abbreviations:

* ch: chain
* sl st: slip stitch
* sc: single crochet
* sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
* dc: double crochet
* 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 Super Bulky Baby Bear, you can sell them, cuddle them 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 Super Bulky Baby Bear :)  

Directions:   Starting at top of head

1: ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)

2: 2sc (12) be sure to mark your rounds!

3: sc, 2sc (18)

4-6: sc (18)

7: sc, sc2tog (12)

8: sc2tog (6)

9: 2sc (12) stuff to desired firmness and continue to stuff as you progress

10: sc, 2sc (18)

11: sc8, 2sc (20)

12-14: sc (20)

15: sc8, sc2tog (18)

16: sc, sc2tog (12)

17: sc2tog (6)  f.o. close opening and weave in ends


Arms: x2 stuff only hands

1: ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)

2-3: sc (6)

4: sc, sc2tog (4)

5-6: sc (4) f.o. leave a long tail to attach to body


Legs: x2 stuff only feet

1: ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6)

2: sc2, 2sc (8)

3-4: sc (8)

5: sc2, sc2tog (6)

6-8: sc (6) f.o. leave a long tail to attach to body


Ears: x2

1: ch3, (mark 2nd ch) 4dc in 3rd ch from hook, sl st to 2nd ch, f.o. leave a long tail for attaching to head.
Ears

Tail:

1: ch2, 4sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to 1st sc.  f.o. leave a tail to attach to body

All my Bear parts before attaching


Finishing:

Attach the body parts in ways look good to you.  I sew the ends of arms and legs closed flat before attaching, but you can do however you prefer.

After attaching all the body parts it's time to get creative!  How do you want your bear to look, just a nose and eyes?  Or do you want to add more features?  I added 2 eyelashes to each eye for my bears.

I would love to see your finished Super Bulky Baby Bears!  Visit Mommy Made Crochet on facebook and use #MommyMadeCrochet on other social media sites!






Monday, May 2, 2016

My Nana

May 2, 2016 would be my Nana's 101st birthday!

My Nana came to America in 1927 on a boat, leaving Germany behind. Our family made it all the way to California and set down roots. (My mom and I were both born in California.)
 In the 1970's our family moved to the Pacific Northwest. (where most of my young childhood memories come from!)
I used to spend school breaks with my Nana at her home in Bonney Lake, Washington where she would teach me crochet and knitting while she watched her soap operas.  She had yarn going through her fingers in almost every memory I have of her.
I'm grateful for the wonderful gift she gave me, my mom, & my sister ♡

My Nana is my great-grandma, I was named after my Oma (great-great-grandma) Anna, so I decided to give my first daughter her great-great-grandma's  name...Nana's name was Erna...I called and told her I was pregnant and I wondered what she thought of my daughter having her name..or hopefully middle name. Nana told me I "better not name her Erna, that's an old name!" So I asked her middle name and how she spelled it, "Emilie".

I just wanted to share my Nana with you since all my crochet is in thanks to her ♡

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Marking rounds the easy way

I always stress the importance of marking your rounds as you crochet...or disaster can see!  (Sounds like a good enough reason to me lol)
I have used a bit of contrasting yarn for many years now, I can carry it back and forth and it removes at the end with a pull of the yarn!
I hope this can help someone out there!