Thursday, September 10, 2015

Simple Bunny Crochet Pattern

Lately I created a mini series of my crochet animals, and found a way to simplify my bunny pattern so that it would be a perfect project for a beginner! So I have the pattern here, or if you are only just beginning and don't know how to read patterns yet I'll be posting a tutorial on YouTube soon on how to create this adorable little bunny. So let's get started!

Abbreviations
Sc - single crochet
Inc - increase
Dec - decrease
FO - Finish off

Materials
An F (3.75 mm) crochet hook or one that is appropriate for the size yarn you use
Beige yarn
A small amount of black yarn
A small amount of white yarn
A tapestry/yarn needle
12mm safety eyes (or you can embroider them on, that's up to you)
Scissors
Stuffing (I use polyester fiberfill)

(A small note, the box(es) in front of each line are a trick that I use, if you want to print out the pattern then you can check off the boxes as you go. I use it for when I need to get up and do something in the middle of crocheting a part of an animal.)

Head 
Start with Beige
❒ Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
❒ Rnd 2: Inc in each sc around (12)
❒ Rnd 3: *sc, inc* 6 times (18)
❒ Rnd 4: *sc (2), inc* 6 times (24)
❒ Rnd 5: *sc (3), inc* 6 times (30)
❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ ❒ Rnd 6-10: For each of these rounds simply sc 30
❒ Rnd 11: *sc (3), dec* 6 times (24)
❒ Rnd 12: *sc (2), dec* 6 times (18)
If you’re using safety eyes, place them in now between rows 8 and 9, with 5-6 stitches in between where the pegs will go into the head. Snap on the back of the eyes.
❒ Rnd 13: *sc (1), dec* 6 times (12)
Start to stuff the animal.
❒ Rnd 14: *dec* 6 times (6)
You should now have six or seven sts left, simply thread through them and pull shut. Weave the thread back into the head.
(Or, if you're lazy like me, just stuff the thread back inside the head)

Body 
Start with Beige
❒ Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
❒ Rnd 2: Inc in each sc around (12)
❒ Rnd 3: *sc (2), inc (2), sc (2)* twice (16)
❒ ❒ Rnd 4-5: sc 16 
❒ Rnd 6:  *sc (2), dec (2), sc (2)* twice (12)
FO, leaving a tail for sewing.
Stuff inside the head using polyester fiberfill.

Ears (make 2)
Start with Beige
❒ Rnd 1: 6 sc in a magic circle (6)
❒ Rnd 2: *sc, inc* 3 times (9)
❒ ❒ Rnd 3-4: sc 9
❒ Rnd 5: *sc, dec* 3 times (6)
❒ ❒ Rnd 6-7: sc 6
FO, leaving a tail to sew on later.

Tail
Start with White
❒ Rnd 1: 5 sc in a magic circle (5)
❒ Rnd 2: sc 5
FO, leaving a tail to sew on later

Assembly
Sew all the pieces together!
If you want more detailed instructions, go check the end of the tutorial video for this bunny (I haven't posted it yet) and you can see how I did it.

And look at that, you now have a little bunny!

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Easy Stitch Marker Alternatives

I can't be the only one out there who is always losing my stitch markers as I crochet, right? They're so small, you set them down for a second and then they disappear! Well, if this happens to you, here's three easy alternatives that you can use.

Paper Clip

When using a paper clip I start out by bending the end away from the paper clip so that it will easily slide into the stitch.


Then slide it into the stitch so that the middle of the paperclip is now around it.


Now fold the end back down, and your stitch marker is secure and you're ready to work! 


Safety Pin

I love using a safety pin because it's so simple. Just attach it to the stitch and you're done!



Stud Earring

Using an earring that you'd never wear but are still cute, or maybe one where you'd lost the other, can just be fun to use since it adds a personal touch.



And pretty much any one will work!


Feel free to let me know of any other stitch markers you use!