Piney The Sprout - Free Amigurumi Pattern

Hello all!

I am so excited to share with you all the first amigurumi pattern for 2024. It's been quite the adventure into toy making, and one I am having an absolute blast with. 

These patterns will be free to access on the blog, but if you would like a PDF option, that will be available for a small fee over on my Ko-Fi account. It's a great way to help support me if you have a few extra dollars, or if you want a more portable pattern option that can be printed. 

Purchase the PDF here

Piney is a fun and adorable little sprout dude, with fancy pants. He stands 20cm tall and about 15cm wide when made using similar weight yarn. I used 4 Seasons Marvel 8ply from Spotlight for my Piney but if your hook size is adjusted, you can use any acrylic or cotton yarn you like.

Piney The Sprout

For this pattern you will need:

3.5mm hook

8ply/DK/Light worsted weight yarn in a light green, dark green and brown. 

2 x 14mm safety eyes

Needle for sewing

Small amount of stuffing

Bphdc - Back post half double crochet. There is a good video here if you are unfamiliar with this stitch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBHBRdxlfn8

Inc - 2sc in the same stitch

Pieces are made in continuous rounds. Place a marker at the end of each round to keep your place.

Arms - Make 2 with main green

Rnd 1: 4sc in a magic ring - 4

Rnd 2: inc in each st - 8

Rnds 3-10: sc in each st - 8

Lightly stuff the hand section of the arm. Fold the opening of the arm flat and make 4 sc across the top of the arm, catching stitches from both the front and back sides to close the opening.

*Alternative finish* If you do not want to close the arm using sc press the opening flat and stitch closed with the yarn tail.

Leave a long tail for sewing the arm to the body. 

Legs - Using brown, make 1 to end at round 5. 

First leg: 

Rnd 1: 6sc in magic ring - 6

Rnd 2: inc in each st - 12

Rnd 3: sc in each st - 12

Rnd 4: *sc, inc*, repeat around - 18

Rnd 5: sc in each st - 18

End off for the first leg. 

Second leg:

Repeat rounds 1 through 5, do not end off.

Rnd 6: ch2, join to the first leg with a sc, continue around with 17 more sc, sc in each of the 2 chains, sc 18 around the second leg, sc in each of the chain stitches. Place your marker here as the new round start. - 40

Rnd 7: *sc9, inc* x 4 - 44

Rnd 8: sc in each st - 44

Rnd 9: *sc10, inc* x 4 - 48

Rnd 10-13: sc in each st - 48

Rnd 14: *sc10, dec* x 4 - 44

Rnd 15: sc in each st - 44

Rnd 16: sc in each st, front loop only - 44 

NOTE: Place a marker in the first unworked back loop of this round. You’ll need this to join the body colour.

Slst to the next stitch and ch1

Rnd17: Bphdc around, join to the first hdc and end the brown. - 44 Start stuffing legs here.

Continue for body

Rnd18: Join the main green to the marked stitch from round 16 with a sc, sc in all back loops around - 44

Rnd 19: sc in each st - 44

Rnd 20: *sc9, dec* x 4 - 40

Rnd 21: *sc3, dec* x 8 - 32

Rnd 22: *sc2, dec* x 8 - 24

Rnd 23-24: sc in each st - 24

Rnd 25: *sc, dec* x 8 - 16 Add more stuffing here.

Rnd 26: In the front loops only, inc in every st - 32

Rnd 27: *sc3, inc* x 8 - 40

Rnd 28: *sc4, inc* x 8 - 48

Rnd 29: *sc5, inc* x 8 - 56

Rnd 30: sc in each st - 56

Rnd 31: *sc6, inc* x 8 - 64

Rnd 32-38: sc in each st - 64

Place eyes between rounds 33 and 34, with 13 to 14 visible sc between the eyes. Stuff the body.

Rnd 39: *sc6, dec* x 8 - 56

Rnd 40: *sc5, dec* x 8 - 48

Rnd 41: *sc4, dec* x 8 - 40

Rnd 42: *sc3, dec* x 8 - 32

Rnd 43: *sc2, dec* x 8 - 24

Stuff the head.

Rnd 44: *sc, dec* x 8 - 16

Rnd 45: dec x 8 - 8

End off and use the tail to gather the opening closed. Add more stuffing before closing if you feel like it needs more.

Leaves - Make 3 in dark green.

Rnd1: 4sc in a magic ring - 4

Rnd 2: *sc, inc* x2 - 6

Rnd 3: sc in each st - 6

Rnd 4: *sc2, inc* x 2 - 8

Rnd 5: *sc3, inc* x 2 - 10

Rnd 6: *sc4, inc* x 2 - 12

Rnd 7: *sc2, inc* x 4 - 16

Rnd 8: *sc3, inc* x 4 - 20

Rnd 9: *sc4, inc* x 4 - 24

Rnd 10-13: sc in each st - 24

Rnd 14: *sc2, dec* x 6 - 18

Rnd 15: *sc, dec* x 6 - 12

Rnd 16: dec x 6 - 6

End off. Very lightly stuff the wider section of the leaf leaving the tip unstuffed, and push the leaf flat. 

Assembly. 

Pin pieces to the body to ensure they do not move while sewing them on. Arms should be attached at the sides of the body at rounds 23/24

Sew the central leaf on the head first, it should sit directly on top of the gathered close for the head. Sew the 2 remaining leaves on, one on each side of the central leaf, so that they are close enough to be touching.

Weave in all tails and Piney is complete! 

This pattern cannot be sold or redistributed in any form. You can sell the finished toy made from this pattern.
Feel free to tag MammaThatMakes on Instagram or Facebook to share your makes, or add projects to Ravelry.

Happy crocheting! 

Squishy Crochet Kombi - Free Pattern

Good morning lovelies and hello toy day!

March is a super busy month for us! Lots of family birthdays, school events for the kids, and plenty of weekend events to enjoy while the weather here is still warm. March is also the month that our town has their annual Motor Show! Cars from every state in Australia converge on my little town and we get to spend the entire day checking them out! From vintage to modern, stock standard to completely pimped out, there is absolutely something for everyone! I can't wait for this years show, and to be able to get the camera out and snap some photos again!

To celebrate, this months toy pattern is... A VW! Is there anything more recognisable and iconic than the classic Kombi van?

I made one of these for Master J last year, and jotted down the pattern as I went. Then, life happened and I promptly forgot about the pattern and the notebook. As luck would have it, the notebook was in a box I was cleaning out and thankfully my notes were still readable!

It's big, it's totally overstuffed, it's squishy, it's ADORABLE! Master J loves his, and I can see this new addition is going to be just as loved already. He's been bouncing around my desk all day asking if it's "fin-is yet mum?"

It's not a hard project, but it is going to take a little time. Totally worth it though for the cuteness overload at the end. Mine stands 15cm tall and 19cm long. If your finding your stitches too gappy, drop to a 3mm hook. Pay particular attention to the colour changes, and you should have no problem at all!

Squishy Kombi

You Will Need:

-3.5mm hook
-10ply/Worsted Weight Yarn (Ive used Red Heart Super Saver); White for the main part of the van, grey for the windows, black for the wheels and whichever colour you prefer for the contrast on the van. I picked a teal green for that, but have also made them in bright pink and lime green! Also a small amount of yellow for the headlights.
-Stuffing
-Sewing needle
-Scissors
- Thin black yarn for outlining.


With white yarn

1: Ch14, sc in the second chain and each chain across. - 13

2: Ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across. - 13

3-20: Ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across. - 13

21: Ch1, sc back into the same stitch, place marker, sc down the side of the rectangle, placing one stitch in the end of each of the 20 rows, sc again on the last end row, sc across the next edge (using the chains from row 1) for 13 stitches, sc again in the last stitch, sc in the ends of each of the next 20 rows back up the other side, sc again in the end of the last row, sc across all 13 stitches from row 20, join to the first sc with the marker. - 70

22-23: ch1, sc in each stitch around, join. -70
Do not end

From here on we will be working in rows again, and changing colours within the rows.
To make clean colour changes, complete the last yarn over of the stitch with yarn from the new colour. If this isn't something you have done before, this video by PlanetJune is a great tutorial.
I just carry the yarn on the back of the piece instead of cutting it each change, it saves a lot of work weaving in tails.

24: Ch1, turn, with white sc in the next 2 stitches, with grey sc in the next 9 stitches, with white sc in the next 2 stitches. - 13

25-27: Repeat row 24. - 13

28-29: With white, ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across. - 13

30: Ch1(with the teal), turn, with teal sc in the first stitch, with white sc in the next 11 stitches, with teal sc in the last stitch. - 13

31: Ch1, turn, with teal sc in the first 2 stitches, with white sc in the next 9 stitches, with teal sc in the last 2 stitches. - 13

32: Ch1, turn, with teal sc in the first 3 stitches, with white sc in the next 7 stitches, with teal sc in the last 3 stitches. - 13

33: Ch1, turn, with teal sc in the first 5 stitches, with white sc in the next 3 stitches, with teal sc in the last 5 stitches. - 13

34-35: Ch1, turn, with teal sc in each stitch across.

End off.

With the section you just completed pointing up, turn the entire piece clockwise. Reattach yarn to the second unworked stitch from round 23 (there should be a 1sc space between the panel we just finished and the one we are about to start.

36: With white, ch1, sc in the first 2 stitches, with grey sc in the next 6 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 4 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 4 stitches, with white sc in the last 2 stitches. - 20

37: With white, ch1, turn, sc in the first 2 stitches, with grey sc in the next 4 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 2 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 6 stitches, with white sc in the last 2 stitches. - 20

38: Repeat row 36

39: Repeat row 37

40: With white, Ch1, turn, 2sc in the first stitch, sc in each remaining stitch across. - 19

41: Ch1, turn, sc in the first 18 stitches, 2sc in each of the last 2 stitches. - 22

Change to teal yarn

42-47: Ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across.

End off. Turn your piece clockwise again

Leaving one stitch skipped again, join the white yarn to the second unworked stitch from round 23.

48: With white, Ch1, sc in the first 2 stitches, with grey sc in the next 9 stitches, with white sc in the last 2 stitches. - 13

49-51: Repeat row 48.

52-53: With white, Ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across. - 13.

54-58: With teal, Ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across. - 13

End off.

Once again turn your piece clockwise and skipping one stitch from round 23, join your white yarn to the next unworked stitch.

59: With white, Ch1, sc in the first 2 stitches, with grey sc in the next 4 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 4 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 6 stitches, with white sc in the last 2 stitches. -20

60: With white, Ch1, sc in the first 2 stitches, with grey sc in the next 6 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 4 stitches, with white sc in the next stitch, with grey sc in the next 4 stitches, with white sc in the last 2 stitches. - 20

61: Repeat row 59

62: Repeat row 60

63-67: With teal yarn, Ch1, sc in each stitch across. - 20

End off.

Matching the side, sew all 4 corners together, using teal yarn for the teal sections and white yarn for the white sections.

To make the bottom flap:

68: Join the teal yarn to the front corner stitch, in the back loop only, and ch1, sc in the first 13 stitches across. - 13

69-89: Ch1, turn, sc in all 13 stitches across. - 13

End off leaving a long tail. Use the tail to sew the bottom flap to the rear of the van and down one side, leaving one side open.

Start stuffing the van, and sew up the opening as you go. Be sure to stuff it quite firmly.

Wheels:
1: With white yarn make a magic ring and do 6sc into it, pull tight to close. - 6

2: Change to black, 2sc in each of the 6 stitches around. - 12

3: Sc in each of the 12 stitches around. - 12

4: Sc2tg 6 times. - 6

End off, leaving a long tail to sew the wheel onto your van.

Make a total of 5 wheels. 4 for the sides and 1 spare for the back.  Sew them all into place.

Headlights:
With yellow yarn, make a magic ring, sc 8 times into the ring, pull tight to close and join to the first sc. End off.

Make 2 headlights and sew (or glue) them to the front of your van.

Finishing Touches:
With thin black yarn outline all of the windows, add small stitches to the front windscreen for wiper blades.

You can use the same yarn to stitch the VW symbol onto the front of the van, or you can paint it on with fabric paint, which is what I did, because my hand stitching isn't the best.

Make sure all your ends are weaved in and you are done!

Simple Barbie Gown

Hello lovelies!

Call me crazy, but I can't get enough of making Barbie clothes, even though my girls are now all officially high-schoolers and no longer play with them. Home made dolls clothes take me on a trip down memory lane. My nanna used to knit elaborate yarn and ribbon gowns for my Barbies, and I loved them so so much. There was just something special about the handmade clothes that I loved so much more than any store bought glam.

I hope your little one likes this gown, as much as I loved mine as a child. It's pretty straight forward, and fast to make. I'm hoping to do a few this year to pop away for Christmas gifts. Yes, Im starting THIS early!

You Will Need
2.5mm hook
4ply/fingering weight yarn
Small length of ribbon (or yarn) for a sash.
A small press stud or button for closing at the back

1: Ch28, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and each across. - 27

2-4: Ch1, turn, sc in each stitch across - 27

5: Ch1, turn, sc in the fist 4 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 4 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 3 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 4 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the last 4 stitches - 23

6: Ch1, turn, sc in the first 5 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next 2 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the next stitch, sc2tg, sc in the next 2 stitches, sc2tg, sc in the last 5 stitches - 19

7-9: Ch1, tun, sc in each stitch across - 19

10: Ch1, turn, 2sc in each stitch across, join to the first stitch, so we can start working in rounds -38

11: Ch1, sc in the first stitch, 2sc in the next stitch, join to the first sc. - 57

12: Ch1, 2dc in the same stitch, skip 2 stitches, *(sc, 2dc) into the next stitch, skip 2 stitches*, repeat around, join to the ch1. - 57

13: Ch3, (dc, sc) in the same stitch, skip 2 stitches, *(2dc, sc) in the next stitch, skip 2 stitches*, repeat around, join. - 57

Repeat rounds 12 and 13 for s long as you want the skirt part of the dress to be, for me this was 19 more rounds. You may want a longer or shorter skirt, so adjust as nessesary.

End off and weave in tails.

Attach press stud or button for back closure. Be sure to check for fit before sewing them in place.

Place the gown on the doll and position your ribbon in the spot you want it. Tack it into place so it doesn't move at the back of the dress, and tie a knot or bow in the front.

Enjoy!

Sweet Robin

If loss stories are too hard for you, please scroll to the bottom of the page for the pattern <3


I didn't think I'd be sitting here, again. Writing these words, again. Feeling so much heartbreak, again.

I wrote back in 2013, about how when we loose a baby, we join a club that noone ever wants to be a part of, but we don't ever get to leave. The Baby Loss Club. It's exclusive, but oh so painful. We're here and yet, we don't want to be. We'd give every ounce of our beings to trade that card in, hand it back, cash in our membership and walk away. We desperately wish we never joined this club.

Sadly, we can't. It's a lifetime gig. Now, I find myself a part of the frequent flyer section, of this horrible club. We lost another precious angel this weekend. We'd been trying to grow our family since we lost Alice this past December, and finally thought our luck was changing. Boy was I wrong. Friday was probably the unluckiest days in my life.

It's a long story. Its traumatic and horrible and cruel. I'm not ready to write it all out yet. Between broken machines and hospital stuff ups, I had one of the most horrible days on Friday that I have ever had. If it wasn't for the support of my best friend and my partner, I don't quite know how I would have made it through.

Having to call my partner and tell him that our baby, who should have been 12 weeks along, had stopped growing at just 9 and had no heartbeat, was right up there on the list of hardest things I've ever had to do.

Coming home to tell my girls, so hard. The words didn't want to come out. They didn't want to form. They have questions that I have no answers to, and probably never will. As a family, our hearts are broken. We've cried so many tears. We are devastated.

Surely you'd think that was enough for one day. Surely the universe can't throw anything else at someone who is already so down? You'd think so, but no. My partner drove my friend back to the hospital that evening to pick her car up (she'd driven me home in ours, I was in no condition to drive) and on the way there our car got ran into. Thankfully everyone was ok, but my poor car will need extensive repairs and will be out of action for a while.

When it rains, it pours, isn't that how the saying goes? Well it sure poured, because to top the day off, both me and Master J ended up with headcolds as well. Just what we needed!

It's been a crappy weekend to follow a shitty Friday. I'm left feeling horrible and broken and angry. I have so much angry to work through right now that I can't even start on working through all the other feelings I have.

Beautiful little Robin. Gone too soon. Joining Frankie and Alice.
I am 1 in 4
I am broken.

Sweet Robin

You Will Need
3.5mm hook
2.00mm hook
Yarn in a main and contrasting colours for body and black for the beak.
Fabric paint/plastic eyes/beads
Small amount of stuffing

BODY
With 3.5mm hook and main colour

1: 6sc into a magic ring, place marker - 6sc
2: *sc in the next stitch, 2sc in the next stitch*, repeat around - 9sc
3: *sc in the next 2 stitches, 2sc in the next stitch*, repeat around - 12sc
4: *sc in the next 3 stitches, 2sc in the next stitch*, repeat around - 15sc
5: sc in teach stitch around - 15sc
6: *sc in the next 4 stitches, 2sc in the next stitch*, repeat around - 18sc
7-8: sc in each stitch around - 18sc
9: sc2tg 9 times - 9sc
Stuff well
10: sc in the next stitch, sc2tg 4 times - 5sc

End off leaving a long tail, use the tail to close the remaining hole by gathering it shut.

CHEST
With contrasting colour and 3.5mm hook

1: ch5, sc in the 2nd chain from hook and each across - 4sc
2-3: ch1, turn, sc across - 4sc
4: ch1, turn, 2sc in the first stitch, 2hdc in each of the next 2 stitches, 2sc in the last stitch -8 stitches

End off. Row 4 goes to the bottom of the bird. Stitch it onto the front of the body.

TAIL
With main colour and 3.5mm hook

1: ch3, sc in the 2nd chain from hook and the next stitch -2sc
2-3: ch1, turn, sc in each stitch - 2sc
4: ch1, sc 3 times down the side of the tail, 2sc in each of the ch2 spaces from row 1 we used to start the tail, sc evenly 3 times up the next side, 2sc in each of the 2 top stitches, join to the ch1. End off leaving a long tail to attach to the body of the bird.

Wings x2
With main colour and 3.5mm hook

Into a magic ring, sc 4 times, trc 2 times, sc 4 times, pull tight and join to the first sc. End off leaving a long tail for sewing to the side of the body.

Repeat to make second wing.

BEAK
With black and a 2.00mm hook

Attach black yarn with a slst to the place on the face that you want the beak to be, chain 3 and then end off with a long tail. Using the tail stitch back through the same place you joined the yarn, so that the ch3 folds in on itself to create the beak. Secure both ends and weave in.

Use fabric paint or stitch on eyes, or use beads.

Seahorse and Giraffe Baby Toys from Upcycled Fabric - Free Sewing Pattern

Good morning all!

For the last few weeks Ive been working away at the craft challenge over at Angels for the Forgotten One of the items requested is for baby toys and taggies. The goal. 200.
I looked at the mountain of reclaimed fabric sitting in my hall and knew I needed to put it to good use, and what better way then for some baby toys. The fabric was already wonderful and soft and there were some fun colours so why not! My reclaimed fabric comes from all sorts of places, mostly Tshirts and Shirts from thrift stores or given to me by friends and family. I reuse whatever I can.

I decided to start with some basic animal shapes, because they are fun, simple and easy for a bub to hold. Ive seen a few similar ones, but the printer wasn't working so I figured I'd just draft my own. I shared the photos in the craft group and it was asked if I'd mind sharing the pattern. So, here we are!

To date I have the following animals: Seahorse, Giraffe, Fish, Whale, Crocodile and Duck but I have plans for more. The pattern will fit on an a4 sheet of paper, and the shapes are simple enough that anyone can have a go, great for beginners practising curves! You can use any ribbon or lace that you like. Mine is a little boring, because I only have a handful of colours but you could really go wild. I'll pop 2 up at a time. I monkeyed with the shape a little for the giraffe until I was happy with it.  It took a bit to find the right amount of neck and leg but I got there.

Here is a quick overview of how to make them. I didn't take a lot of photo's because I completely forgot but these are so easy you won't need to see it all.

1. Take your pattern and lay it out on your fabric. Pin it down and cut around. You will need to pieces. I find it easier to cut both sides at once (pin to a doubled over piece of fabric) This is super easy if you are using say a t-shirt, it's already doubled!

2. Lay one piece right side up. Cut strands of ribbon. Mine are anywhere from 4-7cm long. Fold in half and pin into place on the fabric. They need to be facing inwards, with the fold towards the middle, so when you turn it all in the right way it will be on the right side.

LARGE FIN FOR SEAHORSE:
You have 2 options here. You can use a wider ribbon for the fin, or you can use the template provided to sew one. Cut out 2 pieces, pin with right sides together and sew up one side, across the curved end and back down the other side. Leave the end that gets sewn into the seahorse open so you can turn the fin in the right way. Pin it the same way you would pin the ribbon, facing inwards.

3. Lay the second piece of fabric on the top, right side down. Pin the edges.

4. Sew around the fabric, leaving a 2 inch gap for stuffing.

5. Trim any excess fabric and clip corners/curves and turn in the right way.

6. Stuff the toy! Not too much stuffing, you want it to hold its shape but not stretch the fabric.

7. Sew the stuffing hole closed with a ladder stitch. This will be almost invisible.

TADAA! You made a baby toy!

Deer Antlers - Free pattern

Good morning everyone!
Today's pattern comes with a little festive cheer. Last week my youngest, Miss M walked out from her room with... Well...  Like this!

Yes, she sticky taped antlers on her head. While I admire her creativity, sticky tape on ones head isn't ideal, especially when you have hair stuck in it. So in comes mamma with a promise to make some antlers, that don't involve taking your eyebrows off when you remove them! Could these have been a little neater? Sure! But you know what, we're not fussed about being super neat. Miss M LOVES her antlers and has proudly worn them every day since, I guess we'll call that a win hey! I hope your little ones enjoy these as much as mine do!

You will need
Worsted Weight yarn in 2 different browns (DK works just as well). (Use the lighter of the 2 for the ears)
4.5mm hook
Headband
Sewing needle

Main Antler Piece - Make 2
1: ch2, sc into 1st chain 6 times, place marker
2-14: sc in each stitch around (6)
15: 2sc in each front loop around (12) Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Smaller Piece - Make 2
1: ch2, sc in the first chain 5 times, place marker
2-5: sc in each stitch around (5)
6: hdc in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch, hdc in the next stitch
7: ch1, turn, repeat row 6. Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing to main antler. Attach to the antler pointing inwards.

Band Cover
1: ch2, sc in the first chain 6 times
2+ sc in each stitch around continually until the tube is 3 inches shorter then your headband. End off and slide over your headband. You should have 1.5 inches left on each end uncovered so it can tuck behind the ears easily. Weave in all ends.

Sew antlers onto the headband.

Ears - Make 2
1: ch2, sc 6 times into the 1st chain, join. (6)
2: ch2, *2hdc in the first stitch, hdc in the next*, repeat around (9)
3: ch2, *2hdc in the first stitch, hdc in the next 2 stitches*, repeat around (12)
4-5: ch2, hdc around, join.
End off leaving a long tail. Pinch the bottom of the ear in half and sew together before sewing onto the headband.

George The Snowman

Hello all!

Today I have a new free pattern for you all. Meet George. George is a snowman, and a cute one at that! He likes ginger cookies and peppermint bark and his friends (who we will meet soon enough!) Just in time for some last minute Christmas Crochet! Arr who said this year could go so fast? George is made in one piece, meaning no joining his head to his body, HORRAH! He is also worked in the round, so no need to join at the end of each round, just move your marker.George is about 6.5 inches tall from base to the top of his pompom making him a perfect shelf sitter or stocking stuffer.

Want to make a George of your own? Or perhaps a whole tribe of them! Here is how!

You will need:
DK/8ply yarn in white, orange, red and green (or any other colour combo you choose)
3mm hook
2 safety eyes (or you could sew them on, or use puff paint too)
Stitch marker
Sewing needle.
Stuffing

George
With white
1: ch2, sc 8 times in the 1st chain, place marker
2: 2sc in each stitch around
3: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next stitch* repeat around
4: sc in each stitch around
5: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next 2 stitches*, repeat around
6-10: sc in each stitch around
11: *sc2tg, sc in the next 2 stitches*, repeat around
12: *sc2tg, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around
13-14: sc in each stitch around
15: 2sc in each stitch around
16: sc in each stitch around
17: *2sc in the first stitch, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around
18-21: sc in each stitch around
Attach eyes to desired place and start stuffing head.
22: *sc2tg, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around
23-24: sc in each stitch around
25: *sc2tg, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around
26: *sc2tg, sc in the next stitch*, repeat around
Add more stuffing, George should be stuffed firmly to help him stand
27: sc2tg around.
End off leaving a long tail. Use the tail to weave in and out of the remaining stitches and gather closed.

Nose
With ornage
1: ch2, sc 5 times in the first stitch, join.
2: sc in each stitch around, join.
End off and leave a long tail to sew onto George's head.

Hat
With green
1: ch2, hdc into the 1st chain 5 times, join.
2: ch2, *2hdc in the first stitch, hdc in the next stitch*, repeat around, join.
Change to red
3: ch2, *2hdc in the first stitch, hdc in the next stitch*, repeat around, join.
Change to green
4: ch2, hdc in each stitch around, join.
5: ch2, 2hdc in each stitch around, join.
Change to red
6: ch2, *2hdc in the next stitch, hdc in the next stitch*, repeat around, join.
Change to green
7: ch2, hdc in each stitch around, join.
8: ch1, sc in each stitch around.
End off, leaving a long tail to sew hat to George's head.

Using red and green yarn, make a small pompom. I use the fork method, if you are unfamiliar with this, there is an excellent tutorial HERE by Mollie Makes

Scarf
With green
1: ch52, sc in the second chain from hook and each chain across.
End green, change to red (I find it easier to join in the middle of the scarf rather then the end)
2: ch1, sc in each stitch across, when you get to the end, sc3 times in the end, then working on the other side of the green stitches, sc across until you get to the other end, 3sc in that end as well, and then sc in all stitches back to where you started, join. End off and weave in tails. Tie scarf around George's neck. You can choose to sew it in place if you like.

Playfood - Picnic Basket

Good morning beautiful peeps!

Today's pattern is for a picnic basket! I figure with all these new foods, we need a way to store them right? And what is cuter then a little child sized picnic basket!

This basket is pretty straight forward to make, and only uses a handful of materials.

You will need:
4mm hook
Yarn in main and contrasting colours (I used tan and brown in DK weight, Worsted will work just fine)
2 matching buttons
Sewing needle
4 pipe cleaners
Piece of stiff board or plastic to line the base (I used the plastic from an icecream container)

With main colour
1: ch30, hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across
2: ch2, turn, hdc in each stitch across
3-18: Repeat row 2.

Do not end.
Now we'll make the sides.

19: ch1, sc evenly down the side of the rectangle, 2sc in the corner, sc in each stitch on the next side, 2sc in the corner, sc evenly down the next side, 2sc in the corner, sc in each stitch along the last side, 2sc in corner, join to the ch1.
20-21: ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.
Change to contrasting colour.
22-23: ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.
Change to main colour.
24: ch1, sc in each stitch around, join.
Change to contrasting colour.
25-26: ch3, dc in each stitch around, join.
Change to main colour.
27-28: ch2, hdc in each stitch around, join.
29: slst loosely in each stitch around. End off yarn and weave in all tails.

Shaping the corners.
To give the basket a more defined shape and add some stability, we are going to sew the corners. This is a little bit time consuming, but it makes a huge difference to the basket.
You simply need to pinch the corners as shown below, and using matching yarn and a sewing needle, whipstitch from top to bottom, you want your stitches about a finger width deep. Repeat on all 4 corners.
If you want even more stability, you can pinch a pipe cleaner in there and then stitch, but I chose not to do so. (Lack of pipe cleaners, oops!)

Handles:
With contrasting colour.
1: Ch75, sc in the 2nd ch from hook and each across.
2-4: ch1, turn, sc across.
5: ch1, turn. Fold handle in half width wise and sc the sides together (going through the last and first rows) to create a tube. End off leaving a long tail.
This part can be a little tricky. You want to join 2 pipe cleaners together, and slide them into the tube. It is easier of you bend 1cm of the end of the pipe cleaner over before inserting it. Go slow so you don't poke it out the sides. Join the last 2 pipe cleaners and insert them from the opposite side.

Sew the handle onto the basket (the entire section that is touching the basket, not just at the bottom.)
Attach a large button to each side of the basket, positioning it over the top of the handle, and in between the 2 contrasting stripes on the basket.

Cut a piece of plastic or card to fit in the base of the basket and you are done! Fill full of play food and enjoy your yarn picnic!