Crochet Owl Gift Basket

A friend of mine was having a rough week and I thought a nice package in the mail would cheer her up. So, I made this owl basket for her.

And it is so perfect! The basket is tiny but cute and so quick and easy to make. And when you finish, you can fill it up with anything you'd like and wrap in cellophane and tie a ribbon. And voila! You've got a one-of-a-kind gift for a friend or a family member. 

Materials:
1. Super chunky yarn
2. Crochet hook size K (I use Boye)
3. Sewing needle
4. Cardboard (optional)
5. Polyester stuffing (optional)

Abbreviations:

ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
BLO - back loop only
FO - fasten off

PATTERN

Basket:

ch 12

Round 1: 1 hdc in 3rd ch from hook, 8 hdc, hdc 4 in last ch

Now we will be going around the chain.

8 hdc and hdc 3 in last ch

You should have 24 sts in round 1

Sl st to join rounds and ch 2

Round 2: 1 hdc inc, 8 hdc, 4 hdc inc, 8 hdc, 3 hdc inc - 32 sts

Round 3: (hdc, hdc inc), 8 hdc, (hdc, hdc inc) x 4, 8 hdc, (hdc, hdc inc) x 3 - 40 sts

Round 4: 40 hdc in BLO

rounds 5 - 8: 40 hdc (in both loops)

FO and weave in the ends after finishing round 8.

Right eye:

Join rounds with a sl st.

Round 1: mr, ch 1, 8 sc in the ring - 8 sts

round 2: 2 sc inc; in next stitch 1 hdc and 1 dc; ch 2

now insert hook through the top loop of the dc you made earlier and sl st

sl st 2 more times in the other two loops going down that same dc

1 sc in next 2 sts; sc inc until the end of the round; join rounds with a sl st

Leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off.

Left eye:

Join rounds with a sl st.

Round 1: mr, ch 1, 8 sc in the ring - 8 sts

Round 2: 2 sc inc; 1 sc and ch 4; sl st in 3rd ch from hook

1 dc and 1 hdc in same st where you made the sc earlier

1 sc in 2 sts

3 sc inc

Join rounds with a slip st.

Leave a long tail for sewing and fasten off.

Beak:

ch 4

Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook; 2 sc; ch 2 and turn - 3 sts

Row 2: hdc the 3 sts together (decr)

You will have only one stitch left. Chain one and insert the hook into the very first sc you made. Sl st there. Leave a long tail for sewing and  fasten off.

The beak should look like a small triangle.

Assembly:

1. Sew the beak to the middle of the basket. The top of the beak should be on round 7.

2. Sew the eyes on each side of the beak.

Optional:

Place the basket on a piece of cardboard. With pencil, trace the bottom of the basket on the cardboard. Cut the drawing out (you might have to do some more trimming to make it fit inside the basket). 

Place the cardboard inside the basket and press until it goes all the way down. This will ensure that the bottom of the basket will stay flat and won't bend when you place things inside the basket.

I also added a little polyester stuffing.

And then I filled the basket with things I thought my friend would like. 

Heart Shaped Box Tutorial (Tiny Valentine's Day Gift)

I made this giraffe a while ago and he just needed something to hold. I thought a little heart shaped candy box would be the perfect thing for him. 

 You can find the tutorial for this cute box for FREE here: Candy Box Tutorial

And the pattern for the giraffe is available in my shop here: Tiny Giraffe Pattern

Enjoy!

Tiny Crochet Balloons

I love making mini balloons. They are perfect for any or no occasion. And they are super easy and quick to make.

My pattern changes every time. I don't think I have made two balloons exactly the same way but here's one way I make them.

And if you don't know how to crochet but you really like these balloons, I can make them for you. Just follow this link.

Materials:
1. Aunt Lydia's size 10 crochet thread (colors of your choice)
2. 1.30 mm crochet hook
3. Polyfil
4. Sewing needle
5. Scissors
6. Stitch marker
7. Glue gun
8. Wire

Abbreviations:
mr - magic ring
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
sl st - slip stitch
st(s) - stitch(es)
ch - chain
rnd - round

Balloon:
mr, ch 1, 7 sc in the ring
Pull tight to close
round 1: 2 sc in each stitch - 14 sts
round 2: 1 sc, 2 sc in next stitch (repeat 7 times) - 21 sts
rounds 3 - 6: sc around - 21 sts
round 7: 1 sc, sc2tog (repeat 7 times) - 14 sts
round 8: sc around - 14 sts
round 9: sc2tog (repeat 7 times) - 7 sts (stuff the balloon before finishing this rnd)
round 10: sc around
round 11: 2 sc in each st - 14 sts
round 12: sl st in 2 sts
Fasten off and finish off following this tutorial.

Cut your wire (about 3 inches long). Insert in balloon and glue with the glue gun.

Bow: (leave long tails)
ch 8
row 1: 1 hdc in 2nd ch from hook; 1 hdc in each st; ch 2 and turn - 6 sts
rows 2 - 15: 1 hdc in each st; ch 2 and turn - 6 sts

Fasten off and sew both side together. Fold in half and wrap the left over thread several times in the middle. Make sure to pull tight the first time to shape the bow. Tie a knot on the back of the bow.

Ch 12 - 20 with the left over thread

Put the balloons together and wrap thread around the middle of the wire. Wrap several times and glue with the glue gun to secure. Glue the bow on the thread you just wrapped around the wire.

I hope you liked this pattern.

Let me know what you think in the comments. :-)

HAPPY CROCHETING!!!

How to Crochet Tiny Pumpkins for Halloween (Free Pattern)

Every fall season I get to make a lot of these tiny pumpkins for my customers. This year is going to be the last year I sell them in my shop. So, I thought why not share the pattern with you here. This pattern is SUPER easy. But if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. And don't forget to share pics of your creations!!!

Here's what you need:

Materials:
1. Crochet thread: Aunt Lydias, size 10 (two colors - one for the pumpkin and one for the stem)
2. Crochet hook: 1.30 mm
3. Polyfil
4. Thin wire
5. Glue gun
6. Fabric glue
7. Scissors

Notes:
1. Crochet in the round. Don't join rounds with sl st.
2. The pumpkins come in three different sizes. Pattern is given for them separately. 
3. The stem for the pumpkins is made the same way. Instructions for the stem are given at the very end.

Abbreviations:
mr - magic ring
sc - single crochet
sc2tog (decr) - single crochet 2 together (decrease)*
*Use the invisible decrease technique.

Pattern:
Smallest

Mr, ch 1, sc 8
Rnd 1: 2 sc – 16
Rnd 2: 1 sc, 2 sc – 24
Rnd 3: 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc – 32
Rnd 4 – 9: sc around
Stuff the pumpkin with a very small ball of polyfil or cotton. Your pumpkin should be half empty. That will allow you to have the bumps on top.
Now you will sc2tog until you are left with a small hole (just big enough to insert the wire).

Medium: 

Mr, ch 1, sc 8
Rnd 1: 2 sc – 16
Rnd 2: 1 sc, 2 sc – 24
Rnd 3: 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc – 32
Rnd 4: 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc – 40
Rnd 5 – 12: sc around
Stuff the pumpkin with a very small ball of polyfil or cotton. Your pumpkin should be half empty. That will allow you to have the bumps on top.
Now you will sc2tog until you are left with a small hole (just big enough to insert the wire).

Largest:

Mr, ch 1, sc 8
Rnd 1: 2 sc – 16
Rnd 2: 1 sc, 2 sc – 24
Rnd 3: 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc – 32
Rnd 4: 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc – 40
Rnd 5: 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc – 48
Rnd 6 – 15: sc around

Stuff the pumpkin with a very small ball of polyfil or cotton. Your pumpkin should be half empty. That will allow you to have the bumps on top.



Now you will sc2tog until you are left with a small hole (just big enough to insert the wire).






Stem:



Fold the wire in half and then fold it in half again. Your stem should be about 2 inches long (you can make it longer or shorter depending on the size of the pumpkin you are making). 

Insert the glue gun into the hole of the pumpkin and put glue inside. Then quickly place the wire and press. 
Now place a tiny dot of glue close to the wire and press the brown thread you will be using for the stem. This will secure the thread and will make it easier for you to wrap it around the wire. 




Take your fabric glue and put some to the base of the wire and some on the actual pumpkin. Start wrapping the wire around tightly. You don't need to put anymore fabric glue until you get to the top. 

Once you are close to finishing, put more fabric glue and keep wrapping the thread around the wire until it's all covered. Cut the thread and secure the end with the fabric glue.

Once the glue is dry, spray a little fabric stiffener on the pumpkin only and shape the pumps.

I hope you like this pattern. I'd love to see your creations, so please feel free to share them with me here.

How to Crochet Easter Peg Dolls: Bunny, Baby Chick, and Lamb (Free Pattern)

Easter is coming and these sweet little peg dolls will be the perfect addition to your Easter decor. Because they are so small (only about 2 inches high), you can even put them in eggs and make the Easter egg hunt more fun and exciting.

I used crochet thread for mine but you can use yarn to make your peg dollies.

Notes:

1. This pattern only gives you the instructions for the basic peg doll with the hat. The pattern for the embellishments (little eggs, heart, and flower) is not included.

2. Crochet in the round. Join each round with slip stitch.

Materials:

1. Size 10 crochet hook (or size 7)
2. Size 10 crochet thread:
- ecru for face
- another color for body and hat
3. Stuffing
4. Scissors
5. Sewing needle
6. Stitch marker
7. Hot glue gun
8. Blush (for cheeks)

Abbreviations:

mr - magic ring
sc - single crochet
sl st - slip stitch
hdc - half double crochet
ch - chain

Pattern:

HEAD AND BODY

mg, ch 1, sc 7 in the ring

rnd 1: 2 sc in each - 14 sts
rnd 2: 1 sc, 2 sc in next (7 times) - 21 sts
rnd 3 - 6: sc around - 21 sts
rnd 7: 1 sc, sc 2 tog (7 times) - 14 sts
rnd 8: sc around

Stuff the head.

rnd 9: sc 2 tog (7 times) - 7 sts

Change to the second color for the body.

rnd 10: 2 sc in each - 14 sts
rnd 11: 1 sc, 2 sc in next (7 times) - 21 sts
rnd 12: hdc around - 21 sts
rnd 13: sc around - 21 sts

Alternate hdc round and sc round until you finish round 19.

rnd 20: 1 sc, sc 2 tog - 14

Stuff the body.

rnd 21: sc 2 tog - 7 sts

Cut the thread. With the sewing needle go through the front loop of each st. Then pull tight to close. Insert needle through body and pull. Don't cut thread yet. Leave for later.

BUNNY EARS (x 2):

Make a chain of 7.

round 1: sc in 2 sts, hdc in 2 sts, dc in next, 6 dc in last. Going around: dc in 1 st, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts. Fasten off.

LAMB EARS (x 2):

Make a chain of 6 sts.

rnd 1: hdc in 4 sts, 5 hdc in last st. Going around, hdc until the end.

HAT:

mg, ch 1, sc 7 in the ring

Pull tight to close the ring. Do not cut this thread. We'll use it later.

rnd 1: 2 sc in each - 14 sts
rnd 2: 1 sc, 2 sc in next (7 times) - 21 sts
rnd 3: hdc around - 21 sts
rnd 4: sc around - 21 sts
rnd 5: hdc around - 21 sts
rnd 6: sc around - 21 sts
rnd 7: hdc around - 21 sts

Fasten off and weave in the end.

BABY CHICK FEATHERS:

The feathers are made with a chain that you will start where the magic ring is on top of the hat. For the bigger feather chain 10 - 12. Then insert hook through magic ring and sl st. Continue with a chain of 7 for the smaller feather. When finished, pull the rest of the thread to the inside of the hat and make a not. Cut the rest.

Attaching the hat to the body (after you have sewn the ears to the hat):

With the sewing needle and using the thread from the mr, go through the head and all the way through the body. Go through the same st where you left the left over thread from the body. Pull tight and make a not with both pieces of thread. Cut and stuff the thread in the body.

Glue the hat to the head.

Tiny Crochet Mouse (Free Pattern)

This post has been moved to my new blog.

Follow the link, Pink Mouse Boutique.

Fall Decor: Crochet Acorn (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Autumn)

I just discovered these giant acorns. A neighbor actually brought one to me and I found out that the tree was right by my building. I have lived in this place for five years and I have never noticed the acorns. I am so glad I did this year. So, I made some crochet acorns to put in my shop. And here's how I made them.

Step 1: Wash the acorns in water. I only needed the tops.

Step 2: Bake them at 175 for 30 minutes on each side.

Step 3: Spray them with Satin Finish and let them dry for about an hour.

Step 4: Crochet the acorn. 

I don't have an exact pattern because the acorn tops come in different sizes. But this is how I start.

Acorn:

mr, ch 1, sh 8

rnd 1: 2 sc in each - 16

rnd 2: sc around - 16

rnd 3: 1 sc, 2 sc (8 times) - 24

rnd 4: 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc (8 times) - 32

rnd 5 (for a few rounds): sc around

Some acorn tops are smaller and I stop increasing once I reach 24 stitches. Some are larger and I have to increase more. If you need to increase more, add another rnd of just sc around.

I apologize for not being able to give you an exact pattern. But acorns are not the same and I do something different for each one.

I hope you liked this. Happy Fall!!!