Go beyond the granny square

While working on the crocheted Easter egg, I thought that it could easily be worked to make an egg cozy. You’ve probably heard of a tea cozy. Think of an egg cozy as the same thing - except for an egg. It could help protect hard boiled eggs or could be used to decorate plastic eggs.

The pattern is basically the same as the Easter egg but we don’t close it up all the way. Do one round of decreasing the stitches.

Add some fun fur and some googly eyes for a cute little monster. You could even use pipe cleaner for antenna and felt for eyes. I did use Caron yarn that is a little thicker than baby yarn. So just keep an eye on your size to know when to stop adding stitches.

Easter is fast approaching, so in honor of Easter, I came up with a small crocheted Easter egg pattern. This is a simple pattern and can be made in less than 30 minutes. So if you are tired of those plastic eggs or not a fan of hard boiled eggs, then give these eggs a try.

What you’ll need:

3.75 crochet hook (or use a small size)\
baby yarn(double knitting yarn)

Chain 2
Work 6 single crochet(sc) into first chain. join together
Work 2 sc into each stitch(12 stitches)
SC 1 and in the next stitch 2 SC. join (18 stitches)
SC for five rounds(5 rnds of single crochet adding no extra stitches)
SC 1 sc2tog(single crochet next two stitches to together) join(12)
Sc2tog for round
stuff egg with poly-fill
continue to decrease stitches to close up egg

You may have to move the fiberfill around for more of an egg shape.

I have plenty of crochet hooks but really would like some glow  in the dark hooks. They would be prefect for crocheting in low light like when watching TV or riding in the car at night.

SmartGlo has a set of crochet hooks that glow in the dark. A set will probably be my next crochet purchase as I’m really wanting to give them a try.  I’ve only seen the light up crochet hooks locally so I might have to order them online.

Hopefully they will work well for low light crocheting. I find that I really want to crochet during movies or long car trips. Being able to crochet in low light would be a wonderful thing.

Right now I’m working sans pattern on an amigurumi lion for my daughter. If only my crochet looked like it does in my head then all would be well.

I’ve hit a snag and will have to frog some of it to make the repairs. Now that I  have the body done, I’m not sure how much it’s going to look like a lion. I was hoping to do a simple head/body all one piece deal but with the mane I’m not sure when it should end. I really need to look at some photos of a lion.  Hopefully I can salvage my work.

The single crochet stitch is widely used in crochet crafts like amigurumi. It’s a basic stitch that once you learn you can create a variety of crochet items like afghans, amigurumi, and scarves just to name a few.

I’m working on an amigurumi elephant so I’ll demonstrate the single crochet with it. First you will go below the two loops on the stitch or between the stitches in the chain stitch if it is your first row.

Next yarn over the hook.

Now pull the yarn through the two loops on the hook. After this you should have two loops left.

Yarn over once again.

Now pull the yarn through the remaining loops on the hook.

Now you should just have one loop on the hook that was formed by the yarn that you pulled through the loops.

While it may seem like a lot of steps at first, it will become a lot easier when you are used to doing it.

My little girl wants us to make the Lion King. She is really fond of her scissors and has been cutting yarn for the past two days saying she is making a Lion King. So I decided that maybe we will make an amigurumi lion. Instead of going through my stash, I just took a quick look around the house and found some Caron Simply Soft bone colored yarn. She liked the color, so I decided to use it even though I’ve never used Caron yarn for amigurumi.

I have to admit that this might be the last amigurumi I do with Caron. I do love the yarn but find it not a good match for these tight single crochet stitches. I’m halfway done with the body and might switch colors and yarn for the rest of the lion. With the small hook, it just doesn’t seem to flow as well and takes more force to push the hook through the yarn. I love Caron yarn and have used it for several projects. It’s just not the best for this type of craft.

As long as the little girl likes the finished product, the discomfort will be worth it in the end. Next time I will sort through my stash for a better yarn for small crafts.

I have a ton of yarn in my stash that needs to be thinned out. I just can’t bear to sell it or give it away.  So what am I to do but to make some crochet items?

This week I’m selling at a consignment sale for kids’s clothing and other items that has me wondering what can I put in the next sale. There are several toys which makes me wonder how well amigurumi might sell at the event.

It may not sell at all but at least it will give me a reason to make my favorite crochet craft. Also I’m going to create my own patterns so that I don’t have to worry if I can sell what I make from a pattern, etc.

I think I will make amigurumis that favor local high school mascots since that might generate some interest in them. If I can’t sell them there then I can always try Etsy or just give them away here.

When I’m working on a project, making an amigurumi is a great break from it and a way to feel accomplished since I can usually do one an evening. Sometimes I won’t make one if I don’t have a purpose for it. The consignment sale will give me a reason and possibly a little extra cash for even more yarn,

Most crochet projects begin with the foundation chain. First you must make a loop on your yarn to begin the chain.

To begin, hold the yarn between your index and middle finger.

Now wrap the yarn around your fingers to make a loop.

Now pull the yarn through the loop.

Now place the hook through the loop and tighten the loop.

Next you are ready to begin the foundation chain. The chain stitch is the easiest crochet stitch.

Hold the yarn with your left hand(if your are right handed) and yarn over. Yarn over means to put the hook behind the yarn.

Now pull the yarn through the loop on the hook.

And that’s it for the chain stitch. As soon as I take some pictures I will post instructions on how to do the single crochet.

March is Crochet Month and I hate that I only recently found out or else I would have been crocheting this month.

I’ve been on a small break from crocheting and therefore obviously have had nothing to share. But with an approaching baby shower, I had once again picked up my hook and yarn.

Before the month is over, I do want to share some tutorials on how to crochet. it will take me a day or so to get them ready. I’m also inspired to make another amigurumi pattern. I have a few ideas since our last trip to the zoo.  I also need to work on those 2009 crocheting goals like submitting a pattern to a magazine. That should be quite the challenge but I think I’m up for it.

So pick up those hooks and crochet! If you don’t know how, then stay tuned as lessons are on their way.