Simple Bunny Lovey Blanket

One of my favorite projects so far is one I whipped up in just three days! I would have been finished in two, but my little tiny one decided she needed momma to play WITH her instead of just watching while cleaning. I was more than happy to oblige, but too tired to do much more work on my project after she went down for the night. I am only ever able to work on my crochet stuff while the little is asleep, but even then it is hard to find time with all the housework that needs to get done. Depending on how much time you have and how quick you crochet, this could even be a one day project: perfect for that last minute gift! The first day I starting out with a goal of finishing the bunny amigurumi for the main centerpiece. Day two was spent working on the blanket, but I ran out of energy before it was done. Day three was finishing the last row and a half on the blanket and attaching all of my pieces together. It came out perfect! If I were to do it again, I would make the bunny white instead of pink, so that the nose and mouth are more visible. Alas, I made the decision to do pink before I even considered how to do the face. I was also at a high risk of needing to purchase a complete storage unit for my yarn if I didn't start some stash-busting projects! For my lovey, I used I Love This Yarn acrylic yarn from Hobby Lobby. I really do love their yarn, too. It is easy to work with and stays so soft, even after washing several times.

The blanket pattern is very simple and can even work as a stand-alone. You can keep going with the pattern as big as you want and even make a full baby blanket instead of the lovey. Just keep adding extra rows. The bunny looks a lot more complicated than it really is, so even if you are new to crochet, please don't feel intimidated! I was amazed at how easy making stuffed toys actually was, once I finally got over my fear and tried one. I went all in and made a baby dragon for my baby girl as my first attempt. It is currently her second favorite stuffed toy (nothing will ever dethrone Duckie for the number one spot!) and I am so proud of myself for trying. It opened up a whole new world of crochet that I had been avoiding for over a year now.


Materials Needed:

Yarn:
Any worsted weight yarn will do. I used leftovers from other projects - about half a skein each of A and B
Color A (mine was pink)
Color B (white)
Black - small amount

Hooks:
G and I

Other:
Stitch marker - a small piece of scrap yarn works just fine for marking the end of each round
Yarn needle for sewing in ends and attaching pieces
Small amount of fiberfil (or any other stuffing)

Extra Notes:

• While the crocheted blanket part is done row by row, the amigurumi is worked in the round as a spiral. Do not join at the end of each row - simply start working the first stitch of the next row in the first stitch of the row below.
• You can use my stitch guide found here to clarify any stitches used throughout this pattern.

Pattern:


Bunny Head:

Row 1: With size G hook, magic circle to start and sc 6. Do not join - this pattern is worked in the round(6)
Row 2: 2sc in each (12)
Row 3: repeat *2sc, sc* (18)
Row 4: repeat *2sc, sc 2* (24)
Row 5: repeat *2sc, sc 3* (30)
Row 6: repeat *2sc, sc 4* (36)
Row 7: repeat *2sc, sc 5* (42)
Row 8: repeat *2sc, sc 13* (45)
Row 9-18: sc in each (45)
Row 19: repeat *scdec, sc 13* (42)
Row 20: repeat *scdec, sc 5* (36)
Row 21: repeat *scdec, sc 4* (30)
Row 22: repeat *scdec, sc 3* (24)
Row 23: repeat *scdec, sc 2* (18)
Row 24: repeat *scdec, sc* (12) Firmly pack fluff into the head after this row.
Row 25: scdec 6 times (6) Add extra fluff if needed.
Using your yarn needle, sew around the opening and pull tight to close. Fasten off tail.


Arms (make 2):

Row 1: Magic circle, sc 6 (6)
Row 2: 2sc in each (12)
Row 3: repeat *2sc, sc* (18)
Row 4: sc 18 (18)
Row 5: repeat *scdec, sc* (12)
Row 6-15: sc in each (12) Stuff arm after last row and make 6 sc across the opening. Leave a long tail for sewing limbs to head. Attach arms around row 21-22 (adjust as needed to your liking). I made mine so the arms angle toward the front by attaching them closer together than simply placing them on opposite sides, though that looks just as nice.


Ears (make 2):

Row 1:Magic circle, dc 6 (6)
Row 2: 2dc in each (12)
Row 3-7: dc in each (12) Lay ear flat and fold in half to form a slight pocket and stitch together to secure. Leave long tail for sewing. Attach ears to top of head, somewhere around row 3.


Eyes (make 2):

With black, ch 2, sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook. SS to join and leave a long tail for sewing. Attach eyes securely (especially if a tiny one will be enjoying this finished project as loose eyes can detach and become a choking hazard) just above the mid-point of the head.

Nose and mouth:

With your yarn needle and pink yarn, embroider an upside-down triangle in the center of the face for nose, going back and forth several times. This gives the nose a little extra texture as it bumps up from the rest of the face with each extra layer. Using long stitches, form a smile under the nose and join with a vertical stitch to connect.

If you use any color other than pink for the bunny
(I would recommend that!), the nose and mouth
will show up much better.

Blanket:

Using I hook and color A, ch 4. SS to form loop with furthest ch from hook.
Row 1: ch 3, 2dc, ch 2, *3dc, ch 2* 3 times. SS to top of ch 3.
Row 2: ch 4, *[sc, ch 2, sc] in corner, ch 3* 3 times, sc in corner, ch 2, ss to 1st ch of ch 4.
Row 3: ss into ch 3 space, ch 3, 2dc in same space, ch 1 *[3dc, ch 2, 3dc] in corner, ch 1, 3dc in each ch 3 space, ch 1* 3 times [3dc, ch 2, 3dc] in corner, ch 1, ss to top of ch 3.
Row 4: ch 4, sc in each ch 1 space, ch 3, [sc, ch 2, sc] in corner, ch 3, *[sc, ch 3] in each ch 1 space [ sc, ch 2, sc] in corner* 3 times. ss to 1st ch of ch 4 to join, switching to color B.
Row 5-15: Repeat as rows 3 and 4, alternating colors for odd numbered rows. You can continue this pattern to make the blanket as big or small as you like.
Row 16: With color B, ch 1, sc in same stitch and each stitch around, doing 3 sc in corner ch 2 spaces. ss to 1st sc, switching to color A.
Row 17: Repeat row 16, switching to color B at the end of the row.
Row 18: ch 1, sc in same stitch, skip 1, 5 dc in next, skip 1, *sc in next, skip 1, 5 dc in next, skip 1* around (7dc in corner stitches) ss to 1st sc. Fasten off and sew in ends.

Here is a more detailed look at the blanket

To attach the head to the blanket, first center the bottom of the head in the blanket's middle. You may find using locking stitch markers helps to ensure the head stays where you want it as you stitch around. Sew around the tops of your stitches from row 3 of the blanket and into the bottom of the head. Fasten off securely and enjoy!

As always, if you have questions, feel free to ask them. Don't forget to check out my Etsy Shop as well! I'm adding new items regularly, and am willing to make special orders, too! Special requests are always welcome!!

Stitch Guide

Crocheting is all very simple when you break it down to individual stitches. Each pattern is made up of a core set of stitches done in different combinations and ends with something beautiful. I use the same abbreviations throughout all of my patterns. Below, you will find a list of those abbreviations, what they stand for and how that stitch is done.

• ch - chain. Yarn over and pull through loop on hook.

• ss - slip stitch. Insert hook into both loops of stitch. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

• sc - single crochet. Insert hook into both loops of stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch, leaving two loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through both.

• hdc - half double crochet. Yarn over and insert hook into both loops of stitch. Yarn over and pull through all three loops.

• dc - double crochet. Yarn over and insert hook into both loops of stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch, leaving three loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through two loops twice.

• tc - treble crochet. Yarn over twice and insert hook into both loops of stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch, leaving four loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through two loops three times.

• sc2tog (scdec) - single crochet decrease. Insert hook into first stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch. Insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

• hdc2tog (hdcdec) - half double crochet decrease. Yarn over and insert hook into first stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch. Yarn over and insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

• dc2tog (dcdec) - double crochet decrease. Yarn over and insert hook into stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch. Yarn over and pull through two loops, leaving two loops on hook. Yarn over and insert hook into next stitch. Yarn over and pull through stitch. Yarn over and pull through two loops. Yarn over and pull through all loops on hook.

• magic circle - Loop your yarn over your fingers twice, keeping the tail on the left and the working yarn on the right. Insert your hook into the loop and bring up a loop with your working yarn. Chain once and begin working your stitches, following your pattern. You can then pull the loose length of yarn tight to close the center hole of your work.

As always, if you have questions, feel free to ask them. Don't forget to check out my Etsy Shop as well! I'm adding new items regularly, and am willing to make special orders, too! Suggestions welcome!!

Toddler Hat W/Butterfly Applique

     While wandering around on pinterest, I saw an adorable crocheted hat with a butterfly on the front. Much to my dismay, when I tried to follow the link, there was no pattern attached so I was left to my own devices to come up with something that looked similar. I found an amazing pattern for the edging, but it was in Russian, so I'm really not sure I followed it correctly, but it gave the look I was hoping for. Then all I needed was a butterfly applique. Once it was all said and done, I couldn't believe how close to the original picture I got!


So here's the pattern:

Materials needed - Size I and F hooks and two colors of worsted weight yarn (A for main color, B for accent color)

Notes: The ch 3 to begin each round does not count as a stitch for the first 6 rows - this will help to hide the seam a little better and you won't get large gaps at the end of the rows. Once you begin the granny shells in the 7th row, the ch 3 becomes part of each shell and and also part of the total stitch count for each row.

For HAT:

Using I hook and color A, start with magic circle

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc 10, join top of ch 3, pull tail to close circle (10 + ch3)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 2dc in first dc, 2dc in each stitch around, join to top of ch 3 (20 + ch3)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, repeat *2 dc in next, dc in next* x10, join to top of ch 3 (30 + ch3)
Rnd 4: Ch 3, repeat *2 dc in next, dc in next 2* x10, join to top of ch 3 (40 + ch3)
Rnd 5: Ch 3, repeat *2 dc in next, dc in next 3* x10, join to top of ch 3 (50 + ch 3)
Rnd 6: Ch 3, 3dc in first dc, repeat *skip 2 stitches, 3dc in next* x16, join to top of 1st dc (51 + ch3)
Rnd 7-12: Ss across first shell to opening, ch 3, 2dc in same opening, 3dc in each opening around, join to top of ch3, fasten off color A(51)
Rnd 13: With color B, ch 2, hdc in same stitch, hdc in each stitch around, join to top of ch 2, switch colors, fasten off color B(51 + ch2)
Rnd 14: With color A, repeat *ch 1, pull up a tall loop through next 3 stitches (4 loops on hook) yo and pull through all, 5sc in gap made above stitches, sc in 3rd stitch from start (last stitch a loop was pulled up through)* around, join to 1st ch 1 to finish. Fasten off ends


For Butterfly:

Using F hook and color B, ch 5, join to 1st ch to form loop
Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc) 2 dc, repeat *ch 2 dc 3* x7 (8 clusters) join to top of ch 3 with hdc
Rnd 2: (working in ch spaces) ch 3, 2dc, ch 3, 3 dc in same space, repeat *3 dc ch 3 3 dc* in each ch space around, ss to join to top of ch 3
Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in same space, 10 dc in next ch 3 space, repeat *sc in space between 3 dc, 10 dc in ch 3 space* around.
To Finish: insert hook into 1st sc, fold work in half and insert hook into opposite sc stitch as well, ss to join. Leave a very long tail to sew two sides together or fasten off to leave open. Ch about 15 stitches using color A, loop around the middle of the butterfly and tie the ends together to give the butterfly its body.

Baby girl LOVES her hat! It is one of three she
will actually leave on her head.

Attaching Butterfly: You can either use a few small stitches to hold the butterfly in place or sew around the entire outside to keep it closer to the hat.

As always, if you have questions, feel free to ask them. Don't forget to check out my Etsy Shop as well! I'm adding new items regularly, and am willing to make special orders, too! Suggestions welcome!!