Make it ! The Granny Bunny !!!

You know, this picture from my Instagram feed has collected more than 900 likes ...

... and a colourful crocheter named Karin @woolfieber, made her own version just looking at my pic (you can find her work HERE ) !!!!

My idea, since the beginning , was to prepare a photo tutorial for you, but do you really need one ? These Granny Bunnies are so easy to crochet, believe me !!!!

YOU NEED :

• some colourful mercerised cotton
• a 3,5 mm hook
• a pair of scissors
• a tapestry needle
• beads for embellishments (optional)

Please note that I follow the US crochet terminology, thank you !

Each bunny measures 13 cm in height and it can be used for different purposes : bunting, hanging decorations, appliques, brooches, on napkin rings and more !!!! The sky's the limit !!!

You can use this pattern even with different yarns and, consequently, hook sizes !!! ;oD

Abbreviations :

DC = double crochet

ch = chain

SC = single crochet

2SCtog = 2 single crochets worked together to decrease

THE BODIES : GRANNY TRIANGLE and GRANNY CIRCLE

Granny Triangle :

make a slip knot on your hook with the chosen colour. Chain 4 and slip stitch in first chain to form a ring.

1st round : chain 2, [3 DCs into ring + ch 2] 3 times. Slip stitch in top of first DC and in following 2 DCs and corner. Cut yarn and fasten off.

2nd round : join new colour in corner and chain 2, then [3 DCS, ch 2, 3 DCS in same corner + ch 1] 3 times. Slip stitch in top of first DC and following 2 DCs and corner. Cut yarn and fasten off.

3rd round : join new colour in corner and chain 2, then [(3 DCs, ch 2, 3 DCs in same corner + ch 1) + (3 DCs + ch 1)] 3 times. Slip stitch in top of first DC, cut yarn and fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

Granny Circle :

make a slip knot on your hook with the chosen colour. Chain 4 and slip stitch in first chain to form a ring.

1st round : chain 2 and work 12 DCs into ring. Slip stitch in top of first DC, cut yarn and fasten off. (12 stitches)

2nd round : join new colour in any space between 2 DCs and chain 2. Work [2 DCS + ch 1] in each space. Slip stitch in top of first DC, cut yarn and fasten off. (24 DCs and 12 chain-1 spaces)

3rd round : join new colour in any chain-1 space and chain 2. In each chain-1 space work [3 DCs +ch 1]. Slip stitch in top of first DC, cut yarn and fasten off. (36 DCs and 12 chain-1 spaces)

Weave in all ends.

LEGS and ARMS

Let's start with the legs !

You need to work in the two chain-1 spaces located along the triangle side. (choose your side and remember that they are all equal ! ;oD)

Choose any colour for your bunny, as it can be any hue you prefer, ok ?

Make a slip knot on your hook and insert the tip in the first chain-1 space on the right.

1st row : work 2 SCs , chain 1 and turn

2nd and 3rd rows : work 2 SCs, chain 1 and turn

4th row : decrease with 2 SCtog. Cut yarn, fasten off

Repeat the same pattern for the other leg in next chain-1 space !!! 

Weave in all ends.

Now we can add the arms !!!

This time you have to work into the chain-1 spaces close to the top corner of the triangle and repeat the pattern used for the legs, but with an extra row !

With the same colour, make a slip knot on your hook and insert the tip in one of the chain-1 spaces (right or left).

1st row :  work 2 SCs , chain 1 and turn

2nd, 3rd and 4th rows : work 2 SCs, chain 1 and turn

5th row : decrease with 2 SCtog. Cut yarn, fasten off

Repeat the same pattern for the other arm in opposite chain-1 space !!! 

Weave in all ends.

IMPORTANT : 

You have to repeat the above patterns even for the bunny with the "granny circle body".

The only difference between the two bodies is which chain-1 space to consider to crochet in arms and legs.

Nothing difficult at all ! In my specific case, I was trying to be more symmetrical as I can be, but you can choose any space for your bunny's legs and arms, just to give it more personality!!! ;oD

HEAD and EARS

With the same colour used for the limbs, make a slip knot on your hook, chain 4 and slip stitch in first chain to form a ring.

1st round : chain 2 and work 10 DCs into ring. Slip stitch in top of first DC. (10 stitches)

2nd round : chain 2 and in same stitch work 2 DCs. Crochet 2 DCs in each stitch. Slip stitch in top of first DC. (20 stitches)

3rd round : chain 16, slip stitch in first chain made, then slip stitch in next stitch of the round, chain 16, slip stitch in first chain, slip stitch in next stitch of the round, cut yarn and fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

With the help of few stitches, stitch the head on the top of the body/bodies !!!

front

back

You have to crochet loads of bunnies, just to play with shapes and colours !!!

If you like you can add a pompom tail on the back, too !!!!

What I did, instead, was to add a velvety bead as a nose ...

... well, I'm curious to see your bunnies, now !!!

Happy Weekend, xxxx Alessandra

If you like to play with more patterns and photo tutorials, just have a look at this PAGE !!!!

Make it ! Full-lenght Rudi ornament !!!

Yes, today I'm sharing a whole Rudi, not just its head!!! ;oD

Both my boys were not completely satisfied (do you believe that???) with the first Rudi outcome and they described to me what they were wishing for.... I tell you, they wanted something more realistic, but I told them that was not my intention....

So, our shared brainstorming session gave birth to the following ornament ...

... both Matteo and Tobia like most the grey Rudi, as it has a better defined tummy !!!

They were even asking for hooves, but I said that suggestion time was expired, so .... ;oD

WHAT DO YOU NEED :

4mm hook
some DK yarns
yarn needle
scissors
buttons (eyes)
thread and needle to sew buttons and bells on
mini bells
pompom maker (optional)
baker's twine

Remember : I follow the US crochet terminology ! Thank you !!!


RUDI'S BODY

You can choose if you prefer a monochrome tummy or a bicoloured one : it's up to you!!!

In any case, pick up a colour of your choice and make a slip knot on your hook, then chain 12

first round : wrap yarn around your hook and insert tip in 3rd chain from hook and crochet your first double crochet (=DC). Work other 8 DC in the next chains. In last chain, instead, crochet 5 DC. Crochet 8 DC at the base of the previous ones, while in the last chain work 4 DC, then slip stitch in the top of first DC done.

second round : chain 2 and work 2 DC in same stitch, then crochet 8 DC in next stitches, while make 2 DC in each stitch (they are five) of the semicircle (tot : 10 stitches). Crochet 8 DC along the straight side, then work 2 DC in each stitch (they are four) of the other semicircle (tot : 8 stitches). Slip stitch in the top of the first DC made.

third round : chain 2 and work 1 DC in the same stitch, 2 DC in next stitch, 8 DC along the straight side, [1 DC+ 2 DC] 5 times along the first semicircle (tot : 15 stitches), 8 DC along the straight side and end with [1 DC + 2 DC] 4 times along the last semicircle (tot : 12 stitches). Slip stitch in the top of first DC done.
Cut yarn, fasten off and sew ends in.

If you like the tummy in a different colour from the rest of the body, remember to change colour in the last stitch of first round, as done HERE !!!

You can even sew on a mini bell on the tummy!!!

RUDI'S HEAD

Do you remember seeing this same face somewhere else ????? ;oD

Well, it was in my LAST POST that I gave you all the instructions needed to crochet one, right?

This time you don't need a pin, but some baker's twine to make a loop between Rudi's antlers and some yarn (and needle) to sew your head on top of Rudi's body, ok???

RUDI'S LEGS (make two)

You have to work along the other semicircle, the one opposed the head.

In our case, the semicircle is made of 15 DC. Counting from first stitch (red dot) on both sides, find the 7th stitch (twice!) and in each of them, follow these instructions :

Join yarn in the top of the 7th stitch and chain 18. Wrap yarn around hook and push the hook tip in the 3rd chain from hook, where you work your first half double crochet (= hDC). Crochet other 15 hDC along the foundation chain and slip stitch in the same stitch you've joined the yarn.
Cut yarn, fasten off and sew ends in.

Repeat the same pattern in the other 7th stitch !!! ;oD


RUDI'S ARMS (make two)

Luckily, nothing different from the legs' pattern, apart from :

you work in the 4th stitch, counting from the "neck" (valid for both sides)
the foundation chain is made of 12 stitches, not 18!!!


Both my ornaments (antlers not included) reach 23 cm in lenght !

xxxx, Alessandra

Make it! Rudi the Rainbowdeer !!!

Happy start of the week!!!

Here in Maputo, this morning, we are having a lot of rain, so outside is grey and a bit humid...

To brighten my day and yours I'm posting a new colourful pattern to add to the ones I'm linking on my Instagram feed, just to give you ideas for your Christmas crafts : ready ???

They put a smile on E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E face, right ???
It's all the weekend I'm smiling just making them !!!

WHAT DO YOU NEED ?

some colourful DK yarns
4mm hook
a pair of scissors
some buttons
a pompom maker : if you don't have it, note that the pompoms are 2,5cm in diameter
a yarn needle
thread + needle to sew buttons on
some safety pins
mini bells
baker's twine

Please remember I follow the US crochet terminology, thank you !!!


This is the first Rudi I made ...

FIRST STEP : CROCHET 2 CIRCLES

Choose a colour and make a slip knot on your hook.
chain 4 and insert hook in first chain to obtain a ring.

first round : chain 2 (if you prefer, chain 3), work 12 double crochet stitches into the ring, slip stitch in top of first DC (= double crochet stitch) to end first round. (12 stitches)

second round : chain 2 (or 3! ;oD) and work 2 DC in same stitch. Crochet 2 DC in every next stitch and slip stitch in top of first DC to close second round. (24 stitches)

third round : chain 2 (or 3) and work 1 DC in same stitch and 2 DC in next stitch. Repeat [1 DC + 2 DC] other 11 times, slip stitch in top of first DC to end this round. (36 stitches) Cut yarn, fasten off.

You need to crochet a second circle in the same way and this time leave a long end, to use it to sew together, back to back, the 2 circles!!!! ;oD


SECOND STEP : POMPOMS as noses

Well, to make a lot of pompoms of same size I find very useful to use the pompom makers by Clover.
I've been using the smallest one, which allows you to have pompoms with a diameter of 2,5cm.
If you don't have it, just use traditional methods (as HERE), or a fork (as HERE) or your fingers (as HERE) !!!

Once you have done, pass the tails (with the help of the yarn needle) through the hole in the center of one of the circle and pull them to make the pompom adhere well on the surface. Make some knots on the back and cut the excess of yarn.


THIRD STEP: BUTTONS as eyes

Simply choose a couple of buttons and the right needle and thread. Just position the buttons over the nose and decide the right spot to sew them on! Easy-peasy !!!


FOURTH STEP : MOUTH

You need to choose a new contrasting colour and just under the nose, between rounds 2 and 3, make some slip stitches (12 in my case) to shape a big smile !

When done, cut yarn and leave a tail to fix the yarn in the back, but mostly to add the vertical line in the middle of the mouth !
When you reach the middle of the mouth, let the yarn needl pass from back to front...

... and pull the all the yarn and make the needle enter a space just under the pompom and go to the back again, where you complete the sewing !!!

FIFH STEP : ANTLERS

In any top stitch (just above the eyes) insert the tip of your hook, where you have just made a slip knot with a new colourful yarn!
In this stitch make a single crochet stitch (=SC) and chain 3 (or more if you like). Chain 5 extra stitches and insert hook in 2nd stitch from hook and make 1 slip stitch. Work other 3 slip stitches in the next 3 chains. Chain 5 again, insert hook in 2nd stitch from hook and work other 4 slip stitches. You will have something like in the following picture ...

... then, slip stich again in the same chain of 4th slip stitch of first point made, work 3 SC in last 3 chains. Slip stitch in same stitch of starting SC.
Make 4 slip stitches along the top of the circle (or more, or less : it depends how wide you will love the gap between the 2 antlers!) and in the same top stitch of last slip stitch made work 1 SC.
Repeat the same pattern given for the first antler and when completed (just after the last 3 SC), slip stitch in same starting stitch, cut yarn and fasten off ! Antlers done!!!

LAST STEP : SEWING and PIN


Sew in all the ends of both circles and put them back on back. Using the yarn needle with the long tail left on the second circle, sew them together with simple stitches. Cut all the excess of yarn.

Then add the safety pin on the back ...

Open the pin and push the head in one of the stitches between rounds 2 and 3, from right to left, and let it come out when the pin is covered enough, see ?? ...

Not difficult at all !!!


So, if you are crocheting a lot of  Rudis, you will be surrounded by a happy group of rainbowdeers, like myself ...

Would you love a complete Rudi, instead ???

... Next time, maybe ????? ;oD


xxxx Alessandra

Geode Pillow

Hi there!!!
Do you know what is a geode ?? Simply, geologically speaking (!!!), it is a small/big cavity lined with crystals or other mineral matter. Typical are the geodes filled with quartz crystals, very often with agate.

The pillow I made, which has no cavity (apart some holes made on purpose to jazz up the pattern),  reminds me of a geode, especially when I look at it on my sofa..

I think the "problem" is due to the fact that I crocheted a round pillow cover, but the pillow to cover was not round... in fact it's a square !!!! ;oD

I was curious to experiment the result of the union between round and square and, mostly, I wanted to use some colours, like yellow and lilac, which I'm not really in love with... You have to exit your comfort zone sometimes, right?

So, I decided to crochet two circles, using only double crochets (US crochet terminology), arranged in various ways ...

At a certain point, the front was done ...

... so I had to start the back of it ! I decided, first, to use just one colour and simple DC, but I hadn't enough lilac, so I added some stripes ....

... and I joined front and back using single crochets, just a round of them ...

.... so the pillow was quickly ready for my sofa ...

.... oh well, Margot likes this new pillow and its vintage appeal ...

xxxx Alessandra