Colourful tumbles

Sometimes I believe that my crochet needle has its own life. I was planning to crochet a ball, but I ended up with this cute little guy...:) He was so cute, I just had to make him a friend. And this is the result.

The following pattern is for the blue tumble. 

Finished size: 18 cm tall 

Materials 

• 2,5 mm hook 
• Cotton yarn (3 colors) 
• Safety eyes (12mm) 
• Polyester fiberfill 
• Tapestry needle 

Abbreviations
sc: single crochet
st: stitch
dec: single crochet decrease
inc: 2 sc in sc

Head/Body
Start with the bottom. Change colour every third round.
Rnd 1: 8 single crochet into magic ring (8)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (16)
Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x8 (24)
Rnd 4: (inc, 2sc) x8 (32)

Rnd 5: (inc, 3sc) x8 (40)
Rnd 6: (inc, 4sc) x8 (48)
Rnd 7: (inc, 5sc) x8 (56)
Rnd 8: (inc, 6sc) x8 (64)
Rnd 9: (inc, 7sc) x8 (72)
Rnd 10: (inc, 8sc) x8 (80)
Rnd 11: (inc, 9sc) x8 (88)
Rnd 12: (inc, 10sc) x8 (96)
Rnd 13-22: 1sc in each sc around (96)
Rnd 20: (dec, 10sc) x8 (88)
Rnd 21: 1sc in each sc around (88)
Rnd 22: (dec, 9sc) x8 (80)
Rnd 23: 1sc in each sc around (80)
Rnd 24: (dec, 8sc) x8 (72)
Rnd 25: 1sc in each sc around (72)
Rnd 26: (dec, 7sc) x8 (64)
Rnd 27: 1sc in each sc around (64)
Rnd 28: (dec, 6sc) x8 (56)
Rnd 29: 1sc in each sc around (56)
Rnd 30: (dec, 7sc) x8 (48)
Rnd 31-32: 1sc in each sc around (48)
Rnd 33: (dec, 4sc) x8 (40)
Rnd 34-36: 1sc in each sc around (40)
Rnd 37: (inc, 4sc) x8 (48)
Rnd 38: (inc, 5sc) x8 (56)
Rnd 39: (inc, 6sc) x8 (64)
Rnd 40-47: 1sc in each sc around (64)
Rnd 48: (dec, 6sc) x8 (56)
Rnd 49: (dec, 5sc) x8 (48)
Rnd 50: (dec, 4sc) x8 (40) Attach the safety eyes.
Rnd 51: (dec, 3sc) x8 (32) Fill in the fiberfill.
Rnd 52: (dec, 2sc) x8 (24)
Rnd 53: (dec, 1sc) x8 (16)
Rnd 54: (dec) x8 (8)
Close up.

Arms (Make two)
Start making the hand
Rnd 1: 5 single crochet into magic ring (5)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (10)
Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x6 (15)
Rnd 4: 13sc, 5 popcorn crochet in 1sc, 1sc (15)
Rnd 5: 1sc in each sc around (15)
Rnd 6: (dec, 13sc) x8 (14)
Rnd 7: (dec, 12sc) x8 (13)
Rnd 8: (dec, 11sc) x8 (12)
Rnd 9: (dec, 10sc) x8 (11)
Rnd 10: (dec, 9sc) x8 (10)
Rnd 11-30: 1sc in each sc around (10) After round 12; start changing colour after every third row 
Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach to the body

Bow tie
Row 1: 6 single crochet, turn
Row: 2-36: 6sc, turn
Sew the ends together. Leave long tail to make a bow.

Attach the arms to the body. 

Embroider a mouth.

Attach the bow tie to body just below the mouth.

You´re done!! Enjoy your colourful tumble.

This pattern is an original pattern by Anja Nielsen, Crochet Fairy (June 2013). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but you may not sell or distribute it. Kindly inform and credit me if you want to sell items made from this pattern. Thank You.

Elvis the Elephant

Efter at have lavet Penny the Pig - på opfordring fra min veninde - fik jeg lyst til at lave flere tykke kugledyr...Det resulterede i Elefanten Elvis :)

Han er dejlig rund og blød - et perfekt krammedyr - og så kan man da kun blive glad af at kigge på ham, ik?! :)

Materials

 2,5 mm hook

cotton yarn (50 - 100g)

Polyester fiberfill

Tapestry needle

Finished size: 17 cm long (+ trunk) and 12 cm tall. 

Abbreviations 

sc: single crochet 

st: stitch 

dec: single crochet decrease 

inc: 2 sc in sc 

PATTERN:

Head/Body 

Start with the trunk 

Rnd 1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (12) 

Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x6 (18) 

Rnd 4: (inc, 2sc) x6 (24) 

Rnd 5: “1sc in each sc around” (in the inner loop) (24) 

Rnd 6-20: “1sc in each sc around” (24) 

Rnd 21: (inc, 3sc) x6 (30) 

Rnd 22: (inc, 4sc) x6 (36) 

Rnd 23: (inc, 5sc) x6 (42) 

Rnd 24: (inc, 2sc) x14 (56) 

Rnd 25: (inc, 7sc) x7 (63) 

Rnd 26: (inc, 8sc) x7 (70) 

Rnd 27: (inc, 9sc) x7 (77) 

Rnd 28: (inc, 10sc) x7 (84) 

Rnd 29: (inc, 11sc) x7 (91) 

Rnd 30: (inc, 12sc) x7 (98) 

Rnd 31-60: 1sc in each sc around (98) 

Rnd 61: (dec, 12sc) x7 (91) 

Rnd 62: (dec, 11sc) x7 (84) 

Rnd 63: (dec, 10sc) x7 (77) 

Rnd 64: (dec, 9sc) x7 (70) 

Rnd 65: (dec, 8sc) x7 (63) 

Rnd 66: (dec, 7sc) x7 (56) 

Rnd 67: (dec, 6sc) x7 (49) 

Rnd 68: (dec, 5sc) x7 (42) Stuff with poly fill. 

Rnd 69: (dec, 4sc) x7 (35) 

Rnd 70: (dec, 3sc) x7 (28) 

Rnd 71: (dec, 2sc) x7 (21) 

Rnd 72: (dec, 1sc) x7 (14) 

Rnd 73: (dec) x7 (7) 

Fasten off.

Leg (Make four) 

Rnd 1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (12) 

Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x6 (18) 

Rnd 4: (inc, 2sc) x6 (24) 

Rnd 5: (inc, 3sc) x6 (30) 

Rnd 6-10: “1sc in each sc around” (30) 

Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach to the body 

Ear (Make two) 

Rnd 1: 8 single crochet into magic ring (8) 

Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (16) 

Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x8 (24) 

Rnd 4: (inc, 2sc) x8 (32) 

Rnd 5: (inc, 3sc) x8 (40) 

Rnd 6: (inc, 4sc) x8 (48) 

Rnd 7: (inc, 5sc) x8 (56) 

Rnd 8-15: “1sc in each sc around” (56) 

Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach to the body 

Eye (Make two) 

White yarn 

Rnd 1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6) 

Rnd 2: 2sc in each sc around (12) 

Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x6 (18) 

Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach on the body 

Pupil (Make two) 

Black yarn 

Rnd1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6 sts) 

Rnd2: 2sc in each st around (12 sts) 

Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach on the eye 

Embroider a mouth with red yarn. 

You´re done!! Enjoy your fat little elephant. 

Copyright Anja Nielsen, 2013

Penny the Pig

My latest project are these cute little pigs.

The pattern is very easy. The body incl. snout and tail is made in one piece (see picture below).

Materials
2,5 mm hook
Cotton yarn (pink + black and white for the eyes)
Polyester fiberfill
Tapestry needle
Finished size: 16 cm long (excl. tail) and 12 cm tall.

Abbreviations 
sc: single crochet
dec: single crochet decrease
inc: 2 sc in sc

Head/Body
Start with the snout 
Rnd 1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6)

Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x6 (18)
Rnd 4: (inc, 2sc) x6 (24)
Rnd 5: (inc, 3sc) x6 (30)
Rnd 6: “1sc in each sc” (in the inner loop) (30)
Rnd 7-8: “1sc in each sc around” (30)
Rnd 9: (inc, 9sc) x3 (33)
Rnd 10: (inc, 10sc) x3 (36)
Rnd 11: (inc, 5sc) x6 (42)
Rnd 12: (inc, 2sc) x14 (56)
Rnd 13: (inc, 7sc) x7 (63)
Rnd 14: (inc, 8sc) x7 (70)
Rnd 15: (inc, 9sc) x7 (77)
Rnd 16: (inc, 10sc) x7 (84)
Rnd 17: (inc, 11sc) x7 (91)
Rnd 18: (inc, 12sc) x7 (98)
Rnd 19-50: 1sc in each sc around (98)
Rnd 51: (dec, 12sc) x7 (91)

Rnd 52: (dec, 11sc) x7 (84)
Rnd 53: (dec, 10sc) x7 (77)
Rnd 54: (dec, 9sc) x7 (70)
Rnd 55: (dec, 8sc) x7 (63)
Rnd 56: (dec, 7sc) x7 (56)
Rnd 57: (dec, 6sc) x7 (49) 

Rnd 58: (dec, 5sc) x7 (42) Stuff with poly fill.
Rnd 59: (dec, 4sc) x7 (35)
Rnd 60: (dec, 3sc) x7 (28)
Rnd 61: (dec, 2sc) x7 (21)
Rnd 62: (dec, 1sc) x7 (14)
Rnd 63: (dec) x7 (7) Start making the tail. 
Rnd 64-92: 1sc in each sc around (7) Insert pipe cleaner (10 cm). Close up.
Fasten off. Make a curl on the tail. 

Leg (Make four)
Rnd 1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around (12)
Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x6 (18) 

Rnd 4: (inc, 2sc) x6 (24)
Rnd 5: (inc, 3sc) x6 (30)
Rnd 6-10: “1sc in each sc around” (30)
Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach to the body 

Ear (Make two)
Rnd 1: 4 single crochet into magic ring (4)
Rnd 2: (inc, 1sc) x2 (6)
Rnd 3: (inc, 2sc) x2 (8)
Rnd 4: (inc, 1sc) x4 (12)
Rnd 5: (inc, 2sc) x4 (16)
Rnd 6: (inc, 3sc) x4 (20)
Rnd 7: (inc, 4sc) x4 (24)
Rnd 8: (inc, 5sc) x4 (28)
Rnd 9: (inc, 6sc) x4 (32)
Rnd 10-12: Sc in each sc around (32)
Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach to the body 

Eye (Make two)
White yarn Rnd 1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6)
Rnd 2: 2sc in each sc around (12)
Rnd 3: (inc, 1sc) x6 (18)
Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach on the body 

Pupil (Make two)
Black yarn Rnd1: 6 single crochet into magic ring (6 sts)
Rnd2: 2sc in each st around (12 sts)
Finish up, cut yarn leaving a tail long enough to attach on the eye 

Attach the legs and ears to the body.
Sew the pupils on the eyes and attach the above the snout.
Embroider eyelashes above the eyes and a red smiling mouth 2 rounds below the snout.

You´re done!! Enjoy your own little pig.

This pattern is an original pattern by Anja Nielsen, Crochet Fairy (April 2013). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but you may not sell or distribute it. Kindly inform and credit me if you want to sell items made from this pattern. 
Thank You.

Ugle-pude

Jeg elsker at hækle puder! Det er en fantastisk måde at snige sjove hæklede bamser ind i hjemmet på, uden at det bare er endnu en hæklet bamse... For hvem kan sige nej til en pude? ;)

Mit sidste projekt var denne store ugle-pude:

Den er hæklet ud fra Oline the Owl - mønstret. Men for at få den rigtig stor, har jeg i stedet for almindelig bomuldsgarn brugt BIG Cotton garn og hæklenål str. 6 mm. Jeg har brugt 7 nøgler på puden, som måler lidt over en halv meter i højden. Den er stoppet let med pude-fyld, så er den til gengæld også rigtig krammeagtig!

Spider pillow

My latest project is this spider pillow for my little godson.
He is inspired by the Haloween decorations in October, but because of all my Christmas-projects I haven't have time to finish him before now...but better late than never...

The body is made of plush yarn to make the pillow soft and the spider more 'alive'. The legs are made of cotton yarn crocheted with half-double-crochet to make them more flexible.

Materials                                               Finished size

• 2,5 mm hook                                               Body: 22 cm in diameter
• Black plush yarn                                        Leg: 12 cm long
• Black cotton yarn
• 2 large buttons
• Polyester fiberfill 
• Tapestry needle

Body (make 2 pieces)

R1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
R2: Sc 2 in each sc around (12)
R3: *Sc 1, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (18)
R4: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (24)
R5: *Sc 3, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (30)
R6: *Sc 4, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (36)

R7: *Sc 5, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (42)

R8: *Sc 6, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (48)

R9: *Sc 7, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (54)

R10: *Sc 8, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (60)

R11: *Sc 9, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (66)

R12: *Sc 10, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (72)

R13: *Sc 11, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (78)

R14: *Sc 12, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (84)

R15: *Sc 13, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (90)

R16: *Sc 14, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (96)

R17: *Sc 15, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (102)

R18: *Sc 16, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (108)

R19: *Sc 17, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (114)

R20: *Sc 18, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (120)

R21: *Sc 19, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (126)

R22: *Sc 20, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (132)

R23: *Sc 21, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (138)

R24: *Sc 22, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (144)

R25: *Sc 23, 2 sc in next sc*, rep 6 times (150)

Fasten off. Leave a tail of yarn long enough to sew together the two body-pieces.

Legs (Make eight)

R1: 6 sc in a magic ring (6)
R2: Sc 2 hdc in each sc around (12)
R3: *Sc 1 hdc, 2 hdc in next sc*, rep 6 times (18)

R4-R22: 1 hdc in each around (18)
Fasten off.

Assembling

Attach the legs on the lower body part. Sew together the two body parts with plush yarn. Add the eyes.

You have now completed your spider pillow!

This pattern is an original pattern by Anja Nielsen, Crochet Fairy (January 2013). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but you may not sell or distribute it. Kindly inform and credit me if you want to sell items made from this pattern. Thank You.

Hello Kitty

My sister and cousins loooove Hello Kitty...like most girl in the world, I guess...so I have been searching for a good Hello Kitty pattern  for a long time. But it has been surprisingly difficult. But after trying several without the desired result (= not accepted as 'real' Hello Kitty's by my picky cousins) I found this cute Hello Kitty Ballarina. The pattern is not that difficult and the result is this really cute little Hello Kitty...which was accepted right away:)

The pattern is made by Esperanza Rosas and can be downloaded here.

Crochet and empowerment

I have spend most of December traveling as part of my job. First to Burundi and then to Bangladesh. So I haven't had much time to crochet or blog, but as a surprise I met the crochet needle repeatedly...  Both projects i visited focus on empowerment of rural and marginalised women and had established women groups in the villages where the members meet each week to be taught and discuss different issues and start up income generating activities. Many members have recieved training in embrodery, sewing or crocheting and they where all very eager to show me what they have learnt. What strikes me during my visits was that for them it is not just a hobby as it is for me...For them it is much much more! These skills can generate income and mean that the women can actually earn her own money...which is very rare in both countries. The women was not just proud of their hand made products but of being able to contribute financially to their family, which further gave them a new role in the family... isn't that amazing?!...Just think, what a crochet needle or a sewing machine can do!!

Below is a picture of a display the women made for me to show the different things they have learnt to crochet or sew... They were so proud that i have to share it with you :)