Patterns

Free mole accessory pattern: Moser’s miners safety helmet

October 25, 2016 Sonja

Just for the fun of it I made another free accessory pattern, a miners safety helmet for Moser the crochet mole. I really think these simple accessories make the animals look even more whimsical than they did. And with the holiday season coming, I already have a fun accessory in mind that will fit every animal, so keep an eye on the blog for these little free patterns.

Look at Moser, isn’t he an adorable little miner! Below the pictures you can find the free pattern for the miners safety helmet and links to buy the crochet mole pattern you can find here.

Miners safety helmet pattern

Helmet (yellow)

magic ring of 6 = 6
2 sc in each around = 12
(sc in next, 2 sc in next) x 6 = 18
(sc in next 3, 2 sc in next, sc in next 4, 2 sc in next) x 2 = 22
sc in each around = 22

Short rows to make the face opening

sc in next 8, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 17 = 17, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 17 = 17, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 15, s2tog = 16, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 14, s2tog = 15, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook s2tog, sc in next 2, s2tog, sc in next 3, s2tog, sc in next 2, *s2tog (*finish this last st as a sl st), weave in yarn end.

Helmet flap (yellow)

To make a little flap to protect Moser’s eyes better, you crochet a new row into the outside loops of the face opening edge. You are going to crochet 9 new stitches. If you look closely to the face opening of the helmet when it is facing you, you see 7 normal stitches around the opening (the part above the eyes).

Row 1

Work front loops only. To create the flap, you insert your hook from the outside in, into the 3rd st before the normal stitches and pull a loop. Now make an sc in the next 2 st, sc in next 7 normal stitches, sc in the next st of the side of the face opening. You should now see a new row of 9 st in the middle of the face opening. If not, start this row one stitch later. It is a bit hard to explain in which stitch to start, because the stitches at the side edges of the face opening look different and are harder to identify. As long as your flap is in the middle of the helmet, nicely placed above Moser’s eyes, everything is ok.

Row 2 (this row is worked in both loops like you normally do.)

ch 1, turn. In 2nd ch from hook s2tog, hdc in next, dc in next 3, hdc in next, *s2tog (*finish this last st as a sl st), weave in yarn end.

Lamp (dark brown and light grey)

Ouside in dark brown

Magic ring of 4 = 4
2 sc in each around = 8
sc in each around = 8, sl st and leave yarn end for sewing

Light in light grey

Magic ring of 4 = 4
(sc in next, 2 sc in next) x 2 = 6, sl st and leave yarn and for sewing

Strap

Make a ch of 25 with long ends for sewing at both sides.

Now assemble the lamp by placing the light into the lamp bulging out, but as deep into it as possible. Attach it with one stitch trough the back of the outside with the tail of the light. Use the tail of the lamp to secure the light better and weave in the end. Attach the strap to the middle of the lamp using both tails. You don’t join the strap but attach both sides next to the magic ring of the lamp. Like that the lamp isn’t placed completely on top of the chain which would make it stick out more, but runs over into it at both sides, giving a slightly flatter appearance.

Well look at that. You have made Moser a very sturdy helmet!

Patterns

Free crochet duckling accessory

October 12, 2016October 12, 2016 Sonja

In my quest to make enchanting Instagram portraits of my crochet animals, I have to come up with interesting accessories. Today Jonesy the duckling was my subject because I had this rather cool idea to make him look very special, and to publish a little free pattern for all of you.

Look at this very sturdy aviator duckling! Maybe Jonesy needed this helmet all along. The free aviator helmet and goggles pattern you can find below the pictures and links to buy the crochet duckling pattern you can find here.

Aviator helmet and goggles pattern

You need worsted weight yarn and hook E/ 3.5 mm (or the same yarn and hook you used when you made the duckling.) I’ve used Istex Lett lopi, colours brown (0053), dark brown (0052) and light grey (0054). You also need an embroidery needle to attach the strap to the goggles.

Aviator helmet (brown)

magic ring of 6 = 6
2 sc in each around = 12
(sc in next, 2 sc in next) x 6 = 18
(sc in next 3, 2 sc in next, sc in next 4, 2 sc in next) x 2 = 22
sc in each around = 22

Short rows to make the face opening

sc in next 8, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 17, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 17, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 17, ch 1, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 17, ch 4, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 3, (s2tog, sc x 3) x 3, s2tog, ch 4, turn
in 2nd ch from hook sc in next 3, sl st in next (side of helmet opening) and weave in end

Goggles (light grey and dark brown)

Glass 1, start in light grey and change colour to dark brown in the last stitch of round 2

magic ring of 4
2 sc in each around = 8 (change colour to dark brown in last stitch)
sc in each around = 8
sl st and weave in end

Glass 2, start in light grey and change colour to dark brown in the last stitch of round 2

magic ring of 4
2 sc in each around = 8 (change colour to black in last stitch)
sc in each around = 8
sl st, ch 1
join glass two to glass one with a normal sc in glass one, sl st in next and weave in end

Strap (dark brown)

Make a chain of 20 with long ends at both sides for sewing it to the glasses.

Happy crocheting!

Patterns

Drago, crochet crocodile pattern

September 23, 2016February 24, 2020 Sonja

Is it a dragon? Is it an alligator? No, this is Drago, a cuddly crochet crocodile!

After a long holiday break I am so glad to present this new crochet pattern. To be honest, I was a bit worried I might have lost the skill to come up with something good enough. Looking back now that’s me being a bit insecure. When I finished the head of this crochet animal I was so relieved. I made a sweet looking head which looked like an actual crocodile or alligator, like the kind and cuddly version of the fierce animal. Usually, when I design a new crochet doll, I look at many pictures of the real animal for inspiration and always am delighted by their beauty. On this case however, I mostly used pictures of plush crocodiles as inspiration. Of course I took some peeks at the real animal and kept its features in mind, but I didn’t fell in love with these reptiles.

Some of you might think when seeing Drago, ‘where are the special stitches you were going to do?’ Well, I later realised I am crocheting in a spiral, which means a popcorn based stitch, which creates the horny surface of the back, would never become symmetrical but the stitches would lean towards one side. That meant I needed to make a big flat piece you sew to the back which I don’t like. Also, when I had a prototype crochet crocodile, I liked the idea of a horny scaled chain much better. I was going to place two next to each other, which is most realistic, but that made Drago look way too bulky. My boyfriend said, ‘why don’t you just do one in the middle?’ So, I tried that and it look lovely. And exactly what I had unconsciously in mind in the first place as you can see in the sketch.

Anyway, to sum up this long story, Drago has become the friendly but recognisable crocodile I hoped. Here you can see him from another angle and below the picture you can find all the info about this crochet crocodile pattern and the links to buy it.

Info about & links to buy the pattern

This ever so fluffy and cuddly crocodile is made with Istex Lett Lopi, a worsted weight wool. He is 13.5 cm / 5.6 inch when sitting. All the additional information you need to know about this pattern you can find in the shop listings. You can buy this pattern in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here. It contains a clear and colour coded description of how to crochet and assemble the crocodile with extra illustrations and example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the yarn colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make your own friendly reptile.

And heads up, the pattern has a one dollar release discount till Friday the 30th.

Patterns

Friebel, crochet mouse pattern

July 7, 2016February 24, 2020 Sonja

After many modifications to my original idea, Friebel the crochet mouse is finished!

This pattern is the perfect celebration of all the little mice that came and visited my garden the past few months. It may be, that because of all those lively creatures, I became very critical about how my crochet mouse should look. When I started this pattern, I had a standing crochet mouse in mind. But when all the parts were finished and I had made a first prototype, the mouse looked like Bamse on a diet. Oh dear, that wasn’t at all good.

So, I frogged everything except for the rather sweet head and started all over. While working on a more classic doll shaped body, I realised it suited a crochet mouse much better as mice are such adaptable and playful animals. For the standing version I had made little pink hands and feet and when I gave the mouse doll such hands and feet, that didn’t work out either. Yet another modification had to be made. Even the tail became different that I had anticipated.

Of course there were moments during this process that I got annoyed I had to start over again, but that is a part of the designing process. Every crochet animal doll needs to have the proportions matching that specific animal and I cannot be satisfied until I adore what I see. There has to be a certain perfection in the cuteness. And in the end it is so rewarding to cherish the new creation.

Info about & links to buy the pattern

This cute mouse is made with Istex Lett Lopi, a worsted weight wool. He is 13 cm / 5.1 inch when sitting. All the additional information you need to know about this pattern you can find in the shop listings. You can buy this pattern in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here. It contains a clear and colour coded description of how to crochet and assemble the mouse with example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the yarn colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make your own little friend.

And heads up, the pattern has a one dollar release discount till Friday the 15th.

Patterns

Droebel, crochet dog pattern

May 26, 2016February 24, 2020 Sonja

And now I proudly present to you, Droebel the crochet dog, woof!

When I designed this crochet pattern, creating a dog looking doll was my idea. A funny looking amigurumi character that could be enjoyed by every one who loves dogs and animals. I think I succeeded and am ever so excited, isn’t he cute!

It was when Droebel was finished that I noticed he reminds me a little bit of Gromit, that clever and pleasant companion of Wallace. You know, from those amazing clay animations created by Aardman. I can easily imagine Droebel having all sorts of thrilling adventures. Yes, he is an adventure dog. Just look at him!

Generally, I find the sketch and the doll of a similar cuteness. The dolls never are exactly as the sketches, but they come close. This time however, I find the doll much cuter and better looking than the sketch I made. Droebel looks like the younger version of himself in the sketch. I’m very happy I managed to get that puppy look. Maybe it is because of my new shaping technique for which I used a rather simple and clever trick.

For this crochet dog pattern I have chosen to use soft colours. It makes him look very rustic and even a bit retro, which I like. Droebel is sitting 4.9 inch/ 12.5 cm when made with a worsted weight yarn. I thought of giving him a coloured collar or handkerchief scarf, but decided not to and leave him plain and simple. It is up to you crafters to give him accessories and I’m sure some of you will not hesitate to do so!

Now where can you find this pattern

The crochet pattern for Droebel the dog you can find in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here. As always, it contains a clear description of how to crochet and assemble the wee dog with example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the yarn colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make your own barking friend.

And heads up, the pattern has a one dollar release discount till the end of May.

Patterns

Lopi, crochet lion pattern

January 4, 2016February 25, 2020 Sonja

Look! Now we all can become lion tamers, the pattern is finished. You have already seen the teaser picture of Lopi the crochet lion, but here he is in full glory.

This was a lovely crochet animal to design. The most intensive part of making this crochet lion was inserting all the manes. Before I started I had thought of different ways to make the manes. I could use a mane cap, or just sew in the manes. I decided to go for manes crocheted right into the stitches. It’s not very difficult to do and gives the perfect result. (You just fold a piece of thread in half and pull it through the top part of a stitch with your hook and then fold the tails of the thread through the loop.) When I had all the manes inserted, the lion looked rather silly with his reggae hair. But after brushing and cutting, and some more brushing and cutting, he looked absolutely marvelous. Even my first attempt had such a beautiful lion look. I decided to change the mane colour for the final version but definitely would use this technique. The rest of the lion was fun to make, especially the haired tail, which also looked splendid after the hairs were inserted.

This crochet lion is not very difficult to make. The crocheting bit is very easy but giving the lion the final haircut does require your own skills. I can’t exactly instruct how long each hair has to be. I explained it as good as possible and with help from the pictures I (always) add to the pattern, I think everyone will be able to give his or her lion a nice lion mane cut.

Now, where can I get this pattern?

The pattern for this glorious and cuddly crochet lion, you can find in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here. Lopi is 6 inch / 15 cm tall when sitting. He is made with Istex lett lopi, 100% wool. The pattern contains a clear description of how to crochet and assemble the lion with example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the Lopi colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make this king of the savanna.

And heads up, the pattern has a one dollar release discount only the first week.

Patterns

Odi, little owl crochet pattern

November 9, 2015February 25, 2020 Sonja

And here he is. Meet Odi, a crochet little owl.

Never have I been so insecure during the process of designing a crochet pattern. Thankfully, now I am very happy with my little Odi. Why was this so difficult?

Well, I wanted to create a crochet owl that resembled a real owl species. There are loads of crochet owl patterns to find online, and you can see they are owls, but they don’t look like real owls, you probably know what I mean. And I wanted to make a little owl.

Giving it a sweet face, was the first obstacle I stumbled upon. I made several heads and they all looked quite unpleasant. When I finally had succeeded in making a sweet little face, I had trouble getting the size of the body right. At some point after taking things apart who knows how many times, I just continued working because of the amount of time I’d already spend on this project. And then there came a turning point. I had this lovely idea for the legs and feet and it did look so adorable, that the love for my crochet owl came back. I finished the feet and attached them to prototype Odi. It looked marvelous. Now I only had to make some wings and the little owl was finished.

But then, when I looked at the promotional and pattern pictures I had taken, I realized there still was something wrong with this doll. He did not look owly enough. His beak was much too big. After all this work I could not just let that be. So, I made a new tiny beak and took new photos. Now I can finally show you the result. I know Odi is not completely realistic looking. I did exaggerate the colours of the beak and feet to make him a more fun and expressive crochet owl. Just look at him!

How to get this whimsical crochet owl pattern?

The pattern for this adorable and rather realistic looking owl, you can find in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here. Odi is 14,7 inch / 12 cm tall when sitting. He is made with Istex lett lopi, 100% wool. The pattern contains a clear description of how to crochet and attach the bird with example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the Lopi colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make this lovely creature.

And heads up, the pattern has a one dollar release discount for the first week.

Ok, this one is just for fun.

Patterns

Plubby, crochet puffin pattern

July 27, 2015February 25, 2020 Sonja

With utter joy, I proudly present my crochet puffin pattern! Meet Plubby, a proud and happy fluffy crochet puffin.

When I saw a puffin while being on holiday to the UK, I immediately knew I had to make a crochet pattern of this spectacular bird. I had thought of it before, but never actually got to making one.

It was quite a journey, making this pattern. Mainly because I got ill and it took me a long time to recover from it. But now when this pattern is finished, I am ever so thrilled with the result.

The head was a joy to design. Finding the correct circled shape for the white parts was a bit tricky but very rewarding when it was finished and looking good. With the bill attached, I had a very striking puffin head. And blimey, it was even shown in BBC’s Springwatch Unsprung, what it thrill that was! But then for the rest of the puffin….

Halfway through, I got stuck a bit, because I had no idea how to make the wings. What I had in mind looked way too bulky and more realistic flat wings I considered not an option. I took a break and went on designing some other parts of the doll. The tail was such a pleasure to design. At first, I had in mind to make the tail in two pieces, but when trying it, it looked rather silly. Suddenly I had this idea of a one piece tail. I made a test version and it worked perfectly. The white bottom combined with a part of the tail sewed flat, created the perfect looking ‘feathered’ flap. What a few tiny stitches can accomplish!

When I pinned the puffin together, I realized I had to make simple, arm like wings, just like my other Popkes have, but a bit more wing like. That was the perfect finishing touch for the puffin. Plubby had come to life!

Here are some more shots of my dear Plubby. Below it you can find more info about this crochet puffin pattern.

Plubby is sitting 5,1 inch / 13 cm. He is made with Istex Lett Lopi, a 100% wool yarn. I’ve used five colours to make Plubby, from which three are basic. Black, white and orange. For the grey and yellow colours of the bill, you only need just a bit. Like all my patterns that contain colour changes, the complicated rounds in which you need to de- and increase are written in stitch colour to make changing colour as easy as it can get. I would strongly advice the use of a fuzzy yarn, as it leaves much neater colour changes.

The pattern for this cheerful puffin, you can find in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here. It contains a clear description of how to crochet and attach the puffin with example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the Lopi colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make your own crochet puffin!

And heads up, the pattern has a one dollar release discount till the 3rd of August!

Patterns

Koji, crochet tiger pattern

April 6, 2015February 25, 2020 Sonja

My glorious crochet tiger pattern is finished. Meet Koji!

This was beyond doubt the most ambitious crochet animal I have made so far. Yet, knowing that from the start, I was ever so excited to make a crochet tiger. I fully accepted I probably had to make many more test pieces than usual, but I knew that in the end it would be worth it. Well, at least I hoped it would be!

Making a crochet version of a complexed coloured animal like a tiger, comes with many dilemmas. I always fancy my animals to look as realistic as possible, but with a tiger, I knew I had to make some compromises. Certain characteristics of a tiger just are impossible to recreate in a small crochet version. For instance, a tiger’s face has many stripes, going in different directions. I only had room for two stripes at the top of the head and two at the sides. I had to find the right look for my simple stripes, to get that classic tiger face. Also, tiger ears are quite striking with light orange fuzzy front sides and dark backs with a white spot. But there was no way I could make a simple crochet version of such small ears, coloured like that.

Essentially, the whole proces went like that. Should I let the dark stripes of the body run over into the white belly? Nope, did not look good at all whatever I tried. Tigers have orange toes, black soles and white hair between the toes. What should I do to make that look best? Many questions like these followed, but it was very rewarding every time I found a good solution.

Koji has become a striking tiger doll. I think he looks playful, but also shows a bit of that tiger wisdom. Personally, I think he looks young and sweet in the first picture and more wise and mature in the picture below, that is really curious isn’t it!

Here is another picture of Koji and below it you can find info about and links to the pattern.

This crochet tiger is 5,8 inch / 14,8 cm when sitting. I spend a lot of time writing an extra easy pattern to make this animal. There is a lot of colour changing, so I added a bit more info about it and wrote the pattern for the head and body in stitch colour, so you can even see from the lines how your rounds of stitches should look. Koji is made with three colours of lett lopi, a 100% wool. I would strongly advice the use of a fuzzy yarn, as it leaves much neater colour changes.

The pattern for this beautiful animal, you can find in my shop at Ravelry, Etsy or order it here. It contains a clear description of how to crochet and attach the tiger with example pictures at the bottom to help you get everything right. In the pattern you can also find what materials you need, the Lopi colour numbers, in short, everything you need to know to make this glorious animal.

And heads up, the pattern has a one dollar release discount till April the 12th.

Patterns, Stories

It is spring!

March 20, 2015March 21, 2015 Sonja

And I am celebrating it with two special spring & Easter offers. Aren’t they the cutest crochet animal couples!

These pictures I specially made for my spring and Easter offers. Both packs contain the patterns for the two animals in the picture and the pattern for the Easter eggs and basket is included in the rabbit pattern. You can find the packs in my shop. Unfortunately I couldn’t offer them in my Ravelry shop, as they rejected the listings. You can of course order them directly from me also. Let me know which pack you would like to purchase and I’ll send you a Paypal request. The packs cost $9,98 and they are available till good Friday.

It always is a delight to photograph my crochet animals. I prefer to use daylight and I do, but it can be a bit dark in my home studio. I do my very best to capture both the light and the animals at their best. I love dramatic shadows, but for these photographs there has to be a good balance.

*pattern update* My tiger pattern is coming along very well and I’m looking forward to share some first glimpses of the head.

Enjoy spring!