Early Taste of Spring

For the past few months this has been the normal scenery around here. Snow, snow, and more SNOW! The day I took that picture it was still early in the season and not nearly as cold as the temps later dipped. It just kept getting colder and dropping more snow on us. I didn't think we'd ever dig out!

But thanks to my son, and the snow blower, we were able to (barely) keep our heads above the snow. And now, finally, Mother Nature is giving us a hand with the snow & ice removal.


In case you can't see what the thermometer says... it's 50 (FIFTY!) degrees! Sweltering I tell ya! It makes me want to put on my shorts and run outside barefoot. Okay, I know that's a bit extreme, especially with all the ice, snow, and slush that is still out there, but this weather is giving me spring fever.

Sadly, the high temps are not here to stay. It will be below freezing again before the weekend is over. *sigh*

This nice weather, temporary as it may be, makes me hopeful that Spring is just around the corner. So much so that I couldn't resist a quart of strawberries from the grocery store. Being a bit before their season they were a little tart, but some sugar took care of that nicely.

Add some bananas...

and some whipped cream...

and Ben and I had a yummy breakfast!

I will be enjoying the last of our unseasonably warm weather tomorrow by organizing my craft room. It's actually a closed-in porch that acts as a 3 season room. I never really had a chance to get it set up the way I wanted it when we first moved in. I got about halfway finished when it became too cold to work back there.


As you can see I still have my work cut out for me. Lots of boxes and totes full of crafting goodies to find a home for...

I have lots of plans for the space. I will keep you all posted on my progress. Until then, thanks for reading :)

Seeing Spots

Finished Size: 6 or 12 inches

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn: approximately 2 ounces in each color A, and color B; US size "H" hook; tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

12 inch example (shown above): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Pretty 'n Pink for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red for color B.

6 inch example (shown below): Pattern was worked using Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in White for color B. (*See note below for instructions for 6 inch square.)

NOTE: On round 2 you will be working a dc in the next st and then you will work a FPDC (front post double crochet)around that same st.


With color A ch 4, sl st in 4th ch from hook to form loop

Round 1: ch 3, 15 dc in loop, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: ch 3, FPDC around beg ch of previous round, (dc, FPDC) in each st around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, change to color B. (16 dc, 16 FPDC)

Round 3: ch 4 (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 1), skip next FPDC, (dc in next st, ch 1, skip next FPDC) around, sl st in top of next beg ch 3 to join, fasten off. (16 dc, 16 ch 1 sp)

Round 4: Working around ch spaces of previous row join color A with sl st in any skipped FPDC, ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, skip next st, (3 hdc in next skipped FPDC, skip next st) around, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2, change to color B. (48 hdc)

Round 5: ch 3, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (40 dc, 12 sc)

Round 6: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each st across to next ch sp] 3 times, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch sp, dc in each rem st across, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off. (76 dc)

Round 7: Join color A with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp, (3 sc in next ch sp, sc in each st across to next ch 2 sp) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg sc, fasten off.

Round 8: Join color B with sl st in center st of any corner, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, dc in each st across to center st of next corner, [(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in each st across to center st of next corner] 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Rounds 9 - 12: Repeat rounds 7 and 8 twice more. Weave in all ends.


*NOTE: For 6 inch square work as follows:

Rounds 1 - 5: Work same as rounds 1-5 of 12 inch square, fasten off at end of round 5.

Round 6: Work same as round 7 of 12 inch square. Weave in all ends.

Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

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Pink Crush

Finished Size: 12 inches

Materials: approximately 3 ounces worsted weight yarn (example was made using Red Heart Super Saver in Shocking Pink); US size "H" hook; tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

ch 5, join with sl st to form loop.

Round 1: ch 3, 15 dc in in loop, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: ch 3, 4 dc in same st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, *5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (28 dc)

Round 3: sl st in next st, ch 3, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, *dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (40 dc)

Round 4: sl st in each of next 2 sts, ch 3, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, *dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (56 dc)

Round 5: sl st in each of next 2 sts, ch 3, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, *dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (72 dc)

Round 6: sl st in each of next 2 sts, ch 3, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 11 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, *dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 11 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (88 dc)

Round 7: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 15 sts, ch 1, skip next st, *dc in each of next 3 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 15 sts, ch 1, skip next st, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (104 dc)

Round 8: ch 3, dc in each of next 4 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 7 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, *dc in each of next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (120 dc)

Round 9: ch 3, dc in each of next 6 sts, 5 dc in next st, *dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st) three times, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st) three times, dc in next ch 1 sp**, dc in each of next 7 sts, 5 dc in next st, rep from * three times more ending last repeat at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (120 dc)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each of next 8 sts, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in next st,
sc in each of next 11 sts, (sc in next ch 1 sp, sc in next st) three times, sc in next st, (sc in next st, sc in next ch 1 sp) three times**, sc in each of next 11 sts, rep from * three times more ending last repeat at **, sc in each of next 2 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (148 sc)

Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

Striped Rectangle Granny

Finished size: approximately 40 inches x 52 inches

Materials: Caron One Pound worsted weight yarn (one skein each of White (CA), Orange (CB, and Deep Violet (CC); US size "I" hook; Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: Rounds 1 - 5 = 5 inches x 17 inches

NOTE: Starting chain is a multiple of 4 + 6.

ch 46

Row 1: With CA and working in back ridge of chain (see Fig. 1) dc in 6th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, ch 1, skip next ch, (dc in each of next 3 ch, ch 1, skip next ch) 9 times, dc in last ch. Fasten off. (32 dc)

Note: From this point you will be working in the round starting in the last ch 1 sp made on Row 1, continuing along the beginning ch, working into the space created by the beg ch 5, and finally working across the top of Row 1.

Round 2: Join CB with sl st in last ch 1 sp of Row 1, [ch 3, 2 dc, (ch 2, 3 dc) 3 times] in same sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] 9 times, [3 dc, (ch 2, 3 dc) 3 times) in next ch 5 sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] 9 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. Fasten off.

Round 3: Join CA with sl st in first corner of previous round, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in same sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to end of round, sl st in top of beg ch 3. Fasten off.

Round 4: Join CC with sl st in first corner of previous round, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in same sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to end of round, sl st in top of beg ch 3. Fasten off.

Rounds 5-41: Repeat Round 4 changing colors as desired or following the color chart below for 37 rounds or until desired size.

COLOR PATTERN
CA for Row 1
CB for Round
Repeat the following sequence for remaining rounds:
CC, CA, CC, CB, CA, CB...



Pattern written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

Rectangle Granny (No Color Changes)

Finished Size: 39 x 51 inches

Materials: Caron Simply Soft Paints* worsted weight yarn (eight 4 ounce balls); US size "H" hook; Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

*The "Tapestry" colorway was used in the example

Gauge: Row 1 and round 2 = 3 x 15 inches

NOTES:

1. Starting chain is a multiple of 4 + 6.
2. Following Row 1 you will be working in the round starting in the last ch 1 sp made on Row 1, continuing along the beginning ch, working into the space created by the beg ch 5, and finally working across the top of Row 1.
   
3. Also starting with round 2 you will be joining rounds with a dc in top of the beg ch 3 rather than the traditional sl st join. Using this method eliminates the need to sl st across to next ch sp. This dc should be treated as the normal ch 2 corner sp.
   

ch 46

Row 1: Working in back ridge of chain dc in 6th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, ch 1, skip next ch, (dc in each of next 3 ch, ch 1, skip next ch) 9 times, dc in last ch. (32 dc)

Round 2: ch 3, working around last dc on round 1 [2 dc, (ch 2, 3 dc) twice] in same sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] 9 times, [3 dc, (ch 2, 3 dc) 3 times) in next ch 5 sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] 9 times, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, join with dc in top of beg ch 3.

Round 3: (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in same sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to end of round, join with dc in top of beg ch 3.

Round 4: (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in same sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, [(3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp] across to end of round, join with dc in top of beg ch 3.

Rounds 5-30: Repeat round four 21 times or until desired size. Do not fasten off.

Round 31 (border): ch 3, 7 dc in same sp, skip next st, sc in next st, skip next st, [*4 dc in next ch 1 sp, skip next st, sc in next st, skip next st, rep from * to next corner ch 2 sp**, 8 dc in ch-2 sp, skip next st, sc in next st, skip next st] four times ending last repeat at **, join with sl st in top of beg dc, fasten off, weave in ends.



Pattern written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved

A Meaty Proposition

A couple of weeks ago my son asked me to make him a "plushie" of a game character called Super Meat Boy. After I picked myself up off the floor (he's NEVER shown an interest in the things I crochet before) I happily agreed to make his plushie. And just because I was so excited about crocheting something for him, I also made Bandage Girl, SMB's favorite gal.

I finished them up just in time for his 20th birthday. Here they are, ready to be packaged up:



I wrote the patterns for them. You can find Super Meat Boy here, and Bandage Girl here.

Super Meat Boy

Finished Size: 4 1/2 inches tall

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn: approximately 1 ounce burgundy; US size "F" hook; 1 pair 12 mm black safety eyes; Fiberfil stuffing; 2.5 inch square black felt; Black sewing thread; Sharp sewing needle; Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Head and Body

with burgundy ch 13

Round 1: 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each of next 10 ch, 4 sc in next ch, working along opposite side of starting ch sc in each of next 10 ch, 2 sc in last ch. (28

sc)

Round 2: sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in

next st. (32 sc)

Rounds 3 - 17: sc in each st around.

*Attach eyes between rounds 6 and 7 making sure they are evenly spaced . (See photo for example)

Stuff body with fiberfil.

DIVIDE FOR LEGS

Step 1 (first leg)

Round 18: sc in each of next 13 sts, skip next 16 sts (these unworked sts will become the second leg in the next step), sc in each of next 3 sts. (16 sc)

Rounds 19 - 22: sc in each st around.

Stuff leg with fiberfil.

Round 23: sc2tog around. (8 sc)

Round 24: sc2tog around, fasten off leaving tail for sewing. (4 sc)

Using yarn tail, sew opening closed at bottom of leg.

Step 2 (second leg)

Round 18: attach yarn with sl st in first unworked st on round 17, sc in same st and in each st around. (16 sc)

Rounds 19 - 24: rep rounds 19 - 24 of first leg.

*There will be a small gap between the legs, you can sew it together if this bothers you.

Arms (make 2)

Round 1: 6 sc into adjustable loop. (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around. (12 sc)

Rounds 3 - 8: sc in each st around, fasten off at end of round 8 leaving long tail for sewing.

Stuff arms with fiberfil. Using photo as guide, sew one arm to each side of body across rows 8 - 10.

Weave in all ends.

Mouth (use photo as guide)

Cut semi-circle shape from black felt. With black thread and sewing needle, sew mouth to front of ami centered just below the eyes.


Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2011 All rights reserved