Long Tailed Santa Hat - Free Pattern!

My Santa hats have been one of my best-sellers for many years, and I never wrote down what I did because it seemed too simple, but I thought you all might like it as a free pattern!

I use Lion's Brand Homespun, which is a bulky yarn with a bumpy texture. You could use other bulky or even worsted weight yarns, but your stitch counts will be different. Colors shown are Candy Apple, Deco and Pesto. I have also used white and Forest for the light color and the green. I have also made this pattern with pink and green, or just red and white, or just green and white...use whatever color suits your fancy.

The key to working with homespun yarn is not to work too tightly. If you pull to hard on this yarn, it will break. My gauge is 4 rows of DC is 3 inches, two dc across is about an inch. You may need a bigger hook to match my gauge if you don't work as loosely as I do.

Switching colors without leaving an ugly seam! This is a great technique for all sorts of stripe work. Once you get the hang of it, you will quickly be able to switch colors like a pro!

Pattern:
I hook (mine is Clover brand, which is nice and smooth through this somewhat difficult to crochet with yarn!) You may need a different hook to match my gauge.

Round 1: magic ring, double crochet 6 ( I start with red.) Join to first stitch, switch colors and chain 2
Rd 2: with white, dc 6, switch colors and chain 2
Rd 3: with red, dc 6, switch colors and chain 2
Rd 4-18: continue pattern, switching colors every row. I typically stop at 18, but if you want your tail longer or shorter, adjust as you like! This length is roughly to the middle of the back.

Next we start increasing by two every round.

Rd 19: dc 2, inc, dc 2, inc, switch colors and chain 2 (8)
Rd 20: dc 3, inc, dc 3, inch, switch colors and chain 2 (10)
Rd 21: dc 4, inc, dc 4, inc, switch colors and chain 2 (12)
Rd 22: dc 5, inc, dc 5, inc, switch colors and chain 2 (14)
Rd 23: dc 6, inc, dc 6, inc, switch colors and chain 2 (16)

Continue pattern, adding one to the dc count and inc around.

Newborn: Stop increasing at 30 dc (or until piece is 5 1/2 inches wide when laid flat) and go to Brim.
0-3 months: Stop increasing at 32 dc (or until piece is 6 inches wide when laid flat) and go to Brim.
3-6 months: Stop increasing at 34 dc (or until piece is 6 1/2 inches wide when laid flat)and go to Brim.
6-9 months: Stop increasing at 36 dc (or until piece is 7 inches wide when laid flat)and go to Brim.
9-18 months: Stop increasing at 38 dc (or until piece is 7 1/2 inches wide when laid flat)and go to Brim.
Toddler: Stop increasing at 40 dc (or until piece is 8 inches wide when laid flat)and go to Brim.
Child: Stop increasing at 42 dc (or until piece is 8 1/2 inches wide when laid flat)and go to Brim.
Adult: Stop increasing at 44 dc (or until piece is 9 inches wide when laid flat)and go to Brim.
Large Adult: Stop increasing at 46 dc (or until piece is 9 1/2 inches wide when laid flat) and go to Brim.

Brim section:

If you finished with red, work a round in white even so your last round is white.

Switch to green ( or your brim color of choice.)

Rd 1: Work a round of dc.
Rd 2: Alternate front post dc and back post dc around (giving your brim a nice ribbed look.)
Rd 3: Repeat rd 2.
Rd 4: for bigger hats, repeat rd 2 again. For baby hats, stop at rd 3.

Last round, sc around to give it a nice finish and finish off.

Weave in all ends at the bottom of the hat.

Make a giant pom pom! I use the 2 inch clover pom pom maker using all three colors together, and then tie very tightly with cotton string. Homespun is very slippery, so you need to tie it extra tight so all the strands can't be pulled out. Sew to the end of the tail using both the cotton string and the tails you have from starting the hat tail.

Porg! Crochet Pattern

As soon as I saw the trailer for the new Star Wars episode I knew I would be making a porg. Aren't they just the cutest things?

Note that this pattern has not been tested and the color changes are not for the faint of heart!

Materials:

Yarn in brown, cream, and mustard yellow or brown, cream, mustard yellow and reddish brown. Porgs come in all sorts of colors!

I used Vanna's Choice in Chocolate and Mustard and Michael's brand Immpeccible in Aran.
24 mm safety eyes (or as big as you can find)

Notes on color changes: Crochet naturally slants to the left, so turn your Porg over periodically to make sure the lighter color is even. I had to add more stitches to one side and fewer on the other to compensate for the drift. You can also do the whole thing in brown and add the belly and eye pieces with felt if you aren't comfortable with the color changing.

Carry the unused color around the back.

Work in rounds without joining, except where noted.

My Porg is about 6 inches tall, made with worsted weight yarn an a E hook.

US terms used

mr = magic ring
sc = single crochet
inc = increase
inv dec = invisible decrease
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet

Eye Patches (do these first)

10 hdc in a magic ring
join, chain 1, sc inc around (20)
join, chain 1, sc inc 3 times (9)
turn, skip first stitch, sc 7 finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Insert your safety eye in the middle of the circle, and you should have a long side for the sides of the eye patch. Don't add the backing yet.

Head:

Round 1: MR, 6 sc
Rd 2: inc around (12)
Rd 3: sc, inc around (18)
Rd 4: sc, sc, inc around (24)
Rd 5: sc, sc, sc inc around (30)

*begin color changes*

Rd 6: 12 sc in brown, 5 sc in white/cream, 13 sc in brown
Rd 7: Repeat row 7, lining up the white stitches
Rd 8: 11 sc in brown, 7 in cream, 12 in brown
Rd 9: 10 sc in brown, 9 in cream, 11 in brown
Rd 10: Repeat rd 9
Rd 11: 9 sc in brown, 11 in cream, 10 in brown
Rd 12: 8 sc in brown, 13 in cream, 9 in brown

*insert eyes with eye patches between rows 7-8 with about 3 stitches of the head between the patches. snap on the backs once the eye patches are positioned how you want them, but don't sew down the ovals yet*

Rd 13: 8 sc in brown, 14 in cream, 8 in brown
Rd 14: keeping color changes even, (sc x 3, inv dec) around (24) (you may have to shift the decreases so they don't overlap a color change. Just make sure there are 6 of them in total)

*stuff head* you can sew the edges of the eye patches down once the head is stuffed

Rd 15: keeping color changes even, sc x 3, inc  around (30) Again, adjust the rows as necessary so the colors line up the way you want them)
Rd 16: increase the cream on either side of the belly patch, sc x 4, inc around (36)
Rd 17: increase the cream on either side of belly patch, sc around (36)
Rd 18: Keeping color changes even, sc x 5, inc around (42)
Rd 19 - 21: sc around, keeping the edges of the color change even. (42)
Rd 22: sc around keeping the color even, until you get to the center of the back. *sc 3 in same stitch in each of the two center stitches, to form the pointy tail* (46)
Rd 23: begin decreasing the cream by a stitch on either side of belly, sc around (46)
Rd 24: continue decreasing cream by a stitch on either side of belly, sc x 5, dec around *dec x 4 over the tail increases* (36)
Rd 25: continue decreasing cream by a stitch on either side of belly, sc x 4, dec around (30)
Rd 26: working in all brown again, sc x 3, dec around (24)
*finish stuffing*
Rd 27: sc x 2, dec around (18)
Rd 28: sc, dec around (12)
Rd 29: dec to close hole and sew up bottom

Wings:

MR, 6 sc
Rd 2: sc, inc around (9)
Rd 3: sc around (9)
Rd 4: sc, sc, inc around (12)
Rd 5: sc around (12)
Rd 6: sc, sc, sc, inc around (15)
Rd 7: sc around (15)
Rd 8: sc, sc, sc, dec around (12)
Rd 9-10: sc around, finish off and leave a tail for sewing

Feet:
mr, sc 6
inc around (12)
Slip stitch, chain 4, working back down the chain sc, hdc, DC and slip stitch back into same stitch
slip stitch in next stitch, chain 4, working back down the chain sc, hdc, DC and slip stitch back into same stitch
slip stitch in next stitch, chain 4, working back down the chain sc, hdc, DC and slip stitch back into same stitch

3 toes formed. Finish off leaving a tail for sewing and sew to the body with the toes curled downwards.

Sew on mouth and nostrils using brown yarn.

San Diego Comic Con 2017 Preview!

I have a table in the art show this year, so I am making a few bigger things for that! I will still have my booth in Artist Alley for my normal assortment of octopi and penguins. :) See you all there!

April the Giraffe!

My brush with internet fame! A friend of the giraffe lady from a viral video ordered a giraffe hat from my Etsy shop, and I was happy to whip one up and send it for baby Porter.

And last week they got to meet April the Giraffe!

So happy I could make their moment extra special.

San Diego Comic Con 2016 Preview!

A few of the items that will be available at my booth, BB-22 in Artist Alley! Stop by and say hello!

New Items in my Shop!

Apparently this is the season for puppies! Custom orders recently have led me to add an adorable puppy hat, booties and diaper cover set, as well as adorable baby puppies.

Also new this week is this darling little romper!

Win a BB-8 Making Kit!

Win a BB-8 supply kit! Includes 120mm joint for the turning head, a sound box pre-recorded with BB-8 sounds, a 30mm safety eye and an 18mm safety eye! The free BB-8 pattern is here.

I will draw a winner on February 1st! Contest runs January 20-31st.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Double-layered Braided Cowl

This free pattern has been shared on my wall a number of times this week, so I finally found the time to whip up my own!

Available in my Etsy shop now!

BB-8 Droid in Action

My daughter and I made a demo video of our BB-8 droid with sounds!

Enjoy! Free BB-8 pattern is available here.

Installing the BB-8 Soundbox

Someone asked if they could remove the sound box in order to change the batteries, so I engineered an opening so you can access your sound box.

First, here is what the unit I ordered looks like. Next time I think I will get the box with the button on a long wire, so you don't need to pull it all the way out. The Etsy shop I ordered it from is here.

I googled BB-8 sounds and found someone had uploaded the sound files for people to use as ringtones for phones. I downloaded their files dropped them onto the sound box using the software provided! It was surprisingly easy.

So, after row 32 in the BB-8 body, chain 12, skip 6, and proceed to round 33.

When you get back around to the chain, sc in the first 3 chains, then skip 6 chains, and sc in the last 3 chains. This will create a loop that will go around your button.

Make sure your sound unit fits through this hole you have made! The fabric is pretty stretchy, so I was able to get both the unit and a long sock through the hole.

I then maneuvered the box to about halfway up on one side of the BB-8 body, and marked its position from the outside. Test your button to make sure he makes his noises before closing him up! As I said, if I had gotten the other model, instead of putting it in a sock I could have just positioned the button in place, and kept the box right by the opening.

Invisible decrease until the bottom is closed up, and use the ending yarn to close the hole and then sew on the button.

And now you have a neat button on the bottom, that gives you access to your sound box, if you need to change the batteries or replace the sounds! The sound box also has an on/off switch, so you could also turn the unit on or off as needed.

Do It Yourself 5 inch Doll Joints

So, the most frequent question I have gotten since posting my BB-8 Pattern the other day, is "where do you get 5 inch doll joints?"  I had no idea they would prove to be so hard to find, since I bought mine about 7 years ago.

Anyway, fear not! You can make your own with things you probably already have in your house.

All you need are two disks of some sort, a thingy to keep your wire from pulling through the hole, and wire.

CDs are 4.75 inches, which is close enough to five inches for me! The orange thing in the photo is a giant button, but if you don't happen to have a giant button in your craft stash, I am sure you can find something that will work.

The wire I cut from an old wire hanger, using a pair of needle nose pliers. I could have gone to the hardware store and bought a cotter pin, but what is the fun in that? :P  If you have thick pipe cleaners they might also work, the ones I have bend too easily.

So anyway, the only thing left to do would be to install it in your BB-8 and bend the wires down.

I hope this helps you in constructing your very own BB-8!

Huge, Life-sized BB-8 - Free Crochet Pattern

This BB-8 has a head that turns, and if you like, you can even buy a recordable sound box, and program him to make BB-8 noises when you squeeze him! How fun is that? I bought my sound box from InviteByVoice, who sells them on both Amazon and Etsy. Finished item is just under 12 inches tall.

Please note that BB-8 is trademarked by Disney. You are free to make these for friends or family, but Disney may sue you if you try to sell them.

Now, enjoy the pattern!

Supplies needed:

Worsted weight yarn in white, orange and grey. I recommend Lion's Brand Pound of Love in white, Red Heart Soft in tangerine, and Knit Picks Brava in dove heather.

G hook (for head, head base, body, and orange rings)

E hook (for orange ring spikes and grey details)

Safety eyes, 30mm and 18mm

5 inch wooden doll joint (or 120mm doll/teddy bear joint, available on Etsy.) Or, Make Your Own!

Polyfil stuffing

Optional Supplies:
weights for the bottom. I used glass marbles tied into a sock. He may have been able to stand up without it.

Pipe Cleaner for antennas

Recordable Voice Box

Pattern is worked amigurumi style, in continuous rounds. Do not join. Use a stitch marker to mark rounds as necessary.

Head base:

With two strands of WW yarn and a G hook.

MR, 6 sc
Rd 2: inc around (12)
Rd 3: sc, inc around (18)
Rd 4: sc x 2, inc around (24)
Rd 5: sc x3, inc around (30)
Rd 6: sc x 4, inc around (36)
Rd 7: sc x 5, inc around (42)
Rd 8: sc x 6, inc around (48)

Circle should cover a five inch doll joint with about a row of overhang all around.

 Head base with half of doll joint.

 

Put aside and make body. 

Body:

With two strands of WW yarn and a G hook.

MR, 6 sc
Rd 2: inc around (12)
Rd 3: sc, inc around (18)
Rd 4: sc x 2, inc around (24)
Rd 5: sc x3, inc around (30)
Rd 6: sc x 4, inc around (36)
Rd 7: sc x 5, inc around (42)
Rd 8: sc x 6, inc around (48)
Rd 9: sc x 7, inc around (54)
Rd 10: sc x 8, inc around (60)
Rd 11: sc around (60)
Rd 12: sc x 9, inc around (66)
Rd 13: sc x 10, inc around (72)
Rd 14: sc around (72)
Rd 15: sc x 11, inc around (78)
Rd 16-21: sc around (78)

Insert doll joint into top, with pin sticking up into head, attach head base circle and second half of doll joint, bend wires down to fasten.

 

Rd 22: sc x 11, inv dec around (72)
Rd 23: sc x 10, inv dec around (66)
Rd 24-25: sc around (66)
Rd 26: sc x 9, inv dec around (60)
Rd 27: sc x 8, inv dec around (54)
Rd 28: sc x 7, inv dec around (48)
Rd 29: sc x 6, inv dec around (42)
Rd 31: sc x 5, inv dec around (36)
Rd 32: sc x 4, inv dec around (30)

If you are installing a sound box, see my directions here for creating an opening.

Stuff body firmly - Insert weights if desired. I filled a sock with glass marbles. Rice, or weighted pellets can also be used. This is to balance out the weight of the doll joint and head.

Rd 33: sc x 3, inv dec around (24)
Rd 34: inv dec around (12)
Finish stuffing
Rd 35: dec until hole closes, sew shut and hide tail in body.

Head:

With two strands of WW yarn and a G hook.

Starting with white

MR, 6 sc
Rd 2: inc around (12)
Rd 3: Switch to grey, inc, sc (18)
Rd 4: switch back to white, sc x 2, inc around (24)
Rd 5: sc x 3, inc around (30)
Rd 6: sc x 4, inc around (36)
Rd 7: sc x 5, inc around (42)
Rd 8: sc around (42)
Rd 9: sc x 6, inc around (48)
Rd 10-14: sc around (48)
Rd 15: switch to grey, sc around (48)

Finish off leaving long tails for sewing.

For grey ring behind small eye, dc 10 into a magic ring, join and finish off. Poke 18mm eye through the ring, and then attach to the head. Add the 30mm safety eye.

Sew head to head base, start stuffing when you are about half way around and finish stuffing before closing completely. Make sure you don't sew the head to the body! Your head will not turn if you stitch into the body.

Details:

With orange, chain 45, slip stitch to join into a ring, half double crochet in each chain around, join. Make 4.

With orange chain 31, hdc in second chain from hook and back down the chain. Make 1.

With orange, chain 21, hdc in second chain from hook and back down chain. Make 1

Pin circles and semi-circles to BB's body, with the partial circles being the half-hidden circles by the head.Backstitch circles in place.

Orange spikes: With E hook, chain 4, sc into second chain from hook, hdc in next chain and dc in last. Finish off and sew into circle. I needed 20 of these. 4 per complete circle, and 3 for the big partial circle and 1 for the little circle.

Stitch orange details on BB's head, using two strands of orange yarn. Leave a gap over the big eye.

Stitch the eye outlines with black yarn.

Stitch the grey section segments on the body with light grey yarn.

Grey patches: Using E hook: For rectangle shapes chain the length you desire, and sc back down the chain. For circles, make a MR and make 8 hdc into the ring. Make sure your segments fit into the spaces between the orange spikes. Sew on details as desired. I googled BB-8 and was able to find diagrams of each section, if you want them to be exactly right. You could also cut the shapes out of grey felt and sew or glue them on.

Cut a pipe cleaner into two, with one a little longer than the other. Bend down ends, and poke into BB-8's head. I ended up removing them later, as my kids all kept hugging him and I was afraid he would poke their eyes out.

With a three year old, for scale!