Sweetheart Earrings

PDF version
These cute earrings are the easiest to make. They take less than half an hour to crochet and a tiny amount of yarn. They are a great idea for Valentine’s Day, or any day – so what are you waiting for – grab your hook and get started!

Here’s how I made them:

Yarn - red crochet cotton – only small amount needed.
Hook – 1.5 mm.
Notions – earring hooks.

Pattern (English terms used)

Finished size – 1.5mm wide

Make 4 ch.

1st round: 11 tr (US = dc) into 1st of the 4 ch. The other 3 ch count as first tr. Sl st into top of 3ch to join round.

2nd round: sl st into next tr, (1 dc {US = sc}, 2 tr) into next tr, (2 tr, 1 dc) into next tr, sl st into next tr, (1dc, 2 tr) into next tr, (2 tr, 1 dc) into next tr, sl st into next 3 tr, (1 dc, 1 tr, 1 dc) into next tr, sl st into next 3 tr. Fasten off.

Tidy loose ends.
Attach earring hooks to the back loop only of the sl st at the centre of the top of the heart.

So easy, yet so effective.

Sherlock Holmes

Eve and I finally made it to the cinema on Saturday to see Sherlock Holmes. Snow, ice, falls on the ice and too much homework had delayed us going - but it was worth the wait.

We really enjoyed the film - definitely be buying the DVD as soon as it comes out. Can't decide who to be - Sherlock or Irene Adler? I think Sherlock just about wins. Eve will be my trusty Watson.

Wristlets

These wristlets are wonderful. Lovely and warm without the restrictions of fingerless gloves - and very pretty as well.

The pattern is Madrid by Alexandra Brinck and is available as a free Ravelry download . It calls for 4 ply yarn - I used Rowan Cashsoft 4 ply which is lovely and smooth and soft. It takes only about 25 grams for the pair of wristlets. They are reasonably easy to make but you do have to concentrate on the pattern - I had to correct a number of errors I made due to day dreaming!

I'll definitely be using this pattern again - Eve wants a pair!

Gingerbread House Finished

Here it is! A very desirable residence.




I've themed my house with yellow and pink sweets (naturally).

The pattern as you know by now, is by Alan Dart. Once again I must thank Susan from the US for letting me have this pattern - she really was very helpful.

The house is actually smaller than the pattern because I used DK yarn rather than chunky! Even so it is still an impressive 12 inches high. Many of Grace's student friends have smaller accommodation than this!! Because my house is smaller than it should be the sweets are not in the right proportion, so I reduced the amount on the house.

It definitely took a lot longer than I had envisaged - reading the comments on Ravelry about this project before I started would have helped - nearly everyone has commented on it being bigger and taking longer than they realised!

I'm pleased with the results - the house is now sitting proudly on the window ledge - Hedgehog Barbie has already expressed an interest in renting the place until the warmer weather comes!

Now that that project is complete I really should get back to Rona, Emily and Judy! ...but sorry girls - I've spotted a rather tempting pattern for lacy wrist warmers - so tempting I cast on over lunch today. They shouldn't take long so the jacket and sweaters will get some attention soon - I promise.

Gingerbread House update

I was rather optimistic to think that I could finish the gingerbread house by the end of the weekend. It's far larger than I had anticipated and it takes a lot of sweet things to cover it! I have been working non-stop on it for the last few days and I still have about ten to twelve sweets to go before I finish knitting - then the construction starts. It really will be a very desirable residence when it is complete.

Hopefully pictures in the next few days.

Farewell Snow

At last the snow and ice have gone - we're back to the usual cold and damp weather - I can't believe how glad I am to see the rain again.

Here's a lovely Lucy Grossmith picture to remind us that Spring is not that far off.

The picture is called bird song.

Work-in-progress Report

Now that I've caught up on all the projects completed over the Christmas period, I can now get down to reporting on my current WIPs.

Firstly, I bought some Rowan kid classic in the sales at John Lewis. I've knitted quite a bit with this yarn in the past. It knits up quickly and looks good when first knitted up, but has a tendency to bobble after a while. The yarn is a gorgeous lime green colour - the picture doesn't show the true colour (I'm not sure it is really my colour, but it looked irresistible on the shelf).

I'm knitting it up as Emily from Heartfelt by Kim Hargreaves.

The pattern is straight forward and the knitting grows quickly, I've already completed the back and made a start on the front.

I have still, of course, to finish Rona, the crocheted jacket from Rowan 46. I've made a bit more progress on this since Christmas, the back and the left front are finished, but it is very slow going. I feel I have to push myself to get this one done, otherwise it will languish at the bottom of the pile.

In addition to these, I have started designing a short-sleeved fairisle tee. The pattern is called Judy, and has a pale yellow background.

It seems to me, with lime green and yellow, I am straying far away from my usual colours of choice, pink and grey - I may live to regret this!

Finally, on the needles, I also have the gingerbread house by Alan Dart.

You may remember back in November I ordered a copy of this leaflet but was told it was sold out. A wonderful person in the US called Susan Fridkin saw my post on this blog about it and got in touch. She has very kindly let me have a copy of this pattern and I would very much like to say a very big thank you to her for her time and patience and in sending it through to me. This is what makes blogging and the Internet so wonderful, making new friends and contacts.

I hope to have the house finished over the weekend, at the moment I'm giving it priority over the other projects (What! Even over Rona?).

I've bought some more pattern books recently (no, I don't need them, but I can't resist).

Here are the patterns on my wish list from Kim Hargreaves's new book Winter Blooms.

I have also bought Louisa Harding's book Queen of Hearts. I haven't knitted any of her patterns before, but they look different. There's a tendency to stick with similar designs (ie Kim Hargreaves) so a change of designer can be quite inspiring. Here are some interesting patterns.

Well, better get back to the knitting or else nothing will be finished.

Snow, Ice and bits and pieces

The weather where I live is usually quite mild. Here in Liverpool we don't tend to get the harsh weather that the rest of the country suffers - until last week!

Very picturesque.

Over the Christmas holidays we had watched 'The Proposal' - the latest Sandra Bullock comedy.

It was great - I really enjoyed it. It was largely set in Alaska, and I noticed a significant number and variety of woolly sweaters - Alaska seems a good place to live to get the most out of your knitting projects.

The novelty of the snow wore off after a few hours, when everything turned to ice (maybe I won't move to Alaska just yet!). Eve was thrilled - school was closed. Even the university was closed. I was supposed to be getting everyone back to school and work, but instead they remained under my feet!

Eve was very disappointed this Sunday when a message was posted on the school website saying that her year had to return to school on Monday, but the other years could remain at home.

So I decided to make her some cakes for when she got home - to cheer her up.

I had planned to prepare a little party for her, but the ice but a stop to that. I had walked with Eve to school in the morning, to keep her company. However on the way back home, without Eve to link arms with, I managed to slip right over and ended up lying in a heap on the pavement, swearing profusely.

Fortunately, nothing is broken, but I do have a rather bruised behind and I am far too stiff and aching to do any housework for a few days! So Eve's little party was reduced to a few cakes - but she appreciated it anyway.

Sitting feeling sorry for myself yesterday afternoon, I made a lavender filled heart for Eve's wardrobe.

The pattern is from the February issue of 'Simply Knitting' magazine.

I also made a pink lacy mat.

It is actually a snowflake pattern from MYpicot. I had made one at Christmas time but it was too big as a tree decoration. This one I made in 4ply cotton and it is approximately 20 cm wide. It makes a nice mat to sit under a bowl or something.

I always find that when I'm busy I can always find time to make something completely trivial. Before Christmas I knitted 24 little squares (about 2.5 cm square) using oddments of 4 ply yarn and sewed a button to each. I used them as tags for the advent calendar. Since Christmas I have turned the squares into a length of bunting. It is now hanging in the porch, over the entrance to the hallway. Silly but it's the little details that make all the difference.

Finally for now, I have received my study material for my next Open University course. I always get excited when a new course begins - I love the discipline, I love learning new things and I love the challenge. This is my 16th course with the OU. It is called Our Dynamic Planet: Earth and Life. Nobody else in the house is excited about the topic, but I think it's wonderful. Must go now and start working through my study books - the course doesn't officially start until 6th February - but why wait?

Hedgehog Barbie

If Barbie was a hedgehog, this is what she would look like.

I had some 'pink' feather yarn lying around and Barbie came to mind, so I used my Heidi Hedgehog pattern. She only took an hour to make and is now very good friends with the original Heidi - fashion advice, make-up tips and all that!

Charlotte

PDF version
Charlotte is a snug cardi, knitted in aran-weight yarn. It has a scoop neck and a patterned border on the body. It is quick to knit and very comfortable to wear.



One size only. To fit size small 32”

Knitted size
Bust 84 cm / 33 inches
Length to shoulder 46 cm / 18 inches
Sleeve seam 46 cm / 18 inches

Materials
8 balls of Aran weight yarn (I used Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed – 88 metres / 96 yards per ball)
6 buttons
5mm and 4.5mm needles (US 8 and 7)

Tension
16 sts and 22 rows to 10cm (4 inches) measured over stocking stitch using 5 mm needles.

Abbreviations
k = knit
p = purl
sts = stitches
sl = slip
tog = together
tbl = through back of loop
psso = pass the slipped stitch over
yon = yon over needle
beg = beginning
alt = alternate

BACK
With 5mm needles cast on 61 stitches.
K 2 rows.

Work pattern border as follows:
Row 1: k2tog, k4, yon, k1, (yon, k4, sl1 k2tog psso, k4, yon, k1) 4 times, yon, k4, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: purl.
Row 3: k2tog, k3, yon, k3, (yon, k3, sl1 k2tog psso, k3, yon, k3) 4 times, yon, k3, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 5: k2tog, k2, yon, k5, (yon, k2, sl1 k2tog psso, k2, yon, k5) 4 times, yon, k2, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 7: k2tog, k1, yon, k7, (yon, k1, sl1 k2tog psso, k1, yon, k7) 4 times, yon, k1, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 9: k2tog, yon, k9, (yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k9) 4 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 11: k2, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5, k2tog, yon, k3) 4 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5, k2tog, yon, k2.
Row 13: k3, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3, k2tog, yon, k5) 4 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3, k2tog, yon, k3.
Row 15: k4, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1, k2tog, yon, k7) 4 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1, k2tog, yon, k4.
Row 17: k5, (yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k9) 4 times, yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k5.
Row 19: k3, (k2tog, yon, k3, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5) 4 times, k2tog, yon, k3, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3.
Row 21: k2, (k2tog, yon, k5, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3) 4 times, k2tog, yon, k5, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k2.
Row 23: k1, (k2tog, yon, k7, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1) 4 times, k2tog, yon, k7, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1.
Row 25: k2tog, (yon, k9, yon, sl1 k2tog psso) 4 times, yon, k9, yon, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 27: k12 (yon, k2tog, k10) 3 times, yon, k2tog, k11.
Row 28: purl.

This completes the patterned border. Continue in stocking stitch until works measures 27 cm.

Shape armholes
Cast off 4 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows.
Dec 1 st at each end of next 2 rows.
Dec 1 st at each end of next alt row. (47 sts)
Continue straight until armhole measures 19 cm.

Shape shoulders
Cast off 6 sts at the beg of the next 4 rows (23 sts)
Place remaining 23 sts on a stitch holder.

LEFT FRONT
With 5mm needles cast on 35 sts
K 2 rows

Commence pattern (corrections to rows 3, 5 & 7 made on 8th June 2011)Row 1: k2tog, k4, yon, k1, (yon, k4, sl1 k2tog psso, k4, yon, k1) 2 times, k4.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: k4, purl to end.
Row 3: k2tog, k3, yon, k3, yon, k3, sl1 k2tog psso, k3, yon, k3, yon, k3, sl1 k2tog psso, k3, yon,k6.
Row 5: k2tog, k2, yon, k5, yon, k2, sl1 k2tog psso, k2, yon, k5, yon, k2, sl1 k2tog psso, k2, yon, k7.
Row 7: k2tog, k1, yon, k7, yon, k1, sl1 k2tog psso, k1, yon, k7, yon, k1, sl1 k2tog psso, k1, yon, k8.
Row 9: k2tog, yon, k9, (yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k9), 2 times.
Row 11: k2, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5, k2tog, yon, k3) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k7.
Row 13: k3, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3, k2tog, yon, k5) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k6.
Row 15: k4, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1, k2tog, yon, k7) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5.
Row 17: k5, (yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k9) 2 times, yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k4.
Row 19: k3, (k2tog, yon, k3, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5) 2 times, k2tog, yon, k6.
Row 21: k2, (k2tog, yon, k5, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3) 2 times, k2tog, yon, k7.
Row 23: k1, (k2tog, yon, k7, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1) 2 times, k2tog, yon, k8.
Row 25: k2tog, (yon, k9, yon, sl1 k2tog psso) 2 times, yon, k9.
Row 27: k12, yon, k2tog, k10, yon, k2tog, k9.
Row 28: k4, purl to end.
This completes the patterned section. Continue straight until work measures 27 cm, remembering to keep garter stitch button band correct.

Shape armholes and neck
Cast off 4 sts at the beg of the next row, k to last 8 sts, turn, leaving the last 8 sts on a holder.
Dec 1 st at neck edge , purl to end.
**dec 1 st at both ends of next 2 rows.
Dec 1 st at each end of next alt row. (16 sts)
Dec 1 st at neck edge only on next 4 alt rows. (12 sts)
Continue straight until the armhole measures 19 cm ending with the right side facing for the next row.
Shape shoulder
Cast off 6 sts at the beg of the next row.
Purl 1 row.
Cast off remaining 6 sts.

RIGHT FRONT
With 5mm needles cast on 35 sts.
K 2 rows.

Commence pattern
Row 1: k5, (yon, k4, sl1 k2tog psso, k4, yon, k1) 2 times, yon, k4, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: purl to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 3 (buttonhole row): k2, yon, k2tog, k2, (yon, k3, sl1 k2tog psso, k3, yon, k3) 2 times, yon, k3, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 5: k7, (yon, k2, sl1 k2tog psso, k2, yon, k5) 2 times, yon, k2, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 7: k8, (yon, k1, sl1 k2tog psso, k1, yon, k7) 2 times, yon, k1, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 9: k9, (yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k9) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 11: k7, (k2tog, yon, k3, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5) 2 times, k2tog, yon, k2.
Row 13: k6, (k2tog, yon, k5, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3) 2 times, k2tog, yon, k3.
Row 15: (buttonhole row): k2, yon, k2tog, k1, (k2tog, yon, k7, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1) 2 times, k2tog, yon, k4.
Row 17: k4, k2tog, (yon, k9, yon, sl1 k2tog psso) 2 times, yon, k5.
Row 19: k6, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k5, k2tog, yon, k3) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3.
Row 21: k7, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k3, k2tog, yon, k5) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k2.
Row 23: k8, (yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1, k2tog, yon, k7) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso, k1.
Row 25: k9, (yon, sl1 k2tog psso, yon, k9) 2 times, yon, sl1 k1 psso.
Row 27: (buttonhole row): k2, yon, k2tog, k6 yon, k2tog, k10, yon, k2tog, k11.
Row 28: purl to last 4 sts, k4.
This completes the patterned border. Continue straight until work measures 27cm ending with right side facing for next row, and working another 2 buttonholes on the 11th row and following 12th row.

Place first 8 sts on a holder, continuing on the remaining sts, knit to end.
Cast off 4 sts at the beginning of the next row, purl to last 2 sts, p2tog. Complete from ** of left front, reversing shaping.

SLEEVES
With 5mm needles cast on 36 sts.
K 4 rows.
Stocking stitch 6 rows.
Increase 1 st at each end of next and 9 following 8th rows. (56 sts)
Continue straight until sleeve measures 47 cm.

Shape top of sleeve
Cast off 4 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows.
Decrease 1 st at each end of next 2 rows.
Decrease 1 st at each end of next 3 alt rows.
Decrease 1 st at each end of next 4 following 4th rows.
Decrease 1 st at each end of next 3 alt rows.
Decrease 1 st at each end of next 2 rows.
Cast off 4 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows.
Cast off remaining 12 sts.

MAKING UP
Neckband
Join shoulder seams.
With 4.5mm needles and right side facing, k across 8 sts on holder from right front, pick up and knit 36 sts up neck edge of right front, k across 23 sts on holder for back neck, pick up and knit 36 sts down neck edge of left front, k across 8 sts on holder from left front. (111 sts)
K 6 rows working a button hole at the beg of the 4th of these rows.
Cast off.

Sew in sleeves, join side seams and sew on buttons.

New Year Resolutions

I don't really make New Year resolutions - I rarely keep them. I find it's more important to welcome what opportunities come your way. This time last year I had no idea that I would be introduced to the world of blogging.

This was the major opportunity that came my way last year. I have always knitted and consider myself reasonably competent, but when I discovered all the wonderful knitting blogs and sites out there, especially Ravelry, it gave me confidence to take my skills further. 2009 was the year I discovered that I don't have to rely on patterns for knitting and crocheting - I can use my skills and experience to design my own. This has given me such a wonderful sense of achievement and a drive to improve and take things even further.

So if I am going to make a New Year resolution for 2010 it will be to design more - and sharing these patterns is one of the delights.

With this idea in mind, I finally used up the aran yarn that had been sitting around for some time. It had started to be knitted up as a Kim Hargreaves pattern, but I lost interest in this. It was nearly knitted to a Debbie Bliss pattern , but again, my enthusiasm waned. So I let the yarn do the talking, and designed this little cardi myself.


The pattern is called Charlotte (I was reading Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks at the time I was knitting this). I used Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed and 5mm needles.
It has a scoop neck, a diamond border pattern around the edge of the body and plain sleeves.
It took no time at all to knit up and is very snug and versatile. It will be wearable throughout the year.

I'm pleased with the result, however, I knitted it up so quickly that I didn't write the pattern out properly as I went along. This has meant that I have had to spend longer typing up the pattern and checking it than it did to actually make the cardi!

The pattern will follow shortly.

Catching Up

We didn't have Internet access over Christmas and New Year, so any posts had to be done at the library. Thankfully we're back in action and I can hopefully catch up with all the projects I completed before Christmas. Here's a quick run through of the articles.

For Grace I made some fingerless gloves.

The pattern was Dragon Scale gauntlets by Anne-Marie Pearson. I made them slightly shorter than the pattern suggests - mid arm length, rather than elbow length. I used James C. Brett marble DK which gave a subtle colour change to the gloves. It was a nice pattern to follow and the gloves are lovely and warm. In the photo above we had to make sure we included Grace's interesting nail colours (red and greeen)!

For both Grace and Eve I crocheted necklaces.

I based these necklaces on a pattern I saw in Erika Knight’s book ‘Beads and Buttons’. I used oddments of 4ply yarn and sewed the beads on afterwards. Basically the necklace consists of 3 large flower shapes and 2 smaller rings joined together with a twisted cord at each end. Very simple but looks great.

Since Christmas I have knitted a cute bear from my 'Knitted Bears' book by Claire Garland. It is based on the bear called Marigold.

I used pink mohair 4ply yarn (the pattern called for DK weight) so the bear is slightly smaller than in the pattern. She's really cute and we've called her Rosie Bear. There are 7 other bears in the book - they all follow the same basic pattern but have an amazing choice of clothes. I may make some more as they definitely have great personalities.

I've started some new projects - so more on them next time. I thought I would be on top of these after the Christmas rush - but I never seem to quite get there. One day I will be organised!

Barney Bat

It started with the hedgehog - I decided to make my own hedgehog because I found some feathery yarn in my stash, and Heidi Hedgehog was born.

I mentioned this to my cousin and she said "Can you do a badger?" This led to me devising my Boris the Badger pattern.

Eve just happened to mention to her friend Alice in school that I had made a hedgehog and a badger - "Can she do a llama?" Of course I can do llamas - Lionel the llama followed.

Word got round school about the llama and another friend asked if snails were possible. I didn't have to make my own pattern for Harold the Snail as I found a good pattern on the Internet.

When the snail made his appearance at school, a cry went up - "Can she do me a bat?" Thankfully I found a quick and easy pattern for a little bat by Shala.

Unfortunately the wings curl in ways they shouldn't and it was difficult to photo the little creature - but his new owner is very pleased with the result and that's all that matters.

Needless to say there was a rush of orders - could I do a unicorn! a golden retriever! I think I'll let things calm down a bit before I get involved with any more requests.

Gordon Green and Sally Pickles

PDF version
Meet Gordon Green and Sally Pickles – two very colourful and lovable characters.


They are good friends and like to sit quietly together watching the world go by. So you can’t just make one – you have to make two!

Here’s how to make them.

Yarn – 4ply yarn (fingering weight) in whatever colour you fancy.
Hook – 2.5mm (US size B/C)
Notions – toy stuffing and scraps of felt for the faces.

PATTERN (English terms used)
dc (English) = sc (American)

Finished size – approximate body size is 10cm tall

Body
2 chain.

1st round: 6 dc (US = sc) into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

4th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 2 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

5th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

6th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 4 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 4 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (36 dc)

7th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 5 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 5 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (42 dc)

8th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 6 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 6 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (48 dc)

9th – 20th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

21st round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 6 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (42 dc)

22nd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

23rd round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 5 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (36 dc)

24th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

25th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 4 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

26th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

27th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

28th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

29th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

30th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.
Stuff the body at this point.

31st round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 1 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

32nd round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

33rd round: 1 ch, [dc2tog,] 6times. Sl st into 1st dc. (6 dc). Fasten off and close opening.

Arms and legs (make 4)
2 chain
1st round: 6 dc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with a slip st into 1st dc.

2nd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, [2 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

4th – 6th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

7th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 4 dc] 3 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (15 dc)

8th – 9th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

10th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 3 dc] 3 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

11th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.
Stuff the foot/hand lightly at this point.

12th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 2 dc] 3 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (9 dc)

13th – 18th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.
Fasten off. Do not stuff the leg/arm – leave it flexible.

Attach arms to the sides of the body. Attach the legs to the base of the body, making sure that your little character can sit comfortably.

Using white felt cut two circles for the outer eye. Cut two smaller circles out of black felt then snip a small ‘V’ shape out of each one. Sew onto the face.

Using red felt cut a smiley mouth and sew this on to bring a smile to the face of your little character and also a smile to your own.