Buttercup Bear

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Very easy to make - but she looks so cute. Who could resist her?

To make Buttercup Bear I used:
Yellow double knitting yarn – about 55g
3mm crochet hook
Notions – toy stuffing, oddments of black yarn, pink ribbon.

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

Finished size – approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall from top to toes.

Body

With yellow and 3 mm hook make 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 round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

10th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 7 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 7 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (54 dc)

11th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

12th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 8 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 8 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (60 dc)

13th – 18th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

19th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 8 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (54 dc)

20th – 21st rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

22nd round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 7 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (48 dc)

23rd – 24th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

25th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 6 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (42 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 5 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (36 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 4 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 dc)

30th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

31st round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

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

33rd round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

34th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

Fasten off and stuff body. Do not close neck opening.

Head

With yellow and 3 mm hook make 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 3 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1dc into next 3 dc] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (15 dc)

4th 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] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

5th 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] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (21 dc)

6th 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] 2 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

7th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

8th 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)

9th 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)

10th 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)

11th 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)

12th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

13th round: 1 ch, 2 dc into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next 7 dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 7 dc] 5 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (54 dc)

14th – 16th rounds: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

17th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 7 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (48 dc)

18th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

19th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 6 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (42 dc)

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

21st round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 5 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (36 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 4 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (30 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 3 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (24 dc)

26th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (18 dc)

27th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 1 dc] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. (12 dc)

Stuff head at this point.

28th round: 1 ch, [dc2tog,] 6 times. Sl st into 1st dc. Fasten off and close hole in back of head.

Attach to top of body.

Ears

With yellow and 3 mm hook make 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; 1ch, 2 ch into same stitch as chain, 1 dc into next dc, [2 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc] 4 times, sl st into next 2 dc, sl st into 1st dc.

Fasten off.
Sew on to side of head.

Legs

With yellow double knitting and 3mm hook, chain 10.

1st round: 1dc into 2nd chain from hook. 1 dc into next 7 ch, 2dc into last chain. Working other side of foundation chain, work 2 dc into same place as last dcs. 1 dc into next 7 dc, 3 dc into the same chain as 1st dc worked. Sl st into 1st dc. (22dc)

2nd round: 1ch, 1 dc into same stitch as chain, 1dc into next 8 dc, 2 dc into next 2 dc, 1 dc into next 9 dc, 2 dc into 2 dc. Sl st into 1st dc. (26dc)

3rd and 4th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into each stitch to end, sl st into first dc.

5th round: 1 ch, 1 dc into next 7 dc, [dc2tog] 4 times, 1 dc into next 11 dc. Sl st into 1st dc. (22dc)
6th – 13th rounds: Without joining at the end of each round, work in a spiral for 8 rounds.

14th round: 1 dc into next 4 dc, dc2tog, 1 dc into next 9 dc, dc2tog, 1 dc into next 5 dc. (20dc)

15th – 18th rounds: work 4 rounds without shaping.

19th round: [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 4 times. (16 dc)

20th – 23rd rounds: work 4 rounds without shaping.

24th round: [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 2 dc] 4 times. (12 dc)

25th round: work I round without shaping.

Fasten off and stuff.

Sew across the opening to close and attach legs to the base of the body.

Arms

With yellow and 3 mm hook make 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 – 18th rounds: Without joining at the end of each round, work in a spiral for 15 rounds.

19th round: [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 4 dc] 3 times. (15 sts)
20th – 25th rounds: work 6 rounds without shaping.

26th round: [dc2tog, 1 dc into next 3 dc] 3 times. (12 sts)

27th – 28th rounds: work 2 rounds without shaping.

Fasten off and stuff.

Attach to body.

Sew across the opening to close and attach arms to the sides of the body.

Using black embroidery floss, embroider a cute little nose and some eyes.

Tie a generous pink ribbon around her neck and then give her a cuddle – she’s so cute.

What a Cute Bear!

On holiday recently, walking around Niagara, Eve and I spotted a number of people carrying really cute yellow teddy bears. They must have been prizes from one of the amusement arcades.

My usual reaction to seeing something like that is to say "I could make that!" So when we got home, I got out my crochet hook, some lemon coloured yarn and set to work - and here she is...

Buttercup Bear.

The face has turned out just as I wanted it - very cute. She uses just over 50g of double knitting yarn and is very easy to make. She is approximately 11 inches from top to toes - a very cuddly size.

The pattern will follow in the next post.

New Rowan magazine

I've just spotted that the new Rowan magazine is out. I didn't bother buying the last one - it didn't inspire me, but this one looks promising. One of the design ideas is 'Russian Doll' which is fair isle, tartan and floral patterns. Here are some of the designs that caught my eye.

This one is called Dominka. Quite an interesting style.



This one in Lidiya. Very wearable.


I love this one. Fair Isle and pink - two of my favourite things. The design is called Nonna.

And finally these Tamara gloves are so pretty.

So many lovely patterns - all so colourful.

I'll be off to John Lewis next week to buy my copy.

Back in the Swing of Things

Today is my friend Lil's 80th birthday. Happy Birthday to her. She doesn't look 80 and she certainly doesn't act 80! It was only when I was returning home after calling on her first thing this morning that I realised that I had forgotten to photograph her card - never mind - she loved it anyway.

Before I went away on holiday I was in a dilemma about what knitting or crocheting to take with me. There was nothing bland that required minimal extras. So in the end I decided to have a holiday from the woolly stuff.

Amazingly I never missed it! The holiday was so fab that I never gave knitting a thought ( apart from buying a knitting pattern magazine over there!). My fingers never itched for the needles and yarn.

Now that I'm home, I'm back in full swing - refreshed, revived and raring to go!

This week I have finished Amory.

Very pretty, feminine and a great fit.

The pattern is by Kim Hargreaves (as usual). It is called Amory and is from the Heartfelt Collection. I used Sirdar crofter fair isle effect DK yarn - 5 balls in total. The colour changes are more subtle in reverse stocking stitch than in stocking stitch and the overall effect is very pleasing.

I also got round to photographing the tammy I made for Eve. If you can remember, back in June, I was experimenting with fair isle to make a tammy. The first attempt lacked volume! Here is the second version, made for Eve.

Much better. I do intend to write out the pattern but it is so complicated. I have scribbles and arrows and diagrams and cryptic codes that will take a while to decipher and put into a printable pattern - but I'll get there eventually!

Grace now wants me to make a tammy for her. Hopefully re-knitting the pattern will make it easier to transcribe.

I'm still working on the mohair cardi that I am designing. I'm doing this is short sharp blasts as the mohair keeps going up my nose! It's growing quite quickly, back finished, left front started - so should be finished soon.

However, I have strong urges to start some other projects, so this might slow things down.

Oh and I've just remembered, I'm crocheting a cute teddy bear - arms and legs only to go. It's a good job the Open golf is on the television all day long - I have an excellent excuse to sit and get on with things.

Finally, we're hoping to go to the pictures to see Toy Story 3 this week. I've heard that it reduces grown men to tears - there's no hope for me. Grace and Eve have said they are going to put a bag over my head!!

Holiday in America

What a holiday! Absolutely fantastic.

Chris and I haven't been abroad since before Grace was born - 19 years ago. We chose this holiday as a special treat as part of our Silver Wedding celebrations.

21 years ago, Chris and I did a tour of USA and Canada, similar to this one, but with more time in Canada.

This time round the itinerary was 2 nights in New York, 2 nights in Niagara Falls, 1 night in Philadelphia, 2 nights in Washington and then back to New York for another 2 nights.

We certainly timed the holiday well - we were in Niagara for Canada Day (1st July) and in Philadelphia for 4th July, there were firework displays most nights of the holiday.

New York was wonderful. 21 years ago I had had mixed feelings about the city, but this time round I fell in love with the place. It felt so friendly.

Obviously we did all the usual tourist things.

We were surprised to find that a number of Antony Gormley's statues had been taken from our beach at home and were now, for a limited time, adorning the streets and skyscrapers around Madison square park.

We loved this street sign on 5th Avenue!

Niagara Falls was awesome. Plenty of firework displays in the evening.

The Maid of the Mist was far wetter than I remembered. This was the highlight of the trip for Grace and Eve.

Being in Philadelphia for the fourth of July celebrations was unbelievable. What an atmosphere! We have nothing like this in the UK. We sat and listened to the performers and speakers on the stage, them we waved our flags at the parade.

Miss America sang the national anthem.

In Washington the temperature was up to 100 degrees. Too hot to walk around the monuments and war memorials but we had a great afternoon visiting the Smithsonian museums. Eve and I went to the American Indian Museum whilst Chris and Grace went to Air and Space and then one of the art galleries.

This next one reminds us of Abbey Road!!

It would have been wonderful to have stayed longer in Washington and have had more time to visit more of the museums.

Going back to our hotel in New York was like returning home. We had a day wandering around Central Park and our last morning was spent up the Empire State building.

At the top of the Empire State building we found ourselves for a time in low cloud - quite refreshing after all the heat of the previous days. We were very impressed with this pigeon, which had made the long flight to the top of the Empire State building.

Our last few hours were spent in Madison Square park - our favourite place to relax.

An exhausting trip but so memorable. Everything went smoothly thanks to our tour director Beth and driver Henry.

A great way to celebrate our Silver Wedding.

I hope you liked the photos - just a few of the hundreds we took!!