NOTES OF INTEREST:

Just Crochet/Craft Idea's: It's been a very long time since I have posted anything to my Blog. Due to family and life in general, I got a little detoured. I will try to get time to type up some new entries. I have created a lot of items, gave them away and did not take pictures or type them up. We lost both of our boys this year. Jiggy in March and Stubby in July. We have a new friend her name is MayBee (due to the fact that we weren't quite sure about keeping her). She's 4 years old and full of energy. I make her Kitty Strings with yarn, it was such a hit, I donated some to the local animal shelter. I'll try to put them on the Blog next week. As usual, if you have questions about crafting or crochet, I will answer them under the post where you leave the comment. Thanks for stopping by. Birdie



News of interest and/or Fun:
All your yarn web sites have Free patterns and great yarn buys. So check them out. My favorite finds to date are Red Heart Yarns, Lion Brand and Lilly Sugar & Cream Cotton. Also don't forget the craft stores, like Michael's or Joann's, they also have free patterns in their yarn section and some great books for sale.

Also GO TO... ALL FREE CROCHET or FAVE CRAFTS, They always have new Free e-books and lots of patterns and crafty things. and remember they also have ALL FREE KNITTING too!



Thursday, March 22, 2012


The Owl and the Pussycat T-paper Cover
By Berta Gilholm

Materials:
Cat: Red Heart Super Saver, 7 oz. 198g worsted weight in Black, a small amount of Gold, Pink, Red and Gray.
Owl: Red Heart Super Saver, 7 oz. 198g worsted weight in Linen, a small amount of Orange, White, Gold, and Brown.
Crochet Hook size US I 9/5.5mm
Yarn Needle
Batting/Stuffing for Head

Abbreviations: Ch = chain, Sc = single crochet, Hdc = half double crochet, Dc = double crochet, St + stitch, Jwslst = join with slip stitch, FO = fasten off, Sc2tg = single crochet 2 together in 2 stitches.
Special Instructions and Notes: For Cat and Owl make 1 set each of the head with body, in specified color. The Cat parts (ears, eyes, nose, cheeks, paws, tail) are listed separately as are the Owl parts (ears, eyes, wings, beak, feet).
Dc Shell: *Yarn over hook and insert into specified stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over hook,  pull through 2 loops**, hold the 2 loops left on the hook and Repeat from *  through ** 3 more times, (5 loops on hook) yarn over and pull through all 5 loops on hook.

Instructions: Main pattern is for both covers. Make Cat in black and Owl in Linen. For those who prefer to work without joining in rounds, work continuous stitches from row to row and place a marker at the jwslst at end of each row to keep track of your place.
Head Section: Ch 3, jwslst to first ch to form a ring, or make a magic ring,
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, jwslst
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, jwslst, (12 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (18 sc)
Round 4: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (24 sc)
Round 5: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (30 sc)
Round 6: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (36 sc)
Round 7: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around,  jwslst to first sc (42 sc)
Rounds 8 – 15: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, jwslst to first sc (42 sc)
Round 16: Ch 1, Sc2tg in first and 2nd sc (decrease made), *Sc in each of next 6 sc, Sc2tg in next 2 sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (36 sc)
Round 17: Ch 1, Sc2tg in first and 2nd sc (decrease made), *Sc in each of next 5 sc, Sc2tg in next 2 sc, repeat from * around,  sc in next 6 sc, jwslst to first sc (31 sc)
Round 18: Ch 1, Sc2tg in first and 2nd sc (decrease made), *Sc in each of next 4 sc, Sc2tg in next 2 sc, repeat from * around, sc in next 5 sc, jwslst to first sc (26 sc)
Round 19: Ch 1, Sc2tg in first and 2nd sc (decrease made), *Sc in each of next 3 sc, Sc2tg in next 2 sc, repeat from * around, sc in next 4 sc, jwslst to first sc (21 sc)
Round 20: Ch 1, Sc2tg in first and 2nd sc (decrease made), *Sc in each of next 2 sc, Sc2tg in next 2 sc, repeat from * around, sc in next 3 sc, jwslst to first sc (16 sc)
Round 21: Ch 1, Sc2tg in first and 2nd sc (decrease made), *Sc in each of next 2 sc, Sc2tg in next 2 sc, repeat from * around, sc in next 2 sc, jwslst to first sc (11 sc)
Do not FO and Stuff Head (medium fill) then continue with pattern,
Body:
Round 22: Ch 1, 2 sc in same space as ch, 2 sc in each of next 4 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 2 sc in each of next 4 sc,  jwslst, (24 sc)
Round 23: Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (30 sc)
Round 24: Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (36 sc)
Round 25: Ch 1, *sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (42 sc)
Round 26: Ch 1, *sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (48 sc)
Round 27: Ch 2, * 2 hdc in next sc, hdc in next 7 sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first hdc (54 hdc)
Round 28 - 36: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc around, jwslst to first hdc (54 hdc)
Round 37: Ch 1, sc in each hdc around, jwslst, FO and weave in ends.
To steady the head do the following; Cut a 2 foot piece of yarn in specified color and thread on a yarn needle, turn the body inside out and hold so that the batting hole is in the middle, grasp the edge of the hole and hold the first Round and the last Round at neck edge together. Using a whip stitch, sew in and out between every stitch in the ditch between (Rounds on top 22 and 23 & Rounds on bottom 20 and 21) sewing through both thicknesses, all the way around neck. FO and weave in ends.

Cat Parts:
Ears: Make 2 each of inside and outside.
Inside Ear: With Gray Ch 2,
Row 1: 4 sc in second ch from hook, turn
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc across, turn
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc across. turn
Row 4: Slst in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, slst in last sc, FO weave in ends.
Outside Ear: With Black Ch 2,
Row 1: 5 sc in second ch from hook, turn
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc across, turn (10 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, 1 hdc in each of next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, turn  (10st)
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 hdc in each of next 2 hdc, 2 sc in next sc, 2 sc in last 2 sc, turn (10 st)
Row 5: Slst in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, Sc2tg in next 2 sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, slst in last sc, FO Leave a long tail (1 ½ ft.) for sewing ears together.
Sew Cat Ear parts together: Place wrong sides of inside and outside ears together. With Black tail of yarn and yarn needle, whip stitch through both thicknesses of last rows around curve of upper ear, and continuing across the bottom. FO, leave the rest of tail for sewing ears to head.
Eyes: Make 2 eyes. With Gold, Ch 6, turn
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn (5 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, Sc in each sc across, turn (5 sc)
Row 3:  Slst in first sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, slst in last sc, turn (3 sc)
Row 4: Slst in first sc, 1 sc in next sc, slst in last sc, FO, leave a 10 inch tail for sewing.
Cheeks:  Make 2. With Gray, make a magic ring or ch 2 –jwslst, ch1
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, jwslst
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, jwslst, (12 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (18 sc) FO, leave a 1 foot tail for sewing.
Nose: Make 1. With Pink ch 6, turn
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch across, turn (5 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn
Row 3: Slst in first sc, sc in next 3 sc, slst in last sc, turn
Row 4: Ch 1, slst in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, slst in next sc, FO, leave 8 inch tail for sewing.
Cat Lips: Make 1 circular row. With Red ch 4, turn, FO Red and join Black
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each sc across ch and continue around corner, sc in first sc on opposite side of ch, hdc in next 2 sc, sc in last sc, jwslst to first black sc, FO and leave 8 inch tail for sewing.
Paws: With Black make a magic ring or ch 2 and slst in second ch from hook.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, jwslst, (6 sc)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, jwslst (12 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, repeat around, jwslst (16 sc)
Round 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, repeat around, jwslst (20 sc)
Round 5 - 7: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, jwslst
Round 8: Ch 1, *1 sc in next 3 sc, (sc2tg in next 2 sc), Repeat from *3 times, jwslst (16 sc)
Round 9: Ch 1, *1 sc in next 2 sc, (sc2tg in next 2 sc), Repeat from *3 times, jwslst (12 sc)
FO, leave 1 foot tail for sewing and stuff before finishing.
Tail: Make 1. With Black make a magic ring or ch 2 - jwslst,
Round 1: Ch 1, 4 sc in ring, jwslst
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, jwslst, (5 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next  2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc,  jwslst, (7 sc)
Round 4 and 5: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, jwslst
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in first sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in last 2 sc, jwslst, (9 sc)
Round 7 - 37: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, jwslst, (9 sc) FO, leave 2 ft. tail for sewing and stuff tail before finishing.

FINISHING:   For Cat:
Sew Cheeks to head using the Gray tail, sew 2/3 way around each cheek, placing a little low on the head for the face; stuff the cheeks lightly and finish sewing to head. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Eyes to head using the Gold tail, place slightly slanted one above each cheek area. FO and weave in ends. With Black, sew a slit of 2 to 3 solid embroidery stitches on eyes to form pupils. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Nose to head using the Pink tail, row1of the nose should be facing up, center the nose between and near the top of the cheeks. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Ears to top of head using the Black tail, position the ears medium width apart, center on top and curve the ears slightly as you sew them on the head so that they cup in. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Cats Tail to the back of body with the Black tail of yarn, center on last three rows of body, Do not FO, take the leftover yarn and sew in and out of the tail stitches on the inside of the tail, from the body to about 2/3 way to the tip of the tail, pull the yarn to curl the tail to the side of the body and fasten off. You can tack the tail to the body as in the picture, if you prefer. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Paws using the Black tail, to the bottom 4 rows of the body in the front, center on each side, close together, under the cheek area. FO and weave in ends.

Owl Parts:
Ears:  Make 2. With Brown, Leave a 5 inch tail at beginning and make a magic ring, ch 1,
Row 1: 2 sc in ring,  turn (2 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in next 2 sc, sc in ch , turn (3 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 3 sc, sc in ch, (4 sc)  FO, leave a 10 inch tail for sewing.
Tighten the magic ring and put the hook through the ring from the back to the front, pull up a loop with the 5 inch tail, ch 1, FO and tighten ring, trim the% inch tail down to 1/8 of an inch and pull yarn ply apart so it looks like hairs.
Eyes: Make 2 each of Outside and Inside eye.
Outside eye: With white, make a magic ring or ch 2 –jwslst, ch1
Round 1: Ch 1, 7 sc in ring, jwslst
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, jwslst, (14 sc)
Round 3: Ch 1, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * around, jwslst to first sc (21 sc, FO, leave a 1 foot tail for sewing.
Inside eye:  With Linen, make a magic ring or ch 2 –jwslst,
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, jwslst
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, jwslst, (12 sc) FO leave a 10 inch tail for sewing.
Beak:  Make 1. With Orange ch 4, turn
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch across, turn (3 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn
Row 3: Slst in first sc, sc in next sc, slst in last sc, turn
Row 4: Ch 1, Sc2tg in next 2 sc and slst, FO, leave 8 inch tail for sewing.
Wings: Make 2, one for each side of the body. (attach ears, eyes and beak to head before making wings).
With Head/Body section in front of you (head down/body facing up, work into stitches on left side of body, for first wing) and (body facing down/head up, work into stitches on right side of body, for second  wing).
Join Brown to shoulder top, in line with outside edge of the eye on the side you’re working on in a hdc stitch (Row 26 of body).  Ch 2, (Chain 2 counts as hdc, ch 1 does not count).
Row 1: Work hdc in next 12 hdc, turn (counts as 13 hdc)
Row 2: Ch 2, 1 hdc in same hdc as ch, 1 hdc in each of next 11, 2 hdc in last ch 2 hdc, turn (15 hdc)
Row 3: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 13 hdc across, skip last ch 2, turn (14 hdc)
Row 4: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 12 hdc, skip last ch 2, turn (13 hdc)
Row 5: Ch 1, 1 hdc in next 12 hdc, turn (12 hdc)
Row 6: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 10 hdc, skip last ch 1, turn (11 hdc)
Row 7: Ch 1, 1 hdc in next 10 hdc, turn (10 hdc)
Row 8: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 9 hdc, skip last ch 1,  turn (10 hdc)
Row 9: Ch 1, 1 hdc in next 9 hdc, turn (9 hdc)
Row 10: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 8 hdc, skip last ch 1, turn (9 hdc)
Row 11: Ch 1, 1 hdc in next 8 hdc, turn (8 hdc)
Row 12: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 1 sc in next 2 hdc, slst in next sc, FO, weave in ends.
Feet: Make 2. Work in rows.
With Gold Ch 6, turn
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (5 sc)
Row 2: Ch 2, 4 Dcshell in same ch 2 stitch, 1 sc in next sc, 4 Dcshell in same ch 2 stitch, 1 sc in next sc, 4 Dcshell in same ch 2 stitch,  turn ( 5 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in each of the 2 sc across, turn (2 sc)
Ch 1 and FO, leave a 1 foot tail for sewing.

FINISHING:   For Owl:
Sew Outside Eyes all the way around, with the White tail onto each side of the face, so they almost touch in the center, FO weave in ends.
Sew Inside Eyes all the way around, center on top of the outside eyes with the Linen tail. FO weave in ends.
Eye Border: Thread needle with a 2 foot piece of Brown yarn, whip stitch all around the edge of the white eye part and embroider 2 long stitches through the center of the inside eye in a slit, to form pupils. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Beak with the Orange tail, to the head, center between the lower part of the eyes, point down. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Feet with the gold tail: Fold the toes in half so that the ch row and row 3 are touching, Stitch through the 2 sc into the ch row, then attach feet to the front at the bottom 2 rows of the body, center on each side in line with the beak and under cheeks. FO and weave in ends.
Sew Ears with the Brown tail, to the top of the head, positioned wide apart and center, so that they curve a little off the top, short side of ear to outside edge. FO and weave in ends.
Sew and Stuff Wings: Take a 1 ½ foot piece of Brown yarn for each wing and whip stitch the back of the wing in a vertical line, straight down the body, whip stitch across the bottom of the wing, stuff the wing and hold it in place while you finish stitching up the front wing towards the center of the face on an angle, FO, weave in ends.  Repeat for second wing.

9 comments:

  1. These are so cute and could easily be made into stuffed animals too!

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    1. I was thinking of making a matching Doorstop or a hand cream bottle cover, also, thanks for the comments, Birdie

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  2. I love them...whimsical and practical and well-executed!

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    1. Thank you so much for the compliments, very encouraging, makes me want to do more stuff, Birdie

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  3. I love these!!!!!

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  4. THESE ARE SO CUTE LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE DO YOU HAVE THE POODLE ONE BY ANY CHANCE OH I HOPE SO IF SO COULD YOU PUT IT ON HERE PLEASE THANK YOU.
    BETTY

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    1. That's a great idea, but we have no dogs in the family, so I didn't do one. On the other hand, take my pattern on the toilet paper cover part, change the colors to what you need/or pink and use the Red Heart instructions for the face of the Poodle Golf Club Cover design here - http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/poodle-golf-club-cover, the tail can be made the same (but, shorter and skinnier) then add a pom on the end. I know you can do it and I would love to see it. Thanks, Birdie

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  5. I really dont understand the directions on the outsid ear of the cat. One line says row 3-4: ch1, 1sc in each of next 4sc, 1 hdc in eachj of next 2 sc, 1 sc i each of next 4sc, turn. (I get all of that, but the next line says row 4: ch1, sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2sc in next sc, 1hdc in each of next 2 hdc, 2 sc in next sc, 2sc in last 2 sc, turn.
    The number of stitches doesnt equal 10. Then it goes on to row 5 directions. I'm really confused. Can anyone provide further clarity so I can finish this correctly, please?

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    1. Hi Cheryl, sorry for the confusion, I left an extra #4 on Row 3, which is correct, Row 4 is correct comes out to 12 stitches, Row 5 needed correction. I have chnaged pattern with corrections. Thanks for the alert, Birdie

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