Happy Holidays!

To all my wonderful followers and those people who visit one of my social sites throughout the year, I thank you for all your attention to and well-wishes for my efforts. All of you are the reason I'm still plugging along!

I hope you all had a wonderful year and wish you and yours the best that this holiday season can give, and sincerely hope for all good things for you in the year to come.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR from The Crocheted Butterfly.....and Arthur -

Bwaaahh-ha-ha-haa!! Ooh, um, er...cough, cough - I mean Ho! Ho! Ho! and Meeerrry Christmas!!

Not What You'd Expect

Normally I'd have a post with some wonderful photos of inspiration or links to patterns, especially for the holiday season. However, it seems that there is an overload of those types of posts, so I decided to do something a little different.

I have owned a small plastic semi-articulated skeleton for probably going on twenty years. He isn't anything super special, but I like him. (So does my oldest son. At one point we even had an argument because my son said I had given the skeleton to him and I said I didn't. I won.)

Since this skeleton has been a part of my family for so long, naming him only seemed appropriate, and I feel that Arthur suits him. Arthur normally spends most of his time in a ziplock bag in the Halloween decorations box, but somehow since our move to CA (8 years ago), he managed to find his way to the back of the entertainment unit's cabinet. And people talk about the Elf on the Shelf! I've also thought it's only right that a few photographic portraits should be taken.

Arthur is a handsome devil, and always has such a wonderful smile!

 

 

 Arthur normally comes out to decorate the entertainment unit in October, enjoying the company of a clay pumpkin made by my younger son's former high school sweetheart and an amigurumi pumpkin I made. But somehow Arthur always manages to stay out well past Thanksgiving and generally doesn't get back in the cabinet until Christmas is over.

 Arthur with his Halloween friends

 

 One day my younger son's new girlfriend was over and she inquired about having a skeleton for a Christmas decoration. I explained that Arthur enjoyed the holidays, but I felt he should have some Christmas/winter accessories. So she suggested that I crochet something for him. Imagine that! So this year I've given him a little scarf and hat, and maybe next year he'll get a sweater or jacket.

 Arthur sporting his new Christmas duds.

 

Arthur enjoying some Christmas Baubles I made - I think he's holding his favorite!

 As a matter of fact, there really isn't any reason Arthur couldn't stay out a little past Christmas. Wouldn't he be adorable as a Valentine's Day cupid? Or perhaps a new version of the Easter Bunny? By George, I may have caught on to something here, in a slightly twisted way. Oh, The Nightmare Before Christmas, what have you wrought?!!

Bitten by the Bauble Bug

I've had a cold for the past week, so I've been spending quite a bit of time sailing the internet - and oh! those wonderful holiday patterns. Of all the lovelies that are out there, though, I have become totally enchanted with the Christmas Bauble - and what's not to love? You can get very inexpensive ball ornaments from the dollar store (I bought a package of a dozen for $1) plus you use your yarn scraps to crochet over them, then you have a very pretty ornament when finished. Win-win-win!

I looked up patterns for baubles (hoping to not have to reinvent the wheel), but the majority I found used larger balls and heavier weight yarn. So I had no choice but to create the Corded Bauble - and keeping with the Christmas spirit, I am sharing it with you! I know many of you don't use size 10 or 5 crochet thread, but being a lace-lover I do have quite a bit of these in my stash so that's what I used.

Color variations of the Corded Bauble

Materials - 1 7/8" (48mm) plastic ball ornaments (I had red but gold or silver would fine)
Cotton Crochet Thread size 10 in different colors
Bernat Handicrafter Acrylic Thread size 5 in different colors
Size 1.9mm hook, but you could probably use a 2mm or a 1.8mm
Liquid Stitch or equivalent (white glue would work)
Scissors
Stitches -  sp - Space,  st - Stitch,  sl st - Slip Stitch,  ch - Chain,  dc - Double Crochet,  trc - Triple Crochet,  fptrc - Front Post Triple Crochet,  mc - Magic Circle,  v-st - V-Stitch (dc, ch 1, dc), 2-dc group - 2 dc's worked in same stitch,  FO - finish off.
Special Notes - 1. All rounds are worked from the front (right) side. 2. All rounds are finished off to use a new color for the next round. 3. Instead of trying to weave in ends, I took the beginning and ending tails of each row and weave them so they're next to one another, put Liquid Stitch on the base of each, tied an overhand knot and let them dry.

1. With a mc, ch 3 (1st dc) and work 11 dc's in the circle. Sl St in top of ch 3, tighten circle and FO. (12 dcs).

2. Work 2 dc's in between each dc from round 1. FO. (12 2-dc groups made)

3. Work 1 V-st in the middle of each 2-dc group from round 2. FO. (12 V-sts)

4. *Work 2-dc group in V-st from round 3; trc in front of round 3, in between the 2-dc groups from round 2*. Repeat * to * around. FO.

5. Work V-st between each 2-dc group from round 4. FO.

6. *Work V-st in the ch 1 sp of the V-st from round 5; working in front of round 5, fptrc around the trc from round 4*. Repeat * to * around. FO.

7. Work V-st in the ch 1 sp of V-st from round 6. FO.

8. *Work V-st in the ch 1 sp of the V-st from round 7; working in front of round 7, fptrc around the fptrc from round 6*. Repeat * to * around. FO.

9. Work V-st in the ch 1 sp of V-st from round 8. Slip ball into crochet and finish round with ball inside. You'll work crochet rounds over ball from this point on.

10. *Work V-st in the ch 1 sp of the V-st from round 9; working in front of round 9, fptrc around the fptrc from round 8*. Repeat * to * around. FO.

11. Work 2-dc group in ch 1 sp from round 10 around. FO.

12. *Work 1 dc between the 2-dc group from round 11; working in front of round 11, fptrc around the fptrc from round 10*. Repeat * to * around. FO.

13. Work sc in every other st around, FO.

Note - If you use all size 10 crochet thread, you may need to add another round before you complete the bauble with round 13. If so, work 1 front post double crochet in every fptrc from round 12.

A couple other baubles I made. Loved the look of the Fptrc stitch, so I went crazy with it!

The entire dozen baubles completed!

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial and it has encouraged you to create a few baubles of your own this season!

Blueberry Hill Cowl

As I mentioned in a previous post (here), I was very busy during and right after the visit with my Mom. My sister-in-law informed me that she had accidentally lost a cowl I had made for her a few years back and she wanted me to make her another (complete with taking me to a yarn store!). It was with a very heavy heart that I had to decline her generous offer, but I was in the process of crocheting a wrap for her daughter and wouldn't have time to do both on my visit.

After I returned, however, was another matter. My S-I-L requested purple to go with her purple winter coat, and I recalled two purple and two blue skeins of acrylic chenille I bought from Herrschner's a while back - I have decided to work down some of my stash, after all. So, voila, the Blueberry Hill Cowl was born! I realize that the chenille yarn I used has been long discontinued, but I believe any #4 weight yarn could be substituted.

I wanted to make the cowl thick enough so that it could work her warm in those cold Chicago winters, but I did discover that making a more solid fabric made it resistant to folding. So I kept a space between the "berries" and just hope they don't let in too much cold air.

 When my S-I-L received the cowl, she said it coordinated well with her coat and she was sure it would be nice and warm. Success! If you would like to get the free pattern, it is available in my store on Bonanza, here.

It's Turkey Time!

Now that we've all settled ourselves from our Halloween-induced sugar highs, it is time to turn our thoughts to that most delicious of holidays, Thanksgiving.  As MentalFloss.com states, "Since [William] Bradford wrote of how the colonists had hunted wild turkeys during the autumn of 1621 and since turkey is a uniquely American (and scrumptious) bird, it gained traction as the Thanksgiving meal of choice for Americans after Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863." So I think it only fitting that we pay crocheted homage to a creature that has brought so many of us such aromatic and savory memories - I give you...the Turkey!

He looks a little scrawny, so maybe he should be pardoned by the President! Theo the Turkey paid pattern by ILDikko at http://www.amigurumipatterns.net/shop/IlDikko/Theo-the-Turkey/

Adorable Turkey Hat by The Stitchin' Mommy, free pattern at https://www.thestitchinmommy.com/2014/11/crochet-turkey-hat-free-pattern.html

Cute Turkey (I'll say!) by Teri Crews, free pattern at Ravelry - https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cute-turkey

Delightful pillow Turkey Graph CAL by Emily from Pixel Perfect -free pattern at https://www.pixelperfectcrochet.com/turkey-crochet-graph/#more-1917

So adorable Turkey Coasters by Joanne at Craft Passion, free pattern at http://www.craftpassion.com/crochet-turkey-coasters-and-ornaments/

Beautiful autumnal colors and line dancing turkeys come with this Turkey Talk Throw from Red Heart, free pattern at http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/turkey-talk-throw#.UGL6ycCoKFo.pinterest

Pilgrim Turkey is all dressed up for dinner! Only $2.69 for this pattern at https://www.e-patternscentral.com/detail.html?code=ENC0186&source=pntrste

No Thanksgiving dinner would be complete without a nice big piece of pumpkin pie! Scrumptious Pumpkin Pie Brooch/Tissue Holder free pattern by Twinkie Chan at http://blog.twinkiechan.com/2014/11/26/free-crochet-pattern-video-tutorial-pumpkin-pie-brooch-and-tissue-holder/

 

 

 I hope you all have a wonderful and bountiful Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by your friends and loved ones!

Wedding Afghan 2.0

I know I didn't post anything last month, but believe it or not, I have been busy! I spent 2 weeks visiting with my Mom at the end of September/beginning October,  as well as going to my nephew's wedding on 9/30. What a beautiful wedding! The reception was held at a gorgeous country club and the food was fantastic. And the bride was stunning - they make such a good-looking couple. It was truly a lovely day, and I was so happy I could share it with them.

As I hoped in a previous post (And Another One Bites the Dust), the 2.0 version of the wedding afghan was definitely an improvement over the first one I made here (sorry Nate and Chelsea, but it's true). I modified the "brick" sections slightly and I added the cable "ropes". I did stay with neutral colors, but anyone could certainly choose whatever colors they would want, maybe perfecting the ombre look I was going for. I used Michael's Colorwheel no-pill acrylic yarn and it was wonderful! I don't know their reasoning, but Michael's is discontinuing it - it's currently on clearance for 99 cents a skein. How sad.

Close up of a diamond panel with cable

I used a crab stitch (reverse single crochet) for the edge

Ta Da!!

 As I was doing the diamond panels I fell in love with the diamond lattice stitch, so I decided to try it out on another project (more on that later). It is so lovely and reversible! I found this stitch online from a video made by a very nice Russian woman; of course I can't find it now. The stitch isn't super complicated, just a little tricky to describe in words. Perhaps I should make a video? Anyway, the pattern is currently available in my Bonanza store, which you can find here. Check it out!

For the Paranormally Inclined

I realize that Halloween is coming up pretty fast, especially for those planning to create costumes and/or decorations for this annual "ode to spirits that have passed". However, in my wanderings around the internet I discovered that there is a National Ghost Hunting Day, celebrated on the last Saturday of September (this year, the 30th). This is a fledgling holiday, officially created in July 2016, but with a seemingly robust following (check out http://www.nationalghosthuntingday.com/home.html for more info). So in keeping with the "spirit" of the day, I have chosen to do a little of my own ghost hunting - of the crochet variety, of course!

Whimsical Boo Ghosts by Beverly Mewhorter, free pattern at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boo-ghosts

I wouldn't mind a visit from this Casper-inspired ghost!

From Ophelie at http://www.ahookamigurumi.com/en/halloween-special-n1-one-pattern-for-two-ghosts-amigurumi/

Could a ghost get any cuter? From The Itsy Bitsy Spider at https://www.etsy.com/listing/59612765/pdf-crochet-pattern-halloween-ghost?ref=shop_home_active_1

 Adorable baby hat inspiration from Soap and Stitch on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/soapandstitch?ref=l2-shopheader-name

What a dapper fellow! Halloween Ghost free pattern at

https://amigurumi.today/halloween-ghost-crochet-pattern/

 Who wouldn't keep themselves cozy with this on a Halloween night? By Maggie's Crochet at https://www.maggiescrochet.com/products/halloween-ghosts-afghan-pillow-set-pattern-1

If you're looking for a sexy ghost, Little Miss Spooky is here!  https://de.dawanda.com/product/107163507-haekelanleitung-little-miss-spooky-geist-pdf

Who could forget Zero - in a lovey form, no less! Free pattern from Jamie Hackford at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zero-lovey

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And this little sweetheart comes from Gateando Crochet at

http://gateandocrochet.blogspot.nl/2015/10/la-fantasma-lola.html#english 

(I used this pattern to make the boy and girl ghost in the pumpkin below!)

I ain't 'fraid of no ghosts! Classic "Ghostbusters" logo free design by http://www.triflesntreasures.com/my-attempt-at-blogging/i-aint-fraid-a-no-ghostfree-crochet-pattern#.V5Ix7IMrKUl

I hope you enjoyed this little ghost tour and possibly found a little friend to crochet. Oh, yes - and happy hunting on the 30th!

It's National Teddy Bear Day!

We love teddy bears. I don't believe I have ever known someone who didn't at least like teddies, and many people had one as a "best friend" as a child (me included!). Ever since the shopkeeper Morris Michtom and his wife Rose made a stuffed fabric bear in honor of America’s 26th commander-in-chief (Teddy Roosevelt) and displayed it with a sign, “Teddy’s bear,” in their store window, these bears have been a perennial favorite. So in honor of this beloved creature that has given us so much comfort, let the love begin!

Have you ever seen such a sweet face?!!

Inspiration only https://jzamell.jimdo.com/teddy-s/

Gorgeous free-form teddy by Irina Iriss, at

https://www.livemaster.ru/item/6539925-materialy-dlya-tvorchestva-master-klass-fifi-mishki-opisanie-v

What a delightful way to stay warm! Pattern for sale by Carolina Guzman at

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teddy-bear-hat-10

Such little cuties! Free pattern available at https://amigurumi.today/amigurumi-teddy-bear-brothers-in-sweaters-free-crochet-pattern/

                        

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear...and the free pattern is

by Irina Nikolajeva; http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-bear-4 free pattern

Aren't these booties adorable? Free pattern from Helena Asmu Lim at http://www.clearlyhelena.com/teddy-bear-booties/

Sweetness overload!

Inspiration only - https://ami.guru/forum/gallery/image/116489-image/?browse=1

What child wouldn't go to sleep with these friends? By Christins from Sweet Potato 3 at

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sleep-tight-teddy-bear-blanket---lovey

My childhood teddy was a panda bear! Designed by

Kristel Droog and pattern available at https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/461552466/crochet-pattern-my-little-panda-bear

What lucky mother wouldn't want to receive this beauty for her newborn?Teddy

 Bear blanket by MingazovArt at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teddy-bear-blanket-59

There's even a Halloween Teddy - Frankie the Zombie Teddy by Krawka at

https://www.etsy.com/listing/472432946/crochet-pattern-frankie-the-zombie-teddy?ref=shop_home_active

                                                                                                                            

(I have to admit that there were so many teddies and teddy-related items that it was really difficult to decide what to include in this post. Trust me, this is only a fraction of what I found on Pinterest!)