pattern

Bertie & Beatrix Bear – The Pattern

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As promised, (and for once in good time!), I am back with a new crochet design!

This is Bertie and Beatrix. A teddy bear originally designed with my little boy on the way in mind. To me this is a wonderfully simple and speedy pattern and I have found no problems as yet. That said, it is the first pattern of this style I have written so if you notice anything awry please just leave me a comment to let me know 🙂

This is a straight written pattern, not a photo tutorial. Tutorials take a lot of time to sit and photograph and I’m afraid I do not have that sort of time available currently.

Bertie&BeatrixBear

As usual, you may sell any bears you crochet using my pattern with the due design credit given but the pattern is not to be reposted or sold….. it is available for FREE here! :) Thankyou.

Supplies
Stylecraft Special Chunky yarn (One ball of your main colour, and a little of the accent colour)
– I used the colours Denim, Fondant & Cream
5mm crochet hook
stitch marker
darning needle
9mm safety eyes
toy stuffing

Terminology/Handy Hints

Read the pattern through first! 😉

This bear pattern is worked in spiral rounds. This means there is no closing slip stitch at the end of a round, the first stitch of the next round will be worked in the first stitch of the previous round – a stitch marker to keep your place is a must!

I use UK terminology in all of my patterns. Happily there is really only one stitch used here!

double crochet(dc) [sc for the US] – Insert hook from front to back into the stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through 2 loops on hook (double crochet complete).

st(s) = stitch(es)
ch = chain
MC = Magic Circle (Good tutorial here!)
ss = slip stitch
dc = double crochet (single crochet US)
dc2tog = double crochet 2 together (decrease)
RS = right side

The Pattern

Head

Create a magic circle and ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch)
R1) 6dc into MC (6sts)
R2) 2dc into each stitch (12)
R3) 2dc into each stitch (24)
R4) dc into each stitch (24)
R5) *dc in the next st, 2dc into the next st*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R6) dc into each stitch (36)
R7) *dc in the next two sts, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (48)
R8-12) dc into each stitch (48)
R13) *dc in the next two sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R14) dc into each st (36)
R15) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (24)
R16) dc into each stitch (24)
R17) dc2tog all the way round (12)

Do NOT fasten off. We will continue the body on from here.
Place your safety eyes on the head between rounds 10 and 11, approx. 3 inches apart. Now stuff the head leaving a little gap at the neck opening so you can still crochet. I also stitch the muzzle/mouthpiece on at this point as I find it easier but you could wait until the end if you wish.

Muzzle/Mouthpiece

In a different colour to your bears head,
ch4
R1) 2dc in the 2nd chain from the hook, 2dc in the next 2 chains. With RS side facing turn the work clockwise, 2dc in the other side of each of the 3 chains. (12)
R2) 2dc into each stitch (24)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stitching. Sew on to the head between the eyes using the tail, leave a small gap to add a small amount of stuffing to create shape, sew gap closed.

Body

Continuing straight on from the head,
R18-19) dc in each stitch (12)
R20) 2dc in each stitch (24)
R21-22) dc in each stitch (24)
R23) *dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R24-28) dc in each stitch (36)
R29) *dc in the next two sts, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (48)
R30-37) dc in each stitch (48)
R38) *dc in the next two sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (36)
R39) dc in each stitch (36) Start stuffing the body.
R40) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (24)
R41) dc in each stitch (24)
R42) dc2tog all the way round (12) Finish stuffing the body.
R43) dc in each stitch (12)
R44) dc2tog all the way round (6)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use the tail to sew closed the tiny hole left in the middle.
At this point you can embroider the nose onto the muzzle with your main colour.

Legs (Make 2)

Stuff the legs as you go along, it is easier than trying to fill a tube at the end!
In your accent colour,
R1) In a magic ring, ch1 (does NOt count as a stitch) and make 5dc (5)
R2) 2dc in each stitch (10)
R3) 2dc in each stitch (20)
R4) Change to your main colour, dc in each stitch (20)
R5-7) dc in each stitch (20)
R8) *dc in the next 3 sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (16)
R9) dc in each stitch (16)
R10) *dc in the next 2 sts, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (12)
R11-19) dc in each stitch (12)
R20) Press the top edges together, keeping your hook on the right hand side of your work. Slip stitch across the top of the opening to seal it by going through two opposite stitches at the same time. (6)
Fasten off with a long tail for stitching. Securely sew the legs on to the base of the body across the center, approx 1cm apart.

Arms (Make 2)

Stuff the arms as you go along, it is easier than trying to fill a tube at the end!
In your accent colour,
R1) In a magic ring, ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch) and make 4dc (4)
R2) 2dc in each stitch (8)
R3) *dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (12)
R4) Change to your main colour, dc in each stitch (12)
R5) dc in each stitch (12)
R6) dc in each stitch (12)
R7) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (8)
R8-20) dc in each stitch (8)
R21) Press the edges together as you did with the legs and slip stitch across. (4)
Fasten off with a long tail for stitching. Securely sew the arms on to the body, either side of the head just slightly under the neck. 

Ears (Make 2)

In your accent colour,
R1) In a magic ring, ch1 (does NOT count as a stitch) and make 4dc (4)
R2) 2dc in each stitch (8)
R3)2dc in each stitch (16)
R4) Change to your main colour, dc in each stitch (16)
R5) *dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st*, repeat** all the way round (24)
R6) *dc in the next st, dc2tog*, repeat** all the way round (16)
R7) dc in each stitch (16)
R8) dc2tog all the way round (8)
R9) dc2tog all the way round (4)
Fasten off, leave a long tail for stitching. Sew the tiny hole in the middle closed and press the ear flat, it should naturally curl slightly. Stitch securely on to the head, centre each ear over round 5 of the head.

That’s it! You should have one complete bear!

If you would like to make the accessories – Bertie’s Tie or Beatrix’s Bag – I will put the patterns in a separate post tomorrow and link it up here. I think this post is already long enough!!!

Edit: If you would like to make the accessories – Bertie’s Tie or Beatrix’s Bag – The patterns can now be found here!!!

If you do make a bear from my pattern I would love to see it! Please feel free to share it on the Lovely Little Life facebook page or tag your pictures on instagram with #BertieandBeatrixBear <3

Naomi x2

Teeny Tiny Heart Sandals {Crochet Pattern}

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I have a new crochet pattern for baby sandals!!!

ttheartsandalsmain

You might know my Flower Power Sandals pattern, this started as a simple variation of that…. and ended as a complete redesign!

These sandals are, I think, a great improvement, they are double soled for sturdiness, a better fit, less stitching together is required and I am actively working on the patterns for multiple sizes.

Also they are adorable!

I will be working on a photo tutorial but as I’m sure you appreciate that is a lot of work and I have yet to find the time! But it is coming soon!

Edit: This is a long post already with just one size written out (I don’t know why I started with 6-9 months?!) but I am going to leave it as is and put the other sizes into a single PDF download. I think it will be clearer, and it will have the bonuses of being available offline and easily printable. Keep a look out at the weekend!!!

Edit 26/5/15: I have recently had lots of requests for the pdf file and different sizes for this pattern… I am SO sorry! This is not currently available which is why it cannot be found at this time. It is my intention to put them up but it still requires some work and I have a new baby and other responsibilities that must currently come first. My sincere apologies for any disappointment!

As usual, this is a FREE pattern, please do not sell or reproduce this pattern elsewhere. You are welcome to sell items you make from my patterns but please give design credit and when relevant please link back here. Also, please do not use any of my photos without my express permission and giving appropriate credit. Thank you!

Teeny Tiny Heart Sandals (6-9 months)

Materials:
2 or 3 colours of aran weight cotton yarn (Rico Creative Cotton or Drops Paris are good)
3.5mm, 3mm & 2.5mm hooks
darning needle

I’m using UK terminology, these are the stitches and abbreviations being used.
st(s) = stitch(es)
ch = chain
ss = slip stitch
dc = double crochet (single crochet U.S)
htr = half treble (half double U.S)
htr2tog = half treble 2 together
tr = treble (double crochet U.S)
RS = right side

This pattern makes one sandal beginning to end, work through twice for the pair!

Sole (make 2)

Using a 3.5mm hook chain 15.

R1) Work 3dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in the next 6 ch, htr in the next ch, tr in the next 5 ch, 7tr in the last ch. Working along the opposite side, tr in the next 5ch, htr in the next ch, dc in the next 6 ch. DO NOT FASTEN OFF. If it is helpful to you place a marker in the last st and move up each round.

R2) Beginning in the top of the first st of the previous round.
2dc in the next 3 sts, htr in the next 13 sts, 2htr in the next 5 sts, htr in the next 13 sts.

R3) Beginning in the top of the first st of the previous round.
[htr in the next st, 2htr in the next st] 3 times, htr in the next 13 sts, [htr in next st, 2htr in next st] 5 times, htr in the next 13 sts. Slip stitch in to the next st and fasten off.

Place the two soles wrong sides together. Starting at the centre stitch of the heel end slip stitch the soles together.
(I used a contrasting colour here that I would also use for the heel, toe strap etc.. but this is up to you.)

Heel

Turn the sole so that the back loop (not the ‘v’) of the slip stitches is facing you, these single loops are what we will be stitching in to.

R1) Find the centre of the heel which should be between to sl sts, count along 9 sts to the right, this is your starting point.
Using a 3.5mm hook, join your yarn and ch2 (these chs do NOT count as a st), starting in the same st, htr in each of teh next 18 sts.

R2) Turn your work, ch3 (DOES count as a st), temporarily drop this yarn but DO NOT fasten off, skip a st and join a new colour, [ch2, tr, ch1, tr, htr] in the next st, *skip 3 sts, in the next st [htr, tr, ch1, tr, htr]* repeat ** twice more, fasten this colour off. These are your heart clusters.

R3) Pick up your original yarn, *sl st into the back loop of the first st of the heart cluster, dc into the ch space, sl st into the back loop of the 3rd heart st, tr into the 2nd sk st of previous round* repeat twice more, then sl st into the back loop of the first st of the heart cluster, dc into the ch space, sl st into the back loop of the 3rd heart st, tr into the last sk st.

R4) Turn your work, ch1 (do NOT count as a st), dc in each st across.

R5) Turn your work, ch1, *htr in the next st, htr2tog starting in the same st, htr in the finishing st of the htr2tog, sl st in the next st, sl st in the next st*, repeat ** to the end, finishing with only one sl st, fasten off.

Ankle Ties

Using a 2.5mm hook, ch 40, sl st to the first st on the top left side of the heel, sl st in the next st, fasten off.
Repeat attaching to the right hand side.

Toe Strap

The toe strap is crocheted into the same sl st back loops as the heel. Starting on the right hand side of the sandal as it faces you, count along 9 sts, this is your starting point.

R1) Using a 3.5mm hook, ch2 (do NOT count as a st) htr in the same st as ch2, htr in next two sts. (This is back towards the heel)

R2-9) Turn work, ch2 (do NOT count as a st) htr across.

R10) sl st into the opposite side of the sole, starting in the 7th st down from the heel. (You should be crocheting towards the toe end.) Fasten off.

Heart

Using a 3mm hook, make a magic circle, into it ch2, 5 htr, ch1, tr, ch1, 5 htr, ch2, sl st. Pull the circle to a tight close and fasten off leaving long tail ends.

Using the tail ends stitch the heart to the centre of the toe strap.

You are done!

ttheartsandalsIG

Hopefully you have a pair of sandals that look something like these!

Please feel free to leave me a comment if you have any questions, or just to say hi!

Happy Hooking!

Naomi x2

 

Crochet Wire Bracelet Tutorial

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bracelet tut text

I posted about this bracelet last week some of you expressed interest in the pattern….

Sooo…. Here I am with my first ever photo tutorial! Hopefully you will find it helpful!

As you might expect you are in for an extremely photo heavy post!

Are you ready?

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