Pattern Giveaway Time

It is that time of year again. Giveaway time! I took a poll on my facebook fan site and you all decided that you wanted...

Patterns!!!

I am giving away 1 of my original crochet patterns to 5 lucky winners!

Here are some of the patterns I have available:

Think of all the hats you could make with one of these patterns! Winner will get to choose their free pattern from any pattern available in my shop!

Alright Now the details:

Giveaway starts NOW (April 6, 2011) and ends April 30th, 2011.

I will announce the winners no later than 1 week after the end of the giveaway. I will contact the winners and get their choice of pattern. The winner will have 1 week to get back to me or I will choose another winner and so on.

To enter:

All methods give you one entry.

1. Visit my shop and choose your favorite pattern. Comment on this post telling me which pattern you like. (do this only once)
2. Follow my facebook fan page and comment on at least one facebook post. Comment on this post telling me you did this. (do this once)
3. Start following my Twitter. If you already follow be sure to leave a comment telling me so. (do this once)
4. Tweet this:

@craftytortosie join the giveaway and win. http://thecraftytortose.blogspot.com #contest #giveaway #free

You can tweet as many times as you want as long as it is the above phrase!

Good Luck everyone!

I am not responsible for unrecorded entries due to computer or internet problems.
More entries does not guarantee you will win, it only ups your chances. Winner/Winners will be chosen at random.
Winner must live on Earth to qualify for this contest.
Prize will be emailed to the email address received after contacting the winner/winners. I am not responsible for prizes not received due to internet or computer problems.
If you wish you can add your email address in your comment to make it easier for me to contact you in the chance you win.
Following the Blog is also advised. This will keep you in the loop and show you my latest posts.

Key Fob Pattern

Key Fob Pattern

Measures about 4 inches when finished

H hook

Small amount of worsted yarn

1. chain 32
2. Skip 2 chains, Dc across
3. Fasten off leaving long tail

Fold over and sew together with long tail. Attach to key chain!

I love these! You can use up all those small bits of yarn leftover and they are great for Craft Fairs!

Enjoy!

Rag Rug Time

It is summer and the one thing I love about summer is color. Everything is so green and beautiful. It is so hard to be in a bad mood when the world is blossoming.

Another thing I love about summer is the time I have to crochet. I have just started to get into making rugs. My Doily Rug just sold and in honor of that I felt like I really had to replace it.

So I sat down and made some Rag yarn.

• Here is the tutorial to do so
• It is for a braided rug, but if you scroll down it tells you how to add fabric to create a long strand of yarn.

I made my rag rug yarn and here is what it looks like:I used a twin sheet to get enough yarn to crochet about 3/4 of the way through my rug.

• I would suggest to buy up a few sheets that coordinate. It is better to have too much than too little.

Crochet Rag Rug

Use S Hook.

1. make magic circle, hdc 8 into ring, join, ch 1.
2. 2 hdc in each stitch around, join, ch 1.
3. *2 hdc in next stitch, 1 hdc in next* repeat around, join, ch 1.
4. *2 hdc in next stitch, 2 hdc in next* repeat around, join, ch 1.
5. *2 hdc in next stitch, 3 hdc in next* repeat around, join, ch 1.
6. *2 hdc in next stitch, 4 hdc in next* repeat around, join, ch 1.
7. *2 hdc in next stitch, 5 hdc in next* repeat around, join, ch 1.
8. *2 hdc in next stitch, 6 hdc in next* repeat around, join, ch 1.

• By now you should be seeing a pattern. You continue to increase until you get a rug the size you want.
• If your rug starts to get wavy unravel a row and skip to the next row (example: if on row 5 my rug starts to get wavy I would unravel and instead crochet row 6)
  

It is as easy as that! Enjoy your rug!

Free Vintage Patterns

I stumbled across a great resource today and just had to share it!

Before I do, make sure to join our Crochet Along and vote for your favorite pattern!

Ok... so I have lots of twitter followers and I don't follow everyone back (I know I am terrible), but I do pick and choose the ones that I think are interesting and not just tweeting nonsense. Well the other day I went ahead and followed a Vintage Knit Patterns tweeter. I am slowly starting to knit. Well boy am I glad I did!

What I really found was free knitting and crocheting Vintage patterns!
This couple gathered all the right info so that they could start reproducing and selling vintage patterns. They are also giving away lots of patterns and you can sign up to receive some great patterns! I have already signed up for both the knitting and the crocheting patterns!

Here is the link!
Vintage Crochet/Knitting Patterns

Enjoy!

Hand Warmer Pattern FREE

I know its been a while since I posted a free pattern. Mostly because I am working really hard on my shop now a days. So to make it up to you I am offering you my Hand Warmer Pattern for free.

You remember this one. I posted when I made it and said it was coming for you for free... well here it is. It is in PDF format but the link is HERE!

This pattern is more on the intermediate level for one reason. You need to know how to do Around the Post stitches. If you have no clue what I am talking about skip rows 5-8 and just sc around instead.

As with all my free patterns it is not perfect. If you have major problems please contact me and if I can I will try to help you as much as I can!

Good Luck and Enjoy!

Don't forget to send me pics of your creations using my patterns! I would love to post them and share your creativity as well!
thecraftytortoise@gmail.com

Rolled Flower Pattern

Alright.. I got tired of showing you hat after hat so I am going to show you a simple pattern for a rolled flower that makes a great addition to anything!

This pattern is not very specific mainly because you can make it as big or as small as you want. I recommend the 25-35 chains, but I have made one with 15-20.

Rolled Flower

1. Chain 25-35 chains, sc in the 2nd chain from hook and each chain down the line
2. ch 1 turn, *1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next stitch* Repeat * across
3. Leave long tail, roll the petals to make a flower and stitch together. I recommend stitching as you roll.

Thats it! A great little flower that look fantastic! Add beads or a button in the center to dress it up!

Monkey Ear Flap Hat

I finished this monkey hat pattern a while ago, but with the crazy blog giveaway going on I really couldn't post it until now. This pattern was featured on favecrafts.com as well as a blog post I did for them HERE.
If you can't crochet don't worry. I also have this exact hat up in my etsy shop ready to be purchased and I take custom sizes as well.

It measures 16 inches around when measured, and does not stretch much. It is right on the edge of my chart between 3-6 months and 6-12 months. So it would be a great hat for a baby right in between. Always measure your baby's head to make sure the hat will fit!

Personal and Charity use only please.


Materials
H crochet hook
Large amount Tan Yarn Worsted weight
Small amount White yarn Worsted weight
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

Size
3-6months/6-12 months

Things to know
Single Crochet
Increasing/Decreasing
Braiding

Designed by Melissa Wenn melunder8.etsy.com

Hat
Start with Tan Yarn

1. Make magic circle, sc 6 in circle (do not join)
2. Sc 2 in each stitch around (use stitch marker to mark your first stitch, and ever first stitch in each round)
3. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next* repeat what is in * around
4. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 2 stitches* around
5. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 3 stitches* around
6. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 4 stitches* around
7. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 5 stitches* around
8. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 6 stitches* around
9. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 7 stitches* around
10. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next 8 stitches* around
11-28. Sc around

Ear Flap (make 2) With Tan Yarn

when making earflps. start the 1st one right where your hat left off. Fasten off. Then start the second one on the opposite side of the hat.
1. sc 11, ch 1 turn
2. sc2tog, 1 sc in next 7 stitches, sc2tog, ch 1 turn
3. sc across, ch 1 turn
4. sc2tog, 1 sc in next 5 stitches, sc2tog, ch 1 turn
5. sc across, ch 1 turn
6. sc2tog, 1 sc in next 3 stitches, sc2tog, ch 1 turn
7. sc across, ch 1 turn
8. sc2tog, 1 sc in next 1 stitches, sc2tog, ch 1 turn
9. sc across, ch 1 turn
10. sc2tog, fasten off

Border

1. with white sc around entire hat, fasten off.

Ears (Make 2) With Tan Yarn

1. Make magic circle, sc 6 in circle (do not join)
2. Sc 2 in each stitch around (use stitch marker to mark your first stitch, and ever first stitch in each round)
3. *2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in next* repeat what is in * around
4-5. Sc across
Fasten off

Join ears and finish off any loose ends. Attach 3 pieces of yarn to the ends of the earflaps and braid them. Enjoy your hat!

Oh.. And HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hat Pattern

So I made a hat for a friend today. It is adorable! I used a soft acrylic chocolate yarn for the hat, and recycled sweater yarn combined with a soft acrylic pink yarn for the flower.
This is the pattern. I warn you it is not perfect and you may have to customize it to fit your own needs.

Made to fit 3-6 months with a finished size of 15 inches around, and 6 inches in length.

Hat:

1. make magic ring, sc 8 in ring (8 sts)
2. continue around marking the beinging stitch with a stitch marker, 2sc in each sc (16 sts)
3. *1 sc in first st, 2 sc in next* repeat around (24)
4. *1 sc in first 2 sts, 2 sc in next* repeat around
   
5. *1 sc in first 3 sts, 2 sc in next* repeat around
   
6. *1 sc in first 4 sts, 2 sc in next* repeat around
7. *1 sc in first 5 sts, 2 sc in next* repeat around
8. *1 sc in first 6 sts, 2 sc in next* repeat around
9. sc around until you reach approx. 5 inches in length
10. join to next st. chain 3, (from this point you will be doing a twisted dc stitch also called a crossed dc stitch) dc in st behind your chain 3. *Skip 1 st, dc, than dc in the skipped stitch* repeat around. Forming a twisted dc row. (look online for a tutorial if you have trouble)
    
11. join. Make a shell border by: chain 1, sc in same stitch, *Skip 2 stitches, 8 treble crochet in next stitch, skip 2 stitches, sc in next* around. Adjust skipped number of stitches in the end if needed.
    

Finish off your ends and tuck any loose ends in.

Flower:

1. make magic circle, sc 5 around
2. in each stitch *ch 4, cluster 3 treble crochet, chain 4 join w/ sl st to next st.* repeat around
3. Fasten off and tuck in any loose ends.

Let me know if you have any problems. I will try to address any issues in the pattern you have.

Teeny the Tiny Turtle

This is Teeny the Tiny Turtle. He is my first free pattern, and he is really easy to create.

Materials:

2 differnt colored yarns (I used a light green for his head, and a dark green for his shell)

G Crochet hook (you can use others, but the size will change)

Black yarn and needle to embroider the facial expression

Stuffing (I use fiber fill)

Size:

He is about 4 inches long, and 2 inches tall

Pattern:

This pattern is formed in rounds using a marker to mark your starting stitch, remarking each time you come around. Also uses the magic circle method which can be found on the internet.

Shell:

Round 1: Using magic circle method, sc 6 into circle and pull tight to form a ring. Mark the first stitch. (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc)

Round 3: *2 sc in first sc, sc in next* repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: sc in each sc around (18 sc)

Round 5: *2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc* repeat around (24 sc)

Round 6: sc in each sc around (24 sc)

Round 7: *3 sc in first sc, sc in next 3 sc* repeat around (30 sc)

Round 8-10: sc in each sc around (30 sc)

Round 11: In Back loops only, *sc2tog in first sc, sc in next 3 sc* repeat around (24 sc)

Round 12: Back to normal, *sc2tog in first sc, sc in next 2 sc* repeat around (18 sc)

Round 13: *sc2tog in first sc, sc in each sc* repeat around (12 sc)

Stuff now

Round 14: sc2tog in each sc around (6 sc)

Fasten off, close the hole in the shell and hide your yarn tail.

Head:

Round 1: Using magic circle, sc 6 in the circle to form a ring. Mark your first stitch. (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc)

Round 3: *2 sc in first sc, sc in next* repeat around (18 sc)

Round 4: *2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc* repeat around (24 sc)

Round 5-7: sc in each sc around (24 sc)

Round 8: *sc2tog in first sc, sc in next 2 sc* repeat around (18 sc)

Round 9: *sc2tog in first sc, sc in next sc* repeat around (12 sc)

Stuff now

Round 10: sc2tog in each sc around (6 sc)

Round 11-13: sc in each sc around (6 sc)

Fasten off and leave long tail for attachment.

Finishing:

Attach the neck of the head to the underneath of the shell and stitch it on so that the head sits properly. (I find that I have to stitch his head to the side of his shell) Embroider the face, and your done!

Enjoy your own Tiny Turtle!