Crochet Cookie Sheet

Crochet food is fun, but kids also need the kitchen items to put the food on. This cookie sheet comes from Annie's Attic's It's Play Time . I mentioned in a previous post that I am working on the frying pan from the book. The crochet work is all done. I am hunting for the appropriate sized cardboard that provide the support for the bottom of the pan. We always seem to recycle prior to these projects.

The cookie sheet was a fun project and used up the last of my available cardboard. My husband was kind enough to cut a piece to fit the pattern requirements. He is much better at making things straight keeping the corners square than I am.

I thought perhaps I might have crocheted some cookies by the time I was ready to post this pattern, but I have been busy working on Halloween projects. I finally finished the eight ghosts I need to have finished for this fall. I have half the number of pumpkins done. When I get to making some cookies I post a picture of the cookies with the pan before I ship it for Christmas.

If you arrived here looking for free crochet or knit food patterns please see the Free Food Knit and Crochet Page.


Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Toast

While it may appear there is an organized breakfast theme going on here, the toast came to be when I realized there was not enough of the off white to finish a sandwich I hoped to make. I had enough for about a slice and a half of bread, not two slices, since each slice is a double thickness. I looked at the bread and the egg and realized I had toast and an egg. This seemed like a perfect breakfast combo. It also gave me the chance to practice the pattern before moving on to making four of the same item that would need to be the same size. I do find it challenging to stay consistent.




This is another pattern I tried from Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Tasty Treats. This has been a great resource for fun food projects. I used a birthday gift card to purchase more yarn, so I will get to the sandwich soon. I like the idea that the sandwich pattern has details like the tomato. You can expect more cooking crochet posts this week as I have been on a quest to meet my Christmas request.

If you arrived here looking for free crochet or knit food patterns please see the Free Food Knit and Crochet Page.

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Dog Toys Knit and Crochet Free Patterns

Crochet:

Crochet Pattern Central

Dog Gone Dog Bone

Doggie Kong

Play Puffy

Turtle

Knit:

Dog Bones

Duck

Dumbell

Felted Tug Toy

Fido's Toy

Knitting Pattern Central

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Pancakes

I started on a food kick after getting a request for food presents for Christmas. I have never been a fan of fried eggs so no hunger involved as I was crocheting those, but the pancakes have left me with a desire to hit a pancake house. I have been thinking about experimenting with crocheting chocolate chip and blueberry ones.

The pattern for these pancakes comes from Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Tasty Treats. The butter is actually an adaptation of Frankenstein's head from Gourmet Crochet's Monster Mash Amigurumi. For those of you who may wonder if Gourmet Crochet is a sponser, sadly no. I have never even received one free pattern. I just ordered another set of pattern books though, as I am a huge fan of the amigurumi items available there.

There is no butter pattern in the book and the whip cream pattern was not quite what I was looking for. Frankenstein's head, when made smaller gave me the basic shape I was trying to create. Sometimes we do not need to recreate the wheel, we just need to find a pattern that looks like the shape we are aiming to make.

If you arrived here looking for free crochet or knit food patterns please see the Free Food Knit and Crochet Page.

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Cooking with Crochet Eggs

I received another request for Christmas presents. The recipient wants crocheted play food. I started going through my books. My husband bought me Tasty Crochet: A Pantry Full of Patterns for 33 Tasty Treats for Christmas last year. I originally had asked for the book thinking I would make some holiday decorations. Based on ages and interests, I was not sure any of the kids would enjoy pretend crochet food.

I had been collecting free patterns because it reminded me of the plastic food collections I had spent hours acquiring for my nieces when they were younger. They happened to arrive at the age of interest just as the products were not widely marketed. My younger sister and I scoured stores in search of elusive supplies.

This book was my first stop for patterns and I have only had time to move to one other book for cooking hardware so far. I had made crochet Easter Eggs at Easter. However, this pattern was targeted towards creative play, not just holiday decorations. Not only did it provide the egg pattern, but the egg is in fact cracked. The pattern requires you to crochet each half of the egg and sew it only around half way leaving an opening in the egg.



The book provides a pattern for an eggshell to crack as well as an egg yolk and white that can be dropped into a bowl as shown here. It also allows a child to pretend to cook the egg on a pan as demonstrated in the book. The egg is stored in the cracked egg until the child “cracks” the egg for cooking. It also provides a handy way for storing the play food in a more contained manner.

I made this eggshell in worsted weight yarn and I am going to try for a second one in cotton to see if it gives it slightly more form. It holds its form pretty well when the egg is inside, but the shell is very wimpy without anything to hold the form. Since it has no stuffing to hold the form, I am hoping cotton will make it a bit stiffer.



I am actually crocheting a frying pan from Annie's Attic's It's Play Time that I hope to post when I finish it. I will get a shot with the eggs I am sure. I completed the cookie sheet from the same book. With my husband's help in cutting the cardboard, it came out quite cute. I will get some pictures of that posted as well. Ironically, I bought that book for the tools in it, not the kitchen items. I have yet to make one of the tools. Sometimes you never know what will come in handy when you are picking up new books.

If you arrived here looking for free crochet or knit food patterns please see the Free Food Knit and Crochet Page.

Pictures may not be used without permission.

Free Baby Blanket Patterns

Many people arrive here looking for baby blankets according to my search data so I decided to add a page of free baby blanket patterns and add to the page as I locate more patterns.

Crochet:

ABC Afghan

Angel Baby Blanket

Aran Baby Blanket

Around the Rosy

Baby Blocks

Baby Bubbles

Baby Granny

Baby Playmat

Baby Ripple

Baby's Round Ripple

Baby's Quick Ripple

Bev's Baby Ripple

Be My Baby Throw

Bernat Satin

Bev's Country Cottage

Big Stripes Small Throw

Bobble Blocks Caron

Bouncy Ball

Car Seat Blanket

Car Seat Red Heart

Cheerful Squares

Chromium Star Blanket

Counting Sheep

Crochet Pattern Central

Cuddle and Coo

Delicious Colors

Diagonal Baby Blanket

Diamond Blanket

Diamonds for Baby

Diamond Mesh

Entralac Tumbling Blocks

Gingham

Granny Ripple

Granny Square

Granny Square 2

Granny Squares 3

Granny Star

Hearts in Hearts

Heart Strings

Kitty Cat

Lacy Square

Little Star Afghan

Merry-Go-Round Blanket and Teddy

Octagon

On a Cloud Ripple

One Skein with One Pound Caron

Patchwork Plaid

Patriotic Round Ripple

Peggie Sue's

Posy Granny

Rainbow Baby Blanket

Rainbow Granny Square

Rocking Horse

Round Jacob's Ladder

Round Ripple

Shining Star

Simple Ripple

Soft Shells

Square Motif

Starghan

Starry Night

Strawberry Ice Cream Granny

Stripe

Striped Blanket

Sunshine

Swedish Embroidery Baby Blanket

Textured

Through Any Window

Treble Shells

V Stitch

Wish Upon a Star

Zig Zag Caron

Knitting:

4 Ball Garter Weave

Birdwing

Blue Knit Baby Blanket(Squares)

Car Seat Blanket

Chevron

Duck

Easy Diagonal Garter Stitch

Easy Garter Stitch

Easy Garter Stitch 4 Patch

Fluffy Blanket

Gentle Ripple

Heart Blanket

Knitting Pattern Central

Lion Brand Blanket

Snowflake Kisses Preemie Sized

Soft and Speedy

Tree of Life

Twin Lakes Blankie

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Information about the blanket pictured can be found here.

Female Vampire Amigurumi

I find it comforting to read on other blogs that people share my challenges. It does not solve my problem, but it means I am not alone. While I have not yet started doing craft shows or making items for sale online, I do have a need to make multiple projects for family members and I find it challenging to stick with the same pattern for multiple projects unless I mix things up. Before anyone panics, I am not contemplating selling work made from other people's patterns without permission. I am just contemplating the work involved with committing to making multiple items for sale purposes.

This female vampire is actually a modified version of the witch pattern from Gourmet Crochet's Monster Mash Amigurumi. I used Dracula's cape instead of the witch version because it was longer. I had already made two Draculas. I needed a third vampire character to balance out my Halloween packages. I just did not want to make another Dracula that day and decided to play with the witch pattern and create a female companion for Dracula. One package requires two of each doll. I already have three Frankensteins. The first blue one has already left for his new home. I have made one blue and one in a more traditional green for the package that requires two of each item. The female vampire now balances the vampire requirements.



If you arrived here looking for free Halloween patterns please check out the Halloween Knit and Crochet Page or the Halloween Plastic Canvas Page.


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Hello Kitty Witch

The Patriotic Hello Kitty was a big hit so I decided to move on and try Armina Ami-Nal's Hello Kitty Witch pattern to add to my Halloween package. Not having to change colors for the stripes was a plus.

The challenge for this Kitty was adding the dress to the body. I want to go back and read the tutorial for adding clothing to the body. I am sure I missed something when I read it the first time.

For those interested in the free pattern, you can find a link to it on the Hello Kitty Free Pattern Page. The cape is actually Dracula's cape from Gourmet Crochet's Monster Mash Amigurumi.

If you arrived here looking for free Halloween patterns please check out the Halloween Knit and Crochet Page or the Halloween Plastic Canvas Page.


Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Animals Free Patterns

As I stated in a previous blog I have had to expand the toy page again to make space for all the new free patterns I found. Yesterday, I added a page for the crochet amigurumi and stuffed animals, today it is time to create a knitted animal free pattern page.

If you are looking for other free toy patterns, please do look at the lists on the side to see what other offerings are available. I have included links to the most popular toy searches available on the blog here as well. You will find doll links listed on the side.

Knit and Crochet Toys

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animals

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food


Amigurumi:

Knitting Patterns Central



Amigurumi and Other Animal Patterns:

Baby Gator

Bunny

Elephant

Elephant Jessikins



Flamingo

Fortune Kitty

Frog

Frog 2

Knitted Toy Box

Knitting Pattern Central

Koala



Monkey

Mice

Mouse

Penguin

Peter Rabbit



Sock Frog

Sock Giraffee

Sock Hippo

Sock Monkey Coats and Clark

Sock Pig

Sock Turtle

Tiger like Hobbes

Turtle

Turtle 2

Turtle 3



Ocean Creatures:

Lobster

Octupus Pair

Orca

Sea Urchin



Insects and Bugs:

Bee

Credits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/breibeest/ / CC BY 2.0

There have been several questions about elephant in the photograph. According to the flickr information the picture is made from a paid pattern from Ravelry. The pattern is Elijah.

Crochet Amigurumi and Stuffed Animals Free Toy Patterns

The good news is I keep finding wonderful free toy patterns to add to the blog. The bad news is that I keep having to confuse visitors to the blog by adding new pages to accommodate the great patterns I find. The toy page once again is just too large to hold all the items and I have noticed visitors are missing patterns that are on the page because it takes too long to look through all the patterns. I will be moving the knitted animals to their own page as well.

This page just has animals. Any TV, movie, or other special characters will be found on the toy page and the link is below. Certain categories have enough links that they now have their own pages. If you look at the links you can see a selection of what I have located for patterns.

If you are looking for other free toy patterns, please do look at the lists on the side to see what other offerings are available. I have included links to the most popular toy searches available on the blog here as well. You will find doll links listed on the side.

Bunnies, Chicks, and Ducks Can Be Found on the Easter Page

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys Find Non-Animals and Themed Stuffed Toys Here

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Hello Kitty

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food

Crochet:

Crochet Pattern Central

Amigurumi:

Free Amigurumi Patterns See Label List Left Side

Ami

Adding a Gown Tutorial

Ana Paula

Chrisdfriend Selection

Daily Crocheter



Amigurumi and Other Animal Patterns:

African and Asian Animals Crochet Pattern Central

Allcrafts

Alligator

Baby Gorilla

Baby Pufferfish Complete with Demo Pictures

Baby Seal

Badger

Beaver

Camel

Cardinal

Cardinal 2

Cat

Cat 2

Cat and Mouse

Cat Maneki Neko Lucky Cat

Chicken

Circus Elephant

Cows

Dog

Dog 2

Donkey




Elephant Lion Brand

Elephant Small

Elephant Tiny

Flamingo

Flying Pig

Fox

Fox 2

Frog

Frog 2

Frog 3

Frog 4

Frog King

German Shepherd, Border Collie, Beagle, Labrador, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Giant Panda

Gina Giraffee

Giraffe Coats and Clark

Giraffe Lion Brand

Gold Fish

Great Dane

Greyhound

Guinea Pig

Guinea Pigs

Hippo

Horse with Blanket Scroll

Horse with Saddle

Hummingbird

Kangaroo and Joey

Kangaroo and Joey Caron

Kitten

Kitty

Koala

Lamb

Lion Crochetville

Llama

Llama 2




Mice

Monkey reprinted with permission from Creepy Cute Crochet

Mouse

Mouse with Apron

Owl

Parrot

Pig

Pig and Piglet

Pony

Ponies Coats and Clark

Raven

Rooster

Rubber Duckie



Sheep

Tiger

Tiger 2

Toad

Tortoise

Turtle

White Elephant

Wolf

Wolf 2

Wolf Lion Brand

Wombat

Toys Crochet Pattern Central



Insects and Snakes:

Baby Bee Coats and Clark

Bee

Bees

Bumblebee

Carpet Python

Coral Snake

Creepy Crawlies

Sammy Snake




Ocean Creatures:

Baby Seal

Baby Seal 2

Clam

Clam 2

Clown Fish Looks like Nemo

Dolphin

Eel

Jellyfish

Little Whale

Lobster and Mermaid Coats and Clark

Manta Ray

Octopus

Penguin

Penguin 2

Penguin 3

Sea Star (thread)

Sea Turtle

Seahorse

Seahorse 2

Seahorse3

Seashell

Shark

Starfish




Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Train Set

I really did not think this was a project I could complete when I saw it in the June 2010 Crochet World. Finishing it and getting it on to my blog has been a great process. I am pleased I will have this to share as a gift.


This is likely the most challenging project I have taken on since I started crocheting. It also has required the most focus and determination to finish. I knew if I let myself get distracted with too many other projects, this project would not get finished. Unlike the small ami projects I am working on for Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving, these were considerably larger and required more space to store the pieces while I worked on them and to hold on to the set until it was completed and I could photograph it. It needed to be completed as a set, photographed, and then stored until it is time to ship it in December.

If you arrived here seeking free train patterns check out the Free Toy Patterns

See the Other Train Pictures:

Engine

Box Car

Coal Car

Caboose


Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Caboose Train

This was the last pattern I attempted from the June 2010 Crochet World Train Patterns for babies.

The Caboose and the Engine were the two most difficult to create without the foam to hold the form. However, I did like the both when they were done. They really are going to be great baby toys. I think they will be a great introduction to trains for the little boy they will be headed to this December.



I again changed the brown to black in this pattern and chose a generic brand of red to create the caboose. I reduced the end windows, even following the gauge they did not fit.

I already have made pattern notes for this project and will likely take another shot at it. It is amazing how much you can learn just going through a pattern about how to do better the next time. Each time through teaches you new things you just did not see the time before. In this case it will be even more important as I took out a main component of the pattern, the foam blocks that not only form the support for the crochet, but around which the patterns were written.


If you arrived here seeking free train patterns check out the Free Toy Patterns

See the Other Train Pictures:

Engine

Box Car

Coal Car

Crochet Train Set


Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Coal Car Train

When I saw June 2010 Crochet World this was the train car I most wanted to make. I loved the way they created the coal on the top of the train car and was excited to try the pattern. I substituted stuffing for the foam blocks the pattern wanted cut. I would not want to imagine the joys involved with cutting foam to fit the coal pattern. While the crochet does create a pattern for the coal "bump," stuffing is critical to getting a coal pile on top of the coal car. The foam might have been an advantage if one had the patience to cut it correctly to fit the form.

The color on this car is fairly close to the pattern. I used Red Heart and other scrap yarn for making the train cars. It was all yarn I had on hand. I believe the pattern calls for Vanna's yarn. I did not notice a significant difference in changing yarn varieties. I suspect the Vanna's yarn would be softer, however, because I was not using foam, that could actually have made the situation worse, not better.

If you arrived here seeking free train patterns check out the Free Toy Patterns

See the Other Train Pictures:

Engine

Box Car

Caboose

Crochet Train Set

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Box Car Train

The June 2010 Crochet World gave me the chance to create a baby safe train set. I made the engine first. Once that was completed, it gave me the confidence to move on to the other train pieces.

The Box Car was the easiest of the train cars to make. The pattern required creating a rectangle box and adding wheels and the end pieces to complete it. As I mentioned in the previous post about the engine I had to alter the directions to use stuffing instead of foam to fill out the train. The main color is close to the suggested color in the pattern. The secondary color was changed from brown to black.

If you arrived here seeking free train patterns check out the Free Toy Patterns

Based on a suggestion from my husband, when I make this pattern again, I would likely make two wheels and crochet or sew them together to give the wheels more stability. Either the single wheel needs to be sewn directly to the train to keep it from bending or it needs more support. I am not that the foam would make a difference in my choice.

See the Other Train Pictures:

Engine

Coal Car

Caboose

Crochet Train Set

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Crochet Train Engine

As I mentioned a previous blog post, I opened the June 2010 Crochet World when it arrived and was so excited to see patterns for toy trains for babies. After reading the patterns, I put the magazine away with the idea that the patterns were adorable, but not something I was going to put on my list of projects. The patterns required precision cutting of foam. The foam was required not just for the main body of the train, but all the little features as well. I realized I would never have the patience to work through such a project in addition to all the work required to crochet and assemble the trains.

As I worked on more toy projects, I realized a compromise could be made. The trains would not be as form fitting as the trains in the magazine, but they would still be fun first train toys for a young relative I had first thought of when I saw the magazine. The toys could be crocheted, sewn together, and stuffed with traditional stuffing. It required a few minor adjustments, but it was worth it to be able to make the trains.



I started with the engine because I realized that if my plan did not work for the engine, than making the other cars was pointless. I used colors I had and I changed the brown to black intentionally. I did not like the way the brown I had looked with the colors I selected. I also changed the windows on the engine to a brighter color. I wanted something cheerful for a baby toy. As I post the pictures of the other trains, you will be able to see I reverted to black windows when the color combinations looked good. I also reduced the number of windows when it became too crowded.

See the Other Train Pictures:

Box Car

Coal Car

Caboose

Crochet Train Set

If you arrived here seeking free train patterns check out the Free Toy Patterns

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Birthday Goodies

My focus has been on buying vintage and out of print patterns. I have borrowed current books from the library, but kept putting off buying them because they are current and still in print. The vintage patterns are generally only available for a limited time.

My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I realized this was a chance to actually get some of those books I had put of buying while I have been acquiring the old stuff. Yesterday he did not just buy a few off my list, but emptied my current list for my birthday.

I added several new titles to my collection.

Easy Crochet Critters (Leisure Arts #75266)

I have wanted to make the lion and the hippo in this collection forever. I have been tempted so many times to pick this up in one of my many trips to the craft store. However, I could never justify buying it when I was there making other purchases.

Crobots: 20 Amigurumi Robots to Make


I have taken this book out of the library several times. I love the robot patterns and have wanted to explore the patterns. Just as I have been ready to dive in, its been time to return the book. So when the time came to make a list, this book had to be on it.

A Zoo For You (Leisure Arts #5152)

This was another one of those books I have looked at several times and put back. It is not terribly expensive, but when I have been buying other things I just could not justify buying it. I love the polar bear. I am both anticipating and dreading the challenge of the zebra. I am not as crazy about the lion, but want to try the tiger and the giraffe.


Crochet for Bears to Wear: More Than 20 Perfect Projects for Your Favorite Teddies and Friends

I was reading every preview available for this before it came out. I have visited it every time we have been to the bookstore. I do not think my husband had any doubt this would appear on the list. What I really liked was the directions for adapting the patterns to fit different bears. I have been a bear collector since I was a child, so I have no doubt some of my bears will be sporting new outfits.


I also took the chance to build my travel bag. I have always had trouble just sitting without something to keep my hands busy. In years past, it has been needlepoint or embroidery projects. Now it is mostly crochet projects. I generally take a small project with limited directions, usually a dishcloth or a simple amigurumi. Recently I worked on a ghost ami at the July 4th parade. I worked on a ghost dishcloth at a college graduation. The problem is I have to pack the basic items each time I go and I often forget to unpack all the smaller items when I come home and find myself searching for a hook or a counter. So my husband kindly bought me extra g hooks and counters to add to my bag that can stay there. Most of my travel projects are g hook projects so this works perfectly.

Picture Credit: Aine D Flickr.com

Reindeer Amigurumi

As I mentioned in a previous post I have been collecting vintage patterns from books and magazines. This pattern was adapted from Annie's Crochet Newsletter Nov-Dec 1991. The original pattern includes a reindeer with arms and legs. I did crochet a leg and held it up to the reindeer to see how it would look and it did not have the same look as the one on the pattern picture.

However, my husband captured what made this reindeer perfect. He reminded him of the rubber duckie reindeer we had mailed a few Christmas packages earlier. I have a younger relative that loves the rubber duckie creatures and this guy has that look. Another relative is discussing making a sleigh so I suspect there will be a herd of these created before the Christmas season is over.

I of course want at least one like Rudolph here and a couple with black noses as well. In fact I think I may even have a sleigh of my own for them to pull.

For those of you who arrived here looking for free Christmas patterns please feel free to visit the Christmas Knit and Crochet Page or the Christmas Ornament Page for free patterns.

Several people asked me about the toys I was talking about. These are the Rubber Duckie Reindeer Toys I was talking about.




Picture may not be used without written permission.

Toy Theme Afghans Crochet and Knit

I started this blog entry looking for fun free patterns for children older than the baby blankets, but younger than the adult versions that are so readily available. I am building a list that will continue to grow as I find interesting projects.

Crochet:

Alphabet

Angel Blanket Buddy

Bary Bear

Bearghan

Cat and Mouse Blanket and Pillow

Checkerboard Complete with Playing Pieces

Choo Choo Train

Counting Sheep

Crayons

Frog Henry Hopper

Jigsaw Puzzle

Kitty Blanket Buddy

Monkey

Pikachu

Prince of Egypt

Rufus Rabbit

Sea Creatures

Shaggy Puppy Blanket Buddy

Snake

Spiderman

Teddyghans

Teddy Bear Blanket Buddy

Teddy Bear Tartan

Teddy Go Round

Tiger Afghan

Train

Wheels on the Bus

Zoo Animals

Knit:

Airplane

Bedtime Story

Block Fun Blanket

Map of the United States

Teddy Bear






Picture Credit: Noricum Flickr.com