Samsqueak - Crochet and Craft Creations

Painted Moss Cowl

2018-09-01T09:14:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the beautiful Caron x Pantone yarns at Michael's? The first time I saw it in the aisles, I fell in love. And I knew it I wanted to design a pattern with it. And the Painted Moss Cowl was born.

This yarn is so soft and squishy, and the colors all flow beautifully from one to the other. I designed this cowl to be quick and easy and to not have to weave in a lot of ends (because we all know I hate weaving in ends).

The child size uses one skein & the adult size uses two. It makes a perfect cozy single loop cowl, and it's adorable for matching sets.

The cowl is worked flat as a corner-to-corner moss stitch pattern and then seamed to form the cowl. The colors are faded in from one to another for a beautiful, simple and modern look.

I am so happy with this pattern and I hope you love it to. You can purchase your own copy on Ravelry. If you make one, I'd love to see it. Please consider uploading a project page to ravelry (this is really helpful for designers) and tagging me on Instagram @samsqueak with #paintedmosscowl.

I can't wait to see your beautiful cowls!

Crochet Mustache Bracelet

2015-08-04T19:33:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I showed you the tiny owl pendant I made for my niece's 14th birthday. As the second part of her present, I whipped up this super fast mustache bracelet. Seriously. This took maybe 15 minutes. And I think that's an exaggeration.

I have to admit, I don't really understand the whole mustache thing. But apparently they're in. If you have a teenager who's into mustaches - here's the free pattern for you!

Crochet Mustache Bracelet

Supplies
Small amount of black worsted weight yarn (cotton yarn pictured)
3.5mm crochet hook
Yarn needle

Stitch Abbreviations
SL ST = Slip Stitch
CH = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
SC2Tog = Single Crochet Two Together
HDC = Half Double Crochet
DC = Double Crochet

Mustache Instructions
CH 20
SL ST in 2nd CH from hook
SC2Tog, SC2Tog, SC, HDC, [2DC, HDC], SC,
SL ST, SC, [HDC, 2DC] HDC, SC, SC2Tog, SC2Tog
SL ST
CH 20*, SL ST into the beginning of the mustache
Fasten off and weave in ends.

*To increase or decrease the size of the bracelet, just add or reduce the number of chains after the mustache.

And you're done! See super fast!

If you make one of these, I'd love to see it! Tag @samsqueak on Instagram or link it to the pattern page on Ravelry.

Mini Crochet Owl Pendant

2015-08-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

So gift giving...it's not my love language. But I do love to make gifts. And if you're getting a gift from me there's a pretty good chance that at least part of it will be handmade, and most likely it will involve yarn (or at least a crochet hook). (This statement pretty much only applies to the women in my life. I don't often make things for guys - I find guys too hard to make things for).

So, my niece is turning 14. I'm not sure how that has happened - because I think it was just yesterday that I was dating my now husband and met this adorable little redheaded three year old fireball. But apparently it was like 11 years ago and time is moving too fast and I might be getting old. Moving on.

I hear that kids these days are into owls. And mustaches. (at least this kid is). (am I still allowed to call her a kid at 14?). So I decided to try something new and design an owl necklace. And I'm really happy with how it turned out! (Hopefully she will be too...)

(Tune in at a later date for the mustache portion of the present...)

This tiny little owl pendant is made with a 2.25mm hook and embroidery floss. She's just the teeniest little thing (exactly 1 inch tall) and I think she's super adorable. I might have to make one for myself.

And these pendants are so fast to make. I went through several prototypes before I came up with this simple design that I liked best. Sometimes simpler is better - and I find this to be particularly true when miniaturizing.

Do you have a teenager who's into owls too? Do you want to make your own owl pendant? Well today is your lucky day! Here's the free pattern!

Micro Crochet Owl Pendant

Add this to your queue or favorites on Ravelry.

Supplies:

For the owl:

2.25mm hook (B)

3 colors of embroidery floss (main body)

White, black and yellow floss for the face

Fabric glue

Embroidery needle

For the Necklace:

1 jump ring

Jewelry pliers

Finished chain

Stitch Abbreviations:

CH = chain

SC = single crochet

HDC = half double crochet

SL ST = slip stitch

FO = fasten off

Owl Body

Round 1: Color 1

Start with magic ring

SC 6 in the ring

SL ST in first SC

FO color 1

Round 2: Color 2

2SC in each st around (12 SC)

SL ST in first SC

FO color 2

Round 3: Color 3

[2SC, SC] around (18 SC)

SL ST in first SC

SL ST, [SC, 2HDC, SC], SL ST in next 2 sts, [SC, 2HDC, SC]

SL ST around to first SL ST

FO color 3

Eyes (make 2)

White: CH 2, SC 2 in first CH. FO. Knot ends to make a circle.

Back
In color 3:
Round 1: SC 6 in magic ring
Round 2: 2SC around (12 SC)
Round 3: [SC, 2SC] around, SL ST (18 SC)
FO

Assembly:

Sew eyes onto body. You want the edges of the eyes to just touch in the center.

With black floss make a french knot in the center of each eye.

With yellow floss, add the beak. Make a "V" between the two eyes. Fill in the "V" with straight stitches. Make 2-3 straight "bars" across the top.

Weave in the tail from the body. Trim all tails on the back and push them to the center of the owl. Apply a small amount of glue to keep the ends in place.

Sew the back on over the ends. Sew through both loops on the back piece and only the back loop of the front to keep the seam from showing.

With the pliers, attach a jump ring to the back piece.

Slip it on a chain and you're done! Congratulations!

I would love to see your pendants! Tag @samsqueak on your Instagram posts or link them to the ravelry page!

*Disclaimer. Some links may be affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, I get a small commission - and it won't cost you anything extra.*

Ollie the Owl - Free Crochet Pattern

2015-07-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love owls? I know there are tons of crochet owl patterns out there - but I'd like to take a moment to add my own little hoot to the crochet owl community.

So without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Ollie.

Ollie, meet the Internet. Internet, meet Ollie.

He's just about 2.5 inches tall and possibly my favorite thing to make. I've been making Ollie's and sending them out into the world since 2008. I used to sell his pattern, but I've decided that the world needs more of these little hoots flying around. So I'm making his pattern free. Lucky you!

This little Ollie above is made of cotton yarn. But I have a soft spot for felted Ollie's. They shrink up to about 2 inches tall and are just the sweetest fuzzy little things.

So soft and fuzzy!

You want to make one, right? Well here you go!

Ollie the Owl - Free Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Add this pattern to your favorites or queue on Ravelry

Skill Level: Beginner. Requires basic crochet skills.

Finished Size: Felted - 2" tall; Not felted - 2.5" tall

Supplies Needed:

Small amounts of worsted weight yarn. These little guys don't use a lot of yardage. If you want to felt your Ollie, make sure you use 100% wool. You'll need three colors of yarn for the body, eyes and beak.
Small amount of stuffing
Safety eyes (optional)
4mm (G) Crochet hook (If you crochet loosely, you may want to go down a hook size. If you can see holes through your work, you'll see stuffing come through your Ollie)
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle

Stitch Abbreviations:

SC – Single Crochet

DEC – Decrease by crocheting 2 stitches together

2SC – Single crochet 2 stitches in the same space

SL ST – Slip Stitch

SC 2 – SC in the next two (or the number indicated in the pattern) stitches

FO – Fasten off

Magic Ring – if you're not familiar with the 'magic ring' there are a lot of great tutorials online. Here is one of my favorites.

Gauge:

Gauge is not important in this pattern; however, you should make sure your stitches are tight enough that the stuffing will not show through your finished product.

This pattern is crocheted in the round. At the beginning of each round, place your stitch marker in the last stitch. Move your stitch marker up with each new round.

Eyes

Make Two

Using your choice of eye color, begin by making the ‘magic ring’

Round 1: SC 6 in ring

Round 2: *2SC* around (12 stitches)

SL ST in first stitch, FO

Leave a long tail (6-8 inches) for attaching to body.

Body

Using the brown yarn, make the ‘magic ring’

Round 1: SC 6 in ring

Round 2: *2SC* around (12 stitches)

Round 3: *SC, 2SC* around (18 stitches)

Round 4: *SC 2, 2SC* around (24 stitches)

Round 5: *SC 3, 2SC* around (30 stitches)

Rounds 6-9: SC around (30 stitches)

Round10: *SC 3, DEC* around (24 stitches)

Rounds 11-12: SC around (24 stitches)

Stop here to sew on the face.

Place your eyes where you want them and attach the safety eyes through the center of the eyes.* You want the edges of the eyes to just be touching each other. Use the safety eyes to keep the eye pieces on the head and sew around the edges of the eyes to attach them to the head.

*If you don't want to use safety eyes to make a little kid safe toy, you can follow this pattern:

Make 2 using a scrap of black yarn
CH3, SL ST in first chain.
Fasten off.
Sew these chains to the center of the eyes.

Next, sew on your beak. With beak yarn:
Step 1: Make a 'V' between the two eyes.
Step 2: Fill in the 'V' with vertical lines
Step 3: Make two horizontal lines across the top of the 'V'

Wings

Using main yarn, begin with the ‘magic ring’
Round 1: SC 5 in ring
Round 2: 2SC around (10 stitches)
Rounds 3-6: SC around (10 stitches)
SL ST in first stitch, Fasten Off, leave a long tail (6-8 inches) for attaching to body
Attach wings to body.
Weave in all ends from attaching wings, eyes and beak.

If you do not plan on felting your owl, Congratulations! You’re done!

I hope you love your little owl! If you made one - I'd love to see your pictures. Link your project page on Ravelry, or tag @samsqueak in your instagram pics!

If you want to felt your little hoot, keep reading...

Machine Felting Instructions

Felting is the process of binding the wool or other natural fibers of your yarn. During the felting your owl will shrink in size and the stitches will become less visible as the fibers bind together.

Set your washer to hot wash and cold rinse and use the maximum agitation and length of cycle.

Put your owl in a lingerie bag or a zipped pillow case. Throw in some sturdy clothing or towels to give it something to agitate against.
(Note: felting creates a lot of fuzz in washer that can get on your clothing or towels, so it’s best to use an old towel or a pair of jeans you don’t care about anymore. If you use jeans, turn them inside out to prevent little bits of blue lint from getting mixed into your felting.)

Add a few tablespoons of detergent. Allow the washer to run a full cycle of agitation. Before the spin cycle, take out your bag and check the progress of the felting. If your creation is felted to your satisfaction, put it back in the wash for the rinse cycle. If you would like it to be felted further, put it back for another agitation cycle.

After the rinse cycle, if you want it to felt just a bit more you can throw your creation in the dryer on low with a dry towel for a few minutes. Check on your creation frequently and pull it out when it’s still a little damp.
Fluff your little owl back into shape and let it dry fully on a towel.