Too Cute to Not Try

I tried my hand at craft fairing again last December, and although it was not a great experience, I did dip my crochet hook back into the amigurumi pot for the first time in what feels like forever.

I kept seeing these cute little hedgehogs that were just irresistable. I came up with a pattern, and I made a handful. I sold one. Many people said they were adorable. But they did not sell.

That's only part of the story, though. My first hedgehog was a big fail. It stares hopelessly at me every time I get on my computer because I placed it at the base of my monitor. I don't know what else to do with it. It's pretty useless. But I can't bring myself to cut it up to reclaim the glow beads. :)

My thread chickens, however, DID turn out adorable. I didn't sell a single one. But man, are they ever cute!!!

Every time I've ever made amigurumi, I've always had to try a thread version. The hedgehog was the first one that just didn't work.

Maybe I'll try again one day. This time with smaller beads...

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Rock and Troll Monday

When I finished my first pair of Troll flip flops, The Lizard quickly suggested I make a Clint Eastwood-type poncho.

Is Indy Troll styling now with his new Southwest Ponchos or what?!?


A traditional poncho typically is a blanket or woven piece of fabric with a hole in the center for the head to come through. A poncho keeps the body warm. Ponchos have been used in the Andes region for more than 600 years and by the Peruvian people for more than 2,000 years.

Military ponchos made of water-resistant fabric and used as raincoats came into use in the 1850s. Many of the fashionable ponchos in my native state of New Mexico while I was growing up featured an opening between the neck and the edge.

Okay, so true traditional ponchos are supposed to be woven, not crocheted...


Nothing like a little post-Cinco de Mayo fashion show...






Next week, I'll be back to my regularly scheduled snowflake patterns. Did you miss the snow?!?

You may do whatever you'd like with ponchos you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 3x4 inches without fringe
Materials: Worsted yarn, size G crochet hook

NOTE: If making striped poncho, work each Row in a new color, and start and bind off each poncho edge (not neck edge) Row with a 2-inch tail for fringe. On neck edge, make tails 3.5 to 4 inches long and crochet over ends to poncho edge or weave in to poncho edge upon completion to form fringe.

Troll Southwest Poncho Instructions

Leaving a 2-inch tail for fringe, chain 14.

Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across for a total of 13 sc; ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-3: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn.

Short Row 4: To begin shaping neck and right poncho front, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc; ch 1 turn.

Short Rows 5-7: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn. Bind off at poncho edge leaving 2-inch tail for fringe.

Short Row 8: Joining at back neck edge or 8th sc of Row 3 and leaving a 4-inch tail for fringe (crocheting over tail during this Row or weaving tail to edge upon completion of Row), 1 sc in each of next 6 sc; ch 1 turn.

Short Rows 9-13: To form back of poncho, 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn. Bind off at end of Row 13 leaving a 2-inch tail for fringe.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

To form left front of poncho and leaving a 4-inch tail for fringe, ch 7.

Row 14: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 5 ch for a total of 6 sc; ch 1, turn.

Row 15: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn.

Row 16: 1 sc in each sc across, ch 1 to form neck edge, 1 sc across each of next 6 sc of poncho back for a total of 13 sc; ch 1, turn. See photos below in sock yarn version.

Row 17: 1 sc in each of the next 6 sc across, 1 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc across; ch 1, turn. See photos below in sock yarn version.

Rows 18-19: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn. Bind off at end of Row 19, leaving 2-inch tail for fringe.

NOTE: I made the striped worsted weight yarn version with 18 Rows instead of 19 to maintain my stripe pattern.


Troll Southwest Poncho Instructions (sock yarn version)

Materials: Fingering yarn, size E crochet hook

NOTE: Scraps of Noro sock yarn have the perfect texture and colors for this project and may even be felted upon completion for an authentic look and feel!


Leaving a 2-inch tail for fringe, chain 20.

Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across for a total of 19 sc; ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-4: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn.

Short Row 5: To begin shaping neck and right poncho front, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc; ch 1 turn.

Short Rows 6-9: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn. Bind off at neck edge leaving 4-inch tail for fringe. Weave tail poncho right opening to poncho edge.

Short Row 10: Joining at back neck edge or 12th sc of Row 4 and leaving a 4-inch tail for fringe (crocheting over tail during this Row or weaving tail to edge upon completion of Row), 1 sc in each of next 6 sc; ch 1 turn.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Short Rows 11-19: To form back of poncho, 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn. Bind off at end of Row 19 leaving a 4-inch tail for fringe.

To form left front of poncho and leaving a 4-inch tail for fringe, ch 9.

Row 20: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each of next 7 ch for a total of 8 sc; ch 1, turn.

Rows 21-23: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn.

Row 24: 1 sc in each of the next 8 sc across, ch 3 to form neck edge, 1 sc across each of next 8 sc of poncho back; ch 1, turn.


Row 25: 1 sc in each of the next 8 sc across, 1 sc in each of next 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 8 sc across for a total of 19 sc; ch 1, turn.


Rows 26-28: 1 sc in each sc across; ch 1, turn. Bind off at end of Row 28, leaving 2-inch tail for fringe.

Finish: If poncho was worked using a different color on each Row, fill in any fringe gaps by knotting folded 4-inch pieces of yarn along edges as shown.

If poncho was worked using solid color, cut approximately 16 4-inch pieces of yarn and knotting folded pieces along edges as shown.






For both solid and striped versions, trim fringe even along front and back.

If poncho is curly (all mine were), using rust-free pins, pin and shape and then spray with light water mist. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Fold poncho front around Troll neck as shown, and Troll is dressed to thrill!

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Rock and Troll Monday

Time to dance! Time to get your Troll shoes on and take warm advantage of spring!

This week I'm sharing a fun little, and I mean really little, project to go with the Rock and Troll pattern in this year's 2016 pdf snowflake booklet Sea Quell, benefiting the fight against multiple sclerosis, available only via tax-deductible donation of at least $15 in my dear husband's name here or my name here.

Please note when making donations that I no longer have access to personal email (or my blog) during the work day, and I volunteer teach on Tuesday nights, so may be unable to respond until evenings and may not be able to respond at all on Tuesdays.


As in years past, if you make a donation and do not hear back from me or my husband within a couple of days, please email me at snowcatcher at att dot net to make sure I know your donation has been made. I do sincerely try to get pdf booklets emailed out the same day each time a donation is made if I am able.


I do currently have plans for another Mother's Day snowflake deviation for next week, and I'd vowed to return to snowflakes in May. But my husband inspired yet another little Troll outfit, and I may have to share that the Monday after Mother's Day and THEN go back to snowflakes. Unless Troll accessories ideas keep popping up!

No, no, no, I can't let that happen. We need to focus back on snowflakes because soon it will be too hot to snow here, and the only way I'll get my weekly snowflake fix is if I make snowflakes.

This week's pattern also makes up cute jewelry. Don't you just love versatile patterns?!?




You may do whatever you'd like with flip flops and or flip flop jewelry you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 1.25 inches long, .75 inches wide at widest point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread in two colors (scraps, odds and ends are sufficient for this project), size 7 crochet hook, all-purpose glue

NOTE: This project includes small parts that could be swallowed by children who put things in their mouths.

Troll Flip Flop Instructions


Shoe Bottom (make 2 for Troll shoes)

NOTE: Rounds do not necessarily start and end in the same place.

With flip flop sole color, ch 8.

Round 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, 5 sc in last sc, working around on other side, 1 sc in each of next 5 ch, do not join. (18 sc)

Round 2: Working in the round, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 1 hdc in each of next 3 sc, 3 dc in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 3 dc in next sc, 1 hdc in each of next 3 sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, do not join. (25 st)
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 3: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 6 st, 1 hdc in each of next 3 st, 3 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 3 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in each of next 3 st, 1 sc in each of next 6 st, do not join. (30 st)

NOTE: For jewelry, next Round may be omitted if desired.

Round 4: 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 10 st, 2 sc in next dc, 1 sc in each of next 5 dc, 2 sc in next dc, 1 sc in each of next 9 st; bind off. Weave in ends.




















Strap

Finish for Troll Flip Flops: With shoe strap color, ch 10, 1 dc around post of 4th Round 3 dc for Left Foot or 6th Round 3 dc for Right Foot, ch 10, sl st in 3rd Round 4 sc right of inc on left side of shoe bottom; turn. 1 sc in each of next 9 ch, draw up loop through next ch, through dc and through next ch, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (sc dec made), 1 sc in each of next 9 ch; bind off. Pull one tail end through 3rd Round 4 sc left of sc inc on right side of shoe bottom, and tie knot with other tail. Weave in both ends into strap. Dab a drop of glue onto strap to secure ends and gently massage into strap. Optionally dab 2 or 3 drops of glue onto shoe bottom and massage into thread to secure ends and to stiffen shoe bottom. Finger shape shoe bottom flat. Shoe to be stiffened may be pinned flat if desired. If not stiffening shoe bottom, dab a drop of glue on shoe bottom thread ends to secure. Allow all glue to dry thoroughly.

Finish for Flip Flops Jewelry: With shoe strap color, ch 10, 1 dc around post of center Round 3 dc, ch 10, sl st in 3rd Round 4 sc right of inc on left side of shoe bottom; turn. 1 sc in each of next 9 ch, draw up loop through next ch, through dc and through next ch, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (sc dec made), 1 sc in each of next 9 ch; bind off. Pull one tail end through 3rd Round 4 sc left of sc inc on right side of shoe bottom, and tie knot with other tail. Weave in both ends into strap. Dab a drop of glue onto strap to secure ends and gently massage into strap. Optionally dab 2 or 3 drops of glue onto shoe bottom and massage into thread to secure ends and to stiffen shoe bottom. Finger shape shoe bottom flat. Shoe to be stiffened may be pinned flat if desired. If not stiffening shoe bottom, dab a drop of glue on shoe bottom thread ends to secure. Allow all glue to dry thoroughly.

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