dia de los muertos

From Craftivity's crocheted skull. With some modifications. Shaped and modeled on a salt shaker... what else are they for?

First Try

Red Sun

Bumblebee

The Purple Garden

Black Love

Rainbow Bright

Yellow Vines

GreenDaisy

The Kat Von D

Manjunath the Crochet Camel

In honor of a fellow in India whose favorite animal is the camel.

This pattern isn't tested so please please please let me know if you find something wonky or confusion.

You'll need:

Tan yarn and brown. I used Red Heart Super Saver worsted weight.

I probably used a G hook or smaller. Use whatever makes a nice tight stitch for you.

Black embroidery floss

Yarn needle

Stuffing. I use cheap poly-fill, but you might want to get something weightier for the butt end so he doesn't lean forward like mine does (the head and neck are heavy!).

Stitch markers (I lose count easily so I mark the beginning of every round)

I used little plastic black eyes and fabric glue, but you could also just embroider the eyes.

Fun stitches:

sc2tog: put hook through st, yo, pull through st leaving 2 loops on hook, hook through NEXT st, yo, pull through sts, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Head and Neck.

Starting at the tip of the nose, working in rounds:

Round 1) Make finger loop an 6 sc in loop. Pull tight

Round 2) 2 sc each (12 st)

3-5) sc each st (12 st)

6) 2 sc each st next 4 sts, *sc, 2 sc next st* 4 times (20 sts)

7) 2 sc each next 8 sts, sc each next 12 (28 sts)

8) sc around (28)

9) sc each next 2 sts, *sc2tog, sc each next 5 sts* 2 times, sc2tog, sc next 2, sc2tog, sc next 5, sc2tog (24)

10) sc each next 3 sts, sc2tog, sc next 2, sc2tog, sc next 5, sc2tog, sc next 1 st, sc2tog, sc next 5 (20)

11) sc each next 2 sts, 3 sc2tog, sc next 4, 2sc each next 4 sts, sc each next 3 (20)

12) sc each next 11 sts, 2sc each next 6 sts, sc each next 4 (27)

13) *sc, sc2tog* 4 times, sc 17 sts (23)

14) sc each st around (23)

15) *sc2tog, sc* 4 times, *2sc next st, sc* 3 times, *sc2tog, sc* 2 times (21)

16) sc each (21)

17) *sc, sc2tog* 3 times, sc next 2, 2sc each next 4, sc each next 2, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (22)

18) sc next 5, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog, sc next 6, sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (17)

19) sc each (17) F.O... leaving long end for attaching neck to body.

Ears (make 2)
Use body color.

1. Finger loop and make 5 sc in loop. Pull into half-ish circle.

2. ch 1, turn, make a sc in the first 2, 2sc in the next, and sc in the last two.
F.O.

Attach to the head towards the back as the head just begins to slope into the neck.

Body:

Working in rounds starting with the hump

Round 1) Make finger loop and 6 sc in loop. Pull tight.

Round 2) 2sc each st around (12)

3) *2sc next st, sc* 6 times (18)

4) *2sc next st, sc each next 2 sts* 6 times (24)

5-7) sc around (24)

8) *sc 3 sts, sc2tog, sc next 3, 2sc each next 4* 2 times (30)

9) *sc next 2, sc2tog* 2 times, 2sc each next 6 sts, *sc next 2, sc2tog* 2 times, sc, 2sc each next 6, sc (38)

10) sc next 7 sts, *2sc next st, sc* 6 times, sc next 7 sts, *2sc next st, sc* 6 times (50)

11) *2sc next st, sc next 5, 2sc next st, sc next 18* 2 times (54)

12) sc each next 12 sts, *sc2tog, sc next 2 sts* 3 times, sc2tog, sc next 12, *sc2tog, sc next 2 sts* 4 times (46)

13) sc 10 sts, *sc2tog, sc next 2 sts* 3 times, sc next 12, *sc2tog, sc next 2 sts* 3 times (40)

14-15) sc around (40)

16) *sc2tog, sc next 2 sts* 10 times (30)
tuff stuff stuff. You can't stuff the hump enough.

17) *sc, sc2tog, sc* 7 times, sc next 2 (23)

18) *sc2tog, sc* 5 times, sc2tog (11)
Stuff some more, but put some weighty stuff (rice, beans, rocks) right near the butt so end is extra heavy compared to the front.

19) sc, *sc2tog, sc* 3 times (7)
Add some more stuffing and then sew closed.

Back legs (make 2)
chain 21 in body color (worked in rows)

Row 1) Turn, sc in first st from hook, sc next 9, sk 2 sts, hdc each next 8 sts

Row 2) Turn, ch 2, hdc 4, sc next 4 sts in back loop of row 1 sts, leave remaining sts unworked

3) Turn, ch 1, sc in front loop of next 4 sts, leave the rest

4) Turn, ch 1, sc in back loop of all 4 sts

5) Turn, ch 1, sc front loop of 4 sts.
Fold so rows 2-5 make a leg and stitch the 4 st rows together... sort of box like

Now, you'll sl st around the bottom of the original Row 1 and up the edge of Row 2.

Turn your work and make 4 sc sts in the first 4 sts of Row 2.

Ch 1, Turn, 2sc in each of next 3 sts, make 4 more scs around. F.O. and close rest of seam. You might want to stuff the leg a little

Back Hooves (make 2)
Use dark brown. Ch 7

1) Turn, sk first 2 sts from hook and hdc next 5 sts

2) Ch 2, Turn, make 5 hdc in the back loop of each st

3) Ch 2, Turn, make 5 hdc in the front loop of each stc

4) Ch 2, Turn, make 5 hdc in the back loop of each st

Sew Row 1 to row 4 and fit over top of leg. Sew hoof to leg and close top of hoof as necessary.

Attach the entire leg so the hips are as flush with the rest of the body as possible, but the actual legs splay out a little... helps add a little balance to him.

Front Legs (make 2)
Ch 8

1) Turn, sk 2 sts from hook, 6 hdc to end

2) ch 1, turn, 4 sc in back loop, leave rest unworked

3) ch 1, turn, 4 sc in front loop

4) ch 1, turn, 4 sc in back loop.

Sew row 1 to row 4 as appropriate.

Front Hooves (make 2)
Use dark brown. Ch 5

1) Turn, sk first 2 sts from hook and sc next 4 sts

2) Ch 2, Turn, make 4 sc in the back loop of each st

3) Ch 2, Turn, make 4 sc in the front loop of each stc

4) Ch 2, Turn, make 4 sc in the back loop of each st

Sew Row 1 to row 4 and fit over top of leg. Sew hoof to leg and close top of hoof as necessary.

Attach the front legs so the sts left unworked come from just under the front of the body an the legs point forward, but out a little.

Tail
Body color

Ch 10

1) turn, sk 2 sts from hook, make 8 hdc and F.O.

I sewed some yarn through the end and cut off the ends super short and then wrapped some more yarn around so the frayed ends wouldn't slip out. Not sure how to explain it better than that.

Finishing
I sewed the neck to the body so the base of the neck was just a little bit higher than the bottom of the body, but just use your best judgement.

Here's Manny giving you an imploring look "Make me. You neeeed me. Snuggle a camel."

Just a little Zen

The Littlest Buddha: A free pattern.

Please make lots of them, but don't sell them. Buddha's wisdom is meant only for sharing and caring... never profit... not even for me.

The pattern hasn't been tested so forgive me if there are missing steps or something is confusing. Please please please let me know if you find an error or can help me clarify something. This is the first pattern I've shared.

He's about 6.5" tall but if you use a thinner yarn and a smaller hook, you'll get a smaller guy... and thus using a thicker yarn and bigger hook, he'll be taller.

I used stitch markers for the beginning of each round so I didn't get lost, but I lose count easily, so it's up to you. You could probably also make a little robe for him if you'd rather he not be nude.


Tools:
Yarn: I used crappy WW acrylic... probably a Red Heart brand
Hook: F
Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers
Black embroidery floss
Poly-fill or anything else that makes good stuffing

Stitches:
sk = skip
bobble = yo, hook through st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook, yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through all 3 loops on hook
sc2tog = hook through st, yo, pull through st, hook through next st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through all loops on hook


Starting with the Body

ch 2, sl st together to create circle center

Round 1: ch 1, 6 sc in center

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

3: *2 sc next st, sc* 6 times (18 sc)

4: *2sc next st, sc next 2 sts* 6 times (24)

5: *2 sc next st, sc next 3 sts* 6 times (30)

6-8: sc each st (30)

9: sk first st, sc next 13 sts, sk st, sc next 13 sts (28)

10: sk first st, sc next 12, sk st, sc next 12 (26)

11-13: sc each st (26)

14: sk first st, sc next 11 sts, sk st, sc next 11 (24)

15-17: sc each st aroun (24)

18: *sc2tog, sc next 2 sts* 6 times (18)

19: *sc2tog, sc next 2 sts* 4.5 times (13)

20-21: sc around (13)stuff the bottom.

22: *2sc next st, sc* 5.5 times (18)

23: *2sc next st, sc next 2 sts* 6 times (24)

24-28: sc around (24)

29: *sc2og, sc next 2* 6 times (18)

30: *sc2og, sc* 6 times (12)stuff the rest of the body... you can't overstuff here, so just keep stuffing

31: sc2og each pair of sts following until there are about 4-6 sts left and then FO leaving long length for sewing and attaching.


Legs (you'll make 2, but you'll have to reverse a few things so you don't have 2 left feet...although the guy in the picture does and you can hardly tell. I've tried to put in the unique instructions for the other foot where it makes sense in italics... but you might have to just use your best judgement):

starting at foot: ch 7

Row 1: turn, sk first 2 ch (counts as first hdc), 5 hdc to end (6 sts)

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sl st around ENTIRE foot... so across those 6 sts from row 1 and then across the bottom of the original chain... the heel is at the bottom of your work and now you're going to make toes at the top (12 sts)

Row 3: (Note: There are about 3 spaces at the top of the foot) ch3, sl st in first space at top of foot (you made the baby toe), ch 3, sl st in same space as first toe, ch 3, sl st in 2nd space, ch 3, sl st AGAIN in 2nd space, ch 4, sl st in back of 2nd ch of the ch4 (so you've hooked the toe chain to itself... not the foot yet), ch 1, sl st to last space on foot

Row 4 Left Foot (turns into a Round leading up the leg): sl on bottom 4 sts of foot going towards heel, sc next 4 sts around heel, ch 4, sl st to join ch4 to first sc of heel. (8 sc sts in round)
(ROW 4 for Right foot: sl on TOP of foot (until there will be 4 sts to sc in at the heel), ch 4, join to other side of foot so that there will be 4 sts around heel, sc 4 sts on heel.)

Now working completely in the round.

Round 5-13: sc each st (8)
(Round 13 for Right Leg should have 7 sc and then 1 hdc in last st)

Stop here and sew the ch 4 from the begging of leg to the top of the foot. I don't have specific instructions... look at your foot and how the leg tapers and try to mimic that. Stuff calf.

Round 14 for Left leg: sc each in 6 sts, hdc next st, bobble
(Round 14 for Right leg: bobble, hdc, sc, sc2tog, 2 sc)

Round 15 for Left leg: hdc, sc next 2, sc2tog, sc next 2, 2 sc in bobble
(Round 15 for Right leg: 2 sc in bobble, sc each remaining sts)

Round 16: *sc next st, 2sc in next st* 4 times (12)Rounds

17-24: sc each st (12)F.O. leaving long length.

Stuff. Be carefull not to stuff the knee too much or it won't look right when it's bent. Also, don't stuff super full to the end of the thigh because you'll be sewing the open hole together and sewing the part of the leg that is the inner thigh to the outer edge. You'll want to stagger it a little so you're sewing the last row of sts from the inner thigh to the second-to-last row of sts on the outer thigh. You want the leg to attach as flatly as possible, but become 3-d right away. You can sort of see it better in how the arm is attached in the below at the left. All limbs are attached in about the same way.
Arms (like the legs, you'll make 2 and the other arm has a few areas that are different so you don't end up with two left arms... it matters with the arms because of how the hands need to match up):

starting with hands: ch 5

Row 1: turn, sk 1 st, sc in 4 sts

Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in 3 sts, sl st last st

Row 3: ch 1, turn, sk first st (the sl st), 1 sc, ch 3, sl st in butt of first ch st (thumb), sl st in next st of palm, sl st in top 3 sts

Row 4 becoming Round 4: sl st 2 sts on back of hand, sc top loop of sts around wrist: 4 sc, ch 3, join to first sc with sl st
(Row/Round 4 other hand: sl 2 sts on top of hand, ch 3, join to other side of hand in st so there will be 4 sts around wrist area before it will join with first ch, sc in top loop of 4 sts around wrist)

Round 5-12: sc around (7 sts)

Sew wrist to hand like you sewed the legs to the tops of the feet. You want your hands perpendicular to the arm so the palms will come together easily in prayer.

Stuff the forearms.

Round 13: sc 3 sts, bobble, sc 2, sk last st
(Round 13 for other arm: bobble, sc 2 sts, sk st, sc next 3 sts)

Round 14: 3 sc, 2 sc in bobble, 2 sc (7)
(Round 14 for other arm: 2 sc in bobble, sc rest of sts)

Round 15-16: sc around (7 sts)

Round 17: sc, 2 sc next st, 5 sc (8)
(Round 17 for other arm: sc in 5 sts, 2 sc next st, sc)

Round 18: sc 2 sts, 2 sc nexgt st, 5 scs (9)
(Round 18 other arm: sc in 5 sts, 2 sc next st, sc last 2 sts)

Rounds 19-25: sc each st around (9)

F.O. leaving long length for attaching.

Stuff, but again, don't overstuff at the elbow or it won't bend correctly and don't stuff a lot near the shoulder.

Like the legs, sew the inner arm about a row deeper to the outer arm. You'll attach at a diagonal on the body so that the upper arms are angled towards the knees, and when you bend the elbows they bend uppish and towards the heart-center of the body.


Ears (make 2)

ch 4, turn, sk st, sc in next 2 sts, and sl st in last.

F.O. with enough to attach.


Top of head thing:

finger loop, and 5 sc in loop pulling tight, sl st to first sc and F.O. with length for attaching.


Attaching everything:
I attached each limb and then just sewed the limbs together so they'd stay where I wanted them.

I put the legs on on top of each other so I just made a few stitches sewing one calf to the other and then attached both legs to the body.

After attaching the arms, I made a few stitches to hold the hands together and then also attached the thumbs to the body.

The ears and head thing are just sewn on in no particularly artful way.

I made the face with regular black embroidery floss. I tried a few different faces, but this one seemed the most serene.

Your questions and comments are always welcome.

Namaste!