The Northern Collective - February

It is time once again for me to participate in the Northern Collective upload.  Did I explain what this is?  If I did, here it is again :)

The Northern Collective started in November of 2013 as a small group of Canadian artists who met on Facebook thru the waldorf doll world.  We have many talents among our group including jewelry makers, painters, felting artists, knitters, and of course, dollmakers.  Every first Tuesday of the month, we bring together all our crafts and offer them to you on Hyenacart at 9pm EST.  Some items are super popular and sought after and sell out in seconds!  Here is the link:

The Northern Collective on Hyenacart

If you head over in the next day or two, you will see items popping up as we make them available to preview.

For more detailed information and to keep up with all the events for The Northern Collective, come visit our Facebook page:

The Northern Collective on Facebook

Hope you can stop by for a visit on Tuesday!  Stay tuned for more to come!

The SNAKE: Chinese Zodiac Animals #6

The Snake, in the Eastern zodiac, is charming, soft-spoken and mysterious. They make their decisions quickly and firmly; they are thinkers. Apparently though, they tend to tell lies and are a little bit lazy.

Our little snake is made in two parts:  the head will be completed first as a sphere and then the tail is made from the tip up and attached to the head.


You will need:

light green yarn, dark green yarn, and a tiny bit of pink yarn all in worsted weight
stuffing (polyfill or wool)
safety eyes
crochet hook (size A recommended but any hook up to size G will work)

tapestry needle
*optional = long doll needle, stuffing fork (see the Information Page for more info on this)


Key:

Ch = chain

INC = 2 sc into one stitch

#INC = do # increases in a row

DEC = invisible decrease turns the next 2 sts into one st

# or sc# = separate sc stitches (no increasing or decreasing) 

slst = slip stitch

Begin here:

Head first:

R1  With light green yarn, magic circle with 6 stitches into the loop.

R2  INC around. (12)
R3  (1, INC) around (18)
R4  1, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2 (23)

R5  INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4 (28)

R6  3, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 3 (32)

R7  5, INC, 9, INC, 9, INC, 6 (35)

R8  3, INC, 10, INC, 11, INC, 8 (38)

R9  12, INC, 25 (39)
R10  INC, 38 (40)

R11  sc around (insert eyes between R6/7 six sts apart)
R12  38, DEC (39)
R13  25, DEC, 12 (38)
R14  8, DEC, 11, DEC, 10, DEC, 3 (35)
R15  6, DEC, 9, DEC, 9, DEC, 5 (32)
R16  3, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 3 (28)        (FILL WITH STUFFING)

R17  4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC (23)

R18  2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 1 (18)
R19  (DEC, 1) repeat around (12)
R20  (DEC, 1) repeat around. Fasten off. Weave loose end through each stitch in the opening. Fill completely with stuffing.  Pull tightly to close.  Sew in your end.

Body/Tail:

R1  starting at the tip of the tail, Magic Circle with 4 stitches into the loop using light green
R2  INC, 3 (5)

R3  INC, 4 (6)

R4  (2, INC) two times (8)

R5  (3, INC) two times (10)

R6-8  sc around (10)

Now, stuffing lightly as you go, single crochet 8 rounds dk green, 8 rounds lt green, 8 rounds dk green, 8 rounds lt green, then:

R41  (1, INC) 5 times around (15)

R42  sc around

R43  (2, INC) 5 times around (20)

R44  sc around

R45  (3, INC) 5 times around (30)

R46  sc around.  Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew onto head of snake between round 16/17 and stuff last part tightly before closing up.


Tongue:  Make one in pink:

Chain 8, turn, sl st in 2^nd chain from hook, 2 more slst, ch 4, turn and sl st in 2^nd ch from hook, 2 more slst and continue sl st back to where your tail is at the beginning (5 sl st).

Attach the tongue to the centre of your sphere and you're done!

We are now half way thru!  How is everyone doing?  Please feel free to post on my Facebook, or tag me with #turtlekeeperdesigns on Instagram!  I'd LOVE to see your work!  If you ever need any help, advice, clarification or explanation, please feel free to contact me on Facebook, IG, Ravelry, Etsy, or comment below :)

The DRAGON: Chinese Zodiac Animals #5

Our sweet dragon is my favourite of all the designs in the 12 zodiac animals.  He has all sorts of different interesting little parts.  Little wingy ears, horns and pudgy orange spikes.  

A baby born as a Dragon in the Chinese zodiac is highly desirable.  They are born leaders: powerful and confident, always in search of success.  They can be quite perfectionistic and snobby though, often with a quick temper.  I don't know any dragons personally but I'm sure we can point them out quite easily by their apparent personalities!

This is going to be one of our amigurumi zodiac set with an elongated head :)  The other one will be the horse.  Please have a quick peek at the Information Page for this Zodiac series before you begin!


You will need:

green yarn, white yarn, orange yarn in worsted weight
stuffing (polyfill or wool)
safety eyes
crochet hook (size A recommended but any hook up to size G will work)

tapestry needle
*optional = long doll needle, stuffing fork (see the Information Page for more info on this)


Key:

Ch = chain

INC = 2 sc into one stitch

#INC = do # increases in a row

DEC = invisible decrease turns the next 2 sts into one st
# or sc# = separate sc stitches (no increasing or decreasing) 

slst = slip stitch
hdc = half double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a stitch, yarn over and pull thru all stitches on hook)

dc = double crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a stitch, yarn over, pull thru two stitches on hook, yarn over, pull thru remaining stitches) 

Begin here:

R1  With green yarn magic circle with 6 stitches into the loop.

R2  INC around. (12)
R3  (1, INC) around (18)
R4  1, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2 (23)

R5  INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4 (28)

R6  3, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 3 (32)

R7  5, INC, 9, INC, 9, INC, 6 (35)

R8  3, INC, 10, INC, 11, INC, 8 (38)

R9  12, INC, 25 (39)
R10  INC, 38 (40)

R11  sc around 

R12  sc around

R13  sc around

R14  sc around                                                                                           
R15  38, DEC (39)         
R16  25, DEC, 12 (38)

R17  8, DEC, 11, DEC, 10, DEC, 3 (35)  (insert eyes between R11/12, ten sts apart)
R18  6, DEC, 9, DEC, 9, DEC, 5 (32)
R19  3, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 3 (28)        (FILL WITH STUFFING)

R20  4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC (23)

R21  2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 1 (18)
R22  (DEC, 1) repeat around (12)
R23  (DEC, 1) repeat around. Fasten off. Weave loose end through each stitch in the opening. Fill completely with stuffing.  Pull tightly to close.  Sew in your end.

Spikes (make 3 in orange):

R1  Magic circle with 4 stitches in the loop (4)

R2  (1, INC) twice around (6)

R3  (2, INC) twice around (8)

R4  (3, INC) twice around (10)

R5  (4, INC) twice around (12).  Finish off leaving tail for sewing.  Make 2 more!

Squish each spike flat and sew bottom edge shut.  Using the same tail, sew each spike onto the head starting between the eyes.

Horns (make 2 in white):

R1  Magic circle with 4 stitches (4)

R2  INC, 3 (5)

R3-4  sc around (5).  In the example, the horns are attached in line with the eyes between rounds 17/18.

Ears (make 2 in green):

R1  chain 6 and turn.

R2  Sc in 2^nd chain and across (5)

R3  Ch 1, INC, 3, INC (7)

R4  Ch 1, INC, 5, INC (9)

R5  Ch1, sc, (hdc, dc, hdc) in nx sc, slst, slst, (hdc, dc, hdc) in nx sc, slst, slst, (hdc, dc, hdc) in nx sc, sc.  Finish off and leave a tail for sewing.  In the example, the ears are attached between rounds 17/18 below the level of the horns.

Embroider little nostrils in the shape of an “x” with white yarn. 

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed putting this little guy together!  Stay tuned for the Snake coming up next!

If you ever need any help, advice, clarification or explanation, please feel free to stalk find me on Facebook, Instagram or comment below!

The BUNNY (RABBIT): Chinese Zodiac Animals #4

The person who is a rabbit is gentle, sensitive and compassionate.  They dislike arguments and will do anything to avoid a fight (my Bunny niece who is three years old runs away when my kids start fighting).  They may also tend to be a little anxious and indecisive.  They are, however, known for their appreciation of beauty and fashion.  Many are artists.  

You will need:

white yarn and pink yarn in worsted weight
stuffing (polyfill or wool)
safety eyes
crochet hook (size A recommended but any hook up to size G will work)

tapestry needle
*optional = long doll needle, stuffing fork (see the Information Page for more info on this)


Key:

Ch = chain

INC = 2 sc into one stitch

#INC = do # increases in a row

DEC = invisible decrease turns the next 2 sts into one st
# or sc# = separate sc stitches (no increasing or decreasing) 

Begin here:

R1  Using white yarn, make a magic circle with 6 stitches into the loop.

R2  INC around. (12)
R3  (1, INC) around (18)
R4  1, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2 (23)

R5  INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4 (28)

R6  3, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 3 (32)

R7  5, INC, 9, INC, 9, INC, 6 (35)

R8  3, INC, 10, INC, 11, INC, 8 (38)

R9  12, INC, 25 (39)
R10  INC, 38 (40)

R11  sc around
R13  25, DEC, 12 (38)
R14  8, DEC, 11, DEC, 10, DEC, 3 (35)  (insert eyes between R6/7, 9 sts apart)
R15  6, DEC, 9, DEC, 9, DEC, 5 (32)
R16  3, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 3 (28) (stuff leaving room at the top)
R17  4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC (23)

R18  2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 1 (18)
R19  (DEC, 1) repeat around (12)
R20  (DEC, 1) repeat around. Fasten off. Weave loose end through each stitch in the opening. Fill completely with stuffing.  Pull tightly to close.  Sew in your ends.

Ears (make 2 in white):

R1     5 sc in Magic Circle (5)

R2     5INC around (10)

R3     (1, INC) 5 times around (15)

R4-8  sc around (15)

R9     (3, DEC) 3 times around (12)

R10-11  sc around (12)

R12   (2, DEC) 3 times around (9)

R13-15  sc around (9)  Flatten and attach to the head.  In my example, the ears are attached between rounds 14/15.

Tail:

R1  With white yarn, 6 sc in magic circle

R2  INC around (12)

R3  sc around

R4  sc around

R5  DEC around (6)

R6  Cut the end and weave thru remaining stitches.  Pull tight.  You can stuff the tail if you would like.  Sew onto the head/body.

Embroidering the nose and mouth:

This method is exactly the same as what was described for the TIGER.  Embroider the nose and mouth after you finish the body/head.  Thread about 18 inches of pink yarn on your needle.

1.  Go in from the bottom of the bunny and make a triangle going back and forth with the pink yarn for the nose starting at the wide edge.  Keep your stitches close together so you see minimal orange showing through.

2.  Come out with your needle at the base of the triangle and go back in where you want the centre of the mouth to be (we will call this point X).  You will end up with the small vertical line below her nose.   (Did you know this is called the "philtrum"???)

3.  Come back out at one corner of the mouth.  Enter back in at "X".

4.  Come back out at the other corner of the mouth.  Enter back in at "X".

5.  Now have a look at the 2 sides of the mouth.  To make sure the little smile/curve stays put, come out midway between the corner of the mouth and "X".  Catch the horizontal yarn  and go back in at the same place.

6.  Do this for the other side of the mouth.

You may have to do this a few times until you have something that you like.  When you are happy, go back out to where you started at the bottom of the bunny, tie a knot and push the knot into the bunny's head/body.

I hope you're enjoying this crochet-a-long.  We have the super-cute dragon coming up next which I really loved designing.  He is my elder daughter's favourite of the 12.

How's everything going with the crocheting?  If you ever need any help, advice, clarification or explanation, please feel free to stalk find me on Facebook, Instagram or comment below!