My First Amigurumi Pattern: A Willy-Nilly Silly Snake

Please meet the Willy-Nilly Silly Snake.

For those of you who are just starting to crochet and are interested in doing amigurumi, I've written this very simple pattern. I've designed this snake to be super easy, super cute, and a great way to use up all those leftover bits of yarn lying about. :)

Before you start here are some helpful hints:
1. Learn the magic adjustable loop to start off your amigurumi. Here is a great tutorial at CrochetMe.com
2. Mark the end of each round with a stitch marker.
3. Stuff as you go. Especially if you are making a super long snake.

Materials:
-- A multitude of colors of worsted weight yarn
-- For eyes 6mm plastic safety eyes, 6mm round black beads, or black yarn can be used
-- 1/4 inch wide grosgrain ribbon
-- Poly-fil stuffing
-- 4.5 mm crochet hook
-- yarn needle

Notes:
-- sc (single crochet)
-- sc2tog (a decrease made my crocheting two stitches together)

SNAKE HEAD
Row 1: Work 6 sc into a magic loop
Row 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch
Row 3: (Work 1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next stitch) repeat 6x
Row 4: Sc all the way around
Row 5: (Work 1 sc in each of first two stitches , 2 sc in next stitch) repeat 6x
Row 6-8: Sc all the way around
Row 9: (Work 1 sc in each of first two stitches, sc2tog) repeat 6x
Row 10: (Work 1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog) repeat 6x

You've formed the general shape of the snake head so now you can affix the eyes. Note that the end of your round will mark the underside of your snake so position eyes accordingly. If you don't have safety eyes or beads, you can simply embroider the eyes on with a simple french knot. I especially recommend embroidering the eyes if you're making this for a small child.

Now finish off the head . . .

Rows 11-14: Sc around

SNAKE BODY
Now for the fun part! It's time to change colors. The body is done by single crocheting round and round with a variety of yarn. Work a specific stripe pattern or simply work willy-nilly. And feel free to make the snake as long as you like. It's up to you! :) Just be sure to join each new yarn on the underside of the snake so you don't see the pattern break on the top. Also, be sure to stuff as you go along!

SNAKE TAIL
Each following line is one row (not numbered because I do not know how many rows you've worked in the snake's body):

-- (Work 1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog) repeat 4x
-- Sc all the way around
-- Sc all the way around
-- (Work 1 sc in each of first two stitches, sc2tog) repeat 2x
-- Sc all the way around
-- (Work 1 sc in first stitch, sc2tog) repeat 2x
-- Slip stitch in next stitch. To close opening cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail. With a yarn needle, thread yarn tail in and out of opening's rim and then pull taught to cinch it shut. Knot. Hide yarn tail by poking through snake's body.

TONGUE
Cut a length of grosgrain ribbon 1 3/4 in. long. Cut a "V" out of one end of ribbon to simulate a forked tongue. Stitch other end of ribbon to snake's face.

That's all there is to it! Hopefully, I've made the instructions clear enough to understand, but if anyone still has questions please feel free to ask.

One last thing . . . these softies will be up in the shop soon if anyone is interested.

Thank you for visiting! :)

The Last of the Blythe Woolly Lamb Hoods, Happy Swirly Cupcakes, and Make a Magnetic Pin Holder in 5 Minutes Tutorial

I told myself I would not make any more of these because they are a bit difficult to sew, but I only had about 1/4 yard of the faux wool fabric left over, and in my never ending quest to use what I have, I decided to just go for it and use it all up. Goodbye Woolly Fabric! My sewing machine and I won't miss wrestling with your darn poofy-ness!

I haven't made any Happy Swirly Cupcakes in awhile so I whipped some up for the shop. I used to do the cup parts in all sorts of colors, but now I think I'll stick with yellow. It just looks more cake-y to me. I think yellow is a wonderfully edible looking color as opposed to pink or blue or what-not. Also, the blush really pops on a yellow face. I'll save the bright colors for the frosting.

Finally, on to the magnetic pin holder tutorial. Honestly, this is such an easy project that I can spell it out to you in one sentence, but if you're like me and love to see how-to photos . . . well, here we go --

The 5-Minute Magentic Pin Holder Tutorial

Materials:

-- peel & stick magnetic sheets or tape (I purchased this at my local Wal-Mart.)
-- a mint tin or similar small, shallow container
-- scissors
-- pen

Step 1. Clean your tin very well. I chose to use an Altoids mint tin for my pin keeper *Tip* If you're using an Altoid tin or similar mint tin, clean it with a wet paper towel and not by blowing it out. The cool, tingling sensation of peppermint candy dust in your eyeballs is not something I'd recommend.

Step 2. Using your tin as a template, trace around it onto the back of the magnetic strips/ sheet. ( My magnet came in a sheet that you can break apart into strips, but I kept it together in a solid sheet.)

Step 3. Now cut your outline. Be sure to cut inside the line you made as the inside of your tin is smaller than the outside. You might have to trim it a bit more afterwards.

Step 4. Once you've got the magnet to fit nice and snug, just peel, and stick it into place.

Yippee! Now you have a place to hold your pins and needles!

If you have extra time and are feeling super crafty, try decorating your tin. There's this whole world of artists dedicated to altered Altoid tins. Amazing!