A little something for Half Term…

Well hello everyone, how are we all today on this chilly & drizzly day? It’s definitely not the kind of weather that I enjoy! Makes you want to snuggle up under a blanket and drink cups of tea all day! I know my two would happily do that with me! They are definitely some serious snuggle monsters.

It’s been a funny week or so in our house. School is still in here, so half term fun will commence next week. I don’t know about it any of you, but we are definitely ready for it. The kids have done so well going back into a rather different school routine. School has been amazing, putting all sorts of crazy routines and procedures in place to ensure that they are well and truly safe. So proud that the kids have just taken it in their stride. They definitely adapt better than we do and have always coped well with change. Bless them. So with that in mind, I reckon it’s time for a little pressie!

With half term coming up, I wondered if anyone fancied a little project. I know there are many little ones who absolutely adore the infamous world of Supertato & Evil Pea like my two! They are firm favourites in our house and both are always happy to sit down and have a listen to their wonderful stories.

So without further a do, here’s the pattern for a little Supertato an Evil Pea. Hope you like this one. Would be great for a present for a little someone to accompany one of the Supertato books or even just a little friend to keep them company over half term.

Level – Moderate. It has few new stitches and is a little fiddly. For this pattern you will work in both rounds and rows.

Supplies –

So I have used a mixture of cotton and wool double knit yarn, but you can choose whatever yarn you would like. Now you are going to need a 3mm crochet hook. (The reason we use a smaller hook size to the yarn, is so that the weave is smaller, thus making sure no toy stuffing comes out.) So for the double knit yarn – you will need about 30g of each colour, but you won’t need it all. So the colours are golden/beige for Supertato, red for the capes and belt, green for Evil Pea and black for the belt, mask, eyes, eyebrows and mouth. And a little yellow for Supertato’s buckle. You will also need an arms length of white for the eyes and some black thin silk thread for the S in Supertato’s buckle. Don’t forget your scissors, toy stuffing and blunt ended tapestry needle and a normal needle for you silk black thread.

Stitches –

Magic Ring – Fold over the yarn to make the loop. Insert your hook through the loop and grab the working yarn (long piece) and pull through the loop. Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull so that the knot tightens, but you still have a loop. This has created a magic ring. Here’s a video clip on how to make a magic ring.

Here’s a video clip on how to crochet into a magic ring.

Slip stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. So insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. So yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

Chain (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Double Crochet (dc) – Insert the hook through the stitch, front to back, then yarn over hook and pull back through stitch. You will have two loops on your hook. Then yarn over your hook and pull through both loops.

Double Crochet Decrease (2dctog) – This is where you crochet two stitches together to decrease the amount of stitches in the round. So insert the hook through the front of the first stitch only (the front V) and then insert again through the front of the second stitch (the front V). Now yarn over your hook and pull it back through both stitches, so you will then have 2 loops on your hook. Yarn over your hook again and pull through both loops. And there is your 2dctog. (Basically 2 double crochet stitches crocheted together.)

Half treble (htr) – A half treble crochet is basically one less movement than a treble. So yarn over hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops.

Foundation Chain – A foundation chain is required when you are starting your crocheting project with rows or creating a ring. Now that you have created your slip knot, you can make the chain. Wrap your yarn over your hook and pull back through the loop. This will create the first chain. Now pull the yarn over the hook and pull through again to make the second chain. Repeat this process till you have the amount of chains that you require. Now you are ready to start your crocheted rows.

Here’s a couple of videos that can help you if you are starting out with crocheting.

Ok so off we go…

Evil Pea –

Body – use your green yarn. You are working in the round for the body.

1 – Make a magic ring, chain 1, then dc6 into the ring. Then pull the tail tight to create the first round. (6)

2 – *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

3 – *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

4 – *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (24)

5 – *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

6 – *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (36)

7 – 11 (5 rounds) For each round, work 1dc in each stitch. (36)

12 – *4dc, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (30)

13 – *3dc, then 2dctog. Work ** 6 times. (24)

14 – *2dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times.(18)

15 – *1dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times.(12)

Now it’s time to stuff your body with toy stuffing,

16 – Work *2dctog.* Work this ** 6 times. (6)

Now sew up and fasten off your body using a blunt ended tapestry needle.

Evil Pea’s Cape –

So for the cape, attach your red yarn onto the pea by inserting your hook into the pea’s body. (You are working in rows for the cape.)

Then pull the red yarn through with your hook. Then chain 1 and work 1dc in the first stitch on the pea.

Then work 1dc in each of the 7 stitches on the existing stitches. (8)

*Then turn your work, ch1 and work 1dc. Then work 1dc in the next 7 stitches. (8)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 8)

Turn, ch1 and work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 6dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (10)

*Turn your work, ch1 then 1dc in each stitch. (10)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 10)

Turn your work, ch1. Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 8dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (12)

*Turn your work, ch1 then 1dc in each stitch. (12)* Work this ** 3 times. (3 rows of 12)

Turn, ch1 *Work 1dc in the first stitch, then 2tr in the next and then 1dc in the next stitch.* Work ** 4 times. (16)

Now fasten off and sew both ends into the cape.

Supertato –

Supertato’s Body –

1 – Make a magic ring, chain 1, then dc6 into the ring. Then pull the tail tight to create the first round. (6)

2 – *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

3 – *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

4 – *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (24)

5 – *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

6 – *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (36)

7 – *5dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (42)

8 – 17 (10 rounds)  For each round, 1dc in each stitch. (42)

18 – *5dc, then 2dctog*. Work ** 6 times. (See stitches explanation above if you are unsure of 2dctog.) (36)

19 – *4dc, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (30)

20 – *3dc, then 2dctog. Work ** 6 times. (24)

21 – *2dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

22 – *1dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

Now it’s time to stuff your body with toy stuffing,

23 – Work *2dctog.* Work this ** 6 times. (6)

Now sew up and fasten off your body using a blunt ended tapestry needle.

Supertato’s Cape –

So for the cape, attach your red yarn by inserting your hook and pulling it through. (You are using the same method as the Evil Pea Cape.) Then chain 1 and work 1dc in the first stitch on the body. Then work 1dc in the next 9 stitches on the existing body stitches. (10)

Then turn your work, ch1 and work 1dc. Then work 1dc in the next 9 stitches. (10)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (10)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 10)

Turn, ch1, Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 8dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (12)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (12)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 12)

Turn, ch1, Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 10dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (14)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (14)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 14)

Turn, ch1, Work 2dc in the first stitch. Work 12dc stitches. Then work 2dc in the last stitch. (16)

*Turn your work, ch1, then work 1dc in each stitch. (16)* Work this ** 2 times. (2 rows of 16)

Turn, ch1 *Work 1dc in the first stitch, then 1tr, 1tr, then 1dc in the next stitch.* Work this ** 4 times. (16)

Now fasten off and sew both ends into the cape.

Supertato’s Belt –

Using your black yarn, chain 43 to make a foundation chain. Then turn your foundation chain and work 1dc in the second chain from the hook. Then 1dc in each. (42)

Fasten off leaving a tail to sew the belt on to the potato.

To make the buckle. Using your red yarn, chain 3. Turn and work 1dc in the second chain from the hook, then 1dc in the last stitch. This gives you a little square of red stitches. Now fasten off and leave a tail to sew the buckle onto the belt. Sew your little end into the buckle.

Then with your yellow yarn, attach your yarn into the first red dc stitch, by inserting your hook and pulling the yarn through. Now ch1, then work 1dc in the same stitch. Then 1dc in the next stitch. (2)

Turn a quarter turn and work 1dc down the side of the red square. (This is in the side of your last yellow stitch. Then a quarter turn again and work 1dc in each of the bottom parts of the red chain stitches. Finally a quarter turn again and work 1dc in the last side of the red squares. Now slip stitch into the first yellow dc stitch and fasten off. You should now have a square shaped buckle, with yellow on the outside and red in the middle.

Finish off by using a little of your black silk thread to work a little S letter in the middle of your buckle. I used back stitches to create the letter S.

Sew in all your tails and fasten it into the middle part of your black belt. Now all you need to do is sew your belt onto the body of your Supertato, making sure the buckle is in the middle on the opposite side to the cape.

Mask – Make 2

Using your black yarn and chain 49 to make a foundation chain. Then work 1dc in the second chain from the hook. Then work 1dc in the next 19 stitches. Now work 1htr, followed by *2tr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** 6 times. Now work 1htr, then finish with 20dc stitches. (54) Fasten off with a long tail which you can use to sew the masks onto the bodies. If you have some black thread left, use it to sew on the smile.

Now all that’s left is to sew some little white eyes across the top of each of the masks and then use a little black yarn for the eyes & eyebrows.

And there you have it!! Two little vegetables to accompany your book. Really hope you like this pattern. Any questions or queries just give me a shout!!

Happy hooking!!
🌈Xx

(Free pattern brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it.)

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And were back…

Wow. Nearly half a year of homeschooling and the kids are finally back in school. The year of 2020 has definitely not panned out as planned, has it. I hope you are all well and coping with our ever changing world. I’m sorry I haven’t been on here very much. I think I just haven’t had the head space to know where to begin. I have designed and made many little projects, but haven’t had the time to write the patterns down. I’m sure that I am not the only one. Everyone has had so much to deal with and every family has had their own milestones to overcome. But I do feel that life seems to have melted and moulded into a way of life that seems to be sticking around for a while.

When my daughter went back to school last week, my body and head was not in a great place. It felt like we had been in this little protective bubble for so long and then all of a sudden someone had popped the bubble and we were out in the world, with no protective shield whatsoever. I know that the children have to go back to school and I know that it is the right thing to do, but it doesn’t make it feel any easier!!! Luckily, my daughter was super excited about going back. She was nervous, but ready. She wanted to see her friends, wanted a little bit of routine and was definitely ready to learn. We had tried our best with the homeschooling and kept up with all the lessons that the teachers had sent us, but it wasn’t easy. I think because my son is quite a bit younger, it wasn’t a case of all of us sitting at the table and ploughing through it altogether. It was a juggling act between setting up toys for the youngest, while trying to explain and set work for the eldest. And then hoping that both can get on with each activity, whilst you zoom between the two and also keep the house ticking over and some form of food on the table. You would then have the video calls to contend with and the chats at the front door and through the windows. Bonkers!!! A can safely day there has been a lot of cuppas consumed in lockdown!!

I’m proud to say that we survived it. We existed and we survived!! Woohoo! There was definitely some rather sobering lows, but alternatively there was some mega highs. It felt like you were on a Coronavirus rollercoaster. You’d be winning one day and then the next would just be one of those days where everything goes to pot!! But we coped. I just hope now that the kids can stay in school and all the safety procedures that the wonderful teachers have put in place, keep our little ones safe and well.

I think for me the hardest thing has been to not cuddle and be close to both sets of parents. I’m so used to having a hug with them, so being told you can’t, has just been awful!! So unnatural. I still haven’t been in my parents house yet. Which has definitely been tough. Heyho, it is all worth it to keep them safe and well. I think now that the kids are back too, we really have to step up the distancing again and be that little bit more careful!! Just in case.

I do feel that the time that we have all been given has definitely had its benefits. Both our children seem to have grown and blossomed. Particularly my daughter. She seems to have found herself. She is so much more confident and free spirited. She doesn’t seem to be as worried about things as much and seems to take things in her stride more. It’s like she knows herself more and maybe that she understands who she is and what she likes and wants to be. Amazing. My son also, is a lot more confident and definitely stronger in what he wants to do. His vocabulary in particular has really come on. Guessing its because he has been hanging around with his older sister for so long.

Well, whatever happens now, out lives have changed, our weekends are freer, our trips in the car are minimal and our family time has rocketed. Being together… what else could you want.

I hope that in time I can get through some of my patterns and creations so that I can share them with you. I think I will have a little more time and definitely have some more head space to concentrate on them. Think the words – watch this space are in order here.

One pattern that was important to publish, was my little face mask attachments. They sit at the back of your head, to save your ears from the mask straps. I think I made over 100 so far and are still having request for some more. Hoping they have helped a few sore ears out there.

One thing that I am really chuffed about is the fact that I have managed to teach myself how to knit socks on circular needles. I used a kit that I have bought from the incredible Abby over at Orchidean Luxury Yarns.

It consists of 4ply super soft sock yarn, a simple from the amazing Michelle at The Loveliest Yarn Company and of course the circular needles. It’s a fab little kit if anyone wants to challenge themselves.

Can’t wait to get another pair on my needles. Think I had better start some birthday and Christmas presents though, sure I can make myself another pair soon. They are a great project to take around with you too, as it’s so small. I have been known to be walking around the house with them in my pocket, just on the off chance that I may get a chance to knit a few stitches. Funny!! Does anyone else do this?

My daughter has managed to conquer crocheting and knitting over lockdown. So proud of her. She made a little granny square and a few little things for her dog toy.

And she has just started knitting on some circular needles and is making a snood for herself. How cool is that. Hope she can finish it so that she can wear it when the cooler weather comes. She has quite a way to go though.

Here’s a few little projects that I have been working on. Promise I will share the patterns soon.

A Blossom Shawl for my Mum.

A little rabbit called Hope.

Some wrist warmers for a very important Auntie.

Drop the dog toy. (Especially made for a little puppy called Douglas.)

A little owl called Hoot.

The one and only Coco.

My Seaside Shawl. I wonder when this one will be finished.

Chasing rainbows mandala.

Grannie Square video tutorial.

And finally a little pup called Crumble.

Anyways. Hope to be on here again really soon. (Promise I will get some of these patterns written.)

Stay safe everyone.

Yarny hugs to you all.

🌈Xx

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