Crochet design – PipsRainbow

December 22, 2024 No Comments

Well hello everyone. All ready for Christmas! Ekk! Not long now! I think I’m all wrapped! Well, kind of. House kind of ish clean & fridge half stocked. So still bits to do, but the fun bits, so that’s good. Every year I say that I will be more organised and every year it doesn’t happen. Heyho. Guess it’s those good intentions that you start off with, but never quite materialise. We’re at home this year, so super excited for that. The kids have made the crackers and there will be a serious amount of pigs in blankets, stuffing and the all important – bread sauce. Yum! My Dad’s bread sauce is the best, so I am hoping to try and make it to his standard!

On to my Christmas pattern. So this year, I couldn’t resist making a cheeky little Smiles Santa. My little Smiles pattern was one pop my first ever PipsRainbow patterns and one that is very close to my heart. This is my first little one that I made for my sister when she set off on her travelling adventures.

It is probably my most made pattern too. Little Smiles have reached far and wide to many people. I’ve made little ones and huge ones for teachers as worry monsters. It’s the first pattern that we teach to our crochet club at school too, so it’s a great pattern to start with for any beginner. So it was only apt that I made a little Christmas addition.

Level – Easy (This pattern is written with UK Crochet terminology.) It uses the simple Amigurimi
method of crocheting in the round and is easy to follow. Hope you enjoy it.

Yarn –
Use 10g DK yarn in green, 5g in red and 5g in white. You will also need a small amount of black DK yarn for the eyes, eyebrows & smile.
(Alternatively for the eyes, you could use a pair of 5mm safety eyes, instead of the black yarn.)

Hook – 3mm crochet hook

Notions –
Scissors, darning needle for ends & toy stuffing.
Finished size – 7cm tall

Abbreviations –
mr – Magic Ring
ch – Chain
st – Stitch
ss – Slip Stitch
dc – Double Crochet
yrh – Yarn Round Hook
Fasten off
Slip Stitch into the next stitch, pull the yarn through the stitch, then cut. Leave long tails, so that you can use them to
attach the different parts of the body together.

Pattern

Body – Make 1
Rnd 1: Make a mr, 1ch (does not count as a st throughout) then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)
Rnd 2: [2dc into next st.] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [2dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [3dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (30)
Rnds 6 – 17 1dc in each st. (30)
Fasten off.

Base – Make 1
Rnd 1: Make a mr, 1ch, then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)
Rnd 2: [2dc into next st.] 6 times. (12)
Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (18)
Rnd 4: [2dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (24)
Rnd 5: [3dc, 2dc into next st.] 6 times. (30)
Fasten off.

Assembly
Stuff your body with toys stuffing and then using a darning needle and the tail of yarn, sew the base on to the body to seal it up all the way around. (Remember if you are using safety eyes, secure them in place before you see the base on.) Now fasten off and sew in your ends.

Hat – Make 1

Rnd 1: Using your red yarn, make a mr, 1ch, then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)

Rnd 2 & 3: 1dc into next st. (6)

Rnd 4: [2dc, 2dc into next st.] 2 times. (8)

Rnd 5: [1dc, 2dc into next stitch.] 4 times. (12)

Rnd 6: 1dc in each stitch. (12)

Rnd 7: [2dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (16)

Rnd 8: [3dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (20)

Rnd 9: [4dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (24)

Rnd 10: 1dc in each stitch. (24)

Rnd 11: [5dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] 4 times. (28)

Rnd 12: 1dc in each stitch, change colour to white yarn in last stitch. (28)

Rnd 13: Ss into first stitch & ch2 (acts as 1htr) then 1htr in each stitch. (28)

Rnd 14: Ss into top of ch2, ch2 (acts as 1htr) then 1htr in each stitch & then fasten off leaving a long tail to attach to body. (28)

Pom Pom top –

Rnd 1: Using your white yarn, make a mr, 1ch, then 6dc into the ring. Pull the tail tight to close the ring. (6)

Rnd 2: 1dc into next st. (6)

Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dctog.] 2 times, then fasten off leaving a tail to sew onto the top of the hat. (4)

Now see your mini Pom Pom onto your hat and then the hat onto the body. Finally add your eyebrows and smile, using your black yarn.

Alternatives –
Smiles can be made in different weighted yarns, just choose your crochet hook accordingly.

For more detailed instructions of how to sew up your Smiles, go to my tutorials page.

How to sew up your creations

Many of you know, I don’t sell my patterns, they are all for free, but if you would like to donate to my just giving page for Child Bereavement UK, then I would be very grateful. Here’s the link to the Just Giving Page

Care
When washing, ensure you follow the instructions on the label of the yarn you are using & be as gentle as you can.
Reshape where applicable.

All you need to do now, is give it to a loved one to snuggle & don’t forget to share any pics with us on the good old fashioned net.

Well I really hope you have enjoyed this pattern. I hope you all have the best of Christmas festivities & a mega start to 2025!

Happy hooking!

(Don’t forget that this pattern is brought to you from PipsRainbow, it has not been tech edited, but all attempts have been made to ensure it is correct and easy to follow. It is only to be used for personnel use only and not to be shared or used to create items for profit. Thank you.)

Hope

December 13, 2024 No Comments

Our little brave bunny rabbit.

Well hello. How are we all? Anyone ready for Christmas? Or is it too early to ask that? I am definitely not ready! Ekk! But trying to tick stuff off, so getting there. Well I thought I would just pop this lovely little pattern on here for you again, if anyone fancied creating a little brave bunny rabbit called Hope for someone. She’s a quick & easy pattern & would be a very special pressie for someone special.

So let’s get started with dear Hope.

Supplies –

100g Double Knit Yarn, a 3mm hook, toy stuffing, scissors, a blunt ended tapestry needle, a little bit of black yarn for the eyes, eyebrows and mouth. Don’t forget some pink yarn for the nose.

PipsTips –

When crocheting a toy, always use a smaller crochet hook than usually stated on the yarn. This will ensure that your toy stuffing won’t show through!

I made this Hope with an 8mm crochet hook & super chunky yarn.

She was made for a charity quiz for the wonderful charity Child Bereavement UK. Such an incredible charity! And they do so so much for the families that need them. I’ve popped a link below for my just giving page for this incredible charity. Many of you know, I don’t sell my patterns, they are all for free, but if you would like to donate to my just giving page for Child Bereavement UK, then I would be very grateful. Here’s the link to the Just Giving Page

Stitches –

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

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.

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.)

Useful Video Clips –

Ok so let’s go…

Body

1 – Right then, so first things first, make your magic ring and chain 1. (Remember if you’re unsure of how to do this, see the tutorial section or the video link above) Now work 6dc stitches into the ring itself. You can now pull the little tail to close the ring. (6)

2 – Now work *2dc into next stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

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

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

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

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

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

8 – 11 (4 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (42)

12 – *5dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (36)

13 – Work 1dc in each stitch. (36)

14 – *4dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

15 – 18 (4 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (30)

19 – *3dc, then 2dctog* Work ** 6 times. (24)

20 – Work 1dc in each stitch. (24)

21 – *6dc, then 2dctog* Work ** 3 times. (21)

22 – *5dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 3 times. (18)

23 – *4dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 3 times (15)

24 – *3dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 3 times. (12)

25 – 26 (2 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (12)

This is a good time to stuff your body with toy stuffing.

27 – *2dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 3 times. (9)

Now it’s time to slip stitch into the next stitch and fasten off your yarn, leaving a tail for you to sew up your body. Sew up the hole using your blunt ended tapestry needle.

Arms – make 2

1 – Make your magic ring and chain 1. Now work 4dc stitches into the ring itself and pull the little tail to close the ring. (4)

2 – *1dc, then 2dc into next stitch.* Work ** 2 times. (6)

3 – *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

4 – 7 (4 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (12)

6 – *4dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 2 times. (10)

7 – 19 (13 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (10)

20 – *3dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 2 times. (8)

Now stuff your arm with your toy stuffing and slip stitch & fasten off your yarn. Make sure you leave enough tail so that you can sew your arm to the body.

Legs – make 2

1 – Make your magic ring and chain 1. Now work 4dc stitches into the ring itself and pull the little tail to close the ring. (4)

2 – *Work 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 4 times. Now slip stitch into the next stitch. (8)

3 – Now ch5 then 2dc into the second chain from hook. Now work 1dc into next 3 chains. Now you are back into the main round.

Then work 1dc in the next 2 stitches. Now work 2dc into next 4 stitches, 2dc, 1dc into the other sides of the 3 chains and finish with 2dc in next chain. (22)

4 – In this round work 2dc in the next stitch, then 8dc, 2dc in next stitch, 2dc, 2dc in next stitch, 8dc and finish the round with 2dc in next stitch. (26)

5 – Work 1bldc in each stitch. (26)

6 – In this round work 6dc, then dc2tog, followed by 10dc, dc2tog and finish with 6dc. (24)

7 – Work 4dc, dc2tog, 3dc, dc2tog, 4dc, dc2tog and finish with 7dc. (21)

8 – *1dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 7 times. (14)

9 – *5dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 2 times. (12)

10 – 19 (10 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (12)

Now stuff your foot and leg with your toy stuffing and slip stitch & fasten off your yarn. Make sure you leave enough tail so that you can sew your leg to the body.

Tail –

1 – Make a magic ring and chain 1. Now work 6dc stitches into the ring itself. You can now pull the little tail to close the ring. (6)

2 – Now work *2dc into next stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

3 – Work 1dc in each stitch. (12)

4 – *1dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 3 times. (9)

Head –

1 – Make a magic ring and chain 1. Now work 6dc stitches into the ring itself. You can now pull the little tail to close the ring. (6)

2 – Now work *2dc into next stitch.* Work ** 6 times. (12)

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

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

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

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

7 – 12 (6 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (36)

13 – *4dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (30)

14 – *3dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (24)

15 – *2dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 6 times. (18)

In the next few rounds, you are going to work a few different stitches in each one.

16 – Ok so work 2dctog, 2dc in next 5 stitches, 1dc, 2dctog, 1dc, 2dc in next 5 stitches and finish with a 2dctog. (25)

17 – Work 2dctog, 2dctog, *2dc into each stitch,* work ** 5 times, 1dc, 2dctog, 1dc, 2dctog, 1dc, *2dc in each stitch* work ** 5 times, 2dctog and finally 2dctog. (29)

18 – Work 2dctog, 2dctog, 2dc, 2dctog, 2dc, 2dctog, 2dctog, 1dc, 2dctog, 2dctog, 2dc, 2dctog, 2dc, 2dctog and finally 2dctog. (19)

This would be a good time to stuff your head.

19 – Now work *2dctog* Work ** 9 times. Finish with 1dc in the last stitch. (10)

20 – Finally *2dctog* Work ** 5 times. (5)

Now slip stitch into the next stitch and fasten off leaving a tail. Use your yarn tail to sew up your head and then leave a tail to sew the head onto the body.

Ears – make 2

1 – Chain 12, then slip stitch into the first chain to make a ring. (12)

2 – Work 1dc in each chain. (12)

3 – 12 (10 rounds) Work 1dc in each stitch. (12)

13 – *4dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 2 times. (10)

14 – 15 Work 1dc in each stitch. (10)

16 – *3dc, then 2dctog.* Work ** 2 times. (8)

17 – 18 Work 1dc in each stitch. (8)

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

21 – *Work 2dctog.* Work ** 3 times. (3)

Finally slip stitch into the next stitch and fasten off with enough yarn tail to sew the ears onto the head.

Now that you have all of your rabbit parts, all you need to do is sew it together.

I tend to start with the arms first, so that you can sort the alignment out for the rest of the body.

Then follow with the legs, making sure that they they are aligned with the arms.

Then the head, followed by the ears and the tail. With the ears, make sure you pinch the bottom of the ears first and work a couple of stitches through, so it pulls it together and gives it a good base.

Once they are all secure, you can use your bit of coloured yarn to create the nose. I tend create my nose in a triangular pattern like the photos below.

For the nose, use your pink yarn to create a triangle. And then fill the triangle in with vertical stitches.

Now all you need to do is use your black yarn to sew on your eyes, eyebrows and mouth.

And there you have it. One little Hope bunny rabbit.

I hope you have enjoyed this pattern. Thanks ever so much for following me. As always, if there are any questions then please don’t hesitate to ask. Always happy to help.

Happy Hooking.
🌈Xx