Harry Potter and the Crochet Pals

Here are my Harry Potter crochet dolls. They are probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. The pattern is pretty easy. Here is the pattern for free. Feel free to make these little guys and give them away but absolutely do not sell them or post my pattern without giving a link to this page.

The Head:

Ch 2

6 Sc in 2nd Ch from hook.

Inc in each Sc to make 12

Inc, Sc around to make 18

Inc, Sc 2 around to make 24

Sc 24 in each Sc 2 times, for three rows

Sc, sc, Dec around to make 18
Sc, Dec to make 12,

Begin stuffing head and adding on embellishments, i.e. sewing on button eyes, sewing mouth, freckles and glasses, and hair using lace pin.

Dec around to make 6

Slip stitch to close.

Body:

Ch 2

6 Sc in second ch from hook

Inc in each sc

Inc, Sc Around to make 18

Inc, 2 sc around to make 24

Sc in each sc around to make 24, repeat row twice

Inc, 3 sc around to make 30

Sc in each sc around, repeat row twice

Inc, 4 sc around to make 36

Sc in each sc around, repeat row twice

Inc, 5 sc around to make 42

Sc in each sc around, repeat row twice

For the flat bottom of the body:

Ch 2

6 Sc in 2nd ch from hook

Inc around to make 12

Inc, 1 Sc around to make 18

Inc, 2 sc around to make 24

Inc, 3 sc around to make 30

Inc, 4 sc around to make 36

Inc, 5 sc around to make 42

Stuff body and attach bottom to body.

Robes:

Ch 48 and join last ch with first ch. Make sure that rows are not twisted.

Sc each ch around

Repeat twice

6 sc, Dec around to make 42

Sc in each sc around

Sc in each sc around

Sc in each sc around

5 Sc, Dec around to make 36

Sc in each sc around

Sc in each sc around

Sc in each sc around

4 Sc, Dec around to make 30

29 Sc, turn

ch 1, 29 Sc, turn

ch 1, 29 Sc, turn

3 Sc, Dec around to make 24

Sc 24 around.

Scarves:

Using embroidery floss,

Ch 9, flip
sc in each ch

repeat row till you have four rows then join different color. Keep making four rows of each color til you have a long enough scarf.

That is how you make the Harry Potter dolls.

Cozy Crochet Cowl

Materials:

- Yarn in size 6 in whatever color makes your heart sing or, you know, whatever color will go best with your wardrobe. You should be using just about the whole ball of yarn.

- 9 mm Crochet hook

- Sharp and trusty scissors

- Thread in color of your heart singing yarn and a needle.

- Big buttons with large button holes.

- A couple straight pins.

Term Guide:

ch= chain

sc= single crochet

dc= double crochet

sl st= slip stitch

If you don’t know a stitch, don’t freak out! There is a great website with wonderful pictures on how to do all these stitches. Here is the link:

www.stitchdiva.com/

Row 1

Ch 50.

Row 2

Join Ch with sl st being careful not to twist yarn.

Row 3

Ch 1 and then sc in each ch around; making 50 sc.

Row 4

Ch 2 (counts as first dc) then dc in each sc around; making 50 dc.

Rows 5-8

Continue rows 3 and 4 three more times.

Row 9

Ch 1 then sc in each dc around; making 50 sc.

To Finish:

Sl st and pull yarn through. If you have a lot of yarn left over, you will cut a tail about 4 inches long before you pull it all the way through.

Weave in ends and sew in place with some thread in the same color as your yarn. Some people like to use fabric glue to keep their work from unweaving at the ends. I don’t like to on things I wear because it’s scratchy and it smells bad. Who really wants to walk around smelling like fabric glue? Not me.

Try on the cowl and figure out where you would like the buttons placed. Use a straight pin to mark where you would like them. When removing the cowl be careful not to stab yourself in the eye with the straight pins. It’s best to insert pin so that, from the front, you can see both ends of the pin.

Sew on buttons.

Congratulations you have completed a cute and cozy cowl. I hope you love it and stay warm!

Grandma, What Big Ears You Have

I am going to show you how to make these super cute dolls. I made up the pattern myself. All of the patterns on this site are originals from me. I hope you love these as much as I do. The would make a great present for a daughter or granddaughter... or if you are selfish like me, you can just keep them!

Little Red Riding Hood Crochet Pattern

Head:

Row One: Ch 2.

Row Two: Sc six in the second ch from hook.

Row Three: Sc two in each sc from previous row.

Row Four: Sc in first stitch of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 18 stitches.

Row Five: Sc in first two stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 24 stitches.

Row Six: Sc in first three stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 30 stitches.

Row Seven: Sc in first four stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 36 stitches.

Row Eight: Sc in first five stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 42 stitches.

Rows Nine through Ten: Sc in each stitch on previous row.

Sew on eyes and embroider eyelashes, mouth, and freckles.

Row Eleven: Sc in first five stitches of previous row then decrease; repeat around to make 36 stitches.

Row Twelve: Sc in first four stitches of previous row then decrease; repeat around to make 30 stitches.

Row Thirteen: Sc in first three stitches of previous row then decrease; repeat around to make 24 stitches.

Row Fourteen: Sc in first two stitches of previous row then decrease; repeat around to make 18 stitches.

Row Fifteen: Sc in first stitch of previous row then decrease; repeat around to make 12 stitches.

Stuff head to your liking.

Body:

Row One: Ch 2.

Row Two: Sc six in the second ch from hook.

Row Three: Sc two in each sc from previous row.

Row Four: Sc in first stitch of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 18 stitches.

Row Five: Sc in first two stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 24 stitches.

Row Six: Sc in first three stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 30 stitches.

Row Seven and Eight : Sc in each stitch around

Row Nine: Sc in first four stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 36 stitches.

Row Ten and Eleven: Sc in each stitch around.

Row Twelve: Sc in first five stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 42 stitches.

Row Thirteen – Seventeen: Sc in each stitch around.

Bottom:

Row One: Ch 2.

Row Two: Sc six in the second ch from hook.

Row Three: Sc two in each sc from previous row.

Row Four: Sc in first stitch of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 18 stitches.

Row Five: Sc in first two stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 24 stitches.

Row Six: Sc in first three stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 30 stitches.

Row Seven: Sc in first four stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 36 stitches.

Row Eight: Sc in first five stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat around to make 42 stitches.

Attach bottom with yarn by slip stitching around. When you get close to closing the round, stuff.

Ruffle:

Sc in first stitch in the bottom ridge then hdc, dc, & hdc all in next stitch, sc in next stitch, and slip stitch. Repeat this pattern around to make a ruffle pattern

Cloak:

Hood:

Ch 15, sc in second chain from hook and repeat in the next 13 stitches. Then insert your hook into that first ch (with the knot from your original ch) and do a sc crochet. Repeat for the next 13 stitches. Ch 1, flip, and repeat this pattern 12 times.

Body of Cloak:

Row 1, Ch 1 and Sc across.

Row 2: Sc in first stitch, increase in next; repeat to make 18

Row 3: Sc in first two stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat to make 24 stitches.

Row 4: Sc in first three stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat to make 30 stitches.

Row 5: Sc in first four stitches of previous row then increase in next; repeat to make 36 stitches.

Row 6-10: Sc in each across.

Arms: Ch 13. Sc in second ch from hook.

Sc in first ch (as you did on hood) and then sc in each stitch after that.

Apron:

Row One: Ch 9 then sc in second ch from hook. Sc in each ch after that.

Row Two – Three: Sc in each stitch.

Row Four: Sc, inc, repeat pattern across.

Row Five: Sc, Sc, inc and repeat pattern across.

Row Six: Sc, Sc, Sc, inc and repeat pattern across. Then chain 12 to make neck loop and attach with thread and needle.

Basket:

Row 1: Ch 2 then Sc six in second ch from hook.

Row 2: Increase in each stitch around.

Row 3: Sc, Inc, and repeat pattern around to make 18.

Row 4: Sc in each back loop around. When you have finished you will see a ridge around. This will flip the stitches up to make the basket shape.

Row 5-8: Sc in each stitch around then ch 12 and slip stitch in opposite side of basket to make handle.

Wolf Crochet Pattern

Head:

Ch 2, then sc 6 in second ch from hook.

Inc in each stitch to make 12

Inc in each stitch to make 24

Sc two, Inc around to make 36

Sc in each stitch around

Attach eyes.

Sc two, dec around to make 24

Dec around to make 12

Dec around to make 6 then sl st.

Embroider smile and stuff.

Ears:

Ch four then sc in second ch from hook and continue all the way around ch like you did for the hood for the cloak. Sew onto head.

Snout:

Ch two, in second ch from hook sc six.

Increase in each stitch around to make 12

Sc in each stitch around.

Inc in each stitch around to make 24

Sc in each stitch around, sl st.

Embroider nose and mouth. Stuff snout. Attach to head matching smile up with snout. Use pliable jewelry wire for the glasses and sew onto snout.

Body:

Ch two, sc six in second ch from hook.

Sc six

Sc in each stitch to make six.

Sc, sc, inc, around to make nine.

Sc in each stitch to make nine.

Sc, Sc, inc around to make 12.

Sc in each around to make 12.

Inc around to make 24.

Sc in each stitch to make 24.

Sc, sc, inc around to make 36.

Sc in each stitch to make 36.

Sc in each stitch to make 36.

Sc in each stitch to make 36.

Sc in back loops all the way around. The back loops will be the ones that are on the inside (looking up into the cone from the bottom) of the round you are making You will see a ridge start to form.

Sc, Sc, Dec around to make 24.

Dec around to make 12

Dec around to make 6.

Stuff

Dec around to close last stitch will be a sl st.

Hind Legs:

Ch two, sc six in second ch from hook.

Inc around to make 12.

Inc around to make 24

Sc in each stitch to make 24.

Feet:

Ch 13, Sc in second ch from hook and all the way around to make 24 stitches.

Ch one, flip and sc in each of the 24 stitches.

Sew feet and legs together then sew onto body of wolf. Sew head and body together.

Tail:

Ch two, sc four in second ch from hook.

Sc in each stitch to make four.

Sc, sc, inc to make six.

Sc in each stitch to make six.

Sc in each stitch to make six.

Sc in each stitch to make six.

Sc, sc, inc to make nine.

Sc in each stitch to make nine.

Sc, sc, inc to make 12.

Sc in each stitch to make 12.

Sc in each stitch to make 12.

Sc, sc, inc to make 15.

Sc in each stitch to make 15.

Sc in each stitch to make 15.

Sc in each stitch to make 15.

Stuff

Sc, Dec around to and keep going until the tail comes to a close with the last stitch being a sl st. Sew tail on.

Hat:

Ch two, sc six in second ch from hook.

Inc in each stitch to make 12.

Inc in each stitch to make 24.

Sc in each stitch to make 24.

Dec in each stitch to make 12, sl st to close.

Sew on flower and then sew to the top of the head.

Shawl:

Ch nine then sc eight across starting at the second ch from hook.

Ch 3 (this will be your first double crochet) then dc in each stitch across to make eight dc. Make 12 rows then sl st to close.

Sew on button and then attach to wolf.

Particle Board Furniture Fix

I own a T.V. stand, side tables, and coffee table from Ikea. They are made out of particle board and then covered with dark wood laminate. For the first year or so I loved them. Then I got a cat and his claws scratched the surface of it. We left a big cup of water on the table overnight and came down the next morning to a bunch of bubbles on the surface of the table! Panic set in and I ran and got some towels to dry up the mess but the damage was done. What to do about the bubbles. I let them stay for a while because I had no clue what to do. Any moisture on the table only made them worse. They got bigger and began to crack. Now not only was my table bumpy but it had the particle board showing through too. I decided to take some black pain and cover up the light particle board color underneath but that was only a temporary fix. Eventually I came up with this idea and I think that it will work out great!

Here is a list of the supplies you'll need to fix your table:

• Xacto knife and extra blades
• Wood filler
• Putty knife
• Self-adhesive vinyl sheets (You can get purchase patterned versions too and cover your whole table if it is really badly damaged along the sides as well.
• Black sharpie
• Number two grit sandpaper
  
• Primer or acrylic paint

Wipe down your table really well before beginning. After the table has dried, take the Xacto knife and cut around the bubble. Make sure to get all the way around the raised surface but do not cut far from the bubble because the stuff that has not bubbled is much harder to remove. Once you have cut around the bubble slide your knife under the laminate and lift it off. Then take the knife and shave the particle board until the bubble is completely gone.

The next step will be to take a duster and wipe away all of the excess dust that has gathered on top of your table.

Wash your hands and dry them well. You don't want to get any particles mixed in with the wood filler.

After your hands are dry, use the wood filler accordingly. There will be instructions on the back of the tube or bucket. I did find it helpful to squirt the filler onto my putty knife and then spread it over the hole or crack like butter onto bread. Make sure to use even steady pressure with the putty knife because you want a smooth surface. I also found it helpful to use my finger for some of the smaller spots. You may need to repeat this process on some of the spots to make a level surface.

Let these spots dry for about 15 minutes and then take a damp cloth and wipe away the excess wood filler then let this dry overnight to make sure you have a hard surface.

The next step is to sand it down with your number two sand paper and then paint over the spots with the primer paint. Then to make sure you have a nice smooth surface that is the same color as your table, you can take some paint that matches the color of your table and paint over it.

While the paint is drying you can take this opportunity to cut out your self adhesive vinyl. If you are covering your whole table then you will want to measure it out and make sure that you have enough to cover it. I bought some from JoAnns called Domestic bliss DECOR Decorative trim. They have it in all sorts of colors and patterns. I originally did the dots on my table because the damage wasn't so bad but now I am re-doing it and covering it in this super cute vinyl paper.

With the dots, I used my Cricut to cut out the dots in various sizes. If you do not have a Cricut or a dye cutter, you can just use a bowl or other various round things in your home as a stencil for the different size dots.
After the paint is dry you can peel the paper off the back of the sticker and lay them down. Be sure to use something to smooth out the bubbles. Then just enjoy your beautiful new table!

Taming the White Tiger

A few years back, I was living in a small apartment in Provo Utah with my husband, Brandon, and my white cat named Hector Ayala.  Brandon was napping in the bedroom and I had just gotten home from PetSmart with some kitty treats and other essentials.  While I was there I saw a nice blue collar.  It had a cute little bell on it and the color looked like the ocean on a tropical beach somewhere.  Hector had never worn a collar.  He never needed to since he was an indoor cat but I decided that it was time for him to wear one.  I pulled the tags off the collar and undid the buckle on it. I laid it out on my coffee table so I could be ready for him.

I called Hector over with the promise of treats and he came willingly.  He must have been thinking the red beast is sharing her bounteous hoardings.  I pulled him up onto my lap and gave him some scratches then I grabbed the collar.  It was like he could sense danger. He began to tense up and squirm.  I held him a bit tighter and said soothingly, “Awe, it’s okay Hector Spector,” which is one of his nicknames.  He looked up at me with his wide knowing eyes and I could tell they were filled with fear.  While he was looking at me, I put the collar around his neck.  He immediately began biting my hand.  I tried to continue to put it on him while he was gnawing at my flesh but it became too painful.  I said, “HECTOR! STOP!” and he did. 

I began to thread the collar through the buckle when he began to squirm more.  The thing you have to remember about Hector Ayala is that he may be white and fuzzy but he is strong and cunning as well.  He began kicking his back legs against my forearm like a bunny would to hop around.  My grip tightened.  I finished latching the collar onto her his neck.  I decided not to give it a whole lot of wiggle room so he wouldn’t be able to just slip out of it and I sent him on his way.

He jumped off my lap and gave me a dirty look.  He scuttled off and hid somewhere.

A few minutes later I head grunting and heavy breathing.  I looked underneath the side table in our living room and sure enough there he was.  There were clumps of hair everywhere and Hector was a heaving mound of white anger.  I went to put my hand on his back to comfort him when his body levitated off the ground, flipped around, landed facing me, and then he squealed at me.  I drew my hand back and shrieked.  He was in no mood to be comforted.  As I drew closer to see what the problem was I realized that he had somehow slipped his back paw into the collar and was stuck that way.  He was breathing heavily and grunting from the struggle to get loose.  I panicked.

I went to grab him and he became nothing more than a flailing blur of claws and flying white fur.  I grabbed the closest blanket I could find to wrap around him to keep him from shredding my delicate pale skin.  I threw it over him but it was like the blanket was a fluffy white cloud and it dissipated as soon as it touched him. 

I called for my husband who was sound asleep in the bedroom and could not hear my panicked pleas.  I decided I was on my own to save my cat from suffocating to death by his own stupid foot.  I picked up his writhing body and pushed through the pain of claws on flesh.  He used his one free back paw to slice open my forearm.  I screamed out in pain and then held him closer. 

I knew from that point it was eat or be eaten so I grabbed a toss pillow with one hand while holding the trembling hissing animal with the other.  I pushed the pillow onto his claws and held him down tight with one hand while I pulled his back paw free.  Now that all four paws were free, he was a lot stronger and extremely angry.  He began kicking as hard as he could with his powerful back legs and tearing open the soft pale Irish skin on me legs.  I pushed pillow into him harder with my elbows and forearms.  Luckily, due to my shoddy housekeeping skills there were multiple things on my coffee table including scissors.  I somehow managed to grab the scissors and cut the cursed collar off my cat.

Once the collar was off, I lifted the pillow and there was nothing but a white blur running off to hide somewhere.  I cried out a pitiful sound that I am not entirely sure was English.  I looked at the remains of what used to be my arms and my legs and thought I would never, ever put a collar on the great white tiger known as Hector Ayala again. 

A Day in the Life of Hector Ayala

A beam of light shone through the eyelid of a cat named Hector Ayala. It created a creamcicle orange color. Hector opened his eyes and saw nothing but a blinding light. He blinked and looked away. Realizing where he was, he looked around at the familiar scene. Hector had fallen asleep on the back of the loveseat in the living room. He took in the sight of articles of clothing on the floor, as well as a bunch of empty drink cups. Is it really so hard to put things away. Those lazy humans!

Directly to his left there was a window, which was covered by blinds. There where small specs of light shining through the holes where the strings, which held the blinds together, came through. Hector noticed the small beams of light on the loveseat and jumped onto the seat. What is that? Where does it come from? Every morning, it comes and rests there on the couch but where does it come from. He tapped it with his paw. It did not move. Curious. Hector spent a few minutes poking at it until he was no longer interested in the little beams of light. Hector decided to wander around. It would be a few hours before The Big One and The Red One would wake up.

Trotting down the hall, Hector noticed that there was one of the stretchy black things that The Red One puts in her hair to hold it back. YES! I love these things! Hector swatted at it. It flew across the floor. He chased after it and skidded to a stop right in front of it. He moved it around with his paw for a moment. Then he grabbed it with his claw and pulled it up, lowered himself onto his back, and grabbed it with his back paw as well. He stretched it between his front and back paw for a few moments. I like this workout because it makes my leg muscles strong and I get to lie down while doing it. The stretchy black thing flew across the hall next to his water dish. Hector bolted towards it and slid into the bowl of water, causing the it to splash on the floor and onto his paws.

Ewe, I hate when this happens. My paws are all wet, Hector thought as he shook his paws and made a sour expression. He decided that now was as good of time as any and lapped up some water. He was very thirsty. He drank for a while. After drinking he needed to relieve himself. The litter box was full and Hector sniffed around for a good spot to pee. That’s been taken, that’s been taken… I guess this spot will do. After he was done, he tried to bury it but… since the box was full, this was not easy. Stupid Red One, she is supposed to clean this out.

Hector walked out of the bathroom thinking all sorts of profanities about The Red One and decided he was going to go look at the light spots on the couch again. He jumped up and stared at them for a while. This held his attention for much longer this time.

In a few hours time Hector had repeated these actions several times and he decided he was bored so he walked down the hall one more time and came to The Big One and The Red One’s bedroom. He could hear them both snoring. He let out a pitiful little meow. It was much more quiet than he had intended. This time he wailed. The Red One stirred. It’s working. She’s waking. He meowed a few more times. After a while of meowing and attacking The Red One’s feet, she got up and they played some games. Hector decided after he chased the feather wand around for an exceedingly long time, that he was tired enough to go to sleep. He jumped up onto the office chair and curled up into a ball. He thought about his day and all the things he had accomplished. Cat days may seem short and uneventful to human spectators but to a cat these seemingly trivial activities are just part of an important to do list. Hector thought about his day as he drifted off to sleep. My muscles are going to be so big. I only hope The Red One doesn’t find my black stretchy thing and take it away again… Hector fell asleep and dreamt of a room filled with light spots and black stretchy things.

Rise and Shine

I have a slightly tortured relationship with my cat. Mainly, I like to torment him and chase him around and he just takes it. I often like to wrap him up in a blanket and hold him like a baby. He hates it. I also like to try and scare him, by suddenly shouting, “BABY!” I think he dislikes that the most. We do have our good times and we mostly just have fun playing together or cuddling. Even though I torment him, it should be understood that he is not helpless. He has ways of evening the score. I have often gone to turn the corner and found him there, ready to pounce at my face. Other times, he will be try to get me to play with him. As I walk away, he will bear hug my calves and dig his claws into my flesh. Perhaps his favorite thing to do to me is to come into my room in the wee small hours of the morning and meow with all his might! He usually does this sporadically until I decide it’s not worth it to continue the protest.

One such morning, around 8:30 A.M. on my day off, I was sleeping. Hector snuck into my room and heard the ambient noise of the fan and intense snoring. He walked over to my side of the bed and let out a pitiful squeak. I did not stir. He decided he would be heard this time. He steadied his stance and raised his head and bellowed, letting out a sound that can only be described as a siren of death. There was a snort, ending the motorized sound coming from my nostrils. I rolled over and ignored Hector’s plea. Again, he sounded the alarm and tried to get me to wake up. It did not work.

Hector must have gotten tired of meowing so he left for about fifteen minutes and I was given the opportunity to enjoy the silence. I stupidly believed that it would be different that morning. I was in a fantasy world. I actually believed that I would be able to sleep through the morning without hearing what has been described as the most annoying sound in the world. I lay there, cozy and warm in my bed, feeling oh so happy, when I heard the sound of clawed paws walking on linoleum. It was the little white turd.

I turned towards the door, realizing that it was Hector. He poked his head through the open doorway and meowed again. I said nothing and he blinked. He stood silent for a moment. It was a stare-off. Suddenly, without provoke, he sounded the siren. I just snapped and yelled, “SHUT UP!”

At the urging of my tantrum, he walked over to my bedside table and hopped up. He had a determined look of revenge in his eyes. He sat himself right next to my nearly full glass of water. He looked at it and then at me. He raised his paw slowly, as if to lick it. Then he moved it cautiously over my glass. I said, “Hector,” and all the while staring at me, he lowered his paw into the water and pulled it over. A flood of cool water splashed over the rim. It poured out and splashed all over my face and sheets. I remember seeing a flash of white as Hector flew out of the room. I threw off my sheets and ran down the hall. What happened next shall not be recorded. It makes me look foolish and I just won’t do it but let’s just say, I still need to get even with Hector Ayala.