Crochet-a-long: Padma part 4

Last part, here we go!

When we attached the legs to the belly(part1) we left 12 leg stitches open, and these are the stitches we are going to pick up and use to begin the main body. But to minimize gaps between the legs we are also going to work in 2 of the stitches used to attached the leg and belly in our round (one on either side of the leg). That means we will work 14 stitches across each leg of this round. So choose a leg as the starting point (they're all the same so it's your choice), and identify the 12 open stitches, then go 1 stitch before and attach yarn. The starting point you choose will be the center back of the elephant. Begin R1 here.




R1-3: SC across. (56 sts)
R4: *SC 6, DCR1 over next 2 sts, SC 6* repeat across. (52 sts)
R5: SC across.
R6: SC 22, join trunk by aligning back 9 stitches of flattened trunk with next 9 stitches of body, SC through both layers of those 9 stitches, SC 21. (see image RIGHT)
R7: SC 22, SC front 9 stitches of flattened trunk, SC next 21 on body.

Make Padma's tail here by chaining 12, turn, skip 2 ch and work slip st in next 10 ch (working back toward body).
R8: *SC 5, DCR1 over next 2 sts, SC 4, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat across. (44 sts)
R9: SC across
R10: *SC 4, DCR1 over next 2 sts, SC 3, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat across. (36 sts)
R11: SC across
R12: *SC 6, join ear by aligning 7 stitches of flattened ear with next 7 sts of body, SC through both layers of those 7 stitches, SC 5* repeat.
R13: *SC 4, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat across. (30 sts)
Time to stuff...
stuff the legs first, stuffing pretty firmly. Then the body and a small amount in the trunk to help shape the face. Don't over stuff the body, since you will have one last chance to add some stuffing before closing. If you are using safety eyes you will want to attach them now as well.
R14: *SC 3, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat across. (24 sts)
R15: *SC 2, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat across. (18 sts)
Last chance to get in any stuffing before closing!
R16: *SC 1 ,DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat across. (12 sts)
R17: *DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat across. (6 sts)
Bind off leaving a long tail. Weave tail through remaining stitches and pull to close. Secure and pull tail to inside to hide.


All that's left to do now are your finishing touches: eyes, expressions, accessories, anything you can think of!

Let's see your finished product! Post it on Ravelry: CAL with DawnToussaint

Crochet-a-long: Padma part 3

We're in the home stretch now...
OK, ready for part 3?

EARS(make 2)
Start with a magic circle into which 6 SC are made.
R1: INCR1 in each stitch across. (12 sts)
R2: *SC 1, INCR1 in next st* repeat across. (18 sts)
R3: *SC 2, INCR1 in next st* repeat across. (24 sts)
R4: *SC 3, INCR1 in next st* repeat across. (30 sts)
R5-9: SC across.
R10: *SC 3, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat. (24 sts)
R11: *SC 2, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat. (18 sts)
R12: Skip next 6 sts, SC across. (12 sts)
R13: ch1, flatten the remaining stitches so that the next st is aligned with the last st of the round(st1 & st12). SC across stitching through both layers to close up ear. After 6th stitch, bind off and clip tail.



Want to see how everyone else is progressing? What are you waiting for? Join us on Ravelry: CAL with DawnToussaint

Crochet-a-long: Padma part 2

Thanks again to all of you who are participating! And if you haven't already, come join the Ravelry group: CAL with DawnToussaint
OK, ready for part 2?

Here's the second installment of Padma:
TRUNK(make 1)
The trunk is worked from the bottom up.
Start with a magic circle into which 6 SC are made. Leave a tail about 6 inches for securing later on.
R1: INCR1 in each stitch across. (12 sts)
R2: *SC 1, INCR1 in next st* repeat across. (18 sts)
R3: SC across.
R4: *SC 7, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat. (16 sts)
R5: *SC 6, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat. (14 sts)
R6: *SC 5, DCR1 over next 2 sts* repeat. (12 sts)
R7-12: SC across.
R13: *SC 5, INCR1 in next st* repeat. (14 sts)
R14: *SC 6, INCR1 in next st* repeat. (16 sts)
R15: *SC 7, INCR1 in next st* repeat. (18 sts)
R16: SC across.
SC next 5 sts, bind off. Pull tail from beginning to right side through the center of the beginning circle. Flatten the trunk (as shown in the images) and roll up the bottom(beginning)edge. Secure to underside of the trunk using the yarn tail.

Crochet-a-long: Padma part 1

OK so a few of you out there are into a crochet-a-long and I'm so glad because I think this could be really fun... here's the twist, I'm not going to show you my finished piece until the end! What I will share are the sketches I used to design the pattern, I call her Padma...

Padma is worked in a continuous spiral pattern for most of her parts, starting from the bottom up, then the top down. I'm using a bulky weight wool and size G hook, but gauge doesn't matter here so use what you like to get the results you prefer. With my supplies I will get an elephant about 5-6 inches tall, and 3-4 inches wide. You will also need some stuffing, 12-14mm eyes(optional), and any other embellishments you would like to adorn her with. Did I mention, I am going to provide a basic pattern here... so it's up to you to come up with your own way to dress her up! This makes the big reveal even more awesome ;D

The complete pattern is broken into 4 installments that I'll post here 2x a week(Sat & Wed).


As always, there must be rules, so here they are:
1. Ask any question or feedback that comes to mind while working on this project, that's why we're here!
2. Please share your pics, we want to see how it's going!
3. Even though this pattern is free, please don't copy and distribute it... but feel free to link to it here!


So here's the first installment of Padma:
LEGS(make 4)
Start with a magic circle into which 6 SC are made.
R1: INCR1 in each stitch across (12 sts)
R2: *SC 1, INCR1* repeat across (18 sts)
R3: In back loops only, SC across.
R4-7: SC across.

BELLY(make 1)
Start with a magic circle into which 6 SC are made.
R1: INCR1 in each stitch across (12 sts)
R2: *SC 1, INCR1* repeat across (18 sts)
R3: *SC 2, INCR1* repeat across (24 sts)
Next row joins legs to the belly
R4: *With yarn still attached to belly piece, pick up one of the legs and SC next 6sts through both belly and leg.* Repeat with each remaining leg, and bind off.

...be back soon ;D

So I'm going on a trip in a few days, a friend is getting married and we'll be flying out to CA this week. Unfortunately, preparing for this trip has consumed my life just a bit so I wanted to check in with a few updates before I go!

If you are looking for the final 2 patterns from the "Ask & receive" post, they are on their way... Look for the lion to be available in my etsy and ravelry shops late next week, and the turtle pattern in early September.

I'm also working through a few ideas for a knit along(or hook along?) to be hosted right here on the blog! My idea would be to provide a totally new pattern for free in about 3 installments, with everyone sharing their pics/questions/etc as they go. It would be my first, so if you have any insight on knit along hosting/participating/experience I'd love to hear it... as well as what you would be interested in creating.

While out of town, my etsy shop will be closed :(
However you can still purchase all of my patterns through my ravelry shop :)

So I'll see you all back here next week with new patterns, activities, and more !
Thanks,
Dawn.