Crocheted Annie dog

I've been missing my darling girl, Annie, who went to doggy heaven at the age of 19 and a half this past September.
I decided to crochet a little Annie type dog, and I'm really happy with the results.

The Power of Positive Thinking

I've read a lot about the power of positive thinking, the power of prayer, the power of attraction, etc.  They all seem to boil down to something similar; ask, and it shall be given.  Have faith that you will receive what you ask for.
I thought it would be fun to play with pictures, to sort of send out these images to God and the universe as a way to ask that my book sells.

If you want to make your own images like this; it's easy.  Just google "fun picture effects" and tons of free websites will come up.

Have fun!

Free Crochet: Baby Hedgehog Pattern

I made up this cute little pattern because I've been obsessed with baby hedgehogs lately.
It will be free for awhile, so if  you want to try it, feel free!
Let me know if you run into any problems.  I did my best, but it's the first pattern that I've written out to share with others, so there may be mistakes.
I'd love to see your baby hedgehog if you make one.  I named mine " Baby Spike".
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A Handful of Baby Hedgehog(s)
Pattern by Katharine Schopp

Materials:

Size F and G crochet hook

Worsted weight yarn, pink (Main Colour/MC)  You may use smaller hooks and thinner yarn to get a smaller hedgie.

Eyelash yarn, silver (or colour of  your choice)

Black embroidery thread

Coated elastic band (ponytail holder)

Embroidery needle

Small amount of stuffing, and Scissors

This is an Intermediate pattern.  It may be tricky for beginners.

Stitches used:

Ch/ch - Chain stitch              DC/dc - double crochet   HDC/hdc - half double crochet

SC/sc - single crochet            Sl st -    slip stitch

                                                                   Sk st - skip stitch

Here is a link to videos that explain various crochet stitches:

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=crochet+stitches#q=crochet+stitches&hl=en&prmd=iv&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=-_nZTPXNN5zhnQe549XYCQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=10&ved=0CEsQqwQwCQ&fp=e4e626a95f36d5f0

Head
1) With MC (pink) and size F hook, chain 2.  Work 4 sc in second chain from hook. (4)
    Do not join; insert yarn marker (I use a strand of yarn to hold my place).
2) Work two sc in next sc; sc in next sc, around. (6)
3)Work  two sc in  next sc; sc in next sc, around. (9)
4)Work two sc in next sc; sc in next sc around.  (14)

Stuff lightly.

5)Sc in next 2 sc, sl st in next 2 sc, sc in next 4 sc, sl st next 2 sc, sc remaining 4 sc. (14)
6) Working in front loops only for this round, sc next 2 sc together (decrease made), around. (7)  Fasten off; sew closed.

You should now have a little flat bottomed cone shape.  This will form the snout and face.

Body

1) Turn cone so flat bottom is facing you.

Insert F hook into any of the 14 unused back loops from round 5, with hook pointing away from you, and flat part of snout facing you.  Attach pink with slip stitch.

Sc in same space as sl st, sc in next sc. Turn.  (2)

2) Ch 4.  Work sc, HDC, sc in second ch from hook.  Sc in each of next 2 sc of chain (first arm made)  Sc in next 2 sc, turn.  

3) Ch 4.  Work sc, HDC, sc in second ch from hook.  Sc in each of next sc of chain (second arm made), turn.

4) Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, turn (5).

5) Ch 1, sc next two sc together (decrease made), sc next sc, decrease over next 2 sc, turn (3).

6) Ch 4, work 2 HDC in second ch from hook, 2 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in final chain.  Sc in eas of next 3 sc.  Turn.  (Leg made).

7) Ch 4, work 2 hdc in second ch from hook, 2 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in final ch, join with sl st to sc of body (second leg made).

You will now have a cone shaped snout/face attached to a small flat body with arms and legs.  Your hook will be at the juncture between the leg and the side of the body. 

Elastic Band Round

You are now ready to attach elastic.  

1) Hold elastic behind hedgehog body, and work 1 sc in same st as last st (juncture between leg and side of body).

You will now have the elastic attached.  

2) Work 1 sc evenly in each st along side of body, making sure to attach elastic as you go. 

3) Skip behind arm, and sc in next body stitch.  Pull tight so there is no gap.  The arm will now be at the front of the body. 

4) Sc along side of neck until you get to the back ring of the cone/face.  There should only be one or two stitches at the side of neck.

5) 1 sc in each of the back loops around head.  The elastic will get taut, and the Hedgehog body will start to curl.  This is what you want.  

6) Continue to sc along other side as you did for first side, being careful to only do 1 sc per stitch, and skipping behind arms and leg. You may need to pull the elastic to ensure that you are catching it as you crochet.

7) Work one sc in each of the sc between the legs, sk last leg, and join with slip stitch at side of body, where we first began to attach the elastic.  Fasten off.

You will now have a little Hedgie front side of body that will want to curl up into the elastic.

Prickles/Needles/outer body

Using silver eyelash yarn and size G crochet hook,  hold hedgie body so the legs/tummy/arms are facing you, and attach yarn in any sc of last round.  My camera batteries died at this point, but the following rows are very straightforward so you shouldn't have any trouble.  (Let me know if you do and I'll photograph this part of the pattern the next time I make one of these cuties.)

1) Work 2 sc in each sc around.  Do not join rounds; mark joining spot as before.  Depending on how many sc you added around the body in the last round, you should now have approx 38 sc.

2 and 3) Sc around.  (approx 38 sc).

4 to end) Sc 2 sc together (decrease made), around.    

It’s OK to stop counting stitches, as you will continue to repeat this row (decrease around) until there is only a finger tip sized hole in the center.  Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.  

Stuff unsewn lengths of yarn (except for last tail) inside, and very lightly stuff with a tiny ball of fibre fill.  You want to leave enough room for the hedgehog to curl up in a ball, and you won’t be able to do this if you put in too much stuffing. 

Sew the hole closed.

Embroider eyes, nose, and mouth onto face.  I made simple sleepy eyes, but you can do awake eyes, or sew on beads for eyes (if this is not a gift for a baby).

Sew in any remaining edges, and admire your baby hedgehog.

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed this pattern.