PREEMIE CAPS 11
STELLA – Pink Angry Bird
Welcome
back to my series of special character preemie caps that I’ve just donated in
Australia. I started off with the idea
of making just 50 caps, but had so much fun that I could not stop. When I told my friend that I was working on
this donation, she gave me the idea of work on this series of the famous,
wildly popular birds. This is the image
I found of the whole series of birds – didn’t even know there were so many of
them!
and this is the full series that I've made - so in case you have missed any of the earlier ones, check the right side of this blog under "Labels" and under the section for "Crochet headwear" or "Crochet beanies". Then for your convenience, add yourself to my blog or follow me on the blog and/or Facebook for all future updates. Cheers.
Oh,
may I, as usual, request you to please go through my notes for ideas on
what I’ve done. I’ve basically used stuff toy patterns to make my caps so with
this blog you get a cap and a stuff toy.
Thank
you for joining me in our fun creativity session today.
Abbreviations used :
sc
: single crochet dc : Double
crochet
ch
: chain ch-sp
: chain space
sp
: space rep
: Repeat
Stitches used :
Starting slip knot :This is a
neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.http://stitchesnscraps.com/tutorial-starting-chain-to-knot-or-not/
Magic circle :To refresh your skill, please view
this easy video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg
Hdc : Half Double
Crochet : yo, insert hk into st ; yo
(3 lps on hk), yo, draw through all 3 lps.
One hdc made.
Chainless dc start : Instead of
the usual start with ch 2 or ch 3, I’d like to introduce this lovely new way of
starting a dc row. Do take a look at
this self-explanatory super video http://www.mooglyblog.com/chainless-starting-double-crochet/
In
case you are unhappy with this start, or do not like it, do continue with the
usual ch-2 or ch-3 start. However, all
instructions will be given assuming that you are using the chainless dc start.
Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing :
Instructions using U.S terminology
For
my preemie caps I have worked the pattern ensuring I have a total length of 4”
and a circumference of 12”. Please check the top of this blog for a sizing
chart.
In
general the pattern I’ve used for my preemie caps is as follows.
Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and 10 hdc in that circle.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.
(10)
Round 2 :
(Increase round ) : 2 hdc in the 1st hdc and in each hdc all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (20)
Round 3 :
(Increase round ) : hdc in the 1st hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc ;
*hdc
in the next hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc* ;
rep
*to* all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (30)
Round 4 :
(Increase round ) : hdc in the 1st 3 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc ;
*hdc
in the next 3 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc* ;
rep
*to* all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (36)
Check
that your hat circumference is about 12” for preemie.
Round 5 :
hdc in the 1st hdc and in each hdc all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (36)
Rep
Round 5 till you have a finished length of 4”.
For
all the birds that need a white belly, I’ve ended with a round of hdc and then
finished off with a last round of crab stitch or reverse single crochet.
Crab stitch / Reverse single crochet :
(Reverse sc)
: This is your regular single crochet st, but done in reverse.
Instead
of moving ‘clockwise’ as we regularly work, you move anti-clockwise or counter clockwise, and you’ll achieve a slightly
‘bumpy’ single crochet, which is your reverse sc.
All
the little birds have eyes, a beak and head feathers – and for each of these
I’ve just worked with a 3.5mm crochet hook and tightened the stitches a
bit. I have not used any polyfill
stuffing anywhere as these caps are intended for preemies in the NICU. If working for a slightly older kid, then you
could use polyfill if you’d like. May I
suggest that you first fill your poly-fill into a stocking and then stuff – to
keep it non-allergic and super safe.
This is my stocking ball, just
for your info (though have not used it for any of my caps here)
I
have also not made tail feathers for any of them as my preemie babies are going
to be lying down and they may hurt the back of the head. If making yours for an older child, go crazy
and spread huge smiles.
Some
of the angry birds have a slightly different shape, so come on along and see
what I’ve done with this cute range.
Stella –Pink angry bird cap
I
found this free pattern for a Stella amigurumi toy on Ravelry at
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/angry-birds-stella or http://www.solmuteoriaa.com/crochet-patterns/angry-birds-stella/
I
used the inspiration for the parts of the face, but for the general hat
pattern, I went with the one I’ve written right on the top of this blog.
If
you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do
add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free
patterns will come straight to your mail box.
Do
also visit me at http://www.craftsy.com/user/2573073/pattern-store?_ct=cx-buvjdql&_ctp=my-pattern-store,manage
And
please join me on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/248919438644360 for
more patterns.
Have
a great day and see you soon. J
