Sweet Nothings Crochet: THE MONKEY BABY LOVEY

THE MONKEY BABY LOVEY

I can't make a bunch of loveys and not make a monkey one, don't you agree?

So here's that lil monkey to add to my baby loveys.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used some of our lovely Indian Ganga Spectrum 4-ply yarn with a 3 mm crochet hook ; a little embroidery thread ; embroidery needle ; sewing needle ; fabric glue to seal ends ; crochet stitch markers ; poly-fill stuffing ; stocking net ; headband ; safety eyes ; beads n more ; satin ribbon

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose , 4-ply knitting cotton , or unbranded knitting cotton or White Rose or bamboo knitting cotton , Milk cotton ; Silk yarns as well as Vardhaman acrylic & Oswal acrylic yarn ; Baby soft acrylic yarn , Ganga Smarty as well

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn , Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, Caron Simply Soft , Bernat Softee chunky.

Stitches used :

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Skill level : Easy

Size made : ~ 10” x 10”

Sizing chart for blankets : https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839582572/

Instructions : Using U.S terminology

This pattern is made up of three parts

Part 1 : Make the tiny little snuggle blanket / lovey

Part 2 : Make the monkey stuff toy

Finishing : Put them all together

Part 1 : Make the tiny little snuggle blanket

You can choose any granny square pattern but here's what I've done

For the lovey I've used our lovely Indian Ganga Spectrum acrylic 4-ply yarn with a 4.5 mm crochet hook

Please read through to the end (finishing) as it may impact your starting row

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

For today's creation, I've used the Linen stitch.

Linen Stitch : https://youtu.be/ui2s0V-dGPg

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA

Start Row 1 : with as many odd number of fsc as you need for the width of your little lovey. Turn.

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Row 2 : sc in the 1st fsc ;

(ch 1, sk next fsc, sc in the next fsc) ;

rep (to) till the end. Turn

Row 3 : sc in the 1st sc ;

sc in the 1st ch-1 sp ;

(ch 1, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp) ;

rep (to) till the last ch-1 sp ;

sc in the last sc. Turn

Row 4 : sc in the 1st sc ;

(ch 1, sk next sc, sc in the next ch-1 sp) ;

rep (to) till the end. Turn

Rep Rows 3 & 4 till you get the size you want for your little lovey.

Final finishing round :

There are two finishes you can use :

1) Run a round of sc all around for a neat finish.

Remember to work 1 sc in each sc and 1 sc in each ch-1 sp ; working 3 sc in each corner for a neat turn and finish.

2) Shelled finish :

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

For our shells we will work (2 dc ; ch 1, 2 dc) all in the same st or ch-sp

For the corner shell we will work (2 dc ; ch 1, 2 dc ; ch 1, 2 dc) all in the same corner st or ch-sp.

To work my round of shells, I worked one shell every alternate ch-sp till I reached the corner ch-sp and then worked the corner shell pattern in the corner ch-st.

The only thing that you need to calculate is that you manage to get it evenly through from corner to corner (i.e. missing one st or ch-sp all the way evenly).

So IF you want this finish, ensure that you have an uneven number of ch-sps from the start - (i.e. count the ch-sps and see that you will evenly manage this shell finish right at the start)

Now if you are using a multi colored yarn, you're good to go - but otherwise, look at these video tutorials on how to work with multiple colored yarns for a beautiful checkered effect.

How to change colors seamlessly : https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno

How to carry your yarn when using two colors : https://youtu.be/NuascBU3pxQ

Once you finish the granny square, fasten off and weave in ends.

Move on to Part 2

Part 2 : Make the monkey stuff toy

For the monkey amigurumi toy I've used (Indian) Oswal 4-ply yarn with a 3 mm crochet hook

With stuff toys, it is preferable to work in spirals without joining. Instead of using a marker, I prefer to add a contrast thread / yarn for the last/first stitch.

Thread it into the last /first stitch to remember where you end/start your round(s)

See how to mark rounds when working in spirals

This works for me.. Use whatever suits you to mark rounds and work in spirals

Get the pattern for the monkey amigurumi at https://jesshuff.com/mimi-monkey-free-amigurumi-pattern/#wprm-recipe-container-2121

What I've done is work only the monkey's face and two feet and then attached it to my lovey

Finishing : Put them all together

Once you have finished the lil monkey stuff toy, all you need to do is attach it neatly to the centre of your lovey using an embroidery needle. You could choose to keep it at one corner as well. Then you take lovely photos of the child you have made this for and post it on social media.. remember to show me your work as well - I'm on FB and all my social media handles are right here at the bottom of this blog.

I am sure you enjoyed this! I know I did.

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Here are some of my older blanket / granny square creations. Have fun with these free patterns too

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/07/teddy-bear-baby-lovey.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/07/sloth-blanket.html