Sooooo........ I have spent a lot of time deliberating on what my first post should be. Should I keep it simple and post about one of the many designers patterns I have been following? Or should I start with something more 'me'?
In the end, I've gone with more 'me' and a Koala finger puppet (being I am from Australia and all that)!
A little while ago a friend asked me to make her some finger puppets for her little one. I did a bit of an internet search and while I found many beautiful designs I ended up just sitting down and seeing where my imagination and crochet hook sent me.
Below are the first few creations I sent to my friend.... but of course, I didn't write anything down (as that would be something sensible to do)!
But I enjoyed making these little creations as they are quick and easy and used up my scraps of cotton. So, I decided to trial a few more, starting with the Koala. Following is the #crochetpattern I used. It's my first foray into pattern writing, so if you give it a go and find any errors, don't be afraid to let me know!
Happy creating...
Koala finger puppet
Supplies:
2.25mm crochet hook
8 ply 100% Cotton (I have used 4 seasons flinders cotton)
* grey
* white
* black
(As you don't need much of any colour, I used scraps left over from other projects)
6mm eyes
Polyester fiberfill
Embroidery needle
Scissors
Abbreviations:
I have used the US terminology for this post. If you use the UK definitions remember a US single crohet (sc) = a UK double crochet (dc). (If all else fails - its the smallest stitch!)
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc = single crochet (dc if using UK terms)
sc2tog = single crochet two stitches together (decreasing stitch)
Instructions:
I have worked in the round for this pattern so it's a good idea to use a stitch maker in the first stitch of every round - however, if you prefer to slip stitch at the end of each row and do 1 chain to start the next, the project will still work exactly the same. (N.B. when doing the zebra and tiger I used the slip stitch method)
Head and Body
This is the same for all finger puppets
Round 1: Work 6 sc into a magic ring (6)
Round 2: 2sc into each stitch around (12)
Round 3: *1sc into next stitch, 2sc into next stitch* repeat around (18)
Round 4: *1sc into the next 2 stitches, 2sc into next stitch* repeat around (24)
Round 5-8: sc into each stitch around (24)
Round 9: *1sc into next 2 stitches, sc2tog* repeat around (18)
Round 10: *1sc into next stitch, sc2tog* repeat around (12)
Now is a good time to insert the eyes between rows 7 and 8 and about 4 stitches apart
Stuff the head with fiberfill
Round 11: sc2tog around (6)
Round 12: 2 sc into each stitch around (12)
Round 13: *1sc into next stitch, 2 sc into next stitch* repeat around (18)
Round 14- 22: sc into each stitch around (18)
Round 23: *sc in next stitch, sc2tog* repeat around (12)
This last row, brings the bottom of the finger puppet in making it a more snug fit and less likely to fall off when in use! - Also great for smaller fingers.
Ears
Round 1: (in grey) work 6sc into a magic ring (6)
Round 2: (in white) 2sc into each stitch (12)
Sew to head approximately around row 3 and 6-8 stitches apart
Nose
Round 1: (in black) work 6sc into a magic ring (6)
Sew to face between eyes
Arms
Round 1: Work 6 sc into a magic ring (6)
Round 2: 2sc into each stitch around (12)
Round 3: sc around (12)
Round 4: sc2tog (6)
Round 5 -9 sc in around (6)
Sew to sides of body close to row 12
Hopefully you now have a completed #koalafingerpuppet! if you would like to see more of what I am doing you can follow me on instagram: www.instagram.com/amberjadelilycrochet
If you would like to see some more finger puppets, comment and let me know! (I am currently tweaking the details for a kangaroo). You can also get creative and use the basic head and body pattern to go wild and #createyourown!