Friday 30 March 2018

newt scamander


Its just been my birthday and I really wanted to release a free pattern as a massive thank you to everyone. You guys really are awesome.

I know a lot of you are enjoying my new range of geeky doll patterns (you can find the full range here) so I decided to share the first of my new set inspired by the wizarding world of harry Potter

Please note this pattern is written using UK crochet abbreviations.

A USA abbreviations version will be available when the full set of patterns is released later this year.

This conversion chart may help till then


Newt Scamander
Inspired by The wizarding world of Harry Potter
By Liz Ward – Amigurumi barmy
www.lizwardcrochet.com

Skill level: intermediate
Time: 3-4 hours each
Size: 12x7cm
Tension: Tension is not critical for this amigurumi

You will need
4ply cotton yarn in cream, light brown, mustard, white, teal, grey, light grey and yellow (recommended yarn – Drop safran and colours 4ply cotton)
3mm crochet hook
15mm safety toy eyes
Wool needle
Toy stuffing
pink embroidery thread
navy felt scrap
cardboard

Abbreviations (UK)
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet
sts: stitches
dc2tog – double crochet the next two stitches together
blo – work in the back loop of the stitch only

The pattern is worked using the amigurumi method. Work stitches continuously in a spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. It may help to use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round, moving it up as you work.



Head, body and legs are all made in one piece.

Head and body
Make one, start in light brown yarn.

Make a magic ring and work 6dc into the ring. 6sts
Rnd 1: 2dc in each st to the end. 12sts
Rnd 2: (dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 18sts
Rnd 3: (dc in the first two sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 24sts
Rnd 4: (dc in the first three Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 30sts
Rnd 5: (dc in the first nine Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 33sts
Rnd 6: (dc in the first ten Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 36sts 
Rnd 7: (dc in the first eleven Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 39sts Change to cream yarn at end of this round.
Rnd 8: (dc in the first twelve Sts, blo 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 42sts
Rnd 9: (dc in the first thirteen Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 45sts
Rnd 10: (dc in the first fourteen Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 48sts
Rnd 11 - 12: dc in each st to the end. 48sts *mark round 11 with a stitch marker
Rnd 13: (dc2tog, dc in next six sts) repeat to end. 42sts
Rnd 14: (dc2tog, dc in next five sts) repeat to end. 36sts
Rnd 15: (dc2tog, dc in next four sts) repeat to end. 30sts *insert the toy eyes. These go on the marked round ten stitches apart.
Rnd 16: (dc2tog, dc in next three sts) repeat to end. 24sts
Rnd 17: (dc2tog, dc in next two sts) repeat to end. 18sts
Rnd 18: (dc2tog, dc in next st) repeat to end. 12sts *stuff the head now now*
Rnd 19: (dc2tog) repeat to end. 6sts *change to white yarn after this round
Rnd 20: (dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 9sts
Rnd 21: (dc in the first two sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 12sts *change to mustard yarn after this round
Rnd 22: (dc in the first three Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 15sts
Rnd 23: (dc in the first four sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 18sts
Rnd 24: (dc in the first five sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 21sts
Rnd 25: (dc in the first six Sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 24sts
Rnd 26: (dc in the first seven sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 27sts
Rnd 27: (dc in the first eight sts, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 30sts *change to grey yarn after this round
Rnd 28: dc in each st to end. 30sts
Rnd 29: (dc2tog, dc in next eight sts) repeat to end. 27sts
Rnd 30: (dc2tog, dc in next seven sts) repeat to end. 24sts
Rnd 31: (dc2tog, dc in next six sts) repeat to end. 21sts
Rnd 32: (dc2tog, dc in next five sts) repeat to end. 18sts


*stuff the body now

Split to make the legs.

Put a pin or stitch marker through the stitch on the last row, that is at the centre front of your doll.

*The easiest way to do this is lay your doll on a hard surface facing forward and flatten slightly. Find the middle of the eyes with your pin and then run it straight down the body of the doll and attach it to the stitch on the last worked row.

Rnd 33: dc in each st skipping the marked st and the next 8sts. 9sts *work continues on these 9 sts only*
Rnd 34-37: dc in each st to end. 9 sts *change to light brown yarn after rnd 36
Fasten off.

Leg two
Re-join with grey yarn to any of the unmarked sts from round 32
Rnd 33-37: dc in each st to end. 9sts *change to grey yarn after rnd 36


Fasten off. Stuff legs and sew closed hole in base of the legs

Arms
Make two in starting in cream yarn

Make a magic ring and work 6dc into the ring. 6sts
Rnd 1: (dc in the first st, 2dc in the next st) repeat to end. 9sts
Rnd 2: dc in each st to end. 9sts
Rnd 3: (dc2tog, dc in next st) repeat to end. 6sts
Rnd 4-9: dc in each st to end. 6sts *change to teal yarn after rnd 5


Face decoration
Use pink embroidery thread to make a small V stitch to form the mouth. Use photo as a guide for placement.

Working the hair – Wrap lots of light brown round around the handle of a small crochet hook or knitting needle tie in place to secure. Wet the yarn and leave to dry. Use this curly hair around the front of the head when following the instructions for working the hair below.

The hair is worked by stitching long embroidery stitches over the head. Starting at the back of the head, work round the bottom edge of the hair line, working stitches that are approx 2 cms long over and over to completely hide the head. Start and finish all lengths of yarn by leaving 3-4cm of yarn at the front of the hair line. Continue working the stitches in the same way as the back to surround the face, continue until all the hair area is covered. Try not to keep the stitches too regimented to give the hair a natural look. Once covered sweep the loose end back and style.

Coat
Back
Make one in teal yarn
Ch 11
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook. dc in each ch st. 10sts
Row 2-5: ch1, turn, dc in each st to end. 10sts
Row 6-12: ch1, turn, dc2tog, dc in each st to end. 3 sts at end of round 12
Row 13-14: ch1, turn, dc in each st to end. 3sts

Fasten off
Sides
Make two in teal yarn
Ch 6
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook. dc in each ch st. 5sts
Row 2-14: ch1, turn, dc in each st to end. 5sts

Fasten off
 Pin the coat together at the neck and side then sew together to secure in place.
Inner coat.

Make two in light brown yarn

Ch10
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each st to end. 9sts
Fasten off.
Sew onto the inside front edge of each side of the coat.


Lapels
Make one of each in mustard yarn
Ch 6
Row 1: htr in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next st, sl st in next two sts.
Fasten off
Ch 5
Row 1: sl st in 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next st, dc in next st, htr in last st.
Fasten off
Sew to the top of the shirt, use photo as a guide.
Cut a bowtie out of blue felt and stick or sew in place.

Scarf
Make one starting in yellow yarn and changing colour every two rows between grey and yellow.
Ch 4
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook. dc in each ch st. 3sts
Row 2-22: ch1, turn, dc in each st to end. 3sts

Fasten off. Place around the neck of the doll

Wand
Chop a cocktail stitch down to about 3cm. stick in place on the hand

Briefcase
Front and back
Make two in light brown yarn

Ch 11
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook. dc in each ch st. 10sts
Row 2-4: ch1, turn, dc in each st to end. 10sts
Fasten off

Edge
Make one in light brown yarn

Ch 4
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook. dc in each ch st. 3sts
Row 2-28: ch1, turn, dc in each st to end. 3sts
Fasten off.

Sew the edge all around the front piece of the case. Cut a little rectangle of cardboard to fit inside and keep the shape. Stuff slightly then sew the back on the same way.

Handle
Make one in light brown yarn
Ch6
Fasten off.

Sew in place on top of the case so that it forms a little arch.

Sew the briefcase to the hand to finish.


If you’ve enjoyed this pattern please share your photos on facebook, twitter or Instagram and tag @lizwardcrochet

Tina, Queenie and Jacob patterns coming soon available

For more patterns like this check out my esty pattern shop _ sale now on all patterns till 31st March 2018

Sunday 18 March 2018

March so far


 Time to sit down and write a catch up post. Its been a busy March so far.

First up I have released the Black Panther amigurumi pattern set. Don't these look fab :)
Pattern is available now from my Etsy pattern shop (click the link )
This has been such a fun set to create. I get more confident with these designs the more I do and its all gearing up to the big one Avengers Infinity war. The films out in April and my massive pattern set to go along with it will be release soon after.
I know a lot of people have been making these patterns and really enjoying them. One lady - Kelly send me this photo on Etsy to show me all the ones she's made. Isn't this just amazing, I think she made everyone I've released. Thank you Kelly for sending me this xxx
There will be other pattern sets coming soon.
I've had a few crochet commissions for magazines and books on this month that have been taking up a lot of time but I've been trying to fit in a bit more knitting.

 We've had weeks of snow and cold weather here in York and so I decided to make myself a pair of glove. This is a free pattern on Ravelry and its really good. I used some Drops Lima that I had in my knitting stash.

I didn't have enough yarn to finish the pair but I'd memorized the cable pattern repeat so I didn't want to start a new project and risk forgetting it. Instead I used the same cable pattern and made a dog coat for the adorable George at The York Makery.

Keighley for The York Maker and Alice of Alice yarns have started a lovely yarn podcast called String Theory Link to youtube 
Go have a listen. George makes an appearance in the podcast and they asked for knitters to send in things for George to wear.
 Doesn't he look fab. I'll be tweaking this pattern and then it will be available. I'll probably upload it to Ravelery just to keep my knitting and crochet pattern separate.

 This is my little yarn hoard from my visit. This is all going to be for knitting projects.
Its lovely to have knitting as a hobby again. I love crochet but sometimes it does feel like work. Its also very nice to be able to buy yummy yarns that are just for me.

 Little fun picture of Cal in a Wool warehouse bag :)

Next up is a bit of a diversion for me. As a treat I bought myself a yarn dyeing kit. I have become a bit addicted to watching knitting podcasts and yarn dyeing videos on Youtube. I really wanted to have a go myself so I got a nice starter kit of Etsy.

The kit came with 200g of mini skeins so I had lots to play with.


 This is the first pot I dyed. My plan was that it was going to be a yellow base and the I'd add red and create patches or fire colours. As you can probably see I failed and it all turned orange. Its still very lovely.
 The next pot looked like it was going to be more successful. However I didn't keep it on the heat for long enough and most of the colour came out.

 These are the results of the first two pots.
I decided to try a different way of dyeing and hand-painted the yarns, wrapped them in clingfilm and steamed them. This worked much better. I got a lovely rainbow and a blue mix.

 This is a pic of me knitting up the rainbow skein. There were times when I had a perfect rainbow of stitches on my needle. Its was lovely. Yes, that is both my cats on my knee in the background.
 Look how lovely this knits up. I've made this into a little bag for me. It feels very special to have something made thats from a yarn I dyed.

 I've done a bit more dyeing since. I tried a self stripping, it didn't go to plan but I still love it.

 This is it knitted up. I'm making a sock but I have since found out I don't have enough dyed yarn to make a pair. I can either make just one or a pair with a really long contrasting toe. I haven't decided yet.
Cal makes a great yarn holder :)
 This was my other dyeing session. Thats the self stripping from above. I also made another rainbow and a blue based speckle. I decided to stop here until I've made these into something.

 I can't really share any of the crochet work I've been doing. This is just a tiny sneaky peek.
You may have noticed that there is a advert on the telly for a new crochet magazine called Big and little crochet. Thats what I've been working on so soon I'll do a post and show off the projects that I've contributed to this love set of books.

 Another pic of Cassi and Cal. Cassi was sat on my knee and the Cal came and sat on top of her. She wasn't very happy about it. My knee ends up being a bit of a war zone in my house.

 Some finished knitting projects now. This is the sirdar colour wheel ball band shawl. I showed one off in my last post and I enjoyed making it so much I knit another. Its very tempting to make some more of these but I think I need a new knitting challenge next.

 These are the finished gloves. Made just in time for more snow this weekend. I'm using this same cable pattern on a hat I'm making at the mo. I still can't believe I can actually do cables so its very exciting.

It seems impossible for me to take any work in progress photos without getting a cat in it. Hers another picture of Cal. She looks like shes about to get her hair cut in this photo.

Last up just a quick note on the Infinity gauntlet kits. The first lot of these sets has sold out. I've been able to get the bits together to and have listed another five kits in my etsy shop
I'm going to try and keep these in my shop for as long as I can, but I'll only every be listing them in small numbers as I don't want my house to turn into a factory.
If you want one and you see they are sold out, send me a message and I will add you to the list of pre-orders.

Thanks again to everyone who's been buying and enjoying my patterns. Your support means everything to me xxx

If you want more regular updated follow me on Instagram @lizwardcrochet


There will be another blog post before the end of March because its my birthday on the 28th and I'll be posting a free crochet pattern to celebrate.

Till then...
Happy crocheting
love
Liz xxx