Crochet teacher gift idea

Just a quick update!   We gifted our crayon to my daughters teacher!  She absolutely loved it!  The other 1st grade tescher wanted one too haha.  Anyway I threw in some favorite colored writing supplies, like sharpies, highlighters and dry erase markers.  We bought a cheap $1 plain gift bag and wrote in big letters "thanks for making my year so COLORFUL!"    This could be adapted for different times or situations.    Hope you get a chance to make a Snuggly Crayon!

Just another idea, you could do this same saying and make a colored version of the Snuggly Pencil! It works up a little smaller than the crayon.    If you do make one, use #bsquarecrochet or tag me on any of my social media accounts.    I also regularly view the projects people made on Ravelry, so you can share it there too.  

Here the items and links for the items we used!  We tried to make sure we used colorful items to go with our bag.    I think a box of crayons or washable markers would be great too, especially since teachers always are running out of them. 

These are affiliated links so if you happen to make a purchase I will receive a very small commission.  

Snuggly Crayon- Free pattern

My daughter is at it again with her Snuggly School Supplies!   This time she wanted me to make a crayon for her teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week.   This works up really quick, so if you are still trying to find a project for your favorite teacher, try out this cute pillow or the Snuggly Pencil pattern I posted last month.     

*Disclosure:  Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you choose to purchase by clicking through that link. 

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Library to save it for later: HERE

Snuggly Crayon

This pattern is made in flat pieces or panels, and then assembled by single crocheting around the edges and stuffed. You need to be familiar with color changes and surface crochet.

MATERIALS:

Worsted Weight Yarn in Light purple, Dark Purple and black. (or whatever color of crayon you are making)

Safety eyes 14mm

Poly-fil

4 MM hook
Needle for sewing
Embroidery floss for mouth and cheeks.

TERMS:

Ch-  Chain

SC- Single Crochet

DEC- Decrease

SS- Slip Stitch

FO-  Finish Off

NOTE:.   Ch 1 and turn after each row.  This pattern is worked from bottom up.  

   Begin in Dark purple
1.  Ch 21, SC in 2nd ch from hook and across (20)
2- 6. SC across (20)

Change to Light purple
7-8. SC across (20)

  Change to Black
9-12. SC across (20)

Change to Light purple
13-52. SC across (20)

Change to Black
53-56. SC across (20)

Change to Light purple
57-58. SC across (20)

Change to Dark purple
59-64. SC across (20)
65. SS in first to stitches, 16 SC across, leaving 2 unworked stitches. ch.1 and turn (16 sc)
66. DEC, 12 SC, DEC (14)

67. SC across (14)

68. DEC, 10 SC, DEC (12)

69. SC across (12)

70. DEC, 8 SC, DEC (10)

71. SC across (10)

72. DEC, 6 SC, DEC (8)

73. SC across (8)

74. DEC, 4 SC, DEC (6)
75.  SC across (6)
FO

Repeat rows 1-75 for second panel.    

DETAILS:
1. Place safety eyes between 48-49 approximately 5 stitches apart.
2.. Embroider mouth with black and stitch cheeks with pink.
3. Using the Surface Crochet technique (slip stitches on top, if this is confusing you can sew these details), make a wavy line over the black strips on both panels.

FINISHING:
Place panel 1 on top of panel 2, make sure that your surface crochet will be facing outward on both panels. SC around the body, changing colors to match as you go around. For corners SC ch1 Sc in same stitch. When you have a few inches left of SC, start stuffing. Continue SC around until you reach where you started. FO and sew in ends.



LETTERS:
If you are choosing to add a word on your crayon, then you will need some felt. I freehand cutting the letters and used a small amount of hot glue to keep them on. If you crochet letters or surface crochet words, I suggest you do this before you sc the pieces together. Personally I like the clean crisp look of the felt letters.



If you are not sure how to surface crochet, here is a great tutorial video by Moogly Blog.  I highly recommend her "How to" videos.    

Pearle the Pig- Rag Doll Free Crochet Pattern

Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a small obsession with pigs.  As a child I loved them, collected them, and even raised a few when I was about 10.   So it seems obvious that I would one day come up with a pattern for a cute pig.  I made one in pink and in white, I think both are adorable!

 Right now I am totally in love with the "rag-doll" trend in Amigurmi, which is apparent by my last few patterns.   This pig is worked the same way as all the other pillow friend patterns that I have posted.   It is worked in flat pieces and then assembled together.    Be on the watch out for more like this pig.  I had so much fun making it, I see some modifications in the future for other animals!   Follow me on social media and ravelry for new patterns and updates. 

Something new in this pattern is Fabric Appliques!   If you aren't really familiar with them, look in the TIPS section for some helpful hints. 

*Disclaimer.  I sometimes use affiliate links.   If you make a purchase, I receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. 

If you would like to purchase the Ad-free printable version on etsy here  Pearle the Pig PDF

PEARLE THE PIG

This pattern is made in flat pieces or panels, and then assembled by single crocheting around the edges and stuffed.

MATERIALS: 

Worsted weight yarn- 2 colors

15 mm safety eyes

Scraps of flannel material (optional)

Dritz Fray Check

Aleene's All Purpose Turbo Tacky Glue

Embroidery floss-  black and pink

Poly-fil

4 MM hook
Needles for sewing and embroidery

TERMS:

Color A- Accent color for hooves and snout. 

Color B- Body color or main color

Ch-  Chain

SC- Single Crochet

HDC- Half Double Crochet

DC- Double Crochet

INC- Increase

DEC- Decrease

SS- Slip Stitch 

FO-  Finish Off

GAUGE: Gauge is not important in this pattern.  Use the hook that appropriately matches your yarn or vise versa. 

TIPS:

1- Chain Stitches.  When instructed to SC in chain stitches, use the back bars of the chain, not the v.   This will a) help you identify your stitches accurately and b) gives your piece a more finished look.  

2- Outer Corners.  When assembling the piece, you will SC around.   When you get to the outside corners on the body, SC ch1 SC in the same stitch to turn.  This will keep your corners from rolling up.  If you crochet tightly try adding an extra SC. 

3- Assembly.  Place eyes,  sew nose, embroidery and sew fabric appliques on top panel before stuffing and assembling body.  Using the tails of the ears, arms and leg you can tac them into place on the top panel, making it easier when SC around the piece.   When you get to those extremities, SS through panel 1, limb, and panel 2.  Then continue with SC around once you have SS across that limb until you get to the next piece

4-  Appliques:  I used flannel for my appliques, you can use a non-fraying fabric such as felt or fleece.    For the inside of the ears, I cut two triangles that would fit inside the ears, and then rounded the points.  The belly patch I used my best kindergarten heart cutting skills by folding my fabric in half and cutting a half heart so my shape was even on both sides.   

If you are using flannel or another fraying fabric there are a couple things you can do.  Either fold the cut edges back or uses some Fray-check around the edges.   I chose to go with the Fray-Check. 

*Chain 1 and Turn at the end of each row*

LEGS (4 panels needed)

Color A

1- Ch 7, SC in 2nd chain from hook and across (6)

2-4 - SC across (6) 

Change to Color B

5-28.  SC across (6)

Finish off.  

Repeat rows 1-28 for 2nd panel but DO NOT finish off.   Use your working yarn to SC the two pieces together.  Lightly stuff before finishing.   Complete all steps again for 2nd leg.

RIGHT ARM (2 panels) 

Color A

1- Ch 5, SC in 2nd Chain from hook and across (4)

2-4.  SC across (4)

Change to Color B

5-16.  SC across (4)

17.  SS, SC, HDC, DC.  Ch 1 turn.

18.  HDC, SC, SS, SS   

Finish off.

Repeat rows 1-18 for 2nd panel but DO NOT finish off.  Use your working yarn to SC the two pieces together.  Stuff lightly.

LEFT ARM (2 panels) 

Repeat steps 1-16 of RIGHT ARM

17.  DC, HDC, SC, SS  Ch 1 turn.

18.  SS, SS, SC, HDC

Finish off.

Repeat rows 1-18 for 2nd panel but DO NOT finish off.  Use your working yarn to SC the two pieces together.  

  NOSE (Color A)

1- Ch 5.  SC 2nd ch from hook and across (4)

2.  INC, SC 2, INC.  (6)

3-9.  SC across (6)

10.  DEC, SC 2, DEC (4)

SC around entire nose.  Finish off, leaving long tail for sewing on later.   Use a small amount of grey yarn to make X’s for the nostrils.   

EARS (make 2)

Work in round (do not join rows)

Color B

1.  In MC, SC 6  (6)

2.  SC 6

3.  INC, SC 2* Repeat (8)

4.  SC 8

5.  *INC, SC 3*  Repeat (10)

6.  *INC, SC 1*  Repeat around (15)

7.  *INC, SC 2*  Repeat around (20)

8-9.  SC 20

10.  DEC around (10)

11.  Flatten ear and SC through both sides, joining them (5)  FO

TAIL 

Color B

Ch 15, Work 3DC in 2nd chain from hook.   Work 2DC in Each remaining chain.   F.O.  

BODY (2 panels)

*Chain 1 and Turn at the end of each row*

COLOR B

1- Ch 9.  SC in 2nd Chain from hook and across (8)

2.  INC, SC 6, INC  (10)

3.  INC, SC 8, INC (12)

4.  INC, SC 10, INC (14)

5.  INC, SC 13 (15)

6.  INC, SC 14 (16)

7.  INC, SC 15 (17)

8.  INC, SC 16 (18)

9-10.  SC 18

11.  INC, SC 17 (19)

12-13.  SC 19 

14.  INC, SC 18 (20)

15-40.  SC across.   (20)  FO

Cut yarn and finish off panel 1.  Repeat Rows 1-40 for 2nd body panel.  DO NOT cut yarn and finish off, just set panel 2 aside til the end.   

DETAILS: 

I personally think it is easier to get all my details in place before sewing the body together.  Do steps 1-4 on the top panel only.   

1.  Fabric details.  Cut out 2 small rounded triangles that will fit inside the ears, and a small heart for the belly. 

• Use Fray-check around the edges of all the pieces (follow the instructions on drying time.  My pieces were dry in about 20 minutes).  
• Once dry, outline the back of the fabric with the Tacky-glue and press into place (you can skip this if you are confident in your embroidery skills). 
• Using a coordinating embroidery floss, either sew a running stitch or blanket stitch around the entire piece of fabric.    
• Make sure the back of your embroidery stitches are hidden on the ears.   The patch on the belly will not matter as the back of the stitches will be on the inside of the body.

2.  Place safety eyes between rows 5 and 6 approximately four stitches apart.  Stitch eyelashes.  

3.  Sew on nose just below eyes and stuff lightly with poly-fil.   

4.  Tac in place arms (approximately row 30), legs and ears by using the yarn tails from each piece.  (You can pin pieces instead of tacking them in place)  

5. Sew tail on back panel, approximately 8 rows up from the bottom (Row 32)

FINISHING: 

Now that all pieces are in place it is time to finish off your project.   Place panel 1 on top of panel 2.  Using the working yarn (that is still attached to panel 2), SC around the body using the tips above. When you reach the limbs and ears, SS through panel 1, limb, panel 2.   Stuff body when you have 2-3 inches left.  Finish off when you reach your first SC.  Sew in yarn tail.