Monday, February 14, 2011

How To Crochet a KITTY DRAFT STOPPER

These should be the normal US abbreviations (I hope)

 

SUPPLIES:
crochet hook: 3mm (but may vary)
embroidery needle: to sew eyes and such
scissors: any, just for cutting thread
sewing pins: to position and hold the pieces in place, until they are sewn
tape measure: for measuring your door or window, and your "draft stopper tube"
balls of yarn: about 300g/10oz blue I guess (sorry, forgot to write that down)
little amounts of yarn: green (eyes), black (in eyes), pink (nose)
stuffing to fill your project

ABREVIATIONS and explanations (SKILLS  TO  KNOW):
ch = chain stitch

ContRnd = go on in continuous rounds, and keep replacing the marking thread or stitch marker, until quoted otherwise
MagicRing {...} = make a magical ring, and crochet all the stitches between the accolades in the magical ring.
ex.: magicRing { ch, 6sc, } means you make a magical ring, crochet a chain stitch, and make 6 single crochets in the magical ring. But if you think this is too difficult, you can start with: {4 chain stitches, close with a slip stitch in the first made stitch, crochet a chain stitch, and make 6 single crochets in the ring you created}
Mark = use a stitch marker, which may be a marking thread or stitch marker, this is a great help when crocheting in continuous rounds: it makes you able to see when your round is finished!
-with a thread: when you start using it, just lay it between the last stitch made, and the one you are about to crochet; then you lay the back end to the front; next the upper end to the back; the following round the back goes to the front again; ... when your thread is becoming too small, just pull it up a little, there's no need to see the endings of the first rounds ...  (I usually use a 15cm/6" cotton thread in a different color)
-with a stitch marker: to be honest, I never used one, I presume you just put it in between the last stitch made, and the one you're about to crochet.
sc = single crochet
sc2tog = crochet 2 single crochets together
sc3tog = crochet 3 single crochets together
slst = slip stitch
Stuff = stuff the piece as much as you can, and while crocheting on, keep stuffing if needed
Turn = turn your piece and work back on the stitches you just made, and keep crocheting in rows, until quoted otherwhise
2 dc in 1 st = 2 double crochets in 1 stitch
2 sc in 1 st = 2 single crochets in 1 stitch
3 sc in 1 st = 3 single crochets in 1 stitch
[ ... ]x3 = crochet everything between the square brackets 3 times (so, repeat 2 times)
ex.: [ 2 sc in 1 st,]x4 = crochet 4 times 2 single crochets in the following stitch (or crochet 2 single crochets in the following stitch, and repeat 3 times)
[ sc2tog ]x... = ] until the gap is closed =  keep crocheting 2 single crochets together, until the gap is closed
[ sc, ]...M = ] until the marker = keep crocheting single crochets until you reach the marker
= 14 = you should have 14 stitches in that row or round

HEAD: in blue
1) magicRing { 1ch, 6sc, }, Mark, ContRnd
2) [ 2 sc in 1 st, 3 sc in 1 st, 2 sc in 1 st,]x2 = 14
3) [ 1sc, 2 sc in 1 st,]x7 = 21
4) [ 2sc, 2 sc in 1 st,]x7 = 28
5) [ 3sc, 2 sc in 1 st,]x7 = 35
6) [ 4sc, 2 sc in 1 st,]x7 = 42
7) [ 6sc, 2 sc in 1 st,]x7 = 48
8) [ 11sc, 2 sc in 1 st,]x7 = 52
9) 12sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 25sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 13sc, = 54
10-14) 54sc,
15) 3 sc in 1 st, 3 sc in 1 st, 52sc, = 58
16) 2sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 2 sc in 1 st, 54sc, = 60
17-18) 60sc, + 2sc extra before moving marker = 60
19) sc2tog, 2sc, sc2tog, [ 6sc, sc2tog,]x6, 6sc, = 52
20) sc2tog, sc2tog,[ 5sc, sc2tog,]x6, 6sc, = 44
21) 5sc, [ sc2tog, 9sc,]x3, sc2tog, 4sc, = 40
22) [ 8sc, sc2tog,]x4 = 36
23) 2sc, [sc2tog,4sc, ]x5, sc2tog, 2sc, = 30
24) [ 3sc, sc2tog,]x6 = 24
25) 1sc, [sc2tog, 2sc, ]x5, sc2tog,= 18
26) [ 1sc, sc2tog,]x6 = 12
27) Stuff,  [ sc2tog,] until the gap is closed
E) remove the stitch marker, slst, fasten off

NOSE: in pink
1) magicRing { 1ch, 6sc, }, ContRnd
2) [ 3 sc in 1 st,1sc, ]x3 = 12
E) slst, fasten off, leaving a tail of about 40cm/16"

EYES: 2x: in green
1) magicRing { 1ch, 6sc, }, ContRnd
2) [ 1sc, 2 dc in 1 st, 1sc, ]x2 = 8
E) slst, fasten off, leaving a tail of about 25cm/10"

EARS: 2x: in blue
1) magicRing { 1ch, 4sc, }, Mark, ContRnd
2) [ 3 sc in 1 st, 1sc, ]x2 + 1sc extra before replacing the stitch marker  = 8
3) [ 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc, ]x2 + 1sc extra before replacing the stitch marker  = 10
4) [ 3 sc in 1 st, 4sc, ]x2 + 1sc extra before replacing the stitch marker = 14
5) [ 2 sc in 1 st, 6sc, ]x2 + 1sc extra before replacing the stitch marker = 16
6) [ 3 sc in 1 st, 7sc, ]x2 + 1sc extra before replacing the stitch marker  = 20
7) [ 2 sc in 1 st, 9sc, ]x2 + 1sc extra before replacing the stitch marker  = 22
8) [ 2 sc in 1 st, 10sc, ]x2 + 1sc extra before replacing the stitch marker  = 26
E) remove the stitch marker,  slst,  fasten off, leaving a tail of about 40cm/16"


FACE:
Sew the face parts on the head, following the pictures, and:
- tell nearby children the kitty is hypnotised and won't feel any pain
- pin (and repin) all parts on their place, until you're satisfied
- the base of the ears are in a "moon"-shape: the points are more to the front
- sew all loose parts onto the head, so the pins can go out
- the mouth is just 2 stitches diagonal, as an upside down V
- the black of the eyes are just a few vertical stitches over  the green, and over one another
- sew all loose ends into the head
Now kids can test your stitches by playing with the ball shape head. (And don't ask me why children think it's terrifying if you put pins in a plushee, and then kick at it, as if it is a football, for I haven't got the faintest clue)

RIGHT  FRONTLEG: in blue
1) magicRing { 1ch, 6sc, },  Mark, ContRnd
2) [ 2 sc in 1 st, 3 sc in 1 st, 2 sc in 1 st,]x2 = 14
3) 3sc, 3 sc in 1 st, 2 sc in 1 st, 4sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3 sc in 1 st, 3sc, = 20
4-20) 20sc,
21) 8sc, remove the stitch marker,  slst,  fasten off

LEFT  FRONTLEG: in blue
1) magicRing { 1ch, 6sc, },  Mark, ContRnd
2) [ 2 sc in 1 st, 3 sc in 1 st, 2 sc in 1 st,]x2 = 14
3) 3sc, 3 sc in 1 st, 2 sc in 1 st, 4sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3 sc in 1 st, 3sc, = 20
4-20) 20sc,
21) 2sc, remove the stitch marker, DON'T fasten off yet

PIECE  BETWEEN  LEGS: in blue
continue on the left leg:
22) 1ch, Turn, 5sc, = 5
23) 1ch, 5sc, = 5
24) crochet the legs together:
- put your hook through the first stitch from the centerpiece,
- AND through the first stitch after the casting of from the right leg
- AND finish as a normal sc,
- MAKE 4 more of those stitches (so the legs are crocheted together with 5 stitches)
DON'T fasten off yet

BODY:  in blue
25) crochet further on the right leg, until the centerpiece: (= 17sc, )
- 3sc, on the centerpiece
- 11sc,  on the left leg (there will be 6 stitches left until the centerpiece)
- Mark, ContRnd  (we're going to crochet in continuous rounds again)
26) 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc,  on the same leg, 3sc, on the centerpiece, 3sc, 2 sc in 1 st, [ sc, ] until the marker
27) 1sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 9sc, 2 sc in 1 st, [ sc, ] until the marker
28) 2sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc, sc3tog, 3sc, 2 sc in 1 st, [ sc, ] until the marker
29) 5sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc, [ sc, ] until the marker
30) 7sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 1sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 5sc,  [ sc, ] until the marker
31) 5sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 7sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc,  [ sc, ] until the marker
32) 7sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 5sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 4sc,  [ sc, ] until the marker, remove the stitch marker, DON'T fasten off yet
measure:
- my frontpiece = 11cm,
- your frontpiece = ............
- the door where my kitty will lie = 80 cm,
- the full length your kitty has to be = ............
an easy calculation:
- the full length minus the frontpiece = to the rear end
- in my case: 80 cm - 11 cm = 69 cm
- your rear end will be at = .....................................................
crochet to the rear end:
- it might be handy to fill the frontlegs allready, and to add more filling every now and then: about 69 cm or 2 1/3 feet is a long end for a tube too small for your arm !
- keep crocheting single crochets around and around, until you reach the rear end; in my case: until I have 69 cm; in your case until you have ............
and a little bit further for the marker:
- determine the middle of the upperside (the frontlegs should lie on the ground)
- crochet single crochets until 9 stitches before that point
- add your marker, ready to start the rear end

REAR  END: in blue
1) 5sc, sc2tog, 5sc, sc2tog, 5sc,  [ sc, ] until the marker  = 17+24=41
2) 3sc, sc2tog, 7sc, sc2tog, 3sc,  [ sc, ] until the marker  = 15+24=39
3) 5sc, sc2tog, 1sc, sc2tog, 5sc,  [ sc, ] until the marker  = 13+24=37
4) 3sc, sc2tog, 3sc, sc2tog, 3sc,  [ sc, ] until the marker  = 11+24=35
5) sc2tog, 3sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3v sc2tog,  [ sc, ] until the marker  = 10+24=34
6) 6sc, remove the stitch marker, DON'T fasten off yet

RIGHT  BACK  LEG: in blue
1) Mark, 15sc, 5ch, there will be 19 stitches left for the left back leg, later on
2a) on the first stitch after the marker: 1sc,
2b) on the next 14 stitches: 14sc,
2c) on the 5ch, of previous round: 5sc, = 20
3-18) 20sc,
19) [ 2sc, sc2tog,]x5 = 15
20) Stuff, [ 1sc, sc2tog,]x5 = 10
21) Stuff, [ sc2tog,] until the gap is closed , remove the stitch marker, fasten off

PIECE BETWEEN BACK LEGS: in blue
1a) on the stitch before the leg, AND on the first of the 5 ch of the leg: sc2tog,
1b) on the next 3 ch of the right leg: 3sc,
1c) on the last ch, from the right leg AND on the first stitch of the body: sc2tog,
2a) Turn, on the body and on the centerpiece: sc2tog,
2b) on the 3 next stitches: 3sc,
2c) on the centerpiece AND on the body: sc2tog, DON'T fasten off yet

LEFT  BACK  LEG: in blue
1) Mark, ContRnd, on body: 15sc, on centerpiece: 5sc,
2-18) 20sc,
19) [ 2sc, sc2tog,]x5 = 15
20) Stuff, [ 1sc, sc2tog,]x5 = 10
21) Stuff, [ sc2tog,] until the gap is closed , remove the stitch marker, fasten off

TAIL: in blue
1) magicRing { 1ch, 4sc, }, Mark, ContRnd
2) 2 sc in 1 st, 1sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 1sc, = 6
3) 2sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 2sc, 2 sc in 1 st, = 8
4) 1sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 2sc, = 10
5) 2 sc in 1 st, 4sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 4sc, = 12
6) 2sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 5sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 3sc, = 14
7) 2 sc in 1 st, 6sc, 2 sc in 1 st, 6sc, = 16
8) 16sc,
- keep crocheting around, stuffing it every now and then,
- until the tail reaches about half the body.
- do the last stuffing, and sew the tail at the body

nice kitty, kitty, kitty   :-)

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