Monkey business (updated)

About a year ago, I created this monkey applique for a custom blanket. During some file clean up, I came across it, so I thought I would share for all of you monkey lovers. (I typed this up from scribbles, so I apologize if there are any errors. I'm still a-work-in-progress when it comes to writing patterns.)

I used worsted weight yarn and a size I hook.


Monkey face (see chart below):

ch 4 join to form ring
round 1: ch 2, 13 dc into ring, join with slip st
round 2: ch 2, 2 dc into each dc around join with slip st
round 3: ch 1, skip 1, 7 dc into next st, skip 1, slip st in next st, sc into next dc, skip 1 dc, 7 dc into next st, skip 1, slip st in next 2 sts; 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 2 trc in same st, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 2 trc in same st; 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, slip into beginning stitch 
round 4: 1 sc, 7 hdc, 1 sc, slip st, 1 sc, 7 hdc, 1 sc, slip st, 1 sc, 2 hdc, 2 hdc into next st, 8 hdc, 2 hdc into next st, 2 hdc, 1 sc, slip st to beg, leave long tail to attach

Dark brown head:

ch 4 join to form ring
round 1: ch 2, 13 dc in ring, join with slip st
round 2: ch 2, 2 dc into each dc around join with slip st
round 3: ch 2, *1 dc, 2 dc into next st * (repeat around from *)
round 4: ch 2, *2 dc, 2 dc into next st * (repeat around from *)

Ears (make 2):

ch 4 join to form ring
round 1: ch 2, 6 dc into ring (do not join) ch 1 turn, sc in each, leave long tail to attach

Eyes (make 2):

ch4 join to form ring
round 1: ch 1, 10 sc into ring, slip to join, leave long tail to attach

Sew eyes to face with tail. Embroider smile of your choice. Center (pin if you like) and sew face to head. Attach ears by sewing them with long tail to either side of head. (I also did another option with a pink ear. You can create this by using the ear pattern with a smaller hook)

Please do not sell, copy/paste or display this pattern as your own. You may sell appliques or items made from this pattern, but please link back to this page or make note that the pattern was designed by tillie tulip. Thank you!

Note: Reminder **If you would like to sell items you have made with my patterns, please do give credit to Tillie Tulip. Thank you.

UPDATE 1/2/16: After several years, I have finally gotten back to monkey and Round 3 issues. As I mentioned in my original post, this was from my chicken scratch notes. I apologize for any frustrations the added stitches may have caused, but it is free after all :) I wish I could devote more time to this blog, but family and work keep me busy!

I charted out the face below, removed the extra stitches and hopefully, it will be a better experience!

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Brain overload

Some days I have to remind myself to stop and smell the...lavender?

My poor herbs did not do well this year, although I think it was a bad year all around with the hot weather we had. I love the smell of lavender. I have to find a good soap recipe to use some of these lovely, fragrant herbs in.

Maybe these purple flowers were subliminally part of my inspiration for the new scrappy blanket I started.

I like to save my end of skeins, in the same color family, and put them all together in a little patchwork afghan. Yet another one of my unfinished projects on the "to do" list.

I headed this entry "Brain overload", because I've been feeling a little all-over-the-place. I think it has a lot to do with the kids starting up school in the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping that things will work into a nice groove when we all get settled, until then, my little lost projects will have to wait...

Hope everyone has a lovely (and peaceful) rest of their day!

A bright blanket for a grey day

We've finally been getting some much needed rain around here. I just realized I have photos of the tree outside my window in winter and spring, so here's one for summer...

I have a feeling fall will be here in no time.

I've been busy working on a few more custom orders. One being a new bright pink, orange and yellow blanket. You can see my inspiration for my first blanket here.

I've finished all of the squares and have begun working them together. Here's a photo of the squares laid out, waiting to become a new blanket. Each square is different and each blanket is unique. I like that they are never exactly the same. Different is good.

Join-as-you-go (part II)

Below is the second half of my join-as-you-go method of connecting granny squares. (To view part I, click here).

I like using a slip stitch because I feel like it's a tighter firmer join. I also like doing the corners this way, because I personally like how the join looks - not messy, similar to the other "holes", and did I mention I feel it's a sturdy join? This is important when I think about longevity of the blanket.

Without further adieu...

Pink (shasta) daisy blanket is finished!

I completed Lynette's afghan this morning. She let me decide how to edge it, so I chose a hdc of white and a sc of the pink. Subtle. I like subtle, even though the blanket screams pink sunshine!

It's a true pleasure to create these blankets for such nice people. I can't say enough about all of the very nice customers I've been fortunate enough to meet.

On a side note, I've obviously been a little tied up with work, family and tillie tulip, but I will get part II of my join-as-you-go tutorial up as soon as I can! 

A visitor in the garden

I didn't get much planted in the garden this year: some tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and flowers. It's been so hot and dry, that I'm almost glad I didn't put too much effort into it this summer. I wish I would've gotten the green beans in for my son Harry who loves to pick and eat straight off the plant! Is it too late to plant green beans??

I'll try to upload my join-as-you-go part II today. Have a wonderful weekend!

My join-as-you-go (part I)

Thank you so much for all of the lovely comments on my last post! I'm waiting to hear back about how Lynette would like the edge to be done. For most blankets, I've been using a round of sc and then a round of dc for a simple border or a scalloped edge for a little something sweet. As promised, below is how I put all of those squares together.

There are many different methods of joining granny squares - weaving, slip and single crochet, etc - but my favorite is to join as you go. Once again, my instructions may be slightly different than others you've seen, this is just how I do it and what works best for me!

Hopefully, I can relay this well, and it won't seem too confusing. Like anything, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

If your squares are all different: arrange your completed squares how you would like them to appear, then create a pile for each row. I start from the top down, and stack from the righthand side on top. (Note: If all of your squares are the same: disregard these first two steps. Pile them up and work however many across.)

I hope that made sense. Keep connecting the squares in the row, and I'll post some more photos of how I work the connecting corners tomorrow! (To view part II, click here).

Note: If you would like to sell items you have made with my patterns, please do give credit to Tillie Tulip. Thank you.