Teddies for Refugees

Good morning everyone! And happy birthday to me! 

For my birthday this year, I want to give gifts rather than receive them. 

I am so lucky to have been born and live in this peaceful, prosperous country, to have a wonderfully supportive family, to have safe and open access to education for as long as I want to, to say pretty much what I like where I like, and to have many excellent friends of different ethnicities and backgrounds. 

There are lots of people in the world who have not been nearly as lucky as me - they were born and live in war-torn countries, or where they are not free to be themselves; who live in fear of their lives and the lives of those they love every day. Some muster the courage (and funds!) to escape, to seek refuge in countries like mine, to share and build peace and prosperity. 

Australia is built on our native peoples' lands, and the work and effort of all Australians, whether born here or overseas. We are a nation of immigrants, and it saddens me that our government is indulging in dog whistle politics, trying to scare us about new people arriving. We keep people, including children, in "immigration detention". We are learning to be selfish and judgmental.

This year I want to do something to help - to prove to the thousands of people seeking safety and opportunity in Australia that most Australians do care, do want them here, and do recognise the achievements and contributions of refugees past and future. But what could I do? I do not have much money to spend, nor do I have much energy for activism or physical assistance. But I can crochet :)

So, I have launched my "Teddies for Refugees" shop on Etsy today, for my birthday. For each teddy sold, $10 will be donated to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, an organisation providing practical assistance and advocacy to those seeking a new life in Australia. I have chosen this organisation because of the great work it does, and their work fits well with my career in the legal profession, as well as my practical nature. If you want to learn more about what the ASRC does, visit their website at www.asrc.org.au 

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/TeddiesforRefugees

My birthday wish is for my friends to share my shop link, so that we have the best chance of selling as many teddies as possible to help the ASRC.

At the moment it's only available to Australian customers because of ridiculous postage costs to anywhere else, but if you are not in Australia and want to help those fleeing terrible situations, I encourage you to contact a refugee organisation in your area and ask them what they need the most. 

As the Australian national anthem itself says:

"For those who've come across the seas, 

we've boundless plains to share;

With courage let us all combine

to Advance Australia Fair."

FREE PATTERN: Cross Your Heart Teddy

Hello lovelies!

A few weeks ago, I published the Heart Teddy Bear pattern on this blog. Since than I have made a lot of teddies, as did Michelle. They are really addictive, believe me!

My husband - who works in math education at uni - suggested that I should adapt the pattern, so that the legs are a bit shorter, the neck a bit wider and the head a bit larger. Apparently these changes would make it look more mathematical in order and thus cuter for the eye. I wasn't totally convinced but I tried and guess what?! He was right! I still like the larger Heart Teddy Bear but I also like the smaller, different version and so I decided to share that one with you too.

So without further ado, here is the Cross Your Heart Teddy Bear pattern! Thank you Angela from Get Knotted Yarn Craft for the wonderful name suggestion! 

Cross Your Heart Teddy Bear

You will need:

ca. 100gr DK Yarn (or any other yarn you like)

3 mm hook (use at least half a hook size smaller than you would usually use for the chosen yarn)

Stitch Counter

Safety Eyes
Safety Nose (or, embroider a nose on the snout piece with black yarn)

Scissors

Needle 

Note: I use the invisible decrease method for amigurumi. Planet June hat a great tutorial for this stitch in case you want to learn. :)

Pattern

Arm (Make 2)

1) Magic Ring with 6st (6)

2) 2sc into each stitch around (12)

3) *1sc into the next stitch, 2sc into the next stitch* 6 times (18)

4-6) 1sc into each st around (18)

7) *1sc into the next stitch, sc2tog* 6 times (12)

8) *1sc into the next 4 stitches, sc2tog* 2 times (10)

Fill the hand.

9-23) 1sc into each st around (10)

Do not fill the arm.

Leg (Make 2)

1)    magic ring with 6sc (6)

2)    2sc in each stitch (12) 

3)    *1sc in the next stitch, 2sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (18)

4)    *1sc in the next 2st, 2sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (24)

5)    *1sc in the next 3st, 2sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (30)

6)    – 8) 1sc in each st around (30)

9) *1sc in the next 3st, sc2tog* repeat 6 times (24)

10) *sc2tog* 6 times, 1sc in the remaining 12 st (18)

Stuff the foot

11) *sc2tog* 4 times, 1sc in the remaining 10 st (14)

12) *sc2tog* 2 times, 1sc in the remaining 10 st (12)

13-17) 1sc in each st around

Leg 1: Sl into first st of row 17, finish off, weave in ends

Continue with leg 2. You are now moving to the body part

Body

18) 1st into the next 9st, *ch1, turn, 1 sc into the next 4 st* 4 times (this makes the "bridge). With the next four stitches crochet the second leg to the just made "bridge" (Pictures A and B below), 1sc into the next 8st, evenly place 4sc into the "bridge" between the legs, 1sc into the next 3st (24 - Picture C)

19) *1sc in the next 3st, 2sc in the next st* repeat 6 times (30) Note: The bridge between the two legs equals 4st

20) *1sc into the next 4st, 2sc into the next st* repeat 6 times (36)

21) *1sc into the next 5st, 2sc into the next st* repeat 6 times (42)

Fill the legs.

22) *1sc into the next 6st, 2sc into the next st* repeat 6 times (48)

23)-32) 1sc into each st around (48)

33) *1sc in the next 6st, sc2tog* repeat 6 times (42)

34) *1sc in the next 5st, sc2tog* repeat 6 times (36)

35-37) 1sc into each st around (36)

38) *1sc in the next 4st, sc2tog* repeat 6 times (30)

39) *1sc in the next 3st, sc2tog* repeat 6 times (24)

40) 1sc into each st around (24)

You will now attach the arms. Flatten the arms so that you have 5st on each side. You will attach the arms with 5 stitches in row 41 and 5 stitches in row 42.

41) 1sc into the next stitch, with the next 5sc crochet the first arm to the body using 5 of the arm stitches, 1sc into the next 8st, with the next 5st crochet the second arm to the body using 5 of the arm stitches, 1st into the next 5sc (24)

42) 1sc into the next stitch, with the next 5st crochet the first arm to the body using the remaining 5 arm stitches, 1sc into the next 8sc, with the next 5sc crochet the second arm to the body with the remaining 5 arm stitches, 1sc into the next 5st (24)

Stuff the Body.

43) *1sc in the next 2st, sc2tog* 6 times (18)

You will now move onto the head

Head

44) *1sc in the next 2st, 2sc in the next st* 6 times (24)

45) *1sc in the next 3st, 2sc in the next st* 6 times (30) 

46) *1sc into the next 4st, 2sc into the next st* times (36)

47) *1sc into the next 5st, 2sc into the next st* 6 times (42)

48) *1sc into the next 6st, 2sc into the next st* 6 times (48)
49-58) 1sc into each st around (48)

59) *1sc in the next 6st, sc2tog* 6 times (42)

60) *1sc in the next 5st, sc2tog* 6 times (36)

61) *1sc in the next 4st, sc2tog* 6 times (30)

62) *1sc in the next 3st, sc2tog* 6 times (24)

Stuff the head.

63) *1sc in the next 2st, sc2tog* 6 times (18)

64) *1sc in the next 1st, sc2tog* 6 times (12)

Stuff the rest of the head.

65) *sc2tog* 6 times (6)

Sl into the first st of rd 65, finish of. Weave the tail through 6st of row 65 and pull tight to close the hole. Weave in the tail.

Ear (make 2)

1) magic ring with 6st (6)

2) 2sc in each stitch around (12) 

3) *1sc into the next st, 2sc into the next st* 6 times (18)

4) *1sc into the next 5st, 2sc in next st* 3 times (21)

5) *1sc into the next 5st, sc2tog* 3 times (18)

6) *1sc in next 4st, sc2tog* 3 times (15)

7) 1sc in each st around (15)

Sl into first st of round 7, finish off, leave long tail for sewing the ear onto the head

Snout

1) Magic Ring with 6st (6)

2) 2sc into each stitch around (12)

3) *1sc into the next stitch, 2sc into the next stitch* 6 times (18)
4)*1sc into the next 2 stitches, 2sc into the next stitch* 6 times (24)

5-6) 1sc into each stitch around (24)

Sl into first stitch of round 6, finish off, leave a long tail for sewing onto the head.

Tail

1) Magic Ring with 6st (6)

2) 2sc into each stitch around (12)

3) *1sc into the next stitch, 2sc into the next stitch* 6 times (18)
4-5) 1sc into each stitch around (18)
6) *1sc in the next 1st, sc2tog* 6 times (12)
7) *1sc in the next 4st, sc2tog* 2 times (10)

Sl into first st of round 7, finish off, leave long tail for sewing the tail onto the body.

Sew the ears, snout (stuff it a bit while sewing on) and tail onto your teddy, and then give it lots of hugs! 

Wedding on Spiekeroog

Hello!

You probably noticed that I have been absent a lot. One of the reasons is the very poor and terminal health of my dad but there is also a positive reason:

I got married last week!

We had a very small civil wedding on Spiekeroog which is one of the North Sea islands. My parents, my sister, Alex's parents and his brother. Unfortunately my sister in law couldn't come but as she is highly pregnant with twins, she had a pretty good reason! Can't wait to become an auntie!

We arrived on the island two days before the wedding and were greeted with very sunny and very unlike weather for November. So we got to explore the island in sunshine and got to see a wonderful sunset over the North Sea! The next days were a bit more stormy and rainy but that was perfectly fine with us. After all, we decided to get married in November on an island! Actually, I quite enjoyed the stormy weather. :)

The ceremony was wonderful and very special. We got married in the small city hall and got to spent some time there afterwards (photos & sparkling wine). My mum gave a very touching speech and it was so special that my dad could be there. I am really grateful!

Oh - and I got to wear my bonfire beanie in some wedding shots! A pic will follow I promise! My brother in law took the most amazing weddings pics and will post them to us soon!

And as the bonfire beanie got to play such a wonderful part in the wedding, we put the pattern on special. Use the code Wedding on Ravelry to get 60 % off for some days!

Hope you will have an amazing weekend!

Take care

Anne

FREE PATTERN: Diamond Memory Blanket

A few months ago, a friend of a friend of a friend asked me if I could look at her grandmother's hand crocheted sweater, and see if I could use part of it to create a blanket for her new baby. What an exciting opportunity!

The sweater was made with pink cotton (I think), using a unique post-diamonds pattern that I haven't been able to find anywhere else. Here's what the sweater looked like before we took it apart :)

I spent quite some time with my mum, looking at the structure of the sweater and deciding how to start. We eventually resolved to undo the front and sleeves, leaving the back in a rectangular-ish section to start from.

Thank goodness for my husband and yarn winder! It felt a little bit sad to be frogging this beautiful work, but I was also hopeful that reusing the yarn and the back panel would give it a new life :)

I got some extra white 4 ply cotton to break up the pink a little, and did three white frames separating bands of different diamond motifs in the pink cotton, and ending with a crab stitch border. If I was to do it again, I would do fewer corner stitches in the post diamond band as it did get a bit pointy! 

It required an epic block - towels and sheets spread out over my living room floor and a bajillion pins holding it down. Fortunately my sister was visiting on blocking night, so I could use her spatial design talents to make sure it was straight! 

Ta-dah!  I shared this picture with a crochet support group on Facebook, and they all wanted the pattern! So, with the help of my wonderful husband taking dictation, I figured out what I did, changed the bits that could have been better, and wrote it all up for you! Below is the (completely untested) pattern for this Diamond Memory Blanket :) 

If anyone can find the original pattern for the post diamond sweater, please let me know so that I can give appropriate attribution!! 

Favourite or queue this pattern on Ravelry here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/diamond-memory-blanket

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DIAMOND MEMORY BLANKET

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Finished size: Approximately 1mx1.2m 

Materials

4 ply cotton in pink and white (or your colours of choice)

2.25mm hook

3.5mm hook

Yarn needle

Scissors

All stitches are in American Terminology

St - stitch

Yoh - yarn over hook

Ch - chain stitch

Slst - slip stitch

Sc - single crochet

Dc - double crochet

Tr - treble crochet

Bptr - back post treble crochet

Fptr - front post treble crochet

Bpdc - back post double crochet

Fpdc - front post double crochet

dc3tog - double crochet 3 stitches together - [yoh, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop. Yoh, pull through two loops] x 3, yoh, draw through all 4 loops left on hook.

3dc cluster - 3dc into one st

Notes

- The row numbering restarts in each band/frame 

- For foundation stitches, see our chainless foundation hdc tutorial for the basics, and just make trebles instead of hdc!

Central post diamond panel

Ch105, turn. Tr in 5^th chain from hook, tr in each ch across (102tr) OR 102 foundation treble

Row 2              Ch4, 7fptr, (3bptr, 9fptr) 7 times, 3bptr, 7fptr. Turn.

Row 3              Ch4, 5bptr, (5fptr,7bptr) 7 times, 5fptr, 7bptr. Turn.

Row 4              Ch4, 5fptr, (7bptr, 5fptr) 7 times, 7bptr, 5fptr. Turn.

Row 5              Ch4, 3bptr, (9fptr, 3bptr) 7 times, 9fptr, 3bptr, 2fptr. Turn.

Row 6              Ch4, 2bptr, 1fptr, (11bptr, 1fptr) 8 times, 2bptr. Turn.

Row 7              Ch4, (3bptr, 9fptr) 8 times, 3bptr, 2fptr. Turn.

Row 8              Ch4, (5fptr, 7bptr) 8 times, 5fptr. Turn.

Row 9              Ch4, 5bptr, (5fptr, 7bptr) 8 times. Turn.

Row 10            Ch4, 7fptr, (3bptr, 9fptr) 7 times, 3bptr, 7fptr. Turn.

Row 11            Ch4, 7bptr, (1fptr, 11bptr) 7 times, 1fptr, 9bptr. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2-11 5 ½ times, ending after a Row 7. Finish off and weave in ends.

Stitch count at end of centre panel: 102 stitches, 67 rows.

White Frame 1

Row 1 - Join yarn with a standing dc in any stitch of last row of central panel. [Dc in each stitch across to the corner. In corner space (3dc, 2ch, 5dc). In next row end 2dc. 2dc in each row end to the next corner space. In corner space (5dc, 2ch, 3dc).] Repeat. Slip stitch to first standing dc.

Rows 2-4 - 3ch, dc in each dc. (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in each corner space. Finish off and weave in ends after Row 4.

Mini-Diamond Band

Row 1 Join pink yarn in corner stitch before short side with standing dc. (dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner space. ** Dc in next (hidden) dc. Skip 1dc, (3dc in next dc, skip 2dc) 37 times, (or until you have 3dc left in row), 3dc in next dc, skip 1 dc, dc in next dc. In corner space (2dc, ch2, 2dc), skip 1 dc, (3dc in next dc, skip 2) 49 times (or until 2dc left before corner), 3dc in next dc, skip 1dc, in corner (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). ** Repeat from ** to **. Slip stitch to first dc.

Row 2 3ch, dc in next dc. ** In corner space (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). Dc in next 3dc. 2ch, (dc3tog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until 3dc left before corner, 2ch, dc in next 3 dc, in corner (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). Dc in next 2 dc, 2ch, (dc3tog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until 2dc left before corner. 2ch, dc in next 2 dc. ** Repeat from ** to **, omitting final 2dc on repeat. Slip stitch to initial 3ch, finish off and weave in ends.

Row 3 With white yarn, join with a standing sc in any 3ch space. 2sc in same space, 3sc in each 3ch space, 1sc in 2ch space, sc in each dc, (sc, 2ch, sc) in corner. Repeat to end of row. Slip stitch to first standing sc and finish off.

Row 4 Join pink with standing dc in corner space before short side. (dc, 2ch, 2dc) in same space. ** Dc in next 3sc, skip 1, (3dc in next sc, skip 2) – repeat until 4sc before corner. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next 2 sc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in corner. Dc in next 2 dc, skip 1, (3dc in next dc, skip 2) – repeat until 3 stitches remaining before corner. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next sc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). ** Repeat from ** to **.

Row 5 3ch, dc in next dc, ** (2dc, 2 ch, 2dc in corner), dc in next 5 dc, ch2, (dc3tog in next 3dc, ch3) – repeat until one 3dc cluster left before corner. Dc3tog in next 3dc, ch2, dc in next 4dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). Dc in next 4 dc, ch2, (3dctog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until one 3dc cluster before corner. 3dctog in next 3dc, ch2, dc in next 3dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). ** Repeat from ** to **

Row 6 Repeat Row 3

Row 7 Join pink yarn in corner stitch before short side with standing dc. (dc, ch2, 2dc) in corner space. **DC in next 5 dc, skip 1, (3dc in next sc, skip 2) – repeat until there are 5 stitches remaining in row. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next 3dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). Dc in  next 4 sc, skip 1, (3dc in next sc, skip 2) – repeat until 4dc left in row. 3dc in next sc, skip 1, dc in next 2 sc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner).** Repeat ** to **.

Row 8 3ch, dc in next dc. ** In corner space (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). Dc in next 7 dc, ch2, (dc3tog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until one 3dc cluster remaining. Dc3tog in next 3dc, 2ch, dc in next 5 dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner). Dc in next 6dc, 2ch, (3dctog in next 3dc, 3ch) – repeat until one 3dc cluster before corner. 3dctog in next 3dc, ch2, dc in next 4dc, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc in corner).** Repeat from ** to **.

Row 9 Repeat Row 3.

White Frame 2

Row 1 – Join white yarn with a standing dc in any sc. Dc in each stitch, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in each corner space. Join with slip stitch to first standing dc.

Rows 2-4 – Repeat rows 2-4 of White Frame 1 above.

Post Diamond Band

Row 1 Join pink yarn in corner space before a short side with standing tr (or 4ch). (1tr, 2ch, 2tr) in same space. Tr in each stitch to next corner space (don’t miss the hidden stitch!). In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Repeat to end of row. Slst to standing tr or 4^th chain.

Row 2 Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 1 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 1). **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next stitch. (fptr in next stitch, bptr in next 7 stitches) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next stitch. Tr in next stitch.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last tr on final repeat. Slst to first stitch of Row 2.

Row 3  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 2 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 2). Tr in next stitch. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next two stitches. (3fptr, 5bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 3 stitches. Tr in next 2 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last two tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 3.

           

Row 4  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 3 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 3). Tr in next 2 stitches. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 3 stitches. (5fptr, 3bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 5 stitches. Tr in next 3 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last two tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 4.

Row 5  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 4 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 4).Tr in next 3 stitches. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 4 stitches. (7fptr, 1bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 7 stitches. Tr in next 4 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last  4tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 5.

Row 6  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 5 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 5). Tr in next 4 stitches. **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 7 stitches. (5fptr, 3bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 5 stitches. Tr in next 7 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last 4tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 6.

Row 7  Stacked standing tr in first stitch of Row 6 (or 4ch up and skip first stitch of Row 6). Tr in next 5 stitches.  **In corner space, (2tr, 2ch, 2tr). Tr in next 10 stitches. (3fptr, 5bptr) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fptr in next 3 stitches. Tr in next 10 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last  5tr on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 7.

Row 8  Stacked standing dc in first stitch of Row 7 (or 3ch up and skip first stitch of Row 7). dc in next 6 stitches. **In corner space, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc). dc in next 13 stitches. (1fpdc, 3bpdc) 20 times (short side) or 24 times (long side). Fpdc in next stitch. dc in next 13 stitches.** Repeat ** to ** 3 times. Omit last 6dc on final repeat, slst to first stitch of Row 8.

White Frame 3

Row 1 – Join white yarn with a standing dc in any tr. Dc in each stitch, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in each corner space. Join with a slip stitch to first standing dc.

Rows 2-4 – Repeat rows 2-4 of White Frame 1 above.

Crab stitch edging

Using 2 strands of pink yarn and 3.75mm hook, join yarn in any dc. Reverse single crochet (crab stitch) in each stitch around, doing 2 in each corner space. Finish off, weave in all ends.