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Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Whimsical Castle Pattern


Hello, my fantasy crochet friends! Today, I'm thrilled to re-introduce to you a quirky project that's sure to spark joy in your crafting journey – the Whimsical Castle Toy Bag! 🏰✨

This is an OG pattern of mine from 2006 that has gotten a recent update and rewrite. It was one of the first patterns that I wrote out, so it was definitely lacking in the style department. But, I recently reconfigured it so that it has more stability and integrity and it now stands on its own. Plus, I redesigned the roof so it helps in the stability of the castle instead of being too wonky to be any good. Yay! I'm really excited about the fact that this little pattern has had the chance to have some new life breathed into it. My testers were very happy with the changes, so if you ever made this pattern when it was in its original state, I hope you are happy with the changes too.

Let's set the mood.

Regardless of your level of crochet expertise, this charming little castle-inspired bag, complete with a rippled roof and a tie closure that playfully peeks through the window, is going to be a fun and enchanting project. It works up quickly and uses very basic stitches. 

What makes this project truly magical is its versatility. While the pattern is designed for a compact size, perfect for storing small treasures or even as a cozy home for tiny characters, you can customize it to your heart's content. Want a grander castle fit for a fairy tale kingdom? Simply scale up the yarn weight, and voila! Your imagination is the only limit.

Recommendations:

Now, let's talk materials. While you can use any yarn weight for this project, I highly recommend worsted weight or bigger. Why, you ask? Well, not only does it give your castle bag a sturdy structure, but it also provides ample space for creating those adorable miniature characters to inhabit its whimsical walls. Think of it as a blank canvas just waiting for your creative touch!

With just 2 ounces of yarn needed, this project is perfect for stash-busting! Say goodbye to your leftover yarn scraps gathering dust in your closet and hello to a charming castle toy bag that's as practical as it is whimsical.

What can you use it for?

This project isn't just about crocheting; it's about spreading joy and wonder to those around you. Imagine gifting this charming castle toy bag at a baby shower for parents who adore fantasy-based toys. It's a thoughtful gesture that's sure to earn you some major brownie points – and perhaps a few requests for your next crochet masterpiece!

Here is my favorite pattern for filling this castle, but you can use any small fantasy character to put inside: 


I just stuffed them with fiberfill and closed up the bottoms of the finger puppets. They are the PERFECT size for this castle. They were actually the inspiration for me to design this castle in the first place. I wanted to give them as a gift, but I felt like they needed something to hold them all together...hence, the castle!

Free on the blog or a PDF upgrade.

Now, here's the best part – the pattern for the Whimsical Castle Toy Bag is available for free on my blog- just scroll down! You can dive into this enchanting project without another thought. But, for those who prefer a convenient PDF format, I also offer a PDF upgrade option. You can purchase the pattern on Etsy, Ravelry, or my Website, just click a picture below:




Thank you for your support!!

We're going on an adventure!!

If you're ready to get crocheting, grab your crochet hook, raid your yarn stash, and let's embark on a magical journey together. Whether you're crafting for yourself or spreading joy to others, the Whimsical Castle Toy Bag is going to bring a touch of enchantment to your crochet adventures.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

X's and O's Baby Blanket





It's called X's and O's Baby Blanket. It is uber cute when it's done and I worked it in two strands of Lion Softee Baby throughout so it's ultra soft and creamy too!

X's and O's Baby Blanket
Skill: Easy

X's and O's Baby Blanket copyright © 3/9/06 Elizabeth Mareno

Supplies: J hook
MC- Sport yarn- approx 10 oz
CC #1- Sport yarn- approx 6-8 oz
CC #2- Sport yarn- approx 3 oz
(Amounts are estimated. Sample uses Bernat Softee Baby in "Baby Denims" for MC, Bernat Softee Baby in "Lemon" for CC #2 and Caron Simply Soft in "White" for CC #1)
Blunt Needle

**Note** Afghan is worked holding two strands of yarn together at all times.
**Specialty Stitches**
X-Stitch: worked over 2 st. Skip first st, tr in next st. Working behind tr just made, work tr in skipped st.
Bobble: (YO, insert hook in designated st, YO, pull through, YO, pull through 2 loops)3 times. YO, pull through 4 loops left on the hook. One bobble made.
Ch 3 counts as dc throughout
Ch 4 counts as tr throughout

With MC & CC #1,ch 78
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across. (76)
Row 2(RS): ch 4, work X-stitch across, tr in top ch of ch 3. (76)
Row 3: ch 3, dc in each tr across, dc in top ch of ch 4. (76)
Row 4: ch 3, dc in each dc across, dc in top ch of ch 3.
Rows 5-7: Repeat row 4
Row 8: Repeat row 2
Row 9: Repeat row 3. Change CC #1 to CC #2
Row 10: ch 1, sc in each dc across. (76)
Row 11: ch 2, hdc in next sc, (create bobble in next sc, hdc in next 4 sc) 14 times, bobble, hdc in last 3 sc. (76)
Row 12: Repeat row 10. Change CC#2 to CC #1
Rows 13-36: Repeat rows 1-12 three times.
Rows 37-45: Repeat rows 1-9 once. Finish off.

Edging:
Row 1: Attach MC/CC#2 in top right dc with a ch 1. Sc in same st, sc evenly around afghan, putting 3 sc in each corner, ending with 2 sc in same st as first sc. join with sl st.
Row 2: ch 2, turn. Hdc in next 2 sc, work bobble, * (hdc in next 4 sc, work bobble st) to next corner, 3 hdc in corner sc*, work from * to * 2 more times. (hdc in next 4 sc, work bobble st) to next corner, 2 hdc in same st as first hdc. join with sl st.
Row 3: ch 1, turn. sc in same st, sc in each hdc around, putting 3 sc in corners, ending with 2 sc in same st as first sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Groundkeeper's Hut Crochet Pattern - Part 5 - Decorations

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