Another Easy Crochet Pattern Share - snowman coffee cup coozy

I do a lot of socializing at Starbucks and I meet a lot of people by simply crocheting in public. It's an amazingly simple marketing/networking strategy. Here's an easy-peasy pattern that I use to draw attention to myself!

I like to use a J hook but you can adapt this to any hook you like to use.
I used 2 strands of yarn for most of the coozy (Knit Picks Cotlin DK for the scarf and hat, Knit Picks Shine Sport for the face). I really think that 2 strands, no matter the weight, makes it look better.
scraps of black and orange - both of these happened to be Shine Worsted.

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
sc3tog - single crochet together
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
slst - slip stitch
sk - skip

I like to use a no-chain single crochet foundation row b/c it leaves such a pretty edge. Here's a video tutorial which I totally think is necessary if you've never done a foundation row before.

Foundation Row: 29 stitches or 9 inches, being careful not to twist the row and slst join, do not turn
R2: ch1, sc in the same stitch as the slst, sc around, slst join
CHANGE YARN HERE to white for snowman face
R3-6: ch2, hdc in the same stitch as the slst, hdc around, slst join
CHANGE YARN HERE to hat color
R7 and hat: ch2, hdc in the same stitch as the slst, hdc 17, TURN,
ch1, sk next stitch, sc in the next stitch, sc 7, slst in next stitch, TURN,
ch1, sk slst, sc in next stitch, sc7, slst in last stitch, TURN,
ch1, sk slst, sc in next stitch, sc5, slst in last stitch, TURN,
ch1, sk slst, sc in next stitch, sc 2, sc2tog, slst in last stitch, TURN,
ch1, sk slst, sc in next stitch, sc2togslst in last stitch, TURN,
ch1 sk slst, sc2tog, ch1, sc down the side, hdc in the same space as the last stitch before the first turn, continue hdc around the round, slst join
R8: slst around R7, keep going thru the hat portion, not around it, join and bind off.  I do the seamless join with this that I learned from The Lovely Crow - pull the end thru the last slst so there's a loose end on the outside; with a yarn needle, thread the loose end, then go under the first slst in the round and back thru the last slst so you can't find the join.

Scarf end
I only use 1 strand of the scarf color for this so it lays down nicely. Leave a long tail (8 inches or so) at the beginning.
R1: ch4, sc in second chain from hook, sc to end
R2-3: ch2, hdc in same stitch, hdc across
R4: ch1, slst across
use 4 strand for fringe, slst on. I wanted to use 3 section but I only fit 2 on. I also tucked my end into the closest fringe - that's my favorite part of fringe - no weaving in ends!

PomPom
I really don't like making pompoms but...IT'S JUST SO CUTE! Here's a tutorial - I only used 2 fingers for this since it's a mini.

Eyes (make 2)
10 sc in your magic ring (complete with cheesy music, here's Planet June's video tutorial), invisible join and bind off.

Carrot nose
ch4, slst in second chain from the hook, sc in next stitch, hdc in last stitch, bind off.

PUT IT TOGETHER: Use the loose ends at the bottom to finish that edge - I pull it thru the bottom of the last stitch and tie it off like I do a sewing stitch. Weave in the ends including the ones from the bottom. Using long tails, sew on the scarf, eyes and nose. Weave in those ends. Fold down the hat and sew on the pompom through both the tip of the hat and the coozy. Weave in those ends and VOILA! Enjoy your yummy drink (butterbeer anyone?)

nah - this one's better for the Butterbeer!

(This pattern hasn't been tested by others, just by me. If you find a mistake, send me a message or leave a comment)

Also - Introducing PRINCESSES! to my fabric sandwich bag repertoire!

V-A-C-A-TION in the summer sun!

I've got Connie Francis on my mind b/c, well, I'm headed out on vacation shortly but I thought that I'd leave you with a challenge before I go - I'm talking a Special Olympics challenge!


Each year, the Special Olympics USA organizers ask crafters and hobbiests to knit and crochet scarves for the athletes. Here's the official scarf project website and it's sorted by state. Basically, make a scarf (6 inches wide, 54-60 inches long) out of Red Heart yarn in Cherry Red/Really Red and Soft Navy (has to include both colors) and send it to your state's scarf program by the due date (VA is Jan 16, 2012 so we've got time but get on this)

So, my gift in this challenge is that I will walk you thru my planning for the scarf I'm going to make and include a knitting pattern for the year.

So my friend Leigh puts a link on Facebook about this scarves for the Special Olympics program for 2011 but they're due in 2 weeks and I'm already swamped. So I don't do it but I keep it in my mind for the next year. Leigh posts again when 2012 colors are posted - I head to JoAnn's. I get the last SuperSaver of Soft Navy (I also get a supersaver of cherry red but there's plenty of these in stock). I run into Leigh - guess she's going to start after me when more soft navy comes in.

I have a million ideas for different scarves (mostly crochet since I do it up faster) but really think that it'd be nice to put the date on the scarf so I remember Kris Patay's knitting blog where she has washcloth patterns (love me a mystery KAL) including a 2010 1/2 sized cloth! PERFECT! I'll do a 2012 one in similar style. I've modified other people's charted patterns before and written in my stockinette knitting (almost done with my cousin's wedding present - knitted their names, a shamrock - they were married in Ireland, and the date). So I find a graph paper template on the internet and I'm off!

First I draw out my numbers



Then I write out the pattern (Kris reverses hers but I always go wrong)



I used #4 needles and several stitch markers
This ended up measuring 4.5 inches tall and 9.5 inches long before blocking

co 39 stitches

R1-4: seed stitch (K1P1 across) really, this can be done for a wider border - 6 rows would probably be better - but I was worried about keeping with the 6" width. turns out, not a problem

R5: seed stitch first 4 stitches (I think it's K1P1K1P1 but might be P1K1P1K1), place first stitch marker, P32, place next stitch marker, seed stitch last 4 stitches (K1P1K1P1)

R6 and all evens to row 30): seed first 4 stitches, knit across, slipping stitch markers onto other needle as you go, to last 4 stitches, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R7: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P32, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R9: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P2, add stitch marker, K6, P1 add stitch marker, P2, K2, P3 add stitch marker, K6, P1 add stitch marker, K6, P2, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R11: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P2, K6, P2, K4, P2, K6, P1, K6, P2, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R13: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P2, K2, P5, K2, P2, K2, P3, K2, P3, K2, P6, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R15: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P3, K2, P4, K2, P2, K2, P3, K2, P4, K2, P5, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R17: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P4, K2, P3, K2, P2, K2, P3, K2, P5, K2, P4, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R19: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P5, K2, P2, K2, P2, K2, P3, K2, P6, K2, P3, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R21: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P6, K2, P1, K2, P2, K2, P3, K2, P7, K2, P2, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R23: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P2, K2, P2, K2, P1, K2, P2, K2, P1, K4, P3, K2, P2, K2, P2, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R25: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P3, K4, P3, K4, P3, K3, P4, K4, P3, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R27: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P4, K2, P5, K2, P5, K2, P5, K2, P4, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R29: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P32, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R31: seed stitch first 4 stitches, P32, seed stitch last 4 stitchesseed stitch first 4 stitches, P32, seed stitch last 4 stitches

R32-35: Seed stitch across

Cast off in pattern I personally don't like how it seed stitch cast off looks so I just cast off the way I'm most comfortable

Now I'm going to use the Soft Navy (and a really big crochet hook) to crochet the rest of the scarf - this piece inset on one side and a cell phone/camera pocket on the other side.



Have fun and send me links to your scarf projects! Link a hosted picture in the comments, tag me or post on my wall on facebook, or send me a message on Ravelry (I'm Hamburke) but most importantly - SPREAD THE WORD!

<3, Karin