Squirrel Picnic

Handmade with Love and Stuff

Category Archives: Crochet It


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The Sun’s So Bright Even the Statues Need Shades… Croshades

CroshadesTake a summer stroll down famous Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, and one of the first things you’ll notice is the beautiful landscaping, including picturesque flowerbeds and statues. Walking along on my lunch break one day, I realized that all of these statues must get pretty hot in the summer sun. It should come as no surprise that my next thought was “I should crochet them some sunglasses.”

So that’s exactly what I did. And on a particularly nice day in late July, I set off down Pearl Street with my friend Becky McKay (also known as the Cereal Baker) to help out some statues. It was by far the most fun I have ever had downtown! People really seemed to get a kick out of us. Tourists photographed our handiwork. A waiter at Trattoria got in on our fun. Even the cops were smiling. Now I just want to make more and cover the world’s statues with crocheted sunglasses, which Becky dubbed “croshades.”

Becky Wears Croshades

Becky the Cereal Baker wears croshades.

Isn’t that a great name? Can you think of a better product? Okay, maybe glasses you can actually see out of would be better. I’m on it! Becky just challenged me to crochet such a pair.

I wonder what they will look like. Will they be like the shutter shades of the ’80s? Will the lenses be lacy or covered in fringe? Or will they look like LeVar Burton’s Geordi La Forge glasses? You’ll have to stay tuned for the Make It! Challenge, Croshades Edition, slated for early next year.

Until then, crochet a pair of these beauties with my croshades pattern. I think it goes without saying that you shouldn’t wear these while driving, operating heavy machinery, or well, moving about in any way. They’re really just for decorating your favorite inanimate objects.

Here’s one thing to keep in mind when you go yarnbombing. While croshades work really well on statues with ears, it’s good to bring a little extra yarn with you in case you need to tie your croshades on the statue.

Whatever you do, be sure to take pictures. Send them to squirrelpicnic{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll add them to our Croshades album on Facebook and do a follow-up post here.

Check out these photos of our fun on Pearl Street.

Mountain lions wear croshades.
The chefs at Trattoria wear croshades.
Lions wear croshades.
The Rocket Fizz Spiderman wears croshades.
Wolves wear croshades.
Shrubs wear croshades.
The legendary Montbell bear wears croshades.
Big cats wear croshades.

Croshades Pattern Continue reading →


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Crochet a Koala with This Pattern from Down Under

KoalaOn the cute scale, I think koalas rank about a 9 – right up there with pandas and piglets. They’re definitely one of the cutest animals in the outback. My friend Sharon knows koala cuteness. In Melbourne, Sharon teaches classes in fiber arts and runs the blog gentlestitches, which features patterns for her aussiegurumi, the name she’s given her adorable crocheted creations.

I made this koala using her pattern. The goatee was my own addition. I’ve always thought that koalas look like they have goatees.

You can make a koala, too, with her free pattern.


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Cuddly Robot Crochet Pattern

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Introducing the newest resident of Squirrel Picnic… MEAP! This cuddly little robot made his debut in the Squirrel Picnic comic last weekend. Now I’m providing the pattern so you can make a robot too. And you may not know it yet, but you need a robot. Your cuddly robot can help you in many ways. He’s great for dusting the house and mopping up spills. Glue on a magnet and he can mind your small tools, metal parts, and trinkets. He can even cheer you up when you are sad or just look cute on your desktop.

Crochet MEAP the Robot Pattern Continue reading →


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Knit and Crochet on the Go

You may find it interesting to know that I don’t spend my days playing with yarn. As much as I would love to do that, I need a full-time job to support my yarn habit. I work in the editorial department of a greeting card company and do most of my knitting and crocheting on my two-hour round trip commute. And don’t worry, although I once saw a driver knitting behind the wheel, I’ve never tried it. I’d rather take the bus.

Anyone who’s traveled with a yarn project can tell you the importance of having a good kit to hold your project and supplies. Whether you’re commuting by bus like I am or you’re packing for a summer vacation, here are some articles to help you get organized so you can take your skills on the road, and read on to find out about the kit I finally chose. Continue reading →


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Crochet Picnic Basket Pattern

A picnic basket is the perfect summer accessory for your crocheted squirrel friends. 

Crochet Picnic Basket

Picnic Basket

Difficulty rating 1

Finished size is 2″ tall.

Materials:

Size 0 (3.25 mm) steel crochet hook
Small amount of Vanna’s Choice Worsted Weight in Honey
Pipe cleaner cut to about 2″

Instructions:

Ch 2

Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)

Round 3: *1 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat from * 5 more times. (18) Join with slst.

Rounds 4-7: Sc in the BL of each sc around. Join with slst.  Do Not FO.

Bend the pipe cleaner into the shape of a handle and arrange in the basket. Sc around the pipe cleaner (about 15 sts) and slst in the sc of the top row on the opposite side of the basket. FO and weave in ends. Trim ends of pipe cleaner.

Fill the basket with yummy things and take your squirrel on a picnic!