Squirrel Picnic

Handmade with Love and Stuff


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The Basic Cookie Crochet Pattern

Sugar Cookie with SprinklesI thought we’d start off the Great Cookie Countdown with the easiest and most versatile of the patterns — your basic sugar cookie. Using embellishments like beads or embroidery, you can make a variety of cookies from this one pattern. Later I will show you how to use this pattern to make an iced sugar cookie and a chocolate chip cookie.

Visit the Great Cookie Countdown Page for the story behind this series and a complete directory of Christmas cookie ornaments.

The Basic Cookie Crochet Pattern…

Difficulty rating 1

Finished size: 3″ in diameter and about 1″ tall

Materials:

* If you are making this for a child, please consider embroidering the eyes and sprinkles.

Small amount of worsted weight yarn in beige
(Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand in Beige)
G-6 (4.00 mm) crochet hook
Polyester Fiberfill (about a golf-ball-size amount for each cookie)
Tapestry needle
Ribbon for hanging (optional)

For optional sprinkles:
Beads — I used size 6/0 (3.3 mm)
Thread

For smiley face:
6 mm black safety eyes or small round black buttons
Black embroidery floss

Gauge:

5 sts = 1”
5 rnds = 1”

Instructions:

Bottom

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. Slst in 1st sc to join. (12)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, * sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (18)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (24)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, * 3 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (30)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, * 4 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. Slst in 1st sc to join. (36)

FO and weave in ends.

Top

Ch 2

Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12)

Rnd 3: * sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (18)

Rnd 4: * 2 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (24)

Rnd 5: * 3 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (30)

Rnd 6: * 4 sc, inc, rep from * 5 more times. (36)

FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Stack top and bottom together with RS facing out. Using the long tail from the top, sew together along the edges. When you’re a little more than halfway around, stuff very lightly before sewing the rest together.

Sugar Cookie

Embroider a design, as if with icing.

Drizzled sugar cookie

Or sew on beads for sprinkles.

Sugar Cookie with Sprinkles2And don’t forget the smiley face!

To proudly display your cookies, you might arrange them on a plate for Santa
or thread a ribbon through a stitch on the edge and hang them on your Christmas tree.


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The Great Cookie Countdown to Christmas Begins!

Crochet Christmas Cookie PlatterEvery year my company holds a Christmas cookie exchange in December. I’ve  participated for several years, but last year I was so busy with the blog that I didn’t have time to do any baking. I even joked with one of my coworkers that I should crochet the cookies instead. So this year, that’s exactly what I’m doing.

I’ve designed 8 different crochet cookies: some of them are American favorites and some are popular all over the world. I’ll publish the patterns over the next few weeks, so you can make these cookies as well. They’ll look very festive on a platter or as ornaments on your tree. And I’ll be sure to let you know how my platter of crocheted cookies goes over at the company cookie exchange.

If you have a favorite cookie that you think I should try to re-create in yarn, let me know. I hope to make this a holiday tradition at the picnic and would love to try to include your cookie next year.

Cookie Directory

Basic Sugar Cookie

Candy Cane Sugar Cookie

Chocolate Chip Cookie

A Christmas Story Leg Lamp Cookie

Frosted Snowflake Sugar Cookie

Gingerbread Man

Pizzelle (Italian Waffle Cookie)

Wreath Spritz


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Pattern for Crochet Acorns and Fantastic Ways to Use Them

Hodge and Eric showed us over the last few weeks how acorns are a treasured gift among squirrels, but I think the crocheted variety could come in handy for us humans too. Below are some unique and creative ways you might use these acorns. And, as always, here’s the free pattern to make your very own!

My pattern includes instructions on making a cap and a bottom, which you sew together to form an acorn. If instead you don’t sew the cap to the bottom of the acorn, you’ll have a unique gift box in which to hide a little present.

Gift Acorn

Add acorns to a fall wreath or mantel display.

Acorn Decor

Crochet your acorns in holiday colors or all white and hang them on your tree or display them in a decorative bowl on your coffee table.

White Acorn

String a cord through the stem and wear the acorn as a necklace.

Acorn Necklace

Use bright colors and a crochet hook size H-8 (5.0 mm) or larger to make an acorn like Eric’s bioengineered one. These acorns would make wonderful pincushions, present toppers, or even cat toys.

Neon Acorn

Crochet Acorn Pattern Continue reading


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A Gift You Still Have Time to Make: Super Comfy, Super Quick Knit Scarf

Super Comfy, Super Quick Scarf free knit pattern by Squirrel PicnicThis scarf is the answer for those of us who want to give a handmade gift but are running out of time to make something really special. Bulky yarn, large knitting needles, and a very easy stitch allow for this scarf to be whipped up in under 3 hours (at least that’s how long it took me and I’m not a very fast knitter).

What makes this pattern special, though, is that it creates a fun, unique texture that looks intricate. The lucky person who receives this scarf will never suspect you knit it in an afternoon.

Super Comfy, Super Quick Knit Scarf

Difficulty rating 2

For this pattern you will need to know basic knitting stitches, including how to do a basic knit cast on, knit a stitch, yarn over, pass a stitch, and bind off. For your convenience, I’ve provided a step-by-step photo tutorial, with links to additional video resources, below the pattern. Enjoy!

Finished Size: 6 inches x 76 inches

Materials

Bernat Roving bulky yarn in Cranberry,
80% acrylic, 20% wool, 3.5 oz (100 g)/120 yds (109 m): 2 balls

Size 35 (19 mm) knitting needles

Note: The yarn is doubled throughout this pattern.

Directions

CO 10 stitches.

Row 1: k1, *yo, k2, pass the yarn over st over both knit sts, repeat from * across to last st, k1.

Repeat row 1 for every row.

BO loosely and weave in ends.

Here’s a tutorial to help you complete your scarf.

You will need 2 balls of yarn for this project. (Unlike the balls of yarn pictured here, you will use full balls of yarn. See materials above.) You will also need a set of size 35 (19 mm) knitting needles.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf Materials

Double up your yarn: one strand from each ball. You will be working with 2 strands at once throughout the pattern.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 2

Let’s begin by casting on our stitches. Make a slipknot with your doubled strands of yarn.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 3

Place the slipknot on one knitting needle and hold it in your left hand.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 4

1. Insert the other knitting needle and position it behind the first, as if to knit.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 5

2. Wrap the working yarn around this right-handed needle and bring it to the front. This is a yarn over (yo), which we will use later in the pattern in addition to casting on (CO).

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 6

3. Move the tip of your right needle down and to the front, drawing the yarn-over strands down and through the slipknot as you go.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 7

4. Pull this yarn over through and place it on the left handed needle.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 8

Now you have 2 stitches on your needle.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 9

Repeat steps 1-4 until you have 10 stitches on your needle.
Remember, the yarn is doubled, so when you count your stitches, count in pairs.

If you’d like more help with the knit cast on, check out this video by Kelley Johnson.

Now let’s work the pattern. Knit the first stitch (k1).

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 11

Yarn over (yo).

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 12

Knit the next stitch by inserting your needle as you normally would and wrap the working yarn around behind the right-hand needle, between the needles, and to the front.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 13.1

Complete the stitch as you normally would to knit.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 13.2

And knit the next stitch as well.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 14

Now to pass the yarn-over stitch, insert your needle into the front of the yarn-over stitch (it’s the third one back on your right needle).

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 15

Lift it up and over the two stitches you just knit.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 16

Pull it off your needle and let it go.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 17

Repeat these steps (“yo, k2, pass the yarn over st over both knit sts” in the pattern) until there is only one stitch remaining on your left needle.

Knit the last stitch.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 18

Now you have completed your first row.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf 19

Keep repeating the pattern for each row until you run out of yarn. Then BO loosely.

It might seem a little tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, your needles will start to fly and you’ll have a unique scarf in no time.

Super Comfy, Super Quick Knit Scarf Free Pattern by Squirrel Picnic

Look at how thick and luxurious it will be!

Super Comfy, Super Quick Knit Scarf by Squirrel Picnic

And finally, here is a closeup of the stitches that make up this pattern.

Squirrel Picnic Knit Scarf Stitch Pattern Swatch


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Springerles: Celebrate the Holidays with This Traditional German Cookie

The springerle is an anise-flavored, eggshell-white cookie that is said to have originated from German-speaking parts of Europe. Typically baked for the holidays, this cookie is best known for its beautiful embossed designs.

I have many fond memories of Christmasses spent with family, the adults relishing the springerles my mother had baked while the kids nibbled at less exotic treats. We kids all considered the springerle to be a stuffy, grownup cookie. “An acquired taste,” my mother would say. I remember how at these holiday gatherings the adult conversation would always turn to a debate over the best way to eat the springerles. Some would claim that they are best when they’re less than a week old and still soft. Others would swear that you should never eat them until at least two weeks had passed, until they are rock hard and require dipping in tea or soaking in rum in order to eat them without breaking a tooth. I didn’t care for them as a child, but the first time I tried one as an adult, I was hooked. Anyone who loves the flavor of licorice will love this cookie too. Continue reading