Baby Gift Set

I decided to make a cute, puppy themed gift set for a friend's baby shower. Set includes a lovey/security blanket/blankie buddy, two wash cloths, and a loofa that stretches out flat to dry. Lots of patterns referenced for this project, plus some parts that I came up with on my own. (I wish I had made the puppy ears bigger. If I ever try this one again, I'll revisit my puppy ear pattern, below.)

Everything was made using Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn & a 4.25mm/G hook, ignoring any & all yarn & hook suggestions in all the original patterns linked below.

Puppy Lovey/Blankie Buddy

 

 


Inspired by this Security Blanket Bunny pattern.

Start with a cloth made in your favorite pattern, worked up to approximately 18" x 18". A center-start, in-the-round pattern will be ideal. I used the Baby Granny Three Ways pattern from Ravelry, worked up to round 13. I finished the cloth as follows: Rnd 14: Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). In back loops only, sc in ea dc across; at corners, work (2sc, ch 1, 2sc) in ch1 sp. Join to beginning of Rnd 14 with sl st. Finish off. Rnd 15: Join contrasting color at any sc. Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc of rnd). Sc in ea sc across; at corners, work (2sc, ch 1, 2sc) in ch 1 sp. Join to beginning of Rnd 15 with sl st. Rnd 16: Ch 2. Work sc in sc to right of your current place (=crab stitch). Continue with 1 crab stitch in ea sc across; at corners, work 1 crab stitch in ch 1 sp. Join to beginning of Rnd 16 with sl st. (You likely won't be able to see an easy spot to join, like you would in normal sc. Just fudge it & sl st wherever it looks best to you.) Finish off.

Puppy Head

Rnd 1: Magic Ring. Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). 5 scs in ring. Join to 2nd ch w/ sl st. (6 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). 2 sc in ea sc. Join to 2nd ch w/ sl st. (12 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). * 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc. Repeat from * around. Join to 2nd ch w/ sl st. (18 sc)

Rnd 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). 1 sc in next sc. * 2 sc in next sc. 1 sc in ea of next 2 sc. Repeat from * around. Join to 2nd ch w/ sl st. (24 sc)

Rnd 5-8: Repeat Rnd 4.

Rnd 9: Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). 1 sc in nest sc. * Work dec over next 2 sc. 1 sc in ea of next 2 sc. Repeat from * around. Join to 2nd ch w/ sl st. (18 sc)

Rnd 10: Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). * Work dec over next 2 sc. 1 sc in next sc. Repeat from * around. Join to 2nd ch w/ sl st. (12 sc)

Rnd 11: Ch1, pull up loop in next sc, yarn over, pull loop through both loops on hook (counts as first dec). * Work dec over next 2 sc. Repeat from * around. Join to beginning of Rnd 11 w/ sl st. Finish off, leaving long tail for sewing later. (6 sc)

Embroider eyes, nose, & mouth in desired position.

Left Ear

Magic Ring. Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). 3 sc in ring. Ch 2. 2 sc in ring. Join to 2nd ch. Ch 2. Sc in same place of joining. Sc in ea of next 2 sc. Finish off.

Right Ear

Magic Ring. Ch 2 (counts as 1st sc). 4 sc in ring. Ch 2. 1 sc in ring. Join to 2nd ch. Ch 2. Sc in same place of joining. Sc in ea of next 2 sc. Finish off.

Paw Print Applique

I used a pattern for Paw Print Earrings to make the paw print applique for the blankie.

Assembly

Sew ears to opposite sides of head, with points of ears facing forward and down, right sides facing out. 

Stuff head with stuffing or scrap yarn. Sew head to center of blankie.

Sew paw print to one of the front corners of the blankie.

Finish off all ends.

Wash Cloths

    

 

I used two different patterns for the sake of variety. One wash cloth was done in the Oh So Soft Baby Washcloths pattern on Ravelry. I started this one with a row of foundation sc, instead of a base chain. The other wash cloth was done in this Crocheted Square Washcloth pattern. Both were finished with the same 2-row border as the blankie was. Both also got a paw print applique to match the one on the blankie.

Loofa

 

I used this Bath Puff pattern to make the loofa, swapping the hearts at the ends of the ties with more paw prints. My only change to the original pattern was to work the last row as ch 2, sl st, repeat, rather than the pattern's ch3, sl st, repeat.

The gifts were well received! One of the other party goers said I need to make her a set whenever she has a baby shower. :)

Catnip Cake

My latest crafty endeavor was a gift for my Maine Coon cat, Tali! Her birthday is on the Fourth of July. This year, she turned four. The fur-kid is a bit spoiled, I suppose, seeing as I like to do a little something for her for each birthday. In the past, it's been a new toy, but funds are tight and the urge to create things has been strong lately, so I decided I'd stash bust and make her a toy this year.

I tried to free hand this one, making the pattern up as I went, but it just wasn't turning out right. So, Ravelry to the rescue again! Here's the pattern I worked up.

I used a 2.25mm hook, purple worsted weight yarn, mint worsted weight yarn, & pink fingering weight yarn.

Bottom tier is supposed to be one row higher, but I goofed when reading the pattern. Oh well. I like how mine turned out better. :)

Flowers were made as follows:
Make a magic ring. * Ch3, sl st inside ring. Rep from * for a total of 5 petals. Sl st in very 1st ch. Pull magic ring closed. Weave in ends to connect first & last flower petals.

The flowers & cake tiers were securely sewn & tied to prolong the life of the toy & ensure kitty safety. (Can't have those flowers coming off & getting eaten!)



Cake was stuffed with scrap yarn (yay stash busting!) and LOTS of catnip!!!

Tali loved her new toy & mauled it immediately. :D



So, yeah. I crocheted a cake. For my cat. For her birthday. My Crazy Cat Lady Membership Card should arrive in the mail any day now. ;)