Let's get ready for the August "Cow Lovey Crochet Along!" For this CAL we took a vote in the VIP group on Facebook on which pattern to do together and the majority voted to make the new pattern I recently published called the "Baby Cow Lovey!" Woo Hoo!
This is how the CAL will work! Each Saturday in August I will post one part of the "Baby Cow Lovey" pattern here on the blog for us to crochet together! That gives us a total of 4 weeks for this Crochet Along! I will post notifications in the VIP Facebook group but as long as you are subscribed to the Orchid and Bee's Website you will also get a notification each Saturday via email!
The last week of the Crochet Along falls on August 28th, so that will give everyone 7 days to finish their project and post their final photos in the VIP group on Facebook where I will give out the prizes! Seven days from the last part of the pattern falls on Saturday, September 4th and that will be the day I begin distributing prizes!
Prizes will be as follows:
Participation Prize: All participants who post a final photo in the VIP Facebook group with the hashtag #COWCAL will get a FREE PDF downloadable/printable copy of the pattern from my Ravelry Shop!
Photo Contest: By September 6th the person who received the most unique comments, likes, hearts, smiley face emojis will win a "SURPRISE PRIZE!" *in the past the prizes have been something such as skeins of yarn, a years worth of patterns, crochet gift set, giftcards... etc etc, so be sure to take some great photos!
Designers Choice Award: I will personally pick a participant to win a "Suprise Prize" based on participation, VIP group interactions, finished project and photo. The more you participate in the group on post related to the Crochet Along the more chances you have to win!
The schedule as of this moment in time, so long as the universe cooperates lol is as follows:
August 7th - Main Lovey Blanket Section
August 14th - Cow head (eye option)
August 21st - Cow Legs
August 28th - Cow Ears/Flower & Assembly
I hope you are as excited about the CAL as I am! I love doing "group projects" lol. So that you can prepare for the Crochet Along, here is a list of materials and stitches you will need to have a know. Also note, your lovey will be approximately 15 x 15 can be made smaller by going down a hook size.
“Baby Cow Lovey”
Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Worsted Weight 4 yarn
400 - 600 yrds white (or choice of color) - I worked from 2 skeins of craft smart white, 354 yrds / 7 oz / 198 g per skein
Less than 285 yds of a primary accent color for border, snout, flower - I worked from 1 skein of Loops and Threads Impeccable Coral - 285 yds / 4.5 oz / 127.5 g per skein
Less than 100 yards of secondary accent color for hooves/border - I used Loops and Threads Impeccable Classic Gray
Black if crocheting eyes
Hooks
H or 5mm for main sections
If you would like to make the lovey smaller you can use a G4mm
3mm for flower
E or 3.5 mm if making eyes
Needle
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Safety Eyes - I used 2 - .39in (10mm)
Poly fil
Hot Glue - optional for extra security when using safety eyes
Needles:
Darning Needle
Curved Tapestry/Upholstery Needle *optional but very useful when attaching the ears and flower
Here is a list of recommendations from Amazon. Your local stores may not carry things like the curved upholstery needles so that is why I like to offer some good shopping options! I adore my curved needles as it makes doing things like amigurumi and stuffies much easier! Please note this is also an affiliate link in which I may earn a small commission from any purchases made.
Here are the stitches you will need to know for the pattern! If you are unsure of any of the stitches I recommend doing a quick Google or YouTube search, which is how I learned and taught myself as well!
Stitches:
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
Dc - double crochet
Sk - skip a stich/space
FPDC - front post double
BLO - Back Loop Only
Inv Dec - Invisible decrease - in front loop only sc2tog
Sp - space
#st - complete # number of sts in same space
St # - complete stitch in next # number of spaces
( ) - do all in the same stitch
Special Stitches
Waffle Stitch - The waffle stitch makes a wonderful textured stitch that looks just like a waffle! The Dc stitch and the FPDC stitch is used to create this look. You will simply follow the instructions in the “main blanket section” to create the waffle look! I have included pictures to help and there are also youtube tutorials available with a simple google search.
Puff Stitch - For this pattern you will yarn over, insert your hook in the space you are working in, yarn over and pull through. You will pull up your loop to the height of your DC stitch. You will do this for a total of 5 times.
“Slanted” Puff Stitch - when I was learning the “Braided Puff Stitch,” which you guessed looks like a braid, I loved how it looked when made all in the same direction as opposed to opposite directions. I modified the stitch by omitting the ch 1 between the puff stitch and the next dc stitch. By doing this it creates the slanted/angled look that you see on the border of this blanket. To achieve this look, you “sk a stitch, dc, and then work a puff stitch into the skipped stitch.” So you are working forwards and then backwards. You repeat this to the end and then sl st to join. Note, your puff stitch will cover the dc stitch. You can see the pictures in the next column for assistance. On the corners of the blanket you will add a ch between the puff stitch and the next dc to make an increase. This ch 1 will help keep your edges from curling up. If your edges still curl up you can either block your blanket or try adding an additional ch 1.
That is everything you will need to have a know for the CAL and I can't wait to get started with you guys! This is going to be so fun! This lovey will make a great gift or wonderful donation to a children's hospital, group home, or foster center. I look forward to hearing your stories of how you gifted your loveys!
Oh, by the way, this CAL is open to anyone, so you are welcome to share the link to this CAL with your crochet friends and groups! Everyone is welcome!
I hope you have a great week preparing for the CAL and I look forward to starting the first part on August 7th! See you then!
Blessings,
Karen E.
Orchid and Bee's
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