A crochet Halloween

So today we come to the end of October, and find ourselves at Halloween. 

My memories of Halloween were costumes made from black bin liners , paper hats, and carved turnips (now that took some effort!), there's nothing that reminds me of Halloween more than the smell of burnt turnip.

My own children would dress up as ghosts, witches, or characters from Harry Potter, but the weather was always so cold the costumes would have to be covered by warm coats.

Now that they are all grown up and not needing me to take them trick or treating or stay with them at parties, I have to make do with making costumes for my fairies!

Tonight I shall sit at home and listen for the knocks on the door, and act scared as small children giggle.

Most years we don't get too many visitors, which means I get to eat most of the treats myself.

I wonder what mischief the fairies will get up to tonight?

Happy Halloween

Love Kaie x x x

A Prickle of Hedgehogs

I was looking up the collective noun for hedgehogs, the official term is an array of hedgehogs, but I much prefer the more apt prickle of hedgehogs.
A couple of years ago we had to round up 6 hoglets that had been nesting in our garden, after their mother was killed. Not an easy task as the nest was under the bramble bush! Eventually we had them all snuggly in a box and taken to the local hedgehog rescue centre, where they were weaned and fattened up before being released.

This year I have not managed to spot any of our prickly visitors, but I know they have been from the little 'messages' they leave.

So I have had to make my own prickle of hedgehogs instead.

Crochet Hedgehog

You will need

Dark brown yarn, light brown yarn, 3mm crochet hook

1.       With light brown yarn make a magic ring, 5dc

2.       1dc in each st

3.       2dc in first 2st, 1dc in next 3st   (7st)

4.       2dc in the first 4st, dc in next st, 2dc in next st, dc in next st.     (12st)

5.       1dc in first 2st, 2dc in next 4st, 1dc in next 6st.       (16st)

6.       1dc in first 4st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8st.  (18st)

7.       1dc in each st.

8.       *dc in 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *     (24st)

9.       1dc in first 6st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.     (28st)

10.   1dc in first 8st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 10 st.    (32st)

11.   1dc in first 6 st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *6 more times dc in next 8st.   (40st)

Attach or sew eyes between rows 8 and 9, 5st apart. Sew on nose.

Change from to dark brown yarn

12.   From now work in BLO, 1dc in each st

13.   1dc in first 4st, 2dc in next st, repeat around.  (48st)

14.   1dc in each st.

15.   1dc in each st.

16.   1dc in each st.

17.   1dc in each st.

18.   1dc in each st.

19.   1dc in each st.

20.   1dc in each st.

21.   1dc in each st.

22.   1dc in each st.

23.   1dc in each st.

24.   Dc in first 4st, dc2tog, repeat around   (40st)

25.   Dc in first 6st, dc2tog,*dc in next 2st, dc2tog in next st, repeat from*6 more times, dc in next 8st.   (32st)

26.   Dc in first 8st, dc2tog, *dc in next 2st, dc2tog in next st, repeat from * 2 more times, dc in next 10st.   (28st)

27.   Dc in first 6st, dc2tog, * dc in next 2st, dc2tog, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.    (24st)

28.   Dc in first 2st, dc2tog, repeat around, 

29.   Dc in next st, dc2tog, repeat around

30.   Dc2tog, repeat around.

Finish off and sew in ends.

Small crochet hedgehog

1.       With light brown yarn make a magic ring, 5dc

2.       1dc in each st

3.       2dc in first 2st, 1dc in next 3st   (7st)

4.       2dc in the first 4st, dc in next st, 2dc in next st, dc in next st.     (12st)

5.       1dc in first 2st, 2dc in next 4st, 1dc in next 6st.       (16st)

6.       1dc in first 4st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8st.  (18st)

Change to dark brown yarn, sew in eyes between rows 3 and 4 , 3st apart. Sew on nose.

7.       Working now in BLO, 1dc in each st.

8.       1dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat around.

9.       1dc in first 6st, 2dc in next st, *dc in next 2st, 2dc in next st, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.

10.   1dc in each

11.   1dc in each

12.   1dc in each

13.   Dc in first 6st, dc2tog, *dc in next 2st, dc2tog, repeat from *2 more times, dc in next 8st.

14.   Dc in next st, dc2tog, repeat around.

15.   Dc2tog, repeat around.

Remember if you are having a bonfire this autumn check that no hedgehogs have chosen it as a good place to hibernate under, before you light it!

Love Katie x x x