As promised, I've got a couple of cute little hooky animals to share with you today, well one wide-eyed bird and one hoppity animal.
I just love these sort of quick, decorative projects, they are fun and satisfying to work on with odd scraps of leftover yarn, and they make great gifts.
I made this cute owl a little while ago as a Birthday present for a friend. I had a fair idea she would like it as she is part of my Monday night pub crochet group and she has a real passion for animals and birds. I really loved making it for her.
This owl is not my own design, no no. For once I chose to follow someone else's carefully created pattern which was written much as I write out
my own patterns, in picture-heavy tutorial style. It was a great experience I
have to say, and I can now fully appreciate the appeal of my own patterns and
tutorials, if that makes sense?! It made the whole crochet experience fast, fun and easy, and was so much nicer than being faced with a paragraph of abbreviated gobbledegook. Yay for pictures and plain English!
Yesterday when I was resting my leg and catching up with my wonderful Ravelry group, I spotted the most adorable little Easter Bunnies on the Members Project page. Ravelry is such an amazing resource, and I love the community spirit of it. These bunnies had been made and shared, listing yarn and pattern info so it was a breeze to track down the original source (thank you Katalin).
I soon realised that the bunny pattern was actually an adapted version of the original owl pattern. And once again, full credit was given and links provided back to the original source. I love good, kind, respectful sharing. I cannot abide thoughtless sharing with no source info (naughty bad peeps, this happens a lot on Facebook I've found)
My bunny turned out great...so cute with those stripy ears! The pattern was beautifully written (another picture heavy tute, hooray!), and I only made one adjustment. I added an extra row across the top of the bunny's head as I couldn't seem to quite fit the eyes in properly (they were too near the edge). Speaking of eyes, I really love these safety eyes for projects like this. I bought mine (6mm ones) from here.
I know this little hoppity critter won't get packed away after Easter as he is way too lovely to spend the next year inside a cardboard box.
Right....I need to give you the pattern links now, cos I feel quite certain that many of you may be inspired to hook up one (or many) of these little beauties.
The original owl pattern was created by the super talented Jacquie who writes Bunny Mummy blog. Just click on the above picture to go straight there for some twit-twoooo loveliness.
And the sweet little Easter bunny pattern was created by Janette who writes The Green Dragonfly blog. Click on the above picture to go straight there for some hoppity-hop happiness.
Happy hooking my lovelies!
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Edit to add :: Sorry, I completely forgot to mention this.....these two patterns are written differently, the Owl being in English crochet terms and the Bunny being in US crochet terms. So depending on where you are in the world, you may need to do a little translating.
UK treble (tr) = US double crochet (dc) (the main body/tummy of the critter)
UK half treble (htr) = US half double crochet (hdc) (the head shaping)
UK double crochet (dc) = US single crochet (sc) (the outer edge)
and vice versa! x
Thank you so much, they are just what I have been looking for, and new crochet people to follow too.... Bonus
Posted by: Bec Clarke | March 27, 2013 at 03:04 AM
actually astonishing post! So much of benefits as far as the Universal Contour Wrap is concerned.I really like your mail and I am waiting for your next item and anticipating some fantastic data available there.
Posted by: Herbal Incense | March 27, 2013 at 01:49 AM
Lucy! I found two sources of where to get your yarn colors!! I am so happy! Found a currency converter on line and willing to pay more for those colors not found in the U.S.! So more than pleased.
Posted by: Sandy Campbell | March 27, 2013 at 01:25 AM
Cuteness! They're on my to do list.....
Posted by: Angel Jem | March 26, 2013 at 11:57 PM
HEEEELLLLLLPPPPPPP! PLEASE :)
I have been missold some yarn :(
I have some Adriafil fiore yarn, (I should have Sirdar Crofter DK )and although it is very pretty not what I asked for.
As they are being rather unpleasant and not allowing me to return it, I am a novice crocheter and desperately need advice as to how I can make use of the yarn.
Please. please, please could you help with some crochet ideas?
Thank you most sincerely.
Posted by: Aunty-Pam | March 26, 2013 at 10:52 PM
Ooo, I'm loving these little critters. Great Christmas stocking and Easter basket fillers for the grsndees, x
Posted by: Cockney Blonde | March 26, 2013 at 10:37 PM
O, these are an absolute hoot! The bunnies too and I will be doing both for sure. Congratulations on your studio space...I've been away for a week and come back and ta-dah there is the studio! I am so happy for you!!! Enjoy your adventures so much! Hugs!
Posted by: Marylin | March 26, 2013 at 10:08 PM
Oh wow! I ADORE owls and these are delightful! The rabbits are so lovely too.
Posted by: Lou | March 26, 2013 at 09:37 PM
Love the owl and the Easter bunny just what's needed to cheer up these long winter days that won't change to Spring. Vicki who posted her comment at 8.04 today, you need to check your facts. Lucy very clearly attributes the origin of the snowflake pattern in her tutorial to the originator, Mary Jane Protus. It is simply untrue to suggest that Lucy is passing this off as her own pattern without derivative acknowledgement. This raises the interesting question of when does a pattern change enough to become independent so to speak. None of us have the monopoly on crochet stitches and neither to some extent their combination but reworked, regrouped they do become individual and unique to the creator. I certainly try to attribute sources on my own blog and my sense is that Lucy and most other bloggers try very hard to do this too. There are some who don't as Lucy points out and it's rather unattractive although not always I suspect / hope deliberate. And the downside of that is that people genuinely willing to share can feel deterred from doing so which is sad. I have to say I love the fact that Lucy, you share so generously and freely. I've never encountered you plagiarising or deriving inspiration without acknowledgment. Hope your bruise gets better very quickly - amazing how painful such things can be. E x
Posted by: Thomasina Tittlemouse | March 26, 2013 at 08:50 PM
Love these. I had found the owl pattern and loved it for the same reason as you. Visuals, not words and numbers. That's why I keep coming back to the attic. Thank you.
Posted by: Fiona | March 26, 2013 at 08:37 PM
very cute! maybe I can find some "me"time tomorrow and make one or two....three?! wishful thinking I'm afraid! Tonight I'm making crochet bunnyrings for the yougest ones teacher so she'll look very easterly at the easter breakfast at school.
Posted by: Nicole | March 26, 2013 at 08:25 PM
Ooh! I love owls and thanks for giving the pattern links. I also give credit to where I get patterns, although I still don't know how to put in a link as I'm new to blogging. Great blog.
Posted by: Susan Smith | March 26, 2013 at 08:24 PM
Really sweet, will have to give it a whirl. Thanks for sharing. Hannapat
Posted by: Hannapat | March 26, 2013 at 07:20 PM
Thank you for sharing these wonderful patterns! I am making some now for my kids' Easter baskets. And thank you for clearing up the UK/US crochet terms. I was wondering abou that...
Posted by: JunebugAtl | March 26, 2013 at 06:48 PM
These are really cute and making them as gifts for friends must only add to the enjoyment of making them.
Posted by: Jade | March 26, 2013 at 05:49 PM
That owl is so stinkin' cute! I love the little tufts of yarn for his ears. I may have to hook one up for myself.
Hope your leg is feeling better! <3
Posted by: Karen | March 26, 2013 at 05:12 PM
I find it so funny that I read so many things on yarn and needles, and yet cannot do it myself. I love reading about it, the idea of doing it, but everytime I try knitting, it just goes so badly. Should I start with crocheting?
Posted by: Leah | March 26, 2013 at 04:23 PM
Lucy, I just love your total enthusiasm for crochet, and your colourful blog is a joy to visit on a cold snowy day!! You have rekindled my own interest in crochet and I bought the Womans Weekly knitting and crochet magazine and am now crocheting the bag featured in it. I had forgotten just how quickly items grow - I made loads of things when the kids were small but just drifted away from it. Thank you for the pleasure you have given this "senior citizen" and long may you continue to blog.
Posted by: Mema | March 26, 2013 at 04:17 PM
Hi, Lucy. Your owls and bunnies are adorable. So bright and funny that they simply make me smile looking at them. Thanks for the pattern.
Hope you're feeling much better these days. Come on spring!
Posted by: Jo-Anne Lemaire | March 26, 2013 at 04:12 PM
Been a little bit since I've been to the Attic, but I loved catching up! Your studio looks fantastic, what fun to be above a cafe! We have had a cold spring as well. Plus some snow too. These owls and bunnies are so cute!! I wish I didn't have so many projects left to do. Thanks again for your great posts.
Posted by: Taylor | March 26, 2013 at 02:42 PM
I love these...what a great Easter pressie. I've only just discovered your blog and your beautiful colourful crochet....very inspiring. I will look forward to reading future posts. Your photos are so clear and colourful too, what sort of camera do you use?
Posted by: Caz | March 26, 2013 at 02:26 PM
Oh, so, lovely! After seeing the sneak peak on the post before,I tracked down the owl/bunny and started one last night :)I love crafters generous spirit.I'm thinking baby toy,with a safety bell inside(a new niece on the way).Love the pink muzzle..lots more bunny making going on(everywhere)!
Posted by: Angela-Southern U.S.A. | March 26, 2013 at 01:46 PM
Loooove the rabbit,I have just had some of my photos of my crafts made into Post Cards...Please think about doing a Attic 24 set..we would love to buy them..you could put them in your studio, just a thought
Posted by: amanda | March 26, 2013 at 01:15 PM
Your site is always lovely, so colourful and pretty. Is it possible for me to follow by e mail.
Posted by: Wendy | March 26, 2013 at 01:14 PM
Ohhh they are both so adorable, but the Owl is my favourite!!!
Posted by: Laura Najma | March 26, 2013 at 11:55 AM