Read below about the inspiration, the monkey pattern I made, and the materials, or scroll on down for the free pattern, video and photo tutorial.

The Inspiration + Design

My three year old Parker is obsessed with Curious George – the books, the movie, everything. So when I thought about Halloween coming up, I thought surprising him with a fun costume would be just the thing!

I’ll be dressing Parker up as The Man with the Yellow Hat and he will carry around a monkey! I made the monkey myself and even designed a pattern for you guys to make your own Monkey! I made him in about a week with just two skeins of yarn so you still have time to throw this together before Halloween!

See the free Happy Monkey Crochet Pattern HERE!

This makes the monkey component such a special piece for his first Halloween costume (he didn’t dress up the last couple of years) and he can keep it around to play or sleep with beyond just Halloween! Which means all my hard work making this little guy will be so worth it.

The Materials

(links below)

In the way that I wanted the monkey to be multi-purpose, the components of the outfit needed to be useful too! I hate spending money on a costume to wear for two hours and then the entire thing is wasted. Drives me nuts!

So instead of a big honkin’ yellow hat that he’ll never wear again, we opted for a yellow baseball cap.

I found yellow shirts and shorts in all different styles and just picked what I thought he would like to wear and would fit together with the theme. Again, he will re-wear the shirt and shorts after Halloween is over just not in one big yellow ensemble.

I found a yellow toddler sized tie on amazon and drew black circles with sharpie to make it look like The Man with the Yellow Hat’s from the books. This may not be worn again but that’s still only one item from the whole costume that won’t get reused! WIN!

PATTERN

• Get the ad-free, large print, printable PDF pattern HERE.
• Grab the Ultimate Pattern Bundle that includes 150+ patterns just like this one on sale for $20 today HERE.
• PIN this pattern to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
• Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.

DESCRIPTION

Ooh-ooh, aah-aah! This monkey is the silliest, happiest around and he’s sure to bring smiles to everyone he sees. Simple amigurumi techniques and whimsical features make this monkey cute and easy to make.

MATERIALS
(click the links below to find all my sources!)

–Crochet Happy Monkey Pattern

–Yellow baseball cap

–Yellow button down shirt

–Yellow shorts (Parker loves these ones!)

–Yellow tie

-Black Sharpie

NOTES

-The only required assembly (other than creating the Monkey) is as follows:

• Draw 1″ circles on tie with black sharpie.
• That’s it!

OTHER FREE CROCHET HOME DECOR PATTERNS YOU MIGHT LOVE

1. DIY Yarn Loop Wreath / 2. Crochet Double Thick Potholders / 3. Crochet Cake Stripe Blanket

The post DIY Halloween Costume: The Man with the Yellow Hat & Curious George appeared first on Sewrella.

Hey Sewrella Peeps! It’s Meg again, from over at Megmade with Love. So, not too long ago, I popped in over here to share the ridged pumpkin, a part of a three-pattern collection of pumpkins. It turns out I enjoyed designing those pumpkins so much that I’ve made three more cutie pumpkins for your crafting pleasure!

And today I’m sharing the pattern for the striped pumpkin with you. It’s oh-so-easy, and just simply beautiful. It can be made in a couple hours, easy! I’m a sucker for black and white, and I think that, plus the stripes makes it look extra classic. But of course, I think any colors would look great!

You can find the other pumpkin patterns over at MegmadewithLove.com. All of them are pretty simple, and make for some pretty great fall decor if you ask me.

Materials:

-worsted weight yarn in two colors (I used Red Heart with Love in Black and Red Heart Super Saver in Aran)

-size K hook (6.5 mm)

-yarn needle

-big handful poly-fil

-hot glue gun

-approx 2 in stick or stem of choice

-adornments of choice (raffia, burlap, jute, felt..)

-optional: rock to weigh down the bottom

Measurements:

finished pumpkin is approximately 8″ tall by 6.5″ wide

Notes:

-the whole pumpkin is worked with two strands of yarn

-since this pumpkin is pretty tall, I put a rock in the bottom to weigh it down so it wouldn’t topple over easily

-there are lots of color changes, I just cut off after each change to pick pack up again on the other side when changing again. This creates a lot of ends, but I found they were easy to conceal inside the pumpkin, so I didn’t worry about weaving them in. Call me lazy, but hey, it works!

-ch’s at the beginning of rows do not count as sts

-if you’re interested in crocheting a little leaf for your pumpkin there’s a pattern for one in this post.

Pattern:

Row 1) using two strands of black: ch 24, dc in 3rd ch from hook and across (22 total sts, and for remainder of the rows)

Row 2) ch 2, turn, dc across

Row 3) change to two strands of white: ch 1, turn, sc across

Rows 4-6) change to black: ch 2, turn, dc across

Row 7-22) repeat rows 3-6 four times

Row 23) change to white: ch 1, turn, sc across

Row 24) change to black: ch 2, turn, dc across

Finish off and leave a very long tail to sew the pumpkin

Assembly:

Below you can see a photo of the piece after it’s been crocheted.

First you will take your tail of yarn and needle and sew row 1 to row 24, creating a tube.

Next you will close up the ends. Still using your yarn and needle, make a running stitch along one of the short ends of your “tube”. Make sure the running stitch is very loose, and use long strides so it will close up for you.

After you’ve gone all the way around the short end with your running stitch, you will pull on the tail of yarn and gather the end up.

Then tie a couple of knots to secure. Draw your yarn and needle through the center of the pumpkin to use for sewing the other end.

Next, you can put your rock on the bottom of your pumpkin- if you choose to do so, and then you’ll stuff your pumpkin full of polyfill. After it’s full, close up the other end of the pumpkin the same way you closed up the first end, with a loose running stitch, pulling tightly to gather.

Then tie a couple of knots again to secure and weave in your yarn to hide.

To finish the pumpkin, put a glob of hot glue in the middle top of your pumpkin then press your stem firmly on top of it until the glue cools. Add any other fun extras to personalize! (the cute little squiggly stuff on this pumpkin is actually yarn that I frogged from the doily pumpkin- lol!)

And there ya have it, another cute and simple pumpkin pattern! If you complete your pumpkin, feel free to tag me over on Instagram. I’d love to see it.

Happy fall pumpkin making guys!

-Meg

The post Crochet Striped Pumpkin appeared first on Sewrella.

Hi! I’m Maria, a crochet blogger over at Maria’s Blue Crayon. I’m a long time crocheter and a newbie blogger – I love sharing my makings and inspiring others! I’ve been on a granny square kick, but I really enjoy making ALL THE THINGS for my son. You can bet he’s armed with plenty of hats and a few scarves each Fall and Winter season!

Today, I’m thrilled to be here on Ashleigh’s blog to share with you a little something to get you into the Halloween spirit!

Who loves Halloween?! I knew I wanted to create and share with you all something inspired by Halloween. I’ve been seeing a trend with amigurumi ragdolls, and I just couldn’t wait to try my hand at one! This cute little ghost is very simple and doesn’t take too much time to whip up. This makes a perfect little decoration or a cute little toy for the littles in your lives. Just the right size for little hands and easy enough to make more than a few to pass around.

Unlike typical amigurumi, this ragdoll style is worked in rows instead of rounds. 2D shapes are made then sewn together – stuff a little fill inside and it makes it 3D! I used worsted weight yarn for this little guy, but I can just imagine how squishy and cuddly this guy would be in Bernat blanket yarn. Someone please make him in that yarn and share with me – that would be amazing!!

The ad-free, PDF printable can be purchased here. Thank you for your support!

Materials:
-Worsted weight yarn in white and black
-G hook
-Poly-fil
-Tapestry needle
-Scissors

Dimensions/Gauge:
Measures 8” from top to bottom, 8” from arm to arm
17 stitches x 18 rows in SC

Abbreviations:
Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 together
HDC = half double crochet

Notes:
-Chain 1 in the beginning of rows do not count as a stitch
-SC increase: 2 single crochets into the same stitch
-SC2tog: (AKA decrease) insert hook in first stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into second stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all loops on hook

Pattern
Row 1: Ch 11, SC in second chain from hook and across, turn (10)
Row 2: Ch 1, SC increase, SC in next 8 stitches, SC increase in last stitch, turn (12)
Row 3: Ch 1, SC across, turn (12)
Row 4: Ch 1, SC increase, SC in next 10 stitches, SC increase in last stitch, turn (14)
Row 5: Ch 1, SC across, turn (14)
Row 6: Ch 1, SC increase, SC in next 12 stitches, SC increase in last stitch, turn (16)
Row 7: Ch 1, SC across, turn (16)
Row 8: Ch 1, SC increase, SC in next 14 stitches, SC increase in last stitch, turn (18)
Row 9: Ch 1, SC across, turn (18)
Row 10: Ch 1, SC increase, SC in next 18 stitches, SC increase in last stitch, turn (20)
Row 11-26: Ch 1, SC across, turn (20)
Row 27: Ch 1, SC in 6 stitches across, turn (6)
Row 28: Ch 1, SC across, turn (6)
Row 29: Ch 1, SC across, turn (6)
Row 30: Ch 1, SC2tog, SC in next 2 stitches, SC2tog, turn (4)
Row 31: Ch 1, SC2tog, SC2tog (2)

Fasten off. This will leave you with the ghost body and one bump on the bottom.

Make the next two bumps as follows:

Bump#2:
Attach white yarn one stitch away from the first bump. There will be one stitch in between the bumps.
Ch 1, SC in 6 stitches, turn
Ch 1, SC in 6 stitches, turn
Ch 1, SC2tog, SC in next 2 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Ch 1, SC2tog, SC2tog, fasten off

Bump #3:
Attach white yarn one space away from second bump. There will be one stitch in between the bumps.
Ch 1, SC in 6 stitches, turn
Ch 1, SC2tog, SC in next 2 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Ch 1, SC2tog, SC2tog, fasten off

After completing the bumps, you will have completed the ghost’s body. Make two ghost bodies – we will be sewing them together at the end.

Arms – Make 4 with white yarn

Row 1: Ch 5, SC in second chain from hook and across, turn (4)
Row 2-8: Ch 1, SC across, turn (4)
Row 9: Ch 1, SC2tog, SC2tog (2)
Fasten off

Eyes – Make 2 with black
Make a magic ring
Ch 2, HDC, 3SC, 2HDC, 3SC all in magic ring, join to beginning Chain 2
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing

Mouth – Make 1 with black
Make a magic ring
Ch 1, 7SC all in magic ring, join to first SC
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing

Assembly

The ‘right side’ of the ghost will be with the left bottom bump a bit longer than the right bump. Sew eyes (between rows 6 – 12) and mouth(between rows 16-19) onto ghost body.

Lay 2 ‘arms’ on top of each other and SC around edges, leaving the bottom edge open (the tip of the arm will only have 2SC, the bottom edge will have 4SC)
Leave a tail for sewing. The other ends can be stuffed into the arm

Repeat for 2nd pair of arms.

Take the 2 ghost bodies and lay them together (make sure the bumps are lining up as the bump to the left should be a bit longer than the bump on the right).
Take the arms and put them in between the two layers of the ghost bodies. Sew on the arms in between the two layers – arrange them so the tips are pointing up.

Now that the arms are sewed on, the last step will be to SC around the perimeter of the body. Attach yarn anywhere on the body to begin single crocheting around the edges of both layers. You will want to stop about ¾ of the way around to stuff lightly with poly-fil. Make sure to stuff a bit into the bottom bumps.

When you get to an arm portion, simply SC crochet only on the top layer of the body and start SC through both layers again once you have passed the arm.

Once you have SC all the way around, fasten off and weave in the tail end.

I hope you enjoy this little ghosty! I also have a few other ‘spooky’ patterns on my blog for you to try out! Hop on over and you can find them under the ‘crochet – holiday’ drop down menu. Please share with me on Facebook or Instagram! I love inspiring others and seeing your works!

Happy making!
-Maria

The post Crochet Ghost Ragdoll appeared first on Sewrella.

I have something extra special for you today – the first ever guest post here on the Sewrella blog! Today’s pattern comes to you from Meg, a sweetie I found through her super cute Instagram and I know you are gonna love her!

Hi all! I’m Megan, owner of Megmade with Love, a crochet blog that features free weekly crochet patterns, downloads and really anything crochet-related! It’s super fun to be here over on Ashleigh’s blog. She’s got the cutest and coolest stuff here on Sewrella, not to mention her incredibly inspiring “How to Start a Crochet Blog” series that actually gave me the extra little inspiration to begin my crochet blogging adventure! So I can attest, that she knows what she’s talking about, and has provided lots of good information on the ins and outs of starting a blog.

Today, I’m bringing you a pattern for the orange-ridged pumpkin in the photo above. The reason I love this pumpkin pattern so much, is that it works up super quick (using two strands of worsted weight yarn)  and is so, so simple. Not to mention that it’s pretty darn adorable… You can find the patterns for the other two pumpkins over at the Megmade with Love blog.

I think this pumpkin would be a great, quick make, perfect for craft shows. Or even just for yourself, to use in your own home for cute fall decor!

PATTERN

Materials:

Worsted weight (category 4) yarn of choice, I used Yarn Bee Soft Secret in Bittersweet

Size H Hook (5mm)

Polyfill stuffing (big handful)

Yarn needle

Hot glue gun

2 inch (or so) stick

Other adornments you’d like to tie around stem (I used raffia, ribbon, jute that was curled..)

Dimensions:

Approximately 5 inches wide by 4 inches tall (not including stem)

Abbreviations:

ch=chain, st(s)=stitches, sl=slip, dc= double crochet, fptr= front post treble crochet

Notes:

ch’s at beginning of rounds do not count as a stitch

**Using two strands of yarn**

ch 32, join to first ch with sl st (make sure not to twist chain before connecting)

1) ch 2, dc into the same ch that you sl st’d into, and dc around in remaining ch’s, join to first dc with sl st (32 total sts)

2-11) ch 2, [fptr, dc into next 3 sts], repeat [ ] around, join to first fptr with sl st (32)

Finish off, and leave a long tail for sewing up the ends.

Once your piece is complete, you’ll sew up the open ends. Take your needle and thread with the tail of your project. Then make a running stitch through one of the open ends on the very outer row of stitches. Sew in long strides to make it easier to gather.

After you’ve gone all the way around, you’ll pull your yarn tight to gather. Then secure with a knot. I didn’t cut the yarn or unthread the needle. I just let it hang out so I could use it to sew up the other side, just pull it through the inside.

Then stuff your punkin’ plum full of poly fill..

You’ll do the same thing with your yarn and needle to the other open end. Sewing in and out to gather the top, and knot again to secure.

Then I chose to sew back and forth a couple times through the middle to make the pumpkin a little more “squat” looking. I tied another knot after I was done, then weaved in my ends.

Last you will put a glob of hot glue onto the middle of your pumpkin, and hold your stick onto it firmly until the glue cools.

Tie on your adornment of choice, and then you’ve got yourself the cutest little fall decor piece!

I hope you enjoy this pattern! If you end up making one of them, be sure to tag me over on Instagram, I would love to see.

Happy making!

-Meg

The post Crochet Ridged Pumpkins appeared first on Sewrella.

Who remembers those jack-o-lantern plastic candy buckets that we all carried around trick-or-treating as kids? Perhaps some of you still use them? Or some of you buy a bag that lights up, sings, and has custom embroidery.

Well these handmade trick-or-treat bags are so much better, and so much more fun! Inspired by the good-ole-bags, this pumpkin candy-carrier is the perfect thing to tote around all those treats in!
A bit larger, this guy is made for the big kids. Those who gather enough candy to get them through til Christmas… or at least Tuesday. Because let’s be honest, we are sneaking all those goodies after bedtime, aren’t we? I’m tellin’ ya, there are perks to being a mom!

I also have a matching, slightly smaller Frankenstein Trick-or-Treat Bag Pattern HERE!

I am using Lion brand Vanna’s Choice yarn for this project and it creates the softest feel while still being so sturdy! I’ve teamed up with Lion Brand to package this project up into a kit, complete with a FREE PDF download of the pattern!

CLICK HERE to take advantage of this awesome kit!

I hope you all have a happy, safe Halloween!

PATTERN
Materials: (By shopping through the affiliate links below, you will help support this blogger & her free content with no additional cost to you – thank you!)
–Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn in terracotta, fern, and black (1 skein each)
–Size H 5mm crochet hook
–Large tapestry needle

**For the entirety of this project (every piece) I held a double strand of yarn. I pulled from the inside of the skein and the outside. Using an H hook this makes for a very tight stitch and a very sturdy bag. You could crochet with only one strand of yarn, you would just come out with a softer, less sturdy bag.**

Bag:
*make 2 (front and back)
With Terracotta, Ch 31, Sc in 2nd Ch from hook and across (30)
Rows 2-33: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (30)
Row 34: Sc in each across, finish off, weave ends (24)

Strap:
With Fern (double strand), Ch 7, Sc in 2nd st and in each across, Ch 1, turn (6)
Rounds 2-59: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (6)
Round 60: Sc in each across, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing (6)

Eyes:
*make 2
With black (double strand), Ch 7, Sc in 2nd and across, Ch 1, turn (6)
Row 2: Sc decrease, Sc in next 2, Sc decrease, Ch 1, turn (4)
Row 3: Sc decrease 2 times, Ch 1, turn (2)
Row 4: Sc decrease, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing (1)
– Sew eyes onto the bag

Nose:
With black (double strand), Ch 5, Sc in 2nd and across, Ch 1, turn (4)
Row 2: Sc decrease 2 times, Ch 1, turn (2)
Row 3: Sc decrease, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing (1)
– Sew nose onto the bag

Assembly:
– With black (double strand), surface slip stitch the smile

– Thread a large tapestry needle with a piece of terracotta yarn, sew each end of the strap to the inside of the bag corner. Weave ends.

– Thread a large tapestry needle with a piece of terracotta yarn, whip stitch the front and back of the bag together. Weave ends.

Don’t forget to PIN this project to your Pinterest boards!

You’re all ready for a boo-tastic (is that a word?) Halloween!

The post Crochet Pumpkin Trick-or-Treat Bag appeared first on Sewrella.

BOO!

Did I scare you? No?

At my house we don’t dig the scary Halloween thing. If that’s your thing, right on! But over here we get jumpy when a light bulb flickers, so ghosts and ghouls with blood and guts would make me jump out of my skin. Eek!

So because over here we are all about the friendly frights, here is a cute monster for your little ones to gather candy in.

A cute Frankenstein friend with a sweet smile is just the perfect thing!

This bag is a bit smaller, for little hands or those who don’t want our youngins collecting enough candy to feed a small country, if you know what I mean. The sizing is modeled after the traditional jack-o-lantern candy bucket that we all carried as kids – not too big but not too small! However if you wanted to adjust the sizing of this bag, you could easily add or take away a few stitches from your starting chain and a few rows to the overall length of the bag.

I also have a matching, slightly larger Pumpkin Trick-or-Treat Bag Pattern HERE!

I am using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn for this project and it creates the softest feel while still being so sturdy! I’ve teamed up with Lion Brand to package this project up into a kit, complete with a FREE PDF download of the pattern and 20% off the yarn needed for the project!

CLICK HERE to take advantage of this awesome kit before the sale ends!

I hope you all have a happy, safe Halloween full of not-so-scary fun!

PATTERN
Materials: (By shopping through the affiliate links below, you will help support this blogger & her free content with no additional cost to you – thank you!)
–Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn in black, fern (1 skein each) and small amounts of white and silver grey
–Size H 5mm crochet hook
–Safety eyes (I got a ton of these for cheap on amazon HERE)
–Large tapestry needle

**For the entirety of this project (every piece except the eyes) I held a double strand of yarn. I pulled from the inside of the skein and the outside. Using an H hook this makes for a very tight stitch and a very sturdy bag. You could crochet with only one strand of yarn, you would just come out with a softer, less sturdy bag.**

Bag:
*make 2 (front and back)
With Fern, Ch 25, Sc in 2nd Ch from hook and across (24)
Rows 2-25: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (24)
Row 26: Color change to black (still holding a double strand), Sc in first st, spike st in next, Sc, spike st, repeat across, Ch 1, turn (24)

Rows 27-31: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (24)
Row 32: Sc in each across, finish off, weave ends (24)

Strap:
With black (double strand), Ch 7, Sc in 2nd st and in each across, Ch 1, turn (6)
Rounds 2-41: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (6)
Round 42: Sc in each across, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing (6)

Eyes:
*make 2
With white (single strand), make a magic ring, Ch 2, 8 Dc inside ring, sl st to join, Ch 2 (8)
Round 2: 2 Dc in each st around, sl st to join, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing (16)
– Attach safety eye between rounds 1 and 2 as pictured (not over the magic ring)
– Sew eye onto the bag

Bolts:
With silver grey (double strand), Ch 5, Sc in 2nd st and across, Ch 1, turn (4)
Rows 2-4: Sc in each across, Ch 1, turn (4)
Row 5: Sc in each across, finish off leaving a long tail for sewing (4)

Assembly:
– With black (double strand), surface slip stitch the smile and scar above the left eye
– Thread a large tapestry needle with a piece of fern yarn, whip stitch the front and back of the bag together only over Rows 1-25 of the bag. Switch to black to sew up the sides of Rows 26-32 of the bag. Weave ends.
– Thread a large tapestry needle with a piece of black yarn, sew each end of the strap to the inside of the bag corner. Weave ends.
– Sew bolts onto sides of the bag (I lined mine up with Rows 3-6). Weave ends.

Don’t forget to PIN this project to your Pinterest boards!

You’re all ready for a boo-tastic (is that a word?) Halloween!

The post Crochet Frankenstein Trick-or-Treat Bag appeared first on Sewrella.