Happy Thanksgiving!
Like everyone else on the internet, I’m having a sale for Thanksgiving weekend.
It’s a Shiny Happy World kind of sale – with nothing complicated, no pushing, no circling parking lots, no waiting in line, and nothing going out of stock.
Sale starts today and ends at midnight (eastern time) on Monday 12/2.
Use the code TURKEY for 20% off all digital patterns.
That’s it! Easy peasy.
You’ll find all the patterns here.
Happy Thanksgiving! And happy stitching! 🥰
Best,
Wendi
Stacey loves eating pickles, and is a Christmas Pickle Collector – so it’s no surprise that she designed a pattern for a crocheted Christmas Pickle! We’ve updated it here with some new tutorial links.
The skills you’ll need for just about any amigurumi are. . .
This project uses a couple of extra skills, but don’t worry. They’re easy, and we have video tutorials showing how!
You can go through all those posts now, or just hop to them as you get to those points in the pattern – whatever works best for you!
Yarn
This pattern can be used with any weight yarn. If you use worsted weight yarn, your pickle will be about 5 1/2 inches long.
Materials
Gauge Notes
This pattern doesn’t specify a gauge. It’s a stuffed pickle, and you don’t need to be too picky about exact sizing. The most important thing is that you use a hook size that creates a nice looking fabric for your yarn. If you use the recommended hook size, and your fabric looks very loose (so that stuffing would show through), then you will want to use a smaller hook. Other than that, no measuring required!
Stitch into the Back
All stitches in this pattern (that are worked in the round) are worked through the back loop only, unless otherwise directed. Look at this picture.
See how one loop is highlighted in black? This is the back loop, and it’s what you’ll stitch into. Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece.
Want to see crocheting through the back loop in action? Check out this blog post. It talks all about why Stacey crochets through the back loop and even has a handy dandy video showing how to find that loop.
Abbreviations
Ready? Let’s jump in!
Ch 2 (I like to start with a sloppy slip knot. This video shows how. And this video shows how to chain.)
Round 1 sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6) This post will help you find that second chain from the hook.
Round 2 sc twice in next st (12) This video will help you if you find it tricky to start the second round.
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st.] 6 times (18)
Round 4 sc in each st. (18)
Round 5 [bbl in next st, sc in next 5 sts.] 2 times (18)
Round 6 sc in each st. (18)
Round 7 [sc in next 4 sts, bbl in next st, sc in next st] 2 times (18)
Rounds 8-11 Repeat rounds 4-7.
Round 12 sl st in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts. (18)
This video shows how to slip stitch – it’s what gives your pickle that classic bend in the middle. And this video shows how to half double crochet. These slightly taller stitches are what give your pickle room on the back to make that bend.
Round 13 sl st in next 6 sts, [bbl in next st, sc in next 5 sts] 2 times (18)
This video shows how to bobble stitch.
Round 14 sl st in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 6 sts, sc in next 3 sts. (18)
Round 15 sl st in next 6 sts, [sc in next 4 sts, bbl in next st] 2 times (18)
Rounds 16-23 Repeat rounds 4-7, twice.
Lightly stuff your pickle.
Round 24 [sc2tog, sc in next st.] 6 times (12)
Round 25 [sc2tog] 6 times (6)
Add a bit more stuffing if needed and close up the top using your favorite method. I like the drawstring method – there’s a video here showing how. And here’s a video showing how to fasten off.
Bury the tail. Tie a ribbon to the top for hanging.
Congratulations! You have an adorable Christmas Pickle ornament!
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
I’ve received several requests to bring the felt ornament kits back in stock.
Your wish is my command!
You’ll find a very limited quantity of each kit in the shop – and I can pack up more if needed.
Each kit contains all the felt and thread you’ll need for all 12 ornaments, plus all the pattern pieces already printed out on freezer paper or Sulky Sticky Fabri-solvy – whichever is called for for each piece. The step by step instructions are delivered by email.
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
There’s a new Funny Faces Quilt Block of the Month Club pattern.
Meet Kevin Koala!
I made a pink-on-pink-on-pink version, too. 😄
If you’re already in the club, pop over to the clubhouse to download your new pattern.
If you’re not in the club yet, you can join here.
This cutie is super easy to make. Here’s a video showing how to assemble the block.
Here are all the links I promised. . .
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
Ready for a fun project? We’re having a Quilt-Along through the end of the year!
Build a house! Or two. Or a whole neighborhood. 🙂
I’m going to make a quilt – but you can make anything you like. Here are a bunch of free patterns that would work great with these houses.
Get the Shiny Happy Houses quilt pattern here.
Get the free signs to make North Pole buildings here.
If you want to use that shimmery white fabric I used for the snowy ground, you can get that here.
I’m also going to add sashing strips between my rows of houses, to make an extra snowy landscape. ☃️
Tag your photos #WinterCAL2019 and post them to the Shiny Happy People group. The Winter Craft-Along is a larger craft-along for projects that use any Shiny Happy World or FreshStitches winter or holiday pattern. There will be lots of prizes in lots of different categories – including a prize just for North Pole projects.
Happy stitching! I can’t wait to see your houses!
Best,
Wendi
Happy November!
It’s feeling autumnal, so I think it’s the perfect time to make a calendar with this fox in fall colors.
Download your wallpaper below. There are options both with and without the November calendar.
And here’s a look at what’s happening at Shiny Happy World this month.
Here are all the links to the things I mentioned. . .
I’ll post details about the Winter Craft-Along tomorrow. 😄
Best,
Wendi
Make an adorable tiny pumpkin to celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving!
It would also be adorable stitched up in red to be a cherry. 🙂
Here’s how to make it!
The skills you’ll need for just about any amigurumi are. . .
You can go through all those posts now, or just hop to them as you get to those points in the pattern – whatever works best for you!
Yarn
This pattern can be used with any weight yarn. The sample is crocheted with worsted weight yarn to make a 3-inch tall pumpkin with a 10-inch vine. You can use thicker yarn/a bigger hook to make a bigger pumpkin, and thinner yarn/a smaller hook to make a smaller pumpkin.
Materials
Stitch into the Back
All stitches in this pattern (that are worked in the round) are worked through the back loop only, unless otherwise directed. Look at this picture.
See how one loop is highlighted in black? This is the back loop, and it’s what you’ll stitch into. Stitching into the back loop creates ridges on the right side of the piece.
Want to see crocheting through the back loop in action? Check out this blog post. It talks all about why Stacey crochets through the back loop and even has a handy dandy video showing how to find that loop.
Abbreviations
Ready? Let’s jump in!
We’ll start with those googly eyes in white yarn.
Ch 2 (I like to start with a sloppy slip knot. This video shows how. And this video shows how to chain.)
Round 1 sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6) This post will help you find that second chain from the hook.
Round 2 sc twice in next st (12) This video will help you if you find it tricky to start the second round.
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st.] 6 times (18)
Round 4 sc in each st. (24)
Fasten off with a long tail. Insert a 12 mm eye into the center of the bowl shape. Repeat to make a second eye.
Now for the body. Use orange yarn for the pumpkin. Ch 2.
Round 1 sc 6 in 2nd ch from hook (6)
Round 2 sc twice in next st (12)
Round 3 [sc twice in next st, sc in next st.] 6 times (18)
Round 4 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 2 sts.] 6 times (24)
Round 5 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 3 sts.] 6 times (30)
Round 6 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 4 sts.] 6 times (36)
Round 6 [sc twice in next st, sc in next 5 sts.] 6 times (42)
Round 8-13 sc in each st. (42, 6 rounds)
Round 14 [sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts.] 6 times (36)
Round 15 [sc2tog, sc in next 4 sts.] 6 times (30)
Round 16 [sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts.] 6 times (24)
Round 17 Change to green yarn for the pumpkin top and vine. This post shows you how to get a clean color change. [Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts.] 6 times (18)
Remove hook, but do not fasten off. Stuff the eyes and attach them to the body, as pictured.
Stuff the body and continue crocheting.
Round 18 [sc2tog, sc in next st.] 6 times (12)
Round 19-54 (or until vine is about 10 inches long) Sc in each st. (12, 36 rounds)
Round 55 [sc2tog] 6 times (24)
Close up the tip of the vine using the drawstring method (there’s a video here) and bury the tail.
Tie the vine in a loose knot.
Done!
Make some more – enough to fill a whole pumpkin patch! They’re so much fun to make!
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
The Tucker Tiger pattern is in the shop!
This was originally exclusive to the Funny Faces Quilt Block of the Month Club. Now everyone can get it!
Want to join the club to get future patterns as soon as they’re available? AND at a discount? Join the club here.
Take a look at some of the terrific tigers that club members made.
Aren’t they fabulous?
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
Since I released the first Dots fat quarter bundle, Michael Miller Fabrics has expanded their Hash Dot collection to include way more colors.
I’ve completely refreshed the bundle with lots of the new colors. Now it’s a baker’s dozen of colorful dotty awesomeness. I love this print so much!
Get the new Dots fat quarter bundle here.
Happy stitching!
Best,
Wendi
My book is out now!
Woo hoo!
I can’t wait to see what you make with all these motifs. There are over 500!
The title is How to Embroider Almost Everything and I took that really seriously. I tried to draw ALL KINDS of different things. Yes – there are your normal embroidery subjects – flowers and trees and cute animals. But there are also pages and pages of other things – like laundry hanging on a line, household tools, colorful cocktails, and more. It was so much fun!
Want to see a peek inside the book? I recorded a video of me looking through my author copy for the first time! You can watch it here.
Want to order it? Here are a bunch of links for places to buy.
If you already bought a copy – thank you so much! I hope you love it!
If you do, please leave a review. You can do that by clicking on any of those purchasing links. Online reviews help so much – especially on Amazon. Like Facebook, they keep the details of their algorithm secret – but they do tell authors that more reviews lead to higher rank in search results. Posting an Amazon review (even a super short one) is a really, really nice thing to do for books you like. 🙂
Happy stitching! I can’t wait to see what you make! We’ll have a special category in our photo contest next month – so be sure to snap a photo and be ready to share!
Best,
Wendi
