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The Tunisian Pumpkin pattern has been through a little update.

Halloween crochet pumpkins

The pattern is updated with wings, a leaf, and two pumpkin variations. It adds a lot of possibilities for happy or scary or stylish Halloween decorations.

Get the pattern here

Read more and purchase the pattern on Ravelry, LoveCrochet, or the StoneGnome Store.

Or purchase the pattern right away here: Buy Now

Skills Needed

The pattern is a mix of regular and Tunisian crochet. If you don't know Tunisian crochet, don't worry. You will only need to learn a couple of basic Tunisian crochet stitches to make this, and it can be made with a regular crochet hook (with no handle).

All the minor details are basic regular crochet - with a little exception. To be able to make the wings mirrored, a few unusual stitches are added. They are not very difficult to do.

I've borrowed the technique from Tunisian crochet where they are called 'reverse stitches'. However, it is not the kind of reverse stitches we normally relate to, when we do regular crochet.

See a video and a little note about the reverse stitches here.

Happy Halloween!

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Amigurumi and Tunisian Crochet arent’ something you very often think about as related. However, Tunisian crochet can be a very good choice for making nice and soft amigurumi.

Tunisian crochet Pumpkin

I missed working with Tunisian crochet stitches. Then I got inspired by our creative kids (age 6 and 8) to make a pumpkin.

UPDATE. This pattern has been updated with extra items and features. Read more here.

The body of the pumpkin is made of Tunisian crochet stitches. The stem and the blossom end are regular crochet.
Tunisian crochet Amigurumi

Yarn.
I recommend the wool yarn blend Scheepjes Metropolis. It’s very very nice to work with and supports the softness of the Tunisian crochet stitches that makes the pumpkin nice to hold.

Size. The pumpkin will be around 7cm tall and wide (2.8”) with the suggested yarn here.

Currently, you can purchase the Pumpkin Pattern at Ravelry and at LoveCrafts.
- OR -
Find the pumpkin at my payhip store and get it for FREE when you use the coupon code PUMPKIN
(The coupon code expires November 1st 2021.)

Happy Halloween!


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I see a lot of questions these days about how to get circles like Rozeta* - but also squares - to lay flat and avoid the wonky look.
Dahlia Washcloths being a bit wonky
How to avoid the Wonky Look on your crocheted items

There are more things you can do to avoid wavy edges.

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Don't you think a big and a smaller pillow looks good together? The bonus-pages for the Heart on Fire is ready now. This means the pattern now includes a smaller heart too.
Heart on Fire Tunisian crochet pillow pattern - two sizes

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Tomorrow it is Valentine's Day and everyone deserves at least one heart. Here is one for you. 

Big Valentines Day Pillow - Tunisian crochet

The pattern is free for a while. See the details below.

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You really don't need that little knot in the beginning of your next crochet project. Here is a video showing how to avoid it.

It works with regular crochet as well as Tunisian and it doesn't matter how you like to hook into your starting chain.

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Crochet with 3 strands of yarn
Working with 3 strands at once is fast and gives you a different and softer look than a bulkier yarn does - and you might save yarn too.

Crochet with 3 strands of yarn

See here how to do it without getting into a big mess and get some tips about yarn usage, hook size etc.

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Here is a nice and easy-to-do Tunisian stitch pattern for you. It is one of my favorites and I rarely see other using it, which is a shame. Try it, you might love it too.

Twisted Stitch Pattern

I also have a little workaround for you, that helps you close gaps in the left side of your work

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Crocheted Rib Stitch Patterns Did you ever think about how many different crocheted ribbings there exist? I think most of us just do whatever a pattern tells us - or you find a page telling you 'how to crochet a ribbing'. As in one ribbing.
Crocheted Rib Stitch Patterns

Being conscious about the different kinds of ribbing is an advantage, if you want to be able to change an existing pattern or make your own design.

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Latvian Twist - or Twisted Stitch Edge - is a knitting technique for creating a lovely border. I have seen knitters doing it, but never a crocheter. So I tried it, and you can use it, when you crochet.


It takes advantage of the natural curling of a crocheted work and it will also help you prevent the rolling of the rest of your work.
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Crochet. Avoid an ugly slip knot in the beginning of your work
This might be the tiniest advice ever, but wouldn't you like to get rid of the knot you get, when you start a new project?


You probably start with a slip knot and pull it tight. Then you have a little hard knot in the corner of your work. It doesn't add anything good to your work and can be difficult to hide - even if making a border - as it is always trying to run away and stick out.

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The back of the Tunisian Top Stitch has similarities to a chain mail when using a large hook.
It is perfect for halloween or for any everyday childrens play.



The project is fast and it doesn't matter, if you make a little mistake here and there. So feel free to try even if you just learned to do the Tunisian Top Stitch.

This is a detailed guide. Grab your yarn, measure tape, a shirt of approximately the right size and your creativity.

You need

  • scissors - for your yarn only, do NOT cut the sample shirt you found!
  • needle for sewing in ends.
  • yarn: acrylic is fine. 
    • yarn weight: DK (133m/50g or 145.5yds/1.76oz)
    • I used: Torino from Lane Cervinia - 120g (4.2oz) for a size 3-4 year old.
  • at least one size 10mm straight hook with a rubber band around the far end.
    • OR - if possible - a Tunisian hook with hooks on both ends (or make your own).


Step 1 - Draw and Measure

Get the measurements from the shirt you want to copy. If you want to adjust anything, do it now.

The top stitch is very flexible, so the sizes on my drawing makes the costume large enough to be worn on top of a jacket as well as on top of a regular shirt.

Draw a shirt before you crochet

Use Google to convert the cm into inches if you like and if you want the exact same size as I.

I took one of my 3-year olds shirts and added a little length to make room for a side seam slit.
I also changed the neck to an easier one with a slit making plenty of room for my kid's huge head.
And finally I decided to make the arms straight and not too long, as I think this goes well with a chain mail.

Notice: The top stitch likes to stretch. So when you measure the work laying flat down, it should be 10% shorter, as it stretches when worn (due to gravity). Does that 10% explanation make sense to you? If it is supposed to be 40cm (15.75in) long, then make it 36cm (14.2in) when laying flat on a table.
My measurements on the drawing are those I used, when the costumes was laying flat on a table.

AND REMEMBER: We want The BACK of the top stitch. So the side you look at, when you crochet, will be the WRONG side of the final shirt.

Step 2 - Crochet the Front and Back

You can start from the top or the beginning. The top stitch will look the same.

I started the shirt from the bottom. I regretted that, as my boy suddenly came by and wanted it to be knee length - and then changed his mind back, when he saw the result. So I had to frog the neck. It would have been easier to frog the part with the side seams. - Or at least to do a reality check on the way down there :)

Anyway - This is how you start from the bottom. Make the side seam parts. Two rectangular pieces of 6x38 cm.

Continue working in a spiral to make the back and then front at the same time: When you have the two rectangles, you start picking up loops on one of them and when you reach the end of the first one, continue on the other piece.

See ChiCrochets video for Tunisian Crochet in the Round.
Ignore that she changes colors. It just makes it easier for you to see, what she does.

If you don't want to do Tunisian in the rounds (or you only have one regular hook), you can make the front and the back separately and then slip stitch them together later.

If you work in a spiral, then remember to stop, when you get to the sleeve openings (make plenty of room here). My work measured 24cm (9.5in)here - laying flat. From here I crocheted in rows. Back and forward. Back side first and then the front side.

Neck

On the front side, I wanted a slit in the neck. Skip this part if you don't want it.

5cm (2in) from the measurement target, mark the center of the work for the neck slit. Stop crocheting, when you get to the slit and worked your way back again doing one side first. When done, cut the yarn and do the second part afterwards. This leaves a 5 cm slit in the middle.

Slip Stitch Shoulders Together

Now, stitch the back and the front together on top of the shoulders. You can use a regular slip stitch for that. Remember: You want the WRONG side to be visible. So put the front and back side together, so the wrong sides face each other. That way your slip stitches will be on the back of the costume.

Step 3 - The Arms

Remember that the top Stitch likes to stretch lengthwise? Currently there should plenty of room for the armpits. Make sure to pick up stitches anywhere possible, so there keep being plenty of space in the armpit.

Pick up stitches for the sleeves everywhere where your arms should be. Then crochet spiral-wise (or back and forward) all the way to the hand.

If you work back and forward in rows, then make the arm as a huge rectangle. The seam should be placed under the arm and will be slip stitched together.

No decreases.

When both arms are done, cut the yarn and pull it through the last loop on the hook. Hide the closing off, when you sew in ends. This shirt is for dressing up, not an everyday garment, so it doesn't matter if it looks a little rough.

Step 4 - Assembly

If you didn't work in a spiral, then you can crochet pieces together now with loose slip stitches. Remember that the BACK side of your work is the one we want to show, so put things together while you watch the front side of your work.

Weave in Ends

Weave in and lock ends
Loose yarn ends should be woven in. First in one direction for at least 5cm (2inch). Then lock it by turning the needle in the other direction and sew the thread into itself. This will prevent the yarn from getting loose.


Tadaa ! Chain Mail done!



Happy guy with his crocheted chain mail

Optional - Making Highlights

Paint highlights on your crocheted work
If you want highlights on the shirt, you can use acrylic paint. It will stiffen the yarn, but nothing serious. Just make sure you don't add too much on the shirt. It will not look good and probably crack and fall off.

Put paint on a big brush and wipe the brush off, so there isn't too much paint. Don't put pressure on the brush while painting. Paint in the direction of top to bottom only. Highlights are supposed to look like sunlight and they only come from one direction.

You should rather add a little paint at a time and then do the maneuver several times, than give it too much from the beginning.

Put it on a hanger and let it dry.

Washing

This costume should be hand washed only. The stitches are quite loose and if something catches a few threads, you will be sorry for the time spent to fix it. Also, if you have painted the costume, the paint might come off and mess with the other clothes in your machine - or the filters.


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A very easy way to make a hat is making it sideways. You simply crochet a long rectangle and sew the ends and the top. And there you have a hat.


I'll show you how to do that and how to figure out the right sizes.
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Slouchy Loose Hat
You have already made the base of your hat. Now you want a ribbed brim.

And when your hat is done, you want the hat to look smooth and soft without those edgy corners from your increases. Or maybe you want a little decoration?

This post gives you:
  1. Nice tips for doing a ribbed brim
  2. Guidelines for blocking
  3. Tips for making ears
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I have an excellent new ribbing for you!

I've been playing around with the Top Stich and found a very, very neat way to make an awesome ribbing. I haven't seen it anywhere else. So I dare to call this NEW!
  • Is extremely flexible 
  • It has a very soft structure
  • And the stitch pattern looks great

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3 Skein Scarf at Stonegnome
What type of scarf do you want? One pattern fits all desires.

3 Skein Scarf at Stonegnome

My newest pattern works very well for both a warm winter scarf and a light summer scarf. Plus everything in between.

The pattern is perfect for crochet beginners as well as more trained crocheters.

It is available on my designer page at LoveCrafts (in English/Danish/German) as well as in Ravelry.
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I've always wanted to learn how to crochet with my left hand too. It would definitely give you some advances!

Though - come to think of it. Sometimes it is not necessary. See here how to do a Reversed Tunisian Top Stitch - aka Reversed Bump Stitch.

It is SO easy!
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