Sheep Pillow Published in Little Looms

Sheep are neat and so are pillows that look like them! Deborah designed an adorable sheep pillow using yarn and pin loom woven shapes.

We love this pillow because it’s fairly easy to make, yet has lots of little details that make it quite interesting. The 4″ squares give it a puffed / quilted look. The woven texture of each square adds more interest. The fleck in the yarn adds still more depth.

Sheep Pillow Pin Loom Pattern in Little Looms Magazine

Little Looms Magazine first published this “Counting Sheep” pattern in their Spring 2023 issue. You can access the pattern either by purchasing that single issue or joining their all access subscription service.

About the Pin Loom Sheep Pillow Pattern

The finished size is approximately 10″ x 11″ x 4 1/2″.

There are two weaving structures: plain weave and Loomette Weave #1. Check out our blog post for the Loomette Weave #1 pattern. Here are the supplies needed to make your own Pin Loom Sheep Pillow:

  • Pin Loom Square: 4″
  • Pin Loom Rectangle: 2” x 4”
  • 5” weaving needle
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Yarns: Lion Brand Yarns Vanna’s Choice Heather (92% acrylic/8% rayon; 145 yd/3 oz), #400D Oatmeal, 160 yd.
  • Lion Brand Yarns Vanna’s Choice Solid (100% acrylic, 170 yd/3.5oz), #153 Black, 40 yd.
  • Stuffing
  • Pins

It’s really fun to see how many people find this project so appealing. Even though it’s pin loom woven, we find that fiber enthusiasts of all kids find this little guy irresistible. So do farmers and city folk…and people who like to count sheep before they nod off to sleep.

Giraffe Pin Loom Pillow in Little Looms

The worlds tallest mammal is now the worlds tallest pin loom pillow. Ok, we just made that up. But it might be true. This giraffe pin loom body pillow measures approximately 16″ wide x 49″ tall. If it’s not the tallest pin loom pillow, we don’t know what is!

Kick back and relax with your very own cozy long-necked friend. This large pin loom body pillow has a quilt-like front and a fabric back, sewn together with a binding edge. There is shaping and layering on the nose portion of the giraffe, otherwise, each woven shape is sewn to the shapes next to it like a puzzle.

Giraffe Pin Loom Pillow available at Little Looms

We designed the Giraffe Pin Loom Pillow for Little Looms magazine and it made it’s debut in the Little Looms Magazine Winter 2022. To get the pattern, you can purchase a digital copy of the magazine or join their all access program. Learn more on the Little Looms website.

About the Giraffe Pin Loom Body Pillow Pattern

As we’ve said, this giraffe pillow is tall, so there are a lot of shapes to weave. It’s kind of like weaving a lapghan only more cuddly. To cut down on the weaving, we’ve attached a fabric back. But you could certainly weave squares for the back as well.

Everything is woven in plain weave.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own Giraffe Pin Loom Pillow:

  • Pin Loom Squares: 1”, 2”, and 4”
  • Pin Loom Triangles: 2” and 4” right triangles
  • Pin Loom Rectangles: 2” x 4” and 2” x 6”
  • Needle: 7″ weaving needle; tapestry needle; sewing needle
  • Sewing Machine (though you could hand stitch the project)
  • Yarns Lion Brand Heartland (100% acrylic; 251 yd/5 oz), #173 Everglades, 370 yd; #158 Yellowstone, 160 yd; #124 Big Bend, 70 yd; #153 Black Canyon, 1 yd.
  • Fiber-fil
  • 17” x 50” fabric
  • 4 yds brown double fold ¼” bias tape,
  • brown thread

Enjoy!

Crochet Stars!

Seeing (Crocheted) Stars!

You are a star! And now your projects can light up like them too, with these quick, fun and beautiful crocheted stars. They are so fun to make, you will want to put them everywhere! They are great for greeting cards, wall hangings, pallet art, and so much more! Add sparkle to your stars by using glittery or sequined yarn.

I’ve written the instructions for multiple sizes, so you can add stars to any project. No yarn size or hook size is listed as you should use the yarn and hook size that most fits the size project you are making. For the smallest stars, I recommend using crochet thread and size 2 hooks. Otherwise, I use size 3 or 4 yarn with a C-E hook. Medium stars are great for size 4 yarn with size F-J hooks. The large star looks great in size 4-6 yarn using hooks sized G and up. The size of yarn and hook really will depend on the project you are making.

These are 5 pointed stars, though you can make more points if desired. Because the stars are individual points, (as opposed to connected points), the points tend to curl. Pin and spray starch them to lay flat, unless you are sewing, gluing or stapling them to a project!

The large star uses a special linked stitch so there is not a big gap between the center circle and the bottom of the point. Linking the point is not necessary. I only linked it on projects where I didn’t want what appeared to be a hole.

Special Abbreviation

Linked double treble crochet (Ldtrc): YO 3 times, insert hook in stitch indicated, YO and pull through, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, skip a stitch on Rnd 2, insert hook in next st of Rnd 2, YO and pull through and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook, YO and pull through 2 loops on hook.

SMALL STAR

Ch 2 or use magic circle/magic ring
Rnd 1: Work 10 sc in second ch from hook or in magic ring. Join with a sl st. (10)
Rnd 2: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 4, work in back bump of ch sts, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, skip a st on Rnd 1, sl st in next st* (on point made), repeat 4 more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing on a project.

 

MEDIUM STAR

Ch 2 or use magic circle/magic ring
Rnd 1: Work 7 sc in second ch from hook or in magic ring. Join with a sl st. (7)
Rnd 2: Work 3 sc in first st, work 2 sc in each st around. (15)
Rnd 3: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 5, work in the back bump of the ch sts, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, trc in next ch, skip two sts on Rnd 2, sl st in next st* (one point made), repeat four more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing on a project.

 

LARGE STAR

Ch 4, join with a sl st.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 10 dc in ring. Join with a sl st. (10)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st. (20)
Rnd 3: Make 5 points as follows: *Ch 7, work in the back bump of the ch sts, sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next, hdc in next, dc in next, trc in next, ldtrc in last st, skip a st on Rnd 2, sl st* (one point made), repeat four more times. Fasten off. Cut yarn leaving a tail if sewing it on a project.

Pin Loom Woven Gift Bags

Weave your own gift bags!

 

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Christmas is four days away and I decided today that I just had to weave 8 little drawstring gift bags for family members! Shouldn’t be too hard with a toddler and preschooler around. Not to mention that there is paint involved. What could go wrong?

I love these bags because they can be personalized to match the recipient and can be made for any season or reason. The color of yarn and stencil do all the work!

What you need:

Yarn

4 inch pin loom (I use the Zoom Loom)

Stencil and paint brush

Paint and some form of paint tray

Scissors, yarn needle

How-to Make a Drawstring Gift Bag

Plain weave 8 four inch squares per gift bag. I sewed the squares together so they were 2 x 4, then folded it in half so it was 2 x 2 with the top open. I always sew on the inside and use the double overcast method. It seems to make the nicest looking join on the front (in my humble opinion) and is sturdy for holding things in the bag.

Next I made a twisted cord. (I started with about 16 feet of yarn, twisted it, folded it in half and let it twist on itself.) Then I turned the bag inside out, folded the top of the bag over the cord, and sewed it to the bag making sure not to sew through the cord. I centered the cord in the bag and tied a knot about eight inches from the bag and trimmed off the rest.

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I bought several stencils at the store making sure they were small enough to fit on a project 8 inches square. I turned the bag right side out, inserted a piece  of paper in the bag (so the paint wouldn’t soak through to the other side), and painted the desired scene. To give it extra pizzazz, I used a Sharpie marker to add shading.

img_3523

 

 

And voila, I was on my way to making the gift bags I needed. Excuse me now, I need to weave more squares for the rest of the gift bags!

 

Dishcloth and Plant Holder Pattern

Who says dishcloths have to be square? This month’s dishie pattern is a beautiful pentagonal cloth made from FibraNatura Good Earth distributed by Universal Yarns. Though I stopped with an 8″ dishcloth, it could be made in any size. It’s the perfect dishcloth for washing and scrubbing as well as gift giving.

This lovely dishcloth would also be great as a doily or as a hot pad.

thumbnail_star-dishie

I fell in love with this design so much, I decided to turn it into a plant holder! The plant holder starts with a pentagonal base, with the side supports crocheted around that. Because of the design, it can hold various sized pots a little smaller or larger than 1.46 quarts.

thumbnail_holding-plant

Plants make a house so homey. Plant some ivy or perhaps some spices. Turn your kitchen into a living space!

Finished Measurements:

  • Dishcloth: 8″
  • Plant Holder: 26 x 4 1/2″, holds a 1.46 qt pot

PDF Instant Download Now Available

The Dishcloth+ Series: Pentagonal Dishcloth and Plant Holder is now available in our Etsy Store.

Available Now on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy

Christmas Pin Loom Project Set

Pin Loom your Christmas decorations and gifts this year! All with only a 4″ square pin loom.

christmas-pin-loom-group1

These festive woven projects have you and your friends’ names written all over them. Who doesn’t love a gnome? Add a little snowman to your indoor collection. Decorate with a beautiful wreath and garden flag. Relax on these lovely pillows. It truly is amazing what you can create with squares with a little shaping and sewing.

  • thumbnail_christmas-pin-loom-group2

Each project is made with 4″ squares done in plain weave. (The pattern does NOT include how to plain weave.) Projects range from 1 to 38 squares, making them quick and easy to make.

The pattern includes:

  • Gnome
  • Pillow with Crochet Snowflake
  • Santa’s Belly Pillow
  • Santa’s Belly Wall Hanging
  • Snowflake Ornament
  • Bethlehem Garden Flag
  • Holly & Berry Wreath
  • Reindeer Squares
  • Snowman Squares
  • Santa’s Pants
  • Christmas Present
  • Miniature Snowmen
  • Step-by-step photos
  • Step-by-Step written instructions
  • Templates for the felt pieces

thumbnail_bethlehem-flag

Pattern also includes instructions on how to turn some of these things into magnets, little gift bags, greeting cards, and more.

Projects shown here are made with Red Heart Soft yarn. Not only is it soft, it also has a nice sheen. This is a great yarn for pin looming.

PDF Instant Download Available Now

The pattern and templates for the Christmas Pin Loom Projects are now available in our Etsy Shop.

Available on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy

Summer Floral Wreath

Summer Floral Wreath

Floral Wreath with 3 crochet flowers

Hello Summer!

I crochet all year long, even in the hot summer weather. It’s the perfect time of the year to crochet smaller projects like flowers! This super fun wreath will dress up your front door or wall in your home.

This sunny wreath is a cozy that wraps around a 14″ straw wreath. And the floral blooms are a mix of three crochet flowers whipped up in several different colors. This would be a great stash busting project!

The crocheted Summer Wreath includes:

  • Rose
  • Carnation
  • Daisy
  • Leaf
  • Wreath Cozy

Of course, the flowers can be used lots of different ways. Create a bouquet and put them in a vase. Or attach them to a hair clip or a newborn headband.

PDF Instant Download Available Now

The Summer Floral Wreath is available in our Etsy Shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy

Play Ball: New Published Pattern

Play Ball: Published in Love of Crochet Summer 2015….Now Available in Store

Play Ball Baseball and Football Stadium Cushions and Pillows

Love sports? We created a crochet pattern for a throw pillow and stadium cushions to help keep you comfortable at your next baseball, softball or American football game.

These stadium cushions are surprisingly easy to make and have several fun design features. There are shoulder straps to make them easy to carry to the game. There are tie downs on the side so you can tuck the shoulder strap away while in use. And we’ve included zippers so the cushion covers can be washed.

It’s hip to be square…or just a bit cheeky.

Play Ball Available in the Store

Love of Crochet Summer 2015-CoverPlay Ball Stadium Cushions and Throw Pillow first appeared in Love of Crochet Summer 2015. They are now available in the store.

The pattern includes:

  • Baseball / Softball Stadium Cushion
  • American Football Stadium Cushion
  • Baseball / Softball Throw Pillow

Available in the Store

 

Vote in Twins Face Off Flower Stashbuster Challenge

Vote in the Twins Face Off Crochet Design Challenge
This is a Flower Stashbuster Challenge with Vanna’s Choice Yarn

It’s up to you to choose, which crocheted floral project you like better. After you vote below, scroll down to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a copy of both crochet patterns.

Giveaway ends August 24, 2015 at midnight.

We have extended the vote and giveaway to August 28th at midnight. We’ll select 2 more winners!

Twins Face Off Floral Design

Flower Projects Close UPs

Left: Floral Heart Throw Pillow Right: Flower Door Stops

We raided our stash and used Vanna’s Choice yarn for our projects. Learn more and see additional photos for Floral Heart Throw Pillow and Flower Door Stops in the shop.

The vote is annonymous, so vote with confidence.

Vote

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Pork Chop Pig Crochet Pattern

Hunting for Bacon?

Whether you need more bacon in your life or want to go on a boar hunt, this crochet pattern is PETA approved!

pig with collar

This pig can be accessorized with a sweater and a medal. He can be Wilbur from Charlotte’s Web, or a trophy piece for the hunters out there. We even made it in red for the Razorback fans!

I made several of the mounted pig heads for my students after we read Animal Farm. They loved them!

Pig Crochet PatternBe sure to download the free accessories pattern for the fun variations.

Pork Chop Pattern on Etsy

Pork Chop crochet pattern.

Pork Chop accessories pack (sweater, medal, Razorback).