On the Starting of Free Pattern Fridays

So, here’s the plan. Ideally I would like to begin publishing something called Free Pattern Friday!

Hooray! Everyone loves free patterns!!

What this would entail:

• A free pattern by me for you to use for non-profit and personal use only please and thank you.
• The pattern could range from anything from Sculpey clay, jewelry to crochet or knitting. Or something really unusual like nalbinding. (Google it.)
• It would be most likely be every other week to monthly depending on how busy or inspired I am feeling. However, as a challenge for myself I would love to do it every week. This would probably have to be delayed into being a New Year’s Resolution type thing. 
• Every pattern might not be quite for you. I’m kinda eclectic and my tastes and patterns will reflect this. But don’t worry, more than likely I’ll develop a pattern soon enough you will enjoy!
• Feel free to ask me any questions, especially if something seems unclear!

To start this out, here’s a pattern I designed just yesterday to begin this goal!

Dangos on a Stick

copyright 2012 YarnPaint.com
For personal and non-profit use only please. Do not sell this pattern or any items made by it.

Project Type: Crochet

Skill Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Pink Perle Cotton Size 5
• White Perle Cotton Size 5
• Green Perle Cotton Size 5
• Size C crochet hook
• Needle and black thread
• Small amount of stuffing
• A yarn needle
• A small, slender stick– such as a kabob skewer or smaller (I used the remnants of an incense stick.)

 Dango Body:

1. Magic loop four single crochet (sc), pull loop tight. (4)
2. 2sc in each sc. (8)
3. * Sc in next sc, then 2sc in next sc, repeat from * around. (12)
4. * Sc in next two sc, then 2sc in next sc, repeat from * around. (16)
5. * Sc in next three sc, then 2sc in next sc, repeat from * around. (20)
6. Sc in each sc.
7. Sc in each sc.
8. * Sc in next three sc, then decrease 1sc (dec1sc), repeat from * around. (16)
9. * Sc in next two sc, then dec1sc, repeat from * around. (12)
10. * Sc in next sc, then dec1sc, repeat from * around. (8)
11. Now, taking the needle and black thread, stitch on two little eyes and tie off thread. Add stuffing.
12. Dec1sc around. (4)
13. Break yarn, leaving a long tail, and thread yarn onto yarn needle. Carefully weave yarn through all remaining stitches and pull tight to close up the hole. Weave in end but do not cut!

Repeat Dango Body for each color. After bodies are made, taking the leftover tail, carefully stitch each body on top of each other– like as in the picture. Order does not really matter, just do whatever looks good to you. 

For the bottom body: Gently slide the stick through the bound off loop (you should see a small circle) and into the body, but not so far that it pierces the next dango! Taking the long tail, wrap it a few times around the stick to hold it in place then stitch back up into the dango body. Repeat this a few times to make certain that the stick won’t slide out easily– it probably will have a little wiggle room, but so long as you aren’t rough on it, it will be fine. You can always additionally secure it with a small drop of white glue or super glue if you are really worried about it.

And you are all done! Don’t they look yummy?!