you are my sunshine...

Firstly...

I want to say a super big thank you to all of those caring souls who sent me beautiful messages of condolences. Thanks for your love, hugs, support and prayers. Losing mum has left a huge void in my life, but I am gaining a wonderful strength from those around me. Thank you!



These little guys are like beaming balls of sunshine. You could make a bunch of them and string them together as a garland to decorate a child's room or a baby's pram... even make them into a mobile for above the cot. If you think of other ideas, please add a comment to this post - and share your inspiration with us all.

I originally made them as platelets... as a part of a novelty gift for my mum. Platelets are responsible for helping your blood to clot. Microscopically they look like little plates (thus the name platelets) and they have thorny tentacle-like protrusions which help them to mesh together nicely when clotting is required. I like to think that they also have shiny eyes and a fabulous big smile... but this is yet to be scientifically proven.

The pattern is very simple. It is worked as two separate pieces, front and back, which are then stitched together.

As always, if you find any errors... please let me know.

I have used a bulky yarn, and a 4.0mm hook

front:

start with a magic adjustable ring

round 1 - ch1, 8 sc... tighten ring, then join with a slip stitch to the top of the first sc

round 2 - ch1, work 2 sc into each stitch (16 sc in total) ... join with a slip stitch to the top of the first sc

round 3 - making the 'tentacles'

• tentacle 1 - ch6, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  
• tentacle 2 - ch4, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
• tentacle 3 - ch5, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
• tentacle 4 - ch 7, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
• tentacle 5 - ch 5, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
• tentacle 6 - ch 5, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
• tentacle 7 - ch 7, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
• tentacle 8 - ch 4, slip stitch into 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch into each of the other chains, 2 sc
  

join round with a slip stitch... fasten off, leaving a long tail to use for seaming


back:

work as the front BUT make each of the tentacles one chain longer


finish:

add beads for the eyes and use red wool to embroider the mouth... I like to use the reverse side of my work as the 'right side' but you can place them either way

place front and back together with wrong sides facing, and tentacles alternating... use tails of yarn to stitch together


confused??? want to see progress photos???


make your ring


insert hook, pick up yarn


and pull loop through to front


yarn over hook


pull through loop... ch1 completed


work the 8sc into the ring


hold starting tail


and gently pull to tighten ring


until the hole disappears... join round with a slip stitch


work the 2nd round


make the chain for the tentacle


slip stitch your way back to the body


work 2 sc


chain the next tentacle


slip stitch back


2 sc

I know you're getting the hang of it now...


it will end up looking like this


sew on the eyes




and the mouth... I like to follow the 'curve' of the crochet rounds for shape


don't worry about what the back of your work looks like


sandwich the front and back together, alternating the tentacles


and stitch in place