I have been making crocheted guinea pigs for a long time.  Almost all of the guinea pigs I crochet have one front leg that is a different color than the other four legs.  That is because my daughter’s guinea pig, Cheeks, had one front leg that was white, while his other three legs were black!  Cheeks was a very well loved piggie!

This is the first time that I have converted one of my patterns to a PDF file.  This format will make printing the pattern easier for you!  You will need a PDF reader, like Adobe, to be able to open this file.  The Adober Reader is free through the Adobe website.

I’ve created a pattern for the adult guinea pig and a pattern for the baby guinea pig.  I hope you enjoy them!

Adult Guinea Pig Crochet Pattern

Baby Guinea Pig Crochet Pattern

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments or email me: gayle at planetmfiles dot com

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Visit my free pattern archives for more crocheting fun!  I am beginning the process of converting all of my patterns to PDF files and will add the PDF links to each pattern post as they are created.

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Many people visit my site for my crochet patterns.  Since the beginning of my blog two years ago, I have received many emails and comments asking for my crochet guinea pig pattern.  I made our herd of guinea pigs about 5 years ago and never did write down a formal, complete pattern.  Until now!  Yes, finally!  I’m going to post it next week!  I’ve taken lots of photos of all the steps and made the pattern a PDF file to make it easy to print out.  I’m a little slow when it comes to computer stuff, and I need to find out how to post a PDF file, but I think that should be possible.  So plan on making your own herd of piggies soon!

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Visit my free pattern archives for more crocheting fun!

You can click on any of the photos to see the images larger.

Here are two really easy, quick patterns to make a tiny backpack/purse.  I originally created these as backpacks for my crochet monkey and crochet monkey two, but then I realized that they can also be used as tiny purses.

The following two patterns are very easy to modify to your size requirements, color choices and strap styles!  Just pick your favorite colors, pick which strap style is your favorite, decide what size you want and adjust the number of stitches to meet your needs!

First is Backpack/Purse Style 1 then below that is Backpack/Purse Style 2!

Crochet Tiny Backpack/Purse – Style 1

Pattern created by Gayle www.planetmfiles.com

Size: Approximately 3 inches high, 3 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches deep

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn.  I used Red Heart Super Saver, Color:  Light Periwinkle
• Crochet Hook – Size G
• Small Button that will fit through a hole between your single crochets
• Small bit of thread to sew on button

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch

Backpack Style 1 – Body

1. Chain 9, turn
2. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the rest of the sc’s across, ch 1, turn
3. sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn.  Do this for 34 rows.
4. sc in each sc across.
5. Finish off by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook to make a knot.

Backpack Style 1 – Sides

1. Leaving a long yarn tail to begin, Chain 4, turn
2. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the rest of the sc’s across, ch 1, turn
3. sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn.  Do this for 8 rows.
4. sc in each sc across.
5. Cut yarn leaving a long yarn tail and finish off by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook to make a knot. Leave long for sewing the side onto the body of the backpack.

Assembly

Sew sides onto body as shown:

Continue your sewing until you have an open backpack/purse as shown below:

Sew on the button.

Now it’s time to add the straps!

Backpack/Purse Style 1 – Upside Down V Straps

1. On the back of the backpack, attach yarn with a slip stitch to one of the lower corners of the backpack, ch 10
2. Without breaking yarn, attach the chain to the middle of the top of the backpack with a slip stitch, ch 10
3. Attach the chain to the other bottom corner of the backpack with a slip stitch.
4. Cut yarn and finish off by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook to make a knot.

Weave in all yarn tails and you are finished making Backpack/Purse – Style 1!

Please remember, this pattern and the photos on this website are copyrighted.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

Now…

Backpack/Purse  – Style 2

Pattern created by Gayle www.planetmfiles.com

Size: Approximately 3 1/2 inches high, 3 1/2 inches wide

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn.  I used Red Heart Super Saver, Color: Light Periwinkle
• Stitch marker (I use a small piece of a contrasting color of yarn)
• Crochet Hook – Size G
• Small Button that will fit through a hole between your single crochets
• Small bit of thread to sew on button

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch, sc dec = single crochet decrease

Backpack/Purse Style 2 – Body

1. Leaving a long yarn tail to begin, Chain 11, turn
2. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the rest of the sc’s across, ch 1, turn
3. sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn.  Do this for 24 rows.
4. sc dec, 6 sc, sc dec. This last row is the edge of your flap.
   
5. Cut yarn and finish off by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook to make a knot.

Assembly

1. Fold the bottom portion of your crocheted rectangle up, leaving enough rows to form a flap above it.  Using the long yarn tail that you left at the beginning, sew one side of the backpack closed.  Attach a piece of yarn using a slip stitch to the other side and sew that side closed.
2. Sew on the button.

Now it’s time to sew on the straps!

Backpack Style 2 – Criss Cross  Straps

1. Strap 1 – On the back of the backpack, attach yarn with a slip stitch to one of the lower corners of the backpack, ch 14
2. Attach the chain to the opposite upper corner of the backpack with a slip stitch.
3. Cut yarn and finish off by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook to make a knot.
4. Strap 2 – On the back of the backpack, attach yarn with a slip stitch to one of the lower corners of the backpack, ch 14
5. Attach the chain to the opposite upper corner of the backpack with a slip stitch.
6. Cut yarn and finish off by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook to make a knot.

Weave in all yarn tails and you are finished making Backpack/Purse – Style 2!

Please remember, this pattern and the photos on this website are copyrighted.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

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Summertime is…fireflies!  Here is one you can make yourself!  As with most of my patterns, this is very quick and easy to crochet.  You can make a whole swarm of them!

Crochet Firefly

Pattern created by Gayle www.planetmfiles.com

Size: Approximately 5 inches long

Materials:

• Worsted weight yarn.  I used Red Heart Super Saver in yellow and Red Heart Super Saver in black.  Also I used a gray worsted weight yarn that I bought from a bargain bin and a small amount of Sugar ‘n Cream in Country Red to sew on the wings.
• Stitch marker (I use a small piece of a contrasting color of yarn)
• Crochet Hook – Size G
• Fiberfill Stuffing
• 1 black chenille stick, cut into three equal length pieces for the legs
• 6 mm half round Darice Round eyes – 2

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch

Notes: The firefly body is made in rounds.  Rounds are worked in continuous spirals, do not join.  Do not turn at the end of each round.

Firefly Body – made in rounds

1. With gray, chain 2.
2. 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Mark first st for beginning of round and move marker up for each round.
3. 1 sc in each sc around for 3 rounds – 8 sc. in each round
4. For me, this was a good place to stop for a moment and sew on the mouth. I just did a straight stitch in black and knotted it inside.
5. Now continuing with the body, 1 sc in each sc around for 7 more rounds – 8 sc in each round.  You will need to change to the yellow yarn while working your last stitch of your last round of gray. This begins the yellow “tail or light-up” portion of the firefly.
6. With the yellow, 1 sc in each sc around for 4 rounds – 8 sc in each round.
7. Sl st, then cut yarn leaving a long tail. Knot by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook.
8. Stuff with fiberfill. You can use the eraser end of a pencil or a dowel to push the stuffing all the way to the end.
9. Weave yarn in and out of sc’s all around.  Pull yarn tight to close opening, knot yarn and feed tail into body to hide it.

Wings – Make 2

1. With black, chain 4, turn
2. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the rest of the sc’s across, ch 1, turn
3. sc across, ch 1, turn, for 9 rows.
4. skip the first sc, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, ch 1, turn
5. sc in the first stitch, sl st in the next, cut yarn and finish off by pulling yarn tail through the yarn on the hook to make a knot.
6. Weave yarn ends into underside of wings.

Assembly

1. Sew the wings onto the firefly body with the Country Red Sugar ‘n Cream yarn.
2. Glue the eyes on.  I use a low temperature glue gun.
3. Feed your three pieces of chenille stick into the underside of the body and bend them to make the legs.

You are finished!

Please remember, this pattern and the photos on this website are copyrighted.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments or email me: gayle at planetmfiles dot com

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Visit my free pattern archives for more crocheting fun!   I have many free patterns in there.

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Buttons sewn onto the first 8 rows of single crochets.

Triple Crochets at the other end of the bracelet.

Crochet Basketweave Bracelet

My Basketweave Bracelet could also be named The Bracelet That Languished on My Coffee Table For a Month Begging to Be Finished.  But that name is way too long!

Basketweave Bracelet

Pattern created by Gayle www.planetmfiles.com

Size: Approximately 1-1/2 inches wide, make it as long as you need it.

Materials:

• Size 10 crochet thread. I used Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread in the color Blue Hawaii
• Crochet Hook – Size US 7/1.5 mm
• Buttons that will fit through your double or triple crochet.
• Stitch markers.  I use small pieces of contrasting color crochet thread to use as markers.

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: ch = chain,  sc = single crochet, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch, dc = double crochet, fpdc = front post double crochet, bpdc = back post double crochet, tr = triple crochet

Notes: I find it helpful to use my stitch markers to mark the top of my turning chains as I make them and move the marker up as I go.

Pattern:

To begin: This portion of the bracelet is where you will eventually sew on the buttons.  You can make more or less rows of single crochets, depending on the size of your buttons.

1. chain 14.
2. Turn. sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across – 13 each row.  Repeat this row until there are enough rows to accommodate the size of your buttons.  I crocheted eight rows of sc’s to accommodate the size of my buttons.

Now, you are moving on to the basketweave portion of the bracelet.

1. Turn. ch 2 (mark the top of your turning chain!), dc across:  12 dcs + turning ch = 13
2. Turn. ch 2 (mark the top of your turning chain!), 1 fpdc, 3 bpdc’s, 3 fpdc’s, 3 bpdc’s, 1 fpdc, 1 dc in top of turning ch.
3. Turn. ch2,  (mark the top of your turning chain!), 1 bpdc, 3 fpdc’s, 3 bpdc’s, 3 fpdc’s, 1 bpdc, 1 dc in top of turning ch.
4. Repeat basketweave row #3.
5. Repeat basketweave row #2.
6. Continue on in the pattern of row  2 – 3 – 3 – 2  until your bracelet is the correct length.  I continued in this pattern until the working end of the bracelet just met the beginning of the bracelet when placed around my daughter’s wrist.

Now you will make the portion of the bracelet that serves as the button holes.

1. Turn. ch1, sc across – 13 (last sc is in the top of the turning ch of the previous row)
2. Turn. Now either ch 2 and dc across, or ch3 and tr across.  Whether you dc or tr will depend on your button size and which it fits through better.
3. Turn. Slip stitch across.  Finish off  and weave in the ends.

Show off your new bracelet!  I hope you enjoy this pattern!

Please remember, this pattern and the photos on this website are copyrighted.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments or email me: gayle at planetmfiles dot com

Don’t miss a pattern!  Subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on Twitter!

Another bracelet pattern created by me is My Girl’s Crochet Bracelet.

I have about twenty-one  patterns in my Free Pattern Archives.  Browse through them!

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Do you want to make my crochet hearts, but you’re having problems?  Here’s a step by step guide!  It’s full of photos and hopefully it will demystify the strangeness of my heart.  Not that my heart is strange.  Wait.  That sounds weird.  Oh, and not my heart…my crochet heart!  Never mind, just go ahead and make some hearts!  My actual pattern is here.

Click on any photo to see it larger.

Photo 1: A slip knot on the hook.

Photo 2: Two chains done.

Photo 3:Visual of 2nd chain from hook, where you are going to put the hook to do the six single crochets.

Photo 4: Hook is now in 2nd chain from hook.

Photo 5: Six sc's are now done in the 2nd ch from hook.

Photo 6: Hook is now in the first of of the sc's of previous round.

Photo 7: Completed is 2 sc's in each of the next 5 sc's of the previous round.

Photo 8: Chain 1 done.

Photo 9: 2 dc's now done in the next sc (This is the bottom of the heart.)

Photo 10: 2 sc's are now done in the next sc.

Photo 11: 1 sc is now done in the next sc.

Photo 12: 1 hdc and 4 dc's are now done in the next sc. (This is one of the top bumps of the heart.)

Photo 13: 1 sc is now done in the next sc.

Photo 14: A slip stitch is now done in the next sc.

Photo 15: 1 sc is now done in the next sc.

Photo 16: 3 dc's and 1 hdc are now done in the next sc. (This forms the other top bump of the heart.)

Photo 17: 1 sc now done in the next sc.

Photo 18: A slip stitch is now done in the next sc.

Photo 19: Finished off! Yarn is cut with long tail for weaving into back.

Photo 20: View of the back. Yarn ends need to be weaved in!

Please remember, this pattern and the photos on this website are copyrighted.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments or email me: gayle at planetmfiles dot com

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Stop by between Thursday, January 28, 2010 and the end of the day on February 2, 2010, for a little heart-filled giveaway!!!

Edited to Add: You can now view a step-by-step guide to making my crochet hearts here: http://planetmfiles.com/2010/02/09/crochet-heart-step-by-step/
Use it along with this pattern if you would like more detailed instruction.

And now, the pattern!

Crochet Heart Pattern

Created by Gayle at www.planetmfiles.com

Size: Hearts made with worsted weight yarn approximately 2 1/2 inches wide, 2 inches tall.   Hearts made with crochet thread approximately 1 inch wide, 1 inch tall.

Materials:

• I used Red Heart Super Saver assorted colors and Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread in Size 10 assorted colors
• Size G Hook for Red Heart yarn and Size 5, 1.7mm hook for crochet thread

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, ch = chain, st = stitch, sl st = slip stitch, dc = double crochet, hdc = half double crochet

Notes: This pattern is worked in one continuous round. A round is worked in a continuous spiral, do not join, do not turn.  The pattern might not seem to make sense as you are working, but keep going!  It will be a heart when you’re finished!

1. Start with a ch 2
2. Do 6 sc in the 2nd ch from hook (Remember, don’t join or turn, just keep going in the same spiral throughout the entire list of instructions!)
3. Do 2 sc in each of the next 5 sc, ch 1
4. Do 2 dc in the next sc
5. Do 2 sc in the next sc
6. Do 1 sc in the next sc
7. Do 1 hdc, 4 dc in the next sc
8. Do 1 sc in the next sc
9. Do sl st in the next sc
10. Do 1 sc in the next sc
11. Do 3 dc, 1 hdc in the next sc
12. Do 1 sc in the next sc
13. Do sl st in the next sc
14. Cut yarn or thread and finish off
15. Weave in yarn or thread ends

Please remember, this pattern and the photos on this website are copyrighted.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments or email me: gayle at planetmfiles dot com

Don’t miss a pattern!  Subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on Twitter!

Visit my free pattern archives for more crocheting fun!  My last year’s Valentine pattern was this cute little critter than my daughter designed!  A couple of other spring patterns in my archives are my free pansy pattern and my free duck pattern.

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Round Christmas Tree Ornaments

Pattern created by Gayle www.planetmfiles.com

Size: Approximately 1/2 inch diameter

Materials:

• Size 10 crochet thread. I used Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread in Red.
• Crochet Hook – Size US 5 1.7mm

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, ch = chain, st = stitch, sl st = slip stitch

Notes: Rounds are worked in continuous spirals, do not join. Do not turn at the end of each round.

1. Leaving a beginning tail long enough to tie a knot or tie a bow, ch 2
2. Round one, do 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
3. Round two, do 2 sc in each sc – 10, then do a slip stitch in next sc
4. Finish off, leaving yarn end long enough to tie a knot or tie a bow.

On one tree I tied the ornaments on with a double knot. On the other tree I made a tiny bow to tie them on.

Christmas Tree Star

Pattern created by Gayle www.planetmfiles.com

Size: Approximately 3/4 inch diameter

Materials:

• Size 10 crochet thread. I used Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet Thread in Yellow.
• Crochet Hook – Size US 5 1.7mm

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, ch = chain, st = stitch, sl st = slip stitch

1. Leaving a beginning tail long enough to tie a knot
2. ch 5, then sl st in 5th ch from hook – first “point” of the star is made
3. Repeat step 2 four more times, making four more “points” for your star
4. sl st in the first ch of step 2 to form your star.
5. Finish off, leaving yarn end long enough to tie a knot.

Please remember, these patterns and the photos on this website are copyrighted. All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments or email me: gayle at planetmfiles dot com

Don’t miss a pattern! Subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on Twitter!

Visit my free pattern archives for more crocheting fun!

Here is a list of some of my other free crochet patterns that you can whip up pretty quickly for Christmas!

• Tiny Teddy Bear
• Little Stocking
• Monkey
• Monkey Two
• Pine Cone
• Bracelet
• Christmas Tree

Don’t forget, Se’Lah’s Gift of Jewels giveaway is open until Jan. 6, 2010. So far day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 4 giveaways are posted. Get on over there and enter for each day’s gift!

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Here is the pattern for the Christmas Tree.   I’ll post the extremely simple patterns for the ornaments and the star tomorrow, December 4, 2009!

Christmas Tree

Pattern created by Gayle www.planetmfiles.com

Size: approximately 3 1/2 inches (varies depending on yarn used)

Materials:

• I used Red Heart Super Saver Green for one tree.  I used Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Dark Pine for another tree.
• Size G Hook

Gauge: Not important

Abbreviations: sc = single crochet, ch = chain, st = stitch, sl st = slip stitch, dc = double crochet

1. Ch 22
2. *dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 4, sl st in first chain of the ch 4 you just did*  Repeat this step 3 more times in the same “3rd ch from hook” stitch.
3. Repeat step 2 in each of the remaining chains of the original ch 22.
4. At the end of the last dc in the last ch don’t do the ch 4 or sl st.  Just finish off after the last dc.   Weave in yarn ends.

This detail photo shows the original ch 22, the first dc and the ch 4

This detail photo shows the nub that is made with the sl st in the ch 4

This detail photo shows the first four dc’s that are in the third ch from the hook

As you work you will be creating a spiral.  The spiral becomes a Christmas Tree!

Please remember, this pattern and the photos on this website are copyrighted.  All Rights Reserved.

© 2008 to the end of time – Planet M Files

If you have any questions, you can leave them in the comments or email me: gayle at planetmfiles dot com

Don’t miss a pattern!  Subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on Twitter!

Visit my free pattern archives for more crocheting fun!

Here is a list of some of my other free crochet patterns that you can whip up pretty quickly for Christmas!

• Tiny Teddy Bear
• Little Stocking
• Monkey
• Monkey Two
• Pine Cone
• Bracelet

Don’t forget, Se’Lah’s Gift of Jewels giveaway is open until Jan. 6, 2010.   So far day 1, day 2 and day 3 giveaways are posted. Get on over there and enter for each day’s gift!

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