Red, Orange, Yellow and Buckets of Rain

I just got back from the Garner Arts Festival in Garnerville, NY and my feet are still wet, as they may be for the next few days, but it was a lot of fun. I went to see the community tapestry that Sara Divi put together. I had contributed 6 pieces for it and loved seeing the final product especially how everyone’s pieces blended together in a sea of red, orange, and yellow. With all the contributions she got it was huge!

Sara was also showing her amazing installation We Should Have Just Let Go which is a huge knit maze made from the yarn of unraveled old sweaters. Watching dancers flow through it was very cool. My son loved running around in it and that we could see each other through it since it was knit on such large needles. Her maze was at the center of a room filled with textile goodness including the largest knitting needles I think I will ever see. My father said they were 115’s!!! It looked like scarves or sweater arms were the single strands of yarn used with them.

With all the artists showing, I kept being drawn back to a sculpture that could be seen between a few of the buildings next to the flowing water. The waterfall background added drama to the striking piece.

Since everything was so huge, when a storm came through, it too was huge. Buckets of rain dropped down from the sky while I was waiting for my food at a food truck with a LONG wait. I got soaked. It may still be a while before I dry off.

Even with squishy wet socks and sneakers and jeans heavy with water stuck to my legs, it was a fun Sunday.

 

Free Pattern: Ugly – a cute little duck

Lil Ugly (left), Ugly (center) Ultra Mini Ugly (right)

Ugly – a cute little duck was created last year for The Little Yellow Duck Project. It works up in a little over an hour. I’ve made the Ugly pattern in 3 sizes. This is the largest size, but the example pictures used in the pattern are from the Lil Ugly.

Materials:

A little worsted weight yarn in 2 colors. If you use a thinner weight yarn use a C hook or smaller. If you use a bulky or super bulky weight yarn, use a J hook. The Ugly is cute in all weights of yarn.
9mm black safety eyes (12mm if using bulky or super bulky weight yarn, make French knots instead if using a very thin yarn)
C or E crochet hook (2.5mm or 3.5mm). The smaller hook will make a smaller Ugly.
Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations (US Terms):

CH: Chain
DC: Double Crochet
FSC: Foundation Single Crochet
dec: Single Crochet Decrease
FSC: Foundation Single Crochet
FLO: Front Loops Only
FSC: Foundation Single Crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet
inc: Single Crochet Increase
SC: Single Crochet
SC3tog: Single Crochet 3 Together
SS: Slip Stitch

Notes:

This pattern is worked in continuous rounds.

Head and Body (make 1 start in main color):

Round 1: 6SC in magic circle (6)

Round 2: (SC, 4SC in next SC, SC) 2x (12)

Round 3: (inc, SC) 6x (18)

Round 4: (inc, 2SC) 6x (24)

Round 5: (inc, 3SC) 6x (30)

Round 6: (2sc, inc, 2SC) 6x (36)

Rounds 7-9: SC around (36)

Round 10: (4sc, dec) 6x (30)

Round 11: SC around (30)

Round 12: (dec, 3SC) 6x (24)

Round 13: SC around (24)

Round 14: (SC, 3SCtog, 3SC, 3SCtog, 2SC) 2x (16)

Round 15: (SC, dec, SC) 4x (12)

Round 16: SC around (12)

Flatten the head. Your working yarn will be on the left towards the front. Add plastic safety eyes between rows 10 and 10 11 sc apart.

Stuff

Round 17: (SC, inc) 6x (18)

Round 18: (2SC, inc) 6x (24)

Rounds 19-20: SC around (24)

Round 20: (2SC, dec) 6x (18)

Round 21: (SC, dec) 6x (12)

Round 22 (and part of 23): 2SC, dec, (the dec should be in the front center, if it is not, SC until you get to the front center), change to contrasting color (do not cut the main color yet), FLO for the rest of the round: in the first stitch (SS, HDC, 2DC) in the next stitch (DC, HDC), 6 SC, in the next stitch (HDC, DC), next stitch (2DC, HDC, SS)

Final Round (starts a few stitches into round 19): Change back to main color (you can cut the contrasting color), SC through both loops, 5 dec in unworked back loop from last round, FO leaving a long tail. (6)

Stuff

Pull the loose end in contrasting color where the feet ended into the body and tie a knot with the other end of the yarn from the feet. Pull it into the body.

Weave tail from main color through final round and pull tight. Tie knot and pull into body.

Beak (make 1 in contrasting color):

Round 1: CH 1, 6 FSC, turn and SC up other side (12)
Rounds 2-3: SC around (12)
FO leaving long tail
Sew beak onto head. I like to use 3 or 4 longer stitches between the eyes when sewing on the beak.

Wings (make 2 in main color):

You will be working on both sides of the chain.
CH 5, SC in the second chain from hook, 2SC, 3SCinc, continue to work up the other side of the chain working over your end, 3SC, inc (11)
SS into the first stich and FO
Pull both ends tight

Sew wings onto body.

You’re done!