Last week I said I would have a free pattern for you... so did you get the clue? Panda, bamboo. I guess it wasn't a great hint.
This is my first real pattern, I hope you like it! I made three different sizes, the one i have to share is the largest, but I'll tell you how to adjust it for other sizes. I'm going to be using these to fashion a purse together for my panda costume. I'll have pictures when it's finished, but for now here's the pattern:
The yarn I used is Vanna's Choice in Kelly Green and Fern, it calls for a "J" hook so that's what these patterns are for (though a smaller gauge would probably still look nice).
Row 1: Start with a “magic ring” (
here’s a link to a site that will show you how, if you don’t already know). Only chain once and then SC 7 then slip stitch into the first chain.
Row 2: Chain 1, SC into the same spot. SC 2 into each stitch all the way around. Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 3: Chain 1. SC 2 into next stitch. *SC 1, then SC 2 into the same stitch* repeat* 6 times. Slip stitch into beginning chain. Tie off.
You will need two of these.
Base: Chain 24.
Row 1: Slip stitch into first chain, chain 1. SC 23. Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 2: Chain 1. SC 5, decrease 1. *SC 6. decrease 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 24) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 3: Chain 1, SC 4, decrease 1. *SC 5, decrease 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 18 instead of 21) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
row 4-10: Chain 1, SC 17, Slip stitch into beginning chain. (repeat)
After row 4 I added on the first end, you don't need to do that know though. To attach the first end I put a slip knot on my hook then put it through the bottom of the base chain and front loop of the stitches around the end. That sounds a little confusing so here's a picture:
Then you just single crochet all the way around; make sure you're going through the right loops. At the end I SC into the first stitch again, I just think it looks better that way. After that I tied the two ends together (double knot). The reason you only go through the front loop is because I think it gives it this nice ring:
Ok, now back to the pattern...
Row 11: Chain 1, SC 4, increase 1. *SC 5, increase 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 18) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 12: Chain 1. SC 5, increase 1. *SC 6. increase 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 24) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 13: Chain 1, SC 23. Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 14: Chain 1. SC 5, decrease 1. *SC 6. decrease 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 24) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 15: Chain 1, SC 4, decrease 1. *SC 5, decrease 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 18 instead of 21) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
At this point you will need to do the first ring around. You could do it at the end, but I find that it's easier to do now. It's similar to how you attach the end, here's a picture of how to insert your hook:
You're basically going to be covering up row 13 with single crochets. Here's a picture with a few on:
These rings are the reason this pattern is so annoying. What do I mean by annoying? Well, normally with a project like this I would just spiral up instead of all this "slip stitch into chain, chain one" nonsense. But if I did just spiral, the rings wouldn't match up and it would look weird, so the annoyingness wins. Back to the pattern!
At this point its kind of all the same.
Row 16-22: Chain 1, SC 17, Slip stitch into beginning chain. (repeat)
Row 23: Chain 1, SC 4, increase 1. *SC 5, increase 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 18) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 24: Chain 1. SC 5, increase 1. *SC 6. increase 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 24) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 25: Chain 1, SC 23. Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 26: Chain 1. SC 5, decrease 1. *SC 6. decrease 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 24) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 27: Chain 1, SC 4, decrease 1. *SC 5, decrease 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 18 instead of 21) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Do the second ring around row 25
Row 28-34: Chain 1, SC 17, Slip stitch into beginning chain. (repeat)
Row 35: Chain 1, SC 4, increase 1. *SC 5, increase 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 18) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 36: Chain 1. SC 5, increase 1. *SC 6. increase 1* repeat* once. (you should now have 21 instead of 24) Slip stitch into beginning chain.
Row 37: Chain 1, SC 23. Slip stitch into beginning chain. Tie off.
Next add the stuffing. I used very little compared to other projects, only enough to keep its shape. Crochet on the end, it's a bit different than the other end, here's a pic:
Then the last thing to do is hide the ends of your yarn. I just put them inside with the stuffing using a yarn needle. And if you want to do different sizing like I have, the only difference is the amount of rows in between the bumps, so play around with it. No bamboo is exactly alike.
I hope you like this pattern. I included a lot of pictures because that's the way I prefer to have patterns; I think it helps me to not get lost.
Please let me know if I messed anything up, as this is my first pattern, I'm sure I did. I would also love to see any pictures of ones you make, so please share!
-merely
Happy Halloween! I finished my bamboo purse last night. Of course it was last minute! My original plan for today was going to be another free pattern, but things have been to crazy around here. I think I'll save it for later. Here's the purse:
