Crochet Pears - free pattern

Crochet Pears... just because I like pears.



I just love to eat a juicy pear. At the moment bananas are a ridiculous price because of cylclone Larry, so pears have become a good alternative.

These ones are crochet. The green one is a packham pear, and the lemon one is a corella pear.

Pear juice is incredibly good for your insides. Apparantly it is a much more effective, and gentler remedy than prunes. A continence nurse once told me this, and who am I to argue?

Because I like pears so much I am posting the pattern. While pears aren't original, my patterns are, so remember this is copyright. If you do download the pattern, it would be nice to leave a message just so I can measure the popularity of the pear. Have Fun!

Australian Instructions
4mm or size 8 hook.
8 ply or worsted weight yarn

You need 4 colours: Brown for stalk and base, light green for body, lighter green or lemon for colour splotch. Leaf green

Large Pear


Starting with brown
1. 2ch, 6dc into 2nd ch from hook, slst into first ch


Change to green
2. 1ch, 2dc each stitch around slst first ch = 12
3. 1ch, (1dc next st, 2dc next st) around, slst first ch = 18
4. 1ch, (1dc next 2st, 2dc next st) around, slst first ch = 24
5. 1ch, (1dc next 3st, 2dc next st) around, slst first ch = 30
6. 1ch, (1dc next 4st, 2dc next st) around, slst first ch = 36
7. 1ch, (1dc next 5st, 2dc next st) around, slst first ch = 42
8 – 11. 1dc around on 42st, start each round with 1ch, and join with a slst


Make a colour splotch (optional if you prefer it plain)
12 – 14. 1ch, 1dc next 6, using a lighter green, 1dc next 5, working over main colour, then pick up main colour and continue round. Leave the second colour behind work. When doing the second round, gently bring lighter colour across back of work be careful not to pucker your pear.

15. 1ch, (1dc next 5st, 2dc together) around, slst first ch = 36
16. 1ch, 1dc around on 36st, join with a slst
17. 1ch, (1dc next 4st, 2dc together) around, slst first ch = 30
18. 1ch, 1dc around on 30st, join with a slst
19. 1ch, (1dc next 3st, 2dc together) around, slst first ch = 24
20. 1ch, 1dc around on 24st, join with a slst
21. 1ch, (1dc next 2st, 2dc together) around, slst first ch = 18 stuff pear
22. 1ch, 1dc around on 18st, join with a slst
23. 1ch, 1dc around on 18st, join with a slst
24. 1ch, (1dc next st, 2dc together) around, slst first ch = 12
25. 1ch, 2together around, slst and cut yarn. Add extra stuffing if needed

Make a stalk
26. Using brown, join to top of pear and work 6dc around. At this point it may be easier to work from the inside of your work in continuous rounds until the stalk measures 2 cm in length. Finish with a slip stitch and cut yarn. Insert your hook through the side of the pear, and up the middle of the stalk and pull the brown thread end through. This gives a neat finish.

Make a leaf
Using leafy colour make 10ch.
Starting in 2nd ch from hook, work back 1dc next 2ch, 1htr next 3ch, 1tr next 2ch, 1htr next ch, 1dc last ch.

Work 2dc into stalk about half way up. This will attach the leaf. Continue to work back along under side loops of ch: 1dc next 2ch, 1htr next ch, 2tr into next ch, 1htr next ch, 1dc next 3ch, 1slst and finish off. Weave thread end back through the leaf.

Smaller Pear

Work up to and including row 6.

7 -10 1ch, then 1dc around on 36 stitches.
11 – 13. Make a colour splotch as for larger pear, rows 12 -14. Once you master this you can add an extra few stitches in the next row.
14 – 19. as for rows 17 – 22 (omit row 23)
20. as for 24
21 – 22. 1ch, 1dc around on 12st, join with a slst
23. as for 25.

You may need to shape your pear with your hands when you have finished to make it sit just right.

American Instructions

4mm or size 8 hook. 8 ply or worsted weight yarn

You need 4 colours: Brown for stalk and base, light green for body, lighter green or lemon for colour splotch. Leaf green

Large Pear

Starting with brown
1. 2ch, 6sc into 2nd ch from hook, slst into first ch.


Change to green
2. 1ch, 2sc each stitch around slst first ch = 12
3. 1ch, (1sc next st, 2sc next st) around, slst first ch = 18
4. 1ch, (1sc next 2st, 2sc next st) around, slst first ch = 24
5. 1ch, (1sc next 3st, 2sc next st) around, slst first ch = 30
6. 1ch, (1sc next 4st, 2sc next st) around, slst first ch = 36
7. 1ch, (1sc next 5st, 2sc next st) around, slst first ch = 42
8 – 11. 1sc around on 42st, start each round with 1ch, and join with a slst

Make a colour splotch
12 – 14. 1ch, 1sc next 6, using a lighter green, 1sc next 5, working over main colour, then pick up main colour and continue round. Leave the second colour behind work. When doing the second round, gently bring lighter colour across back of work be careful not to pucker your pear.

15. 1ch, (1dc next 5st, 2sc together) around, slst first ch = 36
16. 1ch, 1sc around on 36st, join with a slst
17. 1ch, (1sc next 4st, 2sc together) around, slst first ch = 30
18. 1ch, 1sc around on 30st, join with a slst
19. 1ch, (1sc next 3st, 2sc together) around, slst first ch = 24
20. 1ch, 1sc around on 24st, join with a slst
21. 1ch, (1sc next 2st, 2sc together) around, slst first ch = 18 stuff pear
22. 1ch, 1sc around on 18st, join with a slst
23. 1ch, 1sc around on 18st, join with a slst
24. 1ch, (1sc next st, 2sc together) around, slst first ch = 12
25. 1ch, 2together around, slst and cut yarn. Add extra stuffing if needed

Make a stalk
26. Using brown, join to top of pear and work 6sc around. At this point it may be easier to work from the inside of your work in continuous rounds until the stalk measures 1 inch in length. Finish with a slip stitch and cut yarn. Insert your hook through the side of the pear, and up the middle of the stalk and pull the brown thread end through. This gives a neat finish.

Make a leaf
Using leafy colour make 10ch.
Starting in 2nd ch from hook, work back 1sc next 2ch, 1hdc next 3ch, 1dc next 2ch, 1hdc next ch, 1sc last ch.

Work 2sc into stalk about half way up. This will attach the leaf. Continue to work back along under side loops of ch: 1sc next 2ch, 1hdc next ch, 2dc into next ch, 1hdc next ch, 1sc next 3ch, 1slst and finish off. Weave thread end back through the leaf.

Smaller Pear

Work up to and including row 6.

7 -10 1ch, then 1sc around on 36 stitches.
11 – 13. Make a colour splotch as for larger pear, rows 12 -14. Once you master this you can add an extra few stitches in the next row.
14 – 19. as for rows 17 – 22 (omit row 23)
20. as for 24
21 – 22. 1ch, 1sc around on 12st, join with a slst
23. as for 25.

You may need to shape your pear with your hands when you have finished to make it sit just right.

I am thinking I might work on the whole fruit bowl, but this is a start. Have fun with these, and let me know if you find any gliches in the pattern.

© 2006 crochetroo Do not reproduce pattern by any means. You may use it for personal use, gifts and charity fundraising. Do not sell to make a personal profit.

Pigeon pie, beef and bunny casserole!

more Crazy Crochet Casserole Pot Toppers



Once I start a tanget, it is hard for me to get off.

Having thought about the crazies I thought there needed to be a pigeon with a pigeony top knot.

No idea why I used purple, but I actually like it for a change.



And a rabbit. The rabbit took a bit of time to work out. She was worth the effort with the bunny ears and bunny tail.


My favourite, has to be the beef cattle bull. I am sure to use this fellow heaps as I love the beef stroganoff.

It has taken me a while as there was a bit of work involved, but the patterns for these are now listed on my etsy store. Enjoy!

MOOOOOOO!

the patterns for the full set of chicken, pigeon, pig, lamb, duck, rabbit, and bull are now available on my etsy store.

Enjoy Dinner!

Casserole Pot Toppers

Casserole Pot Toppers

These have been on my mind for a while now.

It is winter here and we often have casserole, soup or curries for dinner. The lids are always so hot, so I came up with a series of Casserole pot toppers. I saw something years back in fabric.

They are a glamourised pot holder, but have a bit of attitude. I reckon they look kinda crazy on top of the casserole dishes. Mind you these ones are empty - but you get my drift?

So what might go into a casserole hot pot?

Well there is pork. I am not a big fan of pork, but my family are. Sweet and sour pork with rice. This one turned out quite cute, as little piggies always do! I thought I would start with a pretty pink, altho market pigs are never this clean and pretty! My daughter worked for the Australian Pork Limited for a while, and said the office was full of piggy things. Best thing was she got a free ham at Christmas


Lamb stroganof! How yummy is that. I do love the smell of lamby goodness.
They are almost too cute to eat, and I am sure would make the devoted vegan wince. I always remember the lambies in New Zealand when we lived there for a few years. They are the silliest little blighters who leap about as their tails bounce about. Unbelievably cute little animals.

Bar-b-que Lamb chops!


Poultry is always a good reliable feed. Once upon a time it was a rare treat, now we have is several nights a week. I just love Chicken Korma Curry with Cashews. Yummo!
Butter chicken, Chicken Tandori, Roast chicken, Chicken soup, the list is endless.






And finally the duck. We don't get much duck here in Australia but I had to make a duck cos the colours are so cool.



So what's missing?? Veal and Beef? I am still working on them, but thought this was a good start.

These will all end up on the craft stall at the school fete. I have now mastered the patterns and need to write them up before I forget. I think a few of them might end up under the Christmas tree as well.

Thanks For Looking!

These ideas and images are protected by copyright (c) crochetroo 2006
Steal or copy them and you will suffer the curse of the Great Red Kangaroo!

Ornithorhynchus - platypus

Playful Platypus

Ornithorhynchus is one of those words I remember from my school days. It was always on the advanced spelling list! It is also my hubs ebay name cos it is never ever taken, and he still remembers how to spell it!

So what is it... no less than the humble platypus.
Here are a couple of mine in crochet.

Sorry I can't adjust to the concept of the Amigurumie Ornithorhynchus! ( boy what a tongue twister though!) To me they are just plain old crocheted Platypus.

A bit like my Koalas, they are a special thing out of my head which I designed to travel well.

The one in the proper colours looks a bit drab, so I often use different yarns, particulaly variegations to achieve a different look.

I am a bit old fashioned, but I like toy animals that resemble the animal, and don't look like a Disney wanna be, or some poor feral animal that has been in a fight .

Now that isn't intended to offend any one, but at times these poor things get that distorted by the cartoonists that they have very little that resembles the original critter.

Tassie Devil is a good case to make my point. I remember some of those shocking mascots they had for the Sydney Olympics. Syd the Platypus looked like he was on speed! That is my view any hows...

The platypus is particularly shy. I have probably only ever seen one in the real, in its natural environment. This was in the bush in a lagoon that came off a water fall. They are nocturnal, and very quick to move.

Quite an odd looking animal really, an egg laying mammal with a funny bill, and webbed feet. The bill always looks like it has been glued on.

Early British colonists in Australia called the platypus a "water mole".

More than One platypus are called "platypus" or "platypuses". There is no such thing as "platypi" although I have heard this term used. I also recently heard the name "puggles" used to refer to baby platypus and echidna becasue of their resemblance to the soft toy. Apparantly the toy company wasnt too impresed and may have taken legal action. While I cant find any proper name for baby platypus, the word platypup is often used.

They are also the little fellow on the Australian 20c coin. If you scroll through my blog you will find one of these as well on another post. Now there is some platypus trivia for you!

I enjoy making these, although they dont have the instant appeal of the Koala, they are simple enough.

Treasures from Queensland Rockpools and Beaches

Treasures we used to bring home in a bucket.

This is my latest collection in crochet bookmarks and motifs/ appliques. I thought I should use some of the treasures that I grew up with. These ideas and images are protected by (c) copyright. The patterns are available on my Etsy store.

As a kid we would always go to the Sunshine Coast or Stradbroke Island, or to my Grandma who lived on the Esplanade of Moreton Bay. I would always come home with buckets of shells. My brothers and I would try and catch the little fish that got stranded in the rockpools or lagoons at the beach. I designed these little guys who use a minimum of thread.

These are based on the scallop shell. While they are more predominant down south, particularly round Tasmania, to discover one of these on the beach was considered a real find.

I thought I would add a bead as a pearl, altho they dont really grow pearls round this part of the world. I do like the texture of the shell and how these turned out.

After I was satisfied with scallops I created the pipi. These are little bi valve shells that are quite common. If you walk along the beach and squish you toes in the sand you can find them. Fisherman use the flesh of the pipi for bait. In some areas of the coast there are mounds of pipi shells which are protected as these used to be sacred meeting sites of the indigenous people. We used to eat them raw as kids for a dare. They have a salty taste, are quite tough a bit like an oyster.

Periwinkles have a nice spirally shell. These were a bit tricky at first as I worked out how to do them. I have seen freeform crochet that uses this technique. The effect is best when there is a contrast of colours.

This is the spanner crab. He took me quite a while to design.

I have recollections of playing at the foreshores st the beach at Coochimudlo and feeling this enormous pain in my groin. I screamed as my Dad pulled me out. Left clinging to my inner thigh was a crab claw. Funny the things you remember, but my Dad said I was pretty good bait and I should have grabbed the crab for dinner. They are quite a delicacy. I can't remember whether the crab was a Spanner, or a muddy. What I do remember is the pain. They don't really go red until they are cooked. My Mum would boil a huge pot of water on the stove and throw the crabs in to the boiling water. The poor crabs would try and climb out and then they were still, and went red. I don't much care for crab meat now, although is is freely available here on the coast.

I am currently tweaking the crochet patterns but thought I would share the story now.

Aussie Kitchen Kitsch - Popcorn tea cosy and hot pads

Popcorn Tea Cosy and Hot Pads
So what's kitsch about a crochet tea cosy and hot pad? I guess it is all a matter of taste, but if it is tasteless and tacky we Aussies do it with style! In which case is it then kitsch? My Nana always had a tea cosy. It was a part of growing up with the scones and jam and cream. Silly thing was she used the tea cosy to protect the Shelly tea pot.

The reality is that tea cosies work in doing a mighty fine job of keeping the teapot toasty warm, and the hot pad or pot holder protects hands and surfaces.

I used to make lots of tea coies for the school fetes and got tired of the cutesy and daggy stuff in the pattern books. I also like to do something that works up quick so if it needs lining, it just isn't going to happen with me.

My daughter has one of the new beaut mod kitchens in her unit. You know the ones with the good fen shui (or whatever), and every thing is black and white with a splash of oriental red. The sort of kitchen where I find it hard to believe people cook in them.
This look would never work for me as I like colour, and fruit bowls, and candles and clutter...

Never the less, in the mod kitchen the teapot can still go cold, and the pots are still hot so I designed the black and white little number for her. I think it is just the thing to go with the noodle bowls and square plates that are so fashionable at the moment.

The hot pad is a variation of the main pattern which is based on the old popcorn stitch whioch has been arround for yonks.

These are a great use for scraps, and despite the kitsch reputation of crocheted tea cosies I think they look pretty cool.

I have just listed the patterns on my etsy stall. I have some more kitchen kitsch to come. Some stuff which I have been doing for a while, other stuff which is new. Given that retro is in again, I might just write up a few of them.

Koala Kapers

Koala Kids

These are some of my marsupial designs under the (c)crochetroo banner. And yes, this is another one of my shaggy dog stories! I also have wallabies, platypus and a few other Aussie animals and birds which, when I can round them up, I might do a photo session and post them up as well.

These have been happening over here for a good while now, I have just never shared them. Mainly cos the geckos and fish and tea cosies seem to have taken over lately! Now that I have been around for a bit I thought you all might like a peek. I have been making these for ages and I do like them. Not just because the Koala is such an interesting animal, but also because I enjoy giving them a bit of character. They are typical Aussie animals, but unfortunately a lot of the crochet patterns I have come across make them look quite feral, or downright ugly. An amigurumi (or whatever) Koala? now who are you trying to kid?? Or alternately you have to squint your eyes, and use your imagination to pick them as a Koala. The problem here is that people think they are bears. They are totally not bears. They are Marsupials, and really beautiful cuddly animals.

They also have political power as the "Save the Koala" movement stopped the building of a freeway from Brisbane to the Gold Coast a few years back, and lost the Government a huge number of votes. We now have Koala crossings on our major freeways. This is a funny one as I am yet to see a Koala cross at the "crossing", and the concept of a near blind animal being able to read the sign "Koala Crossing" and then scramble across four lanes of freeways sounds a bit silly.

Meet Acacia, Buster, Jacaranda, and Blossom.

This is Acacia. I named her that as her colours remind me of the wattle trees which are in bloom at the moment. The soft lavender green of the leaves and bark and the sweet yellow of the blossoms. Wattle look beautiful and have a sweet scent which attract the birds. They are a killer on the hay fever though!

This is Buster. He has a dopey look cos he has a eucalyptus high. This is one reason why Koalas don't do well outside Australia. They eat mountains of gum leaves. They are true vegetarians and quite fussy eaters. Eucalyptus leaves are very fibrous and low in nutrition. Koalas have a very slow metabolic rate which helps them maximise the nutrition from the leaves. They have a tough life and sleep for up to 18 hours per day in order to conserve energy. My teenage son is a bit like this!

This is Jacaranda who likes to tart herself up a bit. I like how the fuzzy wool works on her tummy and ears.

The Jacarandas don't bloom till October, and Koalas don't hang out there. I just called her that because of her colour. The gum nuts seem to look good against the lavender colour too.

This is baby Blossom. She has just been adopted by a kind family in America. She is having one last romp in the great outdoors before she leaves.

While we don't have Koalas in the backyard, they have been a part of my life.

As a kid we would always take our visitors to the Koala Sanctuary at Lone Pine in Brisbane.

We have had numerous OS students stay with us, and we always take them to the Currumbin Sanctuary to cuddle a Koala and have the "obligatory cuddling a koala" photo.

And when our OS students leave, I gift them some of my crocheted marsupials to take home with them. So I make families of koalas, in different types of yarns and colours. And some of them I send on holidays in other countries, just for the fun, and cos I am a mad woman.

These are my original designs.

(c) crochetroo 2006