Witchetty Grubs - free crochet pattern

This is one of those fun little projects that are quick and easy to make. They are a bit silly, but the kids and the cat like them. Try putting a bell inside the grub, with some catnip and see how much fun she has! I added a piece of yarn to the tail of one of them, hung it from a pot plant and this kept the cat and my son entertained for ages. Cat toys are great as they keep the critters away from the native birds and wildlife.

If you are new to crochet this is a quick little pattern to practice your skills. Good training if you plan to do some serious amigurumi.

Witchetty grubs are the larvae of moths found in the witchetty bush. They are eaten raw or barbecued as a high protein food by Indigenous Australians, and are often featured in Aboriginal paintings. In real life witchetty measure about 15cm/6in. I love this photo of this happy looking kid proudly showing off his grubs.

http://www.ozoutback.com.au/postcards/postcards_forms/abor_bushtucker_1/Source/7.htm

You can see how they feature in Indigenous art.

http://www.jintaart.com.au/iconography/grubico.htm

They apparently taste like eggs and are highly nutritious. Witchetty are one of the bushtucker of the Indigenous Australians.

The timing of this post, and recognition of our indigenous people comes at a significant time in our Australian History. Our new government will say "sorry" to the stolen generation.

We took away their kids and culture and replaced bush tucker diet of witchetty, fish, roo, fruit and nuts with alcohol, fatty food, sugar and tobacco

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4213834

Civilisation in general has a lot to be "sorry" for.

Witchetty Grubs - crochet pattern

· Australian instructions are first, American instructions are second in {brackets}.
· Yarn is 8ply, double knit or worsted weight, with a 4mm/G6 hook.
· Grubs measure 15cm/6in with 5 bulbs. Do the head in a contrast colour. Real witchetty grubs have a yellow/orange head. Start at the head, the grub is worked in continuous spirals.

1. 2ch, 8dc {8sc} into 2nd from hook,
2. 2dc {2sc} each st = 16
3 - 5. 1dc {1sc} each st around = 16
6. 2dctog {2sctog} around = 8
7. 1dc {1sc} around = 8

Repeat from round 2. Four or five bulbs are enough. Stuff as you go.
For a cat toy add some catnip to the stuffing and add a bell to the last bulb.

Last bulb: Round 8. 2dc {2sc} together around until you can work no more, finish off.
Give your grub some eyes and a mouth and a bit of fluff on his head.


yummo enjoy your grubs!

(c) crochetroo. please do not reproduce or copy my pattern or my images.

Rustic Easter Basket - free crochet pattern

Easter is sneaking up on us and I have been making some little baskets. I decided this year away with the pastel pretty stuff, and to come up with something a bit more earthy. So I have created a few Rustic Bush Baskets.

These remind me of the ones the Indigenous women make in the territory. The following links are 2 great human projects that involve Aboriginal women in remote outback Australia. I just love the texture and colours of the Tjanpi women's craft. You might also like to look at their crocheted beanies. The use of colour and texture is wonderful.

http://www.tjanpiaboriginalbaskets.com/Index.html

This is also a good link, which has some interesting stuff re Easter as well. I am not catholic, but I admire the approach.

http://www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion/lentenStories2.htm

So my basket is very simple, uses earthy colours and can be made with scraps.

It measures about 5cm/2inches high plus handles and is about 10cm/4 inches wide.

Here is the pattern, in both Australian and British terms. While I have used acrylic yarn, I reckon they would look pretty cool in scrap cotton yarn, or even string.

Rustic Easter Basket
Australian Instructions

Yarn is 8ply, double knit or worsted weight, with a 4mm hook.
Four earthy colours are used in example.

Basket Base Colour A
1. 4ch into 4th ch from hook work 2tr, 3htr, 3tr, 3htr slst into top of start ch =12.

2. 3ch, 1tr same place, (2tr next st) twice, (2htr next st) 3 times, 2tr next st 3times, (2htr next st) 3 times, slst join

3. 3ch 1tr same sp, 1tr next st, (2tr next st, 1tr next st) twice, (2htr next st, 1htr next st) 3times, (2tr next st, 1tr next st) 3 times, (2htr next st, 1htr next st) 3times.

Basket sides Colour B
1. 1bpdc join at last st worked, 2ch, 1bptr each st around slst join= 36

2. 1fpdc 2ch first st, 1fptr each st around slst join.

3. Colour C, work as for row 2

4. 1round 1dc each st, slst join

5. Colour D, slst join 1dc next 2st, 1fptr around tr in row 3, *miss 1dc, 1dc next 2, missing 2 tr in row 3 1fptr around next tr. Repeat from * around slst join. = 12 fptr

6. 1dc next 9st, 10ch handle, miss 6st, 1dc next 12, 10ch handle, miss 6st, 1dc next 3 slst join finish off.

7. Colour A, 1dc each st and each ch of handle around, slst finish off and weave in ends.



Rustic Easter Basket
American Instructions

Yarn is 8ply, double knit or worsted weight, with a 4mm hook.
Four colours are used in example.

Basket Base Colour A
1. 4ch, into 4th ch from hook work 2dc, 3hdc, 3dc, 3hdc slst into top of start ch =12.

2. 3ch, 1dc same place, (2dc next st) twice, (2hdc next st) 3 times, 2dc next st 3times, (2hdc next st) 3 times, slst join

3. 3ch 1dc same sp, 1dc next st, (2dc next st, 1dc next st) twice, (2hdc next st, 1hdc next st) 3times, (2dc next st, 1dc next st) 3 times, (2hdc next st, 1hdc next st) 3times.

Basket sides Colour B
1. 1bpsc join at last st worked, 2ch, 1bpdc each st around slst join= 36

2. 1fpsc 2ch first st, 1fpdc each st around slst join.

3. Colour C, work as for row 2

4. 1 round 1sc each st, slst join

5. Colour D, slst join 1sc next 2st, 1fpdc around dc in row 3, *miss 1sc, 1sc next 2, missing 2dc in row 3, 1fpdc around next dc. Repeat from * around slst join. = 12 fpdc

6. 1sc next 9st, 10ch handle, miss 6st, 1sc next 12, 10ch handle, miss 6st, 1sc next 3 slst join finish off.

7. Colour A, 1sc each st and each ch of handle around, slst finish off and weave in ends.


So I hope you enjoy making these. They look kinda cute filled with eggs and sweets. At least my emu chicks liked it!

Easter doesn't have to be all bunnies, pastels and chicks. There are a lot more things that come from an egg than chickens!

Thanks for looking, and take the time to read the links and spare a thought for our Aboriginal women. Some of them do it pretty tough.