Needle Little Christmas

Hello, Dear Ones! I'm joining How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. Thank you, Beverly, for hosting!

Now as I've been recooping from my illness, I just couldn't sit and rest so I managed to pick up my crochet hooks and yarn and go to town! :) I'm so talented like that! :)

Christmas is around the corner so I thought I would crochet some little things for my little grand daughter, Carter!

The Christmas Pony! Isn't she sweet?

I sure hope little Carter will enjoy her pony.

Just look at that face!

She is a very relaxed pony, too!

Really a button or little animal eye would be used but I didn't want to risk

Carter pulling a button off and poking it down her little throat,

so...being the most talented creative one that I am ~

I just crocheted a circle for the pony's eye.

That'll work, won't it?

I thought green eyes would work well with a magical pony.

Look at that mane! Gorgeous!

Chest and neck area ~ no plastic surgery needed!

Long lanky legs, yellow hoofs and a glorious bushy tail!

Here she is again and I did enjoy crocheting her.

I got the pattern from allfreecrafts.com and here it is if you'd like to make your own magical pony.

I'm also joining 2805 for Potpourri Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell

Designer Garden for Friday VIP Party

Chick on a Shoestring for Flaunt It Friday

Fingerprints on the Fridge for Feature Yourself Friday

The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Night Special

Under the Stairs and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase

Be Different...Act Normal for Show and Tell Saturday

How to Crochet a Horse or Unicorn Toy contributed by Grandmas Hookery Here's a great free crochet pattern that shows how to make a crocheted horse or unicorn - either is sure to be popular with the younger horsey set in your family!

Horse or Unicorn Crochet Pattern Materials List: Knitting worsted weight yarn 8 oz. main color, MC 7 oz. of contrasting color, CC Quilting thread 4 (1/2") flat buttons crochet hook size G Tapesty needle Stitch Markers Fiberfill 6x6" piece of cardboard 2 (5/8") half-round shank black buttons OR 2 (15mm) Wiggley Eyes Copyright 2005 Allfreecrafts.com Do not reprint or copy except for personal use. Please see our Terms of Service for more information.

Crocheted Horse or Unicorn Pattern Instructions:

HORSE and UNICORN: Legs: Make 4 Do not join rounds. Mark the first stitch of each round (a safety pin makes a good marker). With Leg Color Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sc) Rnd 2: 2 sc in ea sc around. (12 sc) Rnd 3: Repeat Rnd 2. (24 sc) Rnd 4: (sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times, sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc.. (29 sc) Rnd 5: (sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times, sc in each of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc. (34 sc) Rnd 6: Working in Back Loops, for this round only, sc in each st around. Rnd 7: Sc in ea sc around. Rnd 8: Repeat Round 7. Rnd 9: (sc in next 7 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 3 times, sc in each of next 5 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc. (30sc) Rnd 10: Repeat Rnd 7 Rnds 11: (Sc in each of next 5 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 4 times, sc in each of next 2 sc (26 sc) Rnds 12-14: Repeat Rnd 7. At end of Rnd 14, fasten off. Rnd 15: With Main Color, join, and sc in each sc aroundsc in ea sc around. (52 sc) Rnds 16 & 17: Repeat Rnd7. Rnd 18: Sc in each of next 5 sc, (sc dec over next 2 sc, sc in each of next 5 sc) 3 times (19sc) Rnds 19-27: Repeat Rnd 7. Rnds 28: (Sc in each of next 4 sc, sc dec over next 2sc) 3 times, sc in each of next 3sc, sc dec over next 2sc. (19sc) Rnd 29: Repeat Rnd 7 Rnd 30: (Sc in each of next 3 sc, dec 1 sc over next 2 sc) 3 times, sc in each of next 4sc (16 sc) Rnd 31: Repeat Rnd 7. Stuff bottom of hoof area of leg firmly and remaining leg lightly. Rnd 32: (Sc in each of next 3 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 3 times, sc in next sc. (13 sc) Rnd 33: Repeat Rnd 7 Rnd 34: Sc in ech of next 2sc, sc dec over next 2sc, (sc in next sc, sc dec over next 2sc) 3 times (9sc) Rnd 35: (Sc in next sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 3 times, sl st in next st, leaving a length of yarn, fasten off (6sc) With remaining length, sew opening closed Weave in end. Head: Rnds 1 - 5: With MC repeat rnds 1 - 5 of leg. Rnds 6: Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, (sc in each of next 7 sc, 2 sc n next sc) 4 times (39sc) Rnd 7: Sc in each sc around Rnds 8 -9: Repeat Rnd 7 Rnd 10: Sc in each of next 2sc, 2 sc in next sc, (sc in each of next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 4 times. (44sc) Rnds 11-25: Repeat Rnd 7. Rnd 26: Sc in each of next 2 sc, (sc in each of next 4 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 7 times (37sc) Rnd 27: Sc in next sc, (sc in each of next 2 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 9 times. (28sc) Rnd 28: Sc in next sc, (sc in next sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 9 times (19sc) Stuff head with fiberfill. Rnd 29: Sc in next sc, (sc dec over next 2 sc) 9 times, sl st in next st, leaving a length of yarn, fasten off. With remaining length, sew opening closed Ears Back: Make 2 Row 1: With MC ch 7, sc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in each rem ch across.(6sc) turn. Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across, turn. Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each of next 5 sc, turn. Row 4: Ch 1, sc in each of next 4 sc, turn. Row 5: Ch 1, sc in each of next 3 sc, turn. Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each of next 2 sc, do not turn. Row 7: Sc evenly sp around outer edge, working 3 sc in each of the bottom corners of ear, sl st in next sc, leaving a length of yarn, fasten off. Ears Front: Make 2 Rows 1-6: With CC repeat rows 1-6 of ear back. At end of Row 6, fasten off. Body: Rnds 1-5: With MC repeat Rnds 1-5 of leg. (34sc) Rnd 6: (Sc in each fo next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 5 times, sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc. (40sc) Rnd 7: Sc in each of next 5 sc, (2sc in next sc, sc in each fo next 4 sc) 7 times. (47sc) Rnd 8: Sc in each sc around. Rnds 9-17: Repeat Rnd 8. Rnd 18: Sc in each of next 2 sc, (sc in each fo next 7 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 5 times. Rnd 19: Sc in each of next 2 sc, (sc in each of next 6 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 5 times. (37 sc) Rnds 20-29: Repeat Rnd 8. Rnd 30: Sc in next sc, (sc in each of next 2sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 9 times. (28 sc) Rnds 31 & 32: Repeat Rnd 8. Stuff body with fiberfill. Rnd 33: (Sc in each of next 2sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 7 times. (21sc) Rnd 34: (Sc in next sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 7 times. (14 sc) Rnd 35: Sc dec over next 2 sc, (sc in each of next 2 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc ) 3 times, sl st n next st. leaving a length of yarn, fasten off. With remaining length, sew opening closed.

Neck: Rnd 1: With MC ch 42, using care not to twist chain, sl st to join in beg ch to form a ring, sc in each ch around. (42sc) Rnd 2: Sc in each sc around. Rnds 3-6: Repeat Rnd 2 Rnd 7: (Sc in each of next 5 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 6times. (36sc) Rnd 8: Repeat Rnd 2. Rnd 9: Sc in next sc, (sc in each of next 5 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 5 times. (31 sc) Rnd 10: Repeat Rnd 2 Rnd 11: Sc in next sc, (sc in each of next 4 sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 5 times. ( 26sc) Rnds 12 & 13: Repeat Rnd 2. Rnd 14: Sc in each of next 2 sc, ( sc in each of next 2sc, sc dec over next 2 sc) 6 times (20sc) Rnd 15: Sc in each of next 2 sc, (sc dec over next 2 sc) 9 times, sl st in next st, leaving a length of yarn. Fasten off. Partially fill neck with fiberfill. Assembly: Ears: Line up bottom edges of ear back and front, with front centered on back. With a length of MC st around both pieces. Leaving a 5 sts on head between ears, position ear between Rnds 22 and 23 of head and sew in place. Eyes: Thread long tapestry needle with double length of quilting thread. Working over Rnd 17 at each side of head, sew black shank buttons with several sts through the stuffing of head indenting slightly, know to secure, weave thread end into head. If using wiggly eyes, glue eyes in place using picture as placement guide. Nose: Thread long tapestry needle with length of MC. Working through both sides of head at Rnd 7, sew from side to side several sts indenting slightly, knot to secure, weave yarn into head. With yarn needle and length of MC using photo as guide, position head on neck, adding more stuffing as needed to fill any voids, pin in place until desired position is reached. Sew head to neck. Position neck on body at a slight angle so the head is upright, add stuffing in neck area as needed, pin into place until desired position, then sew in place. For hind legs, thread double long length of quilting thread, make a knot that will not pass through crocheted sections. Insert needle through the 10th Rnd from back of body, (insert the needle through approx. Rnd 32 of leg, holding a button in place at Rnd 32, insert needle back through button, leg, body and out opposite side of body) twice, pull gently to indent. Continue to pass the needle back and through legs and body from button to button secure legs, knot to secure, weave remaining length into body. For front legs, repeat the same as hind legs, securing front legs at junction of base of neck and body. Mane & Forelock Thread needle with long length of CC. Beg at top of head between ears, draw yarn through until there is about a 4 inch length of yarn remaining, then take a short tight st near the first loop st. (Work another 4 inch lp st, then a short tight st near the first loop st) repeat this process between ears, making 2 or 3 rows of loops and short sts from the back of neck near the ears to near the back of neck. Tail Working with CC cut a 10 inch length and set aside. Wrap CC around cardboard 35 times, pass the 10 inch piece under center top, knot ends to secure, remove from cardboard. Attach tail to center back of body. Decorative Leg Buttons Rnd 1: With CC, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6 sc) Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around, sl st in next st, leaving a length of yarn. Fasten off With remaining length of yarn, sew crocheted button cover over button that attached leg to body. FOR UNICORN ONLY: UNICORN HORN Rnd 1: With white, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6 sc) Rnd 2: (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) 3 times. (9 sc) Rnds 3-9: Sc in each sc around. At the end of Rnd 9, sl st in next st, leaving a length of yarn. Fasten off. Stuff horn with fiberfill and sew to center front of head above eyes. Weave in any ends.

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song~

Watercolour Ponies

There are watercolour ponies
On my refrigerator door
And the shape of something I don't really recognize
Brushed with careful little fingers
And put proudly on display
A reminded to us all of how time flies
Seems an endless mound of laundry
And a stairway laced with toys
Gives a blow by blow reminder of the war
That we fight for their well-being
For their greater understanding
To impart a holy reverence for the Lord
Chorus
But baby, what will we do
When it comes back to me and you
They look a little less like little boys every day
Oh the pleasure of watchin' the children growin'
Is mixed with a bitter cup
Of knowin' the watercolour ponies
Will one day ride away
And the vision can get so narrow
As you view thru your tiny world
And little victories can go by with no applause
But in the greater evaluation
As they fly from your nest of love
May they mount up with wings as eagles for His cause
~ sung by Wayne Watson