Monday, March 28, 2011

Dog Bone Applique and Toy Crochet Pattern

Crochet Pattern
for the Dog Bone
Applique and Toy!
My pooches love these toys.
You can make a bunch out of your scrap yarns.
They are perfect for adding to gift baskets
for Dog lovers,
and for fund raisers for Dog Rescues.
You can add the applique to just about anything!
bags, sweaters, scarves and hats!
Although these are toys for pooches, 
kids like them too.
 And What great photo props!


Dog Bone Applique and Dog Toy Crochet Pattern
 By Sara Sach
Please, Add this Crochet pattern to Your Ravelry Favorites.

Skill : Easy


Material:
Hook : G
Worsted Weight Yarn - I used Red Heart Buff Fleck
Small amount of Fiber fill for Dog toy

Stitches :
Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)
Size: 5 inch applique and 6 inch dog bone toy


You can see this Video on my Youtube Channel at this LINK


R : 1 - ch 12, *(ch 6, turn, skip end ch, sl st in next 5 chs, ch 6, skip end ch, sl st back down for 5 chs) then sl st down the center of the bone 12 chs, and repeat from *( to ) on this end, join to first ch

Row : 1

R : 2 - Ch 1, 10 sc, *(skip next st, 4 sc, 2 sc in end , 4 sc, skip next two sc, 4 sc, 2sc in end, 4 sc, skip next sc) 11 sc back down center of bone, repeat from *( to ) on this end of bone, skip next sc, 1 sc, joi      Row 2
Row 2

R : 3 - Ch 1, 9 sc *( skip the next st, 4 sc, 2 sc in the next 2 sc, 3 sc, skip the next sc, 3sc, 2 sc in the next 2 sc, 4 sc, skip the next sc) 10 sc down the center of the dog bone, repeat from *( to ) on this end of dog bone, skip next sc, 1 sc, join.



This is were you end for the appliqué', tie off and weave your ends in and sew it on a dog sweater .

Row 3

You can see this video on my Youtube Channel at this LINK


R : 4 - Ch 1, 8 sc, *(4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in the next sc, 2 sc in the next sc, 1 sc in the next 3 sc, skip the next sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in the next sc, 1 sc, 2 sc in the next sc, 1 sc in the next 4 sc, skip the next sc) 9 sc down the center of the dog bone, repeat from *( to ), 1 sc, join.


Row 4


R : 5 - Repeat R: 4, tie off.

Make two Bones R: 1 -5 for Dog bone toy, Place them together, right sides out, and sc around the edges, leaving an opening for stuffing, then close with scs.

Row 5


                                                       
All Done and Ready for Play!



Sunday, March 27, 2011

Oklahoma IS Beautiful!


Here in Oklahoma we do not have the majestic mountains of Colorado or South Dakota. We do not have the sandy beaches of the coastal States. Nor do we have the Great Trees of Washington State or Utah, but what we do have is the Colorful, Beautiful and even sometimes ugly Red Bud Trees indigenous to our State.






We visited our grandchildren today. It is a little over 100 miles from our house
 to theirs. We,of course took our Chihuahuas,
Maximo and Rosie with us. The day was fun and way to short.
And so we headed home. Rosie sometimes has a sick tummy in the car,
 so we waited till we got home to give them their 2nd meal.




It didn't matter Rosie got sick anyway, (gross,) so we had to pull over
 and clean it up. As I was returning from the rest stop bathroom,
 I looked up across the street. I saw the most beautiful thing.
 Amid the trees that were still dormant from the
 long cold winter, were gorgeous Redbud trees in full bloom.



Most of the year this tree is scraggly, crooked and bent by the winds that whip
 across our flat state. Most of the other trees around them were still not awaken,
 only small amounts of little buds, barely making their appearance, could be
seen on a few trees around them.


The Tree is called a Redbud, because although the flowers are usually pink,
The buds themselves appear to be deep red. The shades of the pink. vary from darker
 shades of pink to very light shades of pink. probably determined by the nutrients in the soil.



After, Rosie's little mess was cleaned up and I returned to the car, and we were driving down
the road, I continued to see many , many more Redbuds along the side of the highway. I tried to
count them but after about 100 in a mile I stopped and just sat mesmerized by the beauty.













Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Help! My Chihuahua is Itchy!

 Maximo - Itchy Dog and
 Dog Model for Posh Pooch Designs

Maximo is a Merle Chihuahua and he has very sensitive skin.
I use special dog shampoo to bathe him,
 and he has to take allergy pills.
He also Sheds like crazy because of his "special skin issues."

My beautiful mom..She loves to wear flowers in her hair..
don't let that sweet face fool you, she is very ornery.
(I want to be just like her when I grow up)

I took my Mom to her Dr.s Appointment yesterday and
while we were there, her Dr. was telling us
about his dog,
 and that he has allergies and
 he give his dog
Fish oil Omega 3 and he
doesn't have to take
allergy pills any more , plus, his
coat is thick and full again.

Well, I did some investigating.....

"Fish oil is good for dogs – and cats! Veterinarians first used omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil to treat canine allergies but now recommend it for a wide variety of conditions ranging from kidney disease to arthritis and high cholesterol. Adding fish oil to your dog's food provides anti-inflammatory effects and can help relieve itching due to atopic dermatitis, an allergy-related skin condition." (from ask a vet)




I said to myself , "I am going to give this a test run."

I went to Walgreen's, which by the way has a buy one get one on the Fish oil omega 3 right now, and got two bottles. I am giving 1/2 a capsule which is 600 mg to each of my Chihuahuas with breakfast everyday for two week.
I hope this will help Maximo stop itching and loosing so much hair.



Then I thought, "if it is good for my dogs, is it good for me?"  So again I did some investigating.  And the Answer is YES!
It has several Benefits :
 Arthritis benefits
Heart disease benefits
Many Health benefits


I am now taking this stuff, too,
So, maybe I won't be
so Itchy, either.

I'll keep ya posted!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Pop Tab Dog Collar and Matching Bracelet Crochet Pattern

I have had several people asking me about designing
 this type of pattern. 
 It has been in my head for a while.
I just needed a little time to get it on paper 
and collect enough pop tabs!


This Pattern has quite a few pictures
to walk you through the Steps.

Pop Top Dog Collar and Bracelet Crochet Pattern
 By Sara Sach
Please add this pattern to Your Ravelry Favorites

Skill: Easy

Materials :
Tape Measure
Sport weight yarn -I choose royal blue
Pop Tabs ( amount depends on your dogs neck size or your wrist size)
12 piece of 1/2 inch ribbon
Hook --  F
Stitches: Single Crochet (sc

Measure your dog's neck, loosely, for a 12 inch collar you will need approximately 23 pop tabs. Wash the pop tabs in soapy water and rinse well, layout on a towel to dry. Make sure there are no sharp edges before you start..

This pattern is made in Steps not rows:

Step 1: Put two tabs together, making sure they are facing the same direction,
and with a slip not attach the yarn through both holes,
make 2 sc going through both holes of the tabs. if you normally stitch tight,
you will want to loosen up a little on this project.
Step 2 : Lay the 3rd tab under the 2nd tab, making sure they are facing the
same direction, 2 sc through the 2nd and 3rd tab holes.
Step 3 : Continue to add tabs, stitching 2 sc in each set of holes as you go along,
 till you reach the length you need for the collar or bracelet.
As you add the tabs, it may curl some, but don't worry,
it will work itself out when we stitch down the opposite side.
Step 4 : When you reach the desired length, stitch 5 sc in the
 end of the last pop tab hole,
Then stitch 2 sc in each set of pop tab holes down the opposite side
 of the collar or bracelet.
Step 5 : 5 Sc in the last pop tan,
then join to the first sc.
Step 6 : sc loosely all around the whole collar
and bracelet again, join and tie off.

Step 7 : Lace the Ribbon through the two end holes of the
 collar or bracelet and tie a bow.

I know there are a lot of pictures, but it is needed.
Once you get the hang of it it goes pretty quick.

I think a belt would also be great using this technique.

Hope you enjoy this Pattern...I know I did.

Friday, March 18, 2011

We Are Famous - We made the "What Not to Crochet" Blog!

Yes, We are Famous...
We did make the
 What Not to Crochet Blog!
Please , do go check it out!

Maximo modeling the Sponge Bob Hat

 I was up set at first. It sort of made me mad,
not the article but the comments. 
  Not everyone understands what I do or why I do it.
But everyone has a right to their opinion,
 and my dog hats are really cute!

Plus it is free advertising!

I really enjoy the "What not to Crochet" blog. It is fun and entertaining.
I am not mad or up set at them, it really just makes me giggle. 



Angry Birds Dog Hats ( white and blue are available too)


The Truth is, some of my Dog Hat designs are silly.
 They are made to be.
Many are bought as photography props and for family pictures.
The fact that they are warm, is a extra plus.
And all of them are custom made to fit your pooch.


The Cupcake Dog Hat is one of my best selling hats!
This hat is purchased so much, for Birthdays of course!


Now About my dogs!

Both Maximo and Rosie are well treated, spoiled 
and well trained Dog models.
From the time I got them , I have taught them to
model by word commands. 
 You know  "Sit"  "Stay"  "Come" , then they learned,
 "Down " and "Up", then "head down" ,
 "head up" and "turn".
All I have to  say is  "time to model"
and they jump up or stop
 what they are doing and run to me. 
They love it!  And they are rewarded
with"dog Cookies".
Now, About them looking sad!

You know Dogs cannot smile.
They show thier happiness by wagging thier tails.
I cannot capture that in a still photo.

Crochet Pattern Mouse and Duck

Believe Me they are
Happy Dogs!



The Bunny Dog Hat is another example of a Photo prop or Family pic prop.
Wouldn't this look great on your dog sitting in front of a Easter basket
or  next to a child in thier Easter Sunday Clothes.

Now These are just a few examples of my Designs.
Please head over to my Artfire store
and see all the other hats, Sweaters, Crochet patterns
and other items I design for pooches.



Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy Birthday to Maximo and Rosie !

Happy Birthday to the best Dog Models in the world!
Maximo is modeling great..Rosie looks annoyed.
She probably was, I wouldn't let her play with her new woobie yet,
 and then the battery in the camera died.
So They had to sit there for about 2 minutes.


Okay, She is modeling now..
This is her "Happy Face".  LOL



Now Maximo has to do his "Happy Face" too! 

The Cake
Dog bone shaped with yogurt frosting.
A 3 for Maximo and a 2 Rosie

The Presents!
New Woobies, new balls, 
Chew bones and Favorite treats!


WOOBIES!
Now we finally get to play with the new Woobies!
I cannot buy woobies with squeakers, Rosie tries to swallow the squeakers,
 so I usually make them, But these were so bright and cute..and no squeakers.


Woobie Fight!
Yep, just like kids they wanted the same woobie,
 a fight broke out, and of course, Rosie won.
Maximo always gives in to Rosie.


If you would like a Sparkle Cupcake hat for your Pooch
 here is the color choices and the Link


The Little Cupcake applique I got from "Crochet Spot"
it is a free crochet pattern, here is that Link


Thanks for sharing
Maximo and Rosie's
Birthday party!