Crochet Chick Peep Pattern

With Easter around the corner, I thought this would be a good time to publish my crochet peep pattern. I could never find a chick peep pattern that really looked similar enough to the real peeps, so I tried coming up with my own. It was not easy to get that shape, let me tell you!
I would rate the pattern difficulty as easy/intermediate. There are a lot of increases and decreases used to alter the shape that may be difficult for beginning crocheters. 
The pattern and chart are listed below after the jump, and you can download the PDF versions as well. All abbreviations and chart symbols are in U.S. terms. 

Download Written Pattern

Download Charted Pattern

Charitable Crocheting

There are several charities out there that can use crocheted/knitted/sewed items. Heck, you don't even have to sew! Several of them also need items that are purchased. If you have extra yarn laying around or want to specifically purchase some for these projects, here are some wonderful ideas! 

Newborns In Need, Inc. -- "Newborns in Need is headquartered in Pfafftown, North Carolina and is dedicated to making a baby’s introduction into the world one complete with basic necessities and as stress free as possible for the family." (from their "About" page) This is a wonderful site if you're interested in donating preemie/newborn items. The website has several patterns available for you to download, but as long as it meets specifications, any infant pattern will do. They also accept handmade bereavement outfits for the little ones that unfortunately don't make it. Here are some great patterns: 

• Preemie Angel Shell Sweater
• BB's Preemie BBib
• On the Wings of a Butterfly Baby Cocoon
• Cuddles Crocheted Gown
• Long Kimono Gown with Cap
• Angel Wrap

Operation Gratitude -- "Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000 care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions. Our mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member’s face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people." (from their "About" page) Scarves, hats,neck gaiters and yes, even your old Beanie Babies! Scroll down to where it says 4. Craft Projects and the first paragraph is for knit/crochet scarves, including patterns and important specifications. You can also check out the blog for more detailed information.

There are, of course, many many more out there. But these two should keep you busy for a while :)

If you would like to include one that you know of, please feel free to put the link in a comment below!

Picking It Up Again

It's actually been a while since I've done any crocheting. The last thing I crocheted was a handbag for my sister/maid-of-honor to carry in the wedding--which I actually ended up using to carry around a mirror and lipstick for touch-ups that I forgot to apply. So now that it's coming up on our one year anniversary, I thought it was time to pick up the hook and yarn and get back into it.

I tried this pattern and absolutely hated it. The end result wasn't bad--pretty cute in fact--but the wording of the pattern drove me up the wall! To look at it, you'd think the outer border of the butterfly would be crocheted in one set, but instead it had me crocheting tips and then borders--do you know how many ends that leaves to weave in? A lot.

I don't mind a difficult pattern, but it has to justify itself with the finished product. This little guy wasn't worth the hassle for me to do it again. On to the next project!