SANTA CLAUSE

This pattern might take a few days, but it's fairly simple and fun to make when broken down into parts. Here goes :)

HEAD
In cream color;
Row 1: Sc 7 into magic circle
Row 2: 2 sc in each sc (14)
Row 3: *1sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next* Repeat from * to * around (21)
Row 4: *1 sc in 1st 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (28)
Row 5: *1 sc in 1st 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (35)
Row 6: *1sc in 1st 4sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (42)
Row 7: *1sc in 1st 5sc, 2 sc in next sc*  Repeat from * to * around (49)
Row 8-17: sc around
Row 19: *sc 5, skip 1sc* Repeat from * to * around (40)
Row 20: *sc 4, skip 1 sc* Repeat from * to * around (35)
Row 21: * sc 3, skip 1 sc* Repeat from * to * around (20)
Row 22: *sc 2, skip 1 sc* Repeat from * to * around (18)

HAT
Row 1: From the top of the head (the magic circle, count down to the 7th row.  You will now pick up the stitches all around the 7th row.  Pick any spot to start, and crochet around the entire 7th row in red wool. (49)
Row 2: sc around (49)
Row 3: hdc 24, sc 12, skip 1 sc, sc 12
Row 4: hdc 24, skip 1 sc, sc 10, skip 1, sc 12, skip 1
Row 5: hdc 24, skip 1, sc 10, skip 1, sc 10
Row 6: skip 1, dc 24, skip 1, sc 9, skip 1, sc 9
Row 7: skip 1, dc 6, skip 1, dc 6, skip 1, dc 6, skip 1, dc 2, skip 1, sc 5, skip 1, sc 5, skip 1, sc 5
Row 8: skip 1, dc 5, akip 1, dc 5, skip 1, dc 5, skip 1, dc 3, skip 1, sc 4, skip 1, sc 4, skip 1, sc 4
Row 9: skip 1, dc 4, skip 1, dc 4, skip 1 dc4, skip 1, dc 3, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 2, sc 2
Row 10: skip 1, dc 2, skip 1, dc 2, skip 1, dc 2, skip 1, dc 2, skip1, dc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1 sc 1
Now dc around until hat is desired length.  Skip 1, dc 1 until 2 dc left, then bind off.

POM POM
Wind white wool around your 4 fingers about 20 times (depending on how thick you want your pom pom) Pull off your fingers, and with another piece of white wool, tie them all together in the middle very tightly.  Cut all the loops so they become loose ends and fluff.  Attach to end of hat.

BODY
In red:
Proceed the same as the head from Rows 1 to 7
Row 8: *1 sc in 1st 6 sc, 2 sc in next* Repeat from * to * around (56)
Rows 9-16: sc around
Switch to black
Rows 17-22: sc around
Switch back to red
Rows 23-30: sc around
Row 31: *sc 6, sc 1* Repeat from * to * around (49)
Row 32-34: sc around
Row 35: *sc 5, skip 1, sc 1* Repeat from * to * around (42)
Row 36-38: sc around
Row 39: *sc 4, skip 1, sc 1* Repeat from * to * around (35)
Row 40: *sc 3, skip 1, sc 1* Repeat from * to * around
You have reached the neck, and will now be shaping the collar.
Row 41: Ch 1. Turn.  In outside of loops only, *sc 1, 2 sc in 1*  Repeat 7 times, sc 1
Row 42: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1, sc 11, 2 sc in 1, sc 11, 2 sc in 1
Row 43: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st sc, sc 5, 2 sc in 1sc, sc 5, 2 sc in 1sc, sc 6, 2sc in 1, sc 7, 2 sc in 1
Row 44: Ch 1, turn, sc to end.
Row 45:  Switch to white.  Ch 1, sc around.  Bind off.

ARMS (make 2)
Start with mittens in green;
Row 1: sc 6 into magic circle,
Row 2: *2 sc in 1sc, 1 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (12)
Row 2: *2 sc in 1st 2 sc, 1 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (18)
Row 3-5: sc around (18)
Row 6: Ch 3, skip 3 sc, sc into 4th sc, sc 14
Row 7: sc 3 over ch 3, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2 (12)
Row 8: 2 sc in each sc (24)
Thumb:  Ch 2, hdc 2 (on bottom half closest to wrist), sc 5, hdc 2, sc 4, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 2, skip 1, sc 1, sl st. bind off
In Red:  at narrow part inside the mitt, ch 1.  Pick up and sc 12 stitches around.  Join red ends in a circle, and sc around until arm is desired length.

BOOTS and LEGS (make 2)
Follow exactly: Ch 8, skip 1st sc, hdc 3, sc 2, sc 4 in end of ch.
up other side: sc 2, hdc 3, hdc 2 in 1 (3x) sc 3, sc 2 in 1 (3x) sc 6, hdc 2 in 1 (5x) hdc 1, sc 5, sc 2 in 1 (3x) sc 2, sl st.  This is the sole of the boot.
In inside loops only: join yarn in stitch after the sl st.  Sc around (29 st)
In both sides of stitches now, join on the 30th stitch.  Sc around twice
sc 7, (hdc 3 tog) 3 times, sc 12
sc 5 in outside part of stitches, sc 8, sc 11
In both sides of stitches sc 5 (sc 2 tog) 4x
sc around until desired length of boot. (I did 5 rounds) bind off.
In Red,
Join with a ch to the top row of the inside of the boot.   Sc 19 stitches around
join with a sl st and sc around until leg is desired length

FINISHING
Sew the top of the arms shut, and sew to the top of the body, but under the collar.
Sew the body to the head.
Sew the top of the legs shut and attach to the bottom of the body.

White strip of coat:
Row 1: ch 8,
Row 2: Turn, skip 1st 2 ch, and sc 6
Row 3: Turn.  ch2, sc 6
Repeat Row 3 until white strip fits from the top of the body to the belt.
bind off.  Sew white strip to the front of Santa's body.
Repeat white strip instructions, but make a much much shorter one for under the belt. (see image)  Sew this one to the body as well.  Now, where the bottom of the strip ends up, pick up, and sc in white all the way around the body so it looks like the bottom of Santa's coat.




Belt buckle:
Ch 20
Sew in a square onto the front of the belt.


Nose:
Use the images for reference.  In the middle of Santa's face, pick up 1st, ch1, then pick up 6 sc in a tight circle to form the nose.  sc 2 rows, then skip 1, sc 1 until there are 2 sc left and bind off.
Attach 2 buttons for the eyes.
Around the bottom of Santas hat with white wool, pick up 1 sc, ch3 then sc into the next sc beside, ch 3 then repeat all the way around the hat.


Beard:
Now for the fun part.  You can shape the beard however you like, if you want it to be more full and shaggy, simply ch more, and add in more loops.  I just picked up a loop under Santas nose, then chained 5, skipped a couple sc and attached it somewhat beside the place where I picked up.. continue around and do a few loopy rows underneath.  (you can use the images for help with this if need be, but basically it's just a free for all; & you can get creative with it.  Mine is pretty basic :/)

SANTA PATTERN COMING SOON...

I'll be adding this Santa Clause pattern tomorrow... just in time to get it done for Christmas ;)

MINION HAT AND MITTENS SET

This is a super fun hat and mitt set that should be fairly easy for beginners to crochet.  It can be adapted to suit either a boy or girl.  This pattern should fit a child between 4 and 9 years old.

Abbreviations:
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
sl st = slip stitch
sc2tog = single crochet 2 together

HAT
In magic circle, ch 1 then do 7 hdc into magic circle.
Pull tight.  Do not connect with sl st.
In yellow:
Row 1: (start in the top of the ch 1) 2 hdc in each hdc (14)
Row 2: *1 hdc, 2 hdc in 1 hdc*  Repeat from * to * around (21)
Row 3: *1hdc, 1 hdc, 2 hddc in next hdc* Repeat from * to * around (28)
Row 4: *1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 2 hdc in next* Repeat from * to * around (35)
Row 5: *1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc* Repeat from * to * around (42)
Row 6: *1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 hdc,  1 hdc, 2 hc in nxt hdc*  Repeat from * to * around (49)
Row 7: * 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1 hdc, 1hdc, 2 hdc in next hdc*  Repeat from * to * around (56)
Row 8-10:  hdc around
Switch to black
Row 11-13: hdc around in black
Switch back to yellow
Row 14-18: hdc around
Switch to black
Row 19: sc around. End with a slip stitch and bind off.

EYES:
With white; make 2
Row 1: In magic circle, sc 6. Pull tight.
Row 2: 2 sc in each sc (12)
Row 3: *1 sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (18)
Row 4: *1 sc in first sc, 1 sc in 2nd sc, 2 sc in next sc* Repeat from * to * around (24)
Switch to grey
Row 5: 1 sc in each sc.
Row 6:  sl st around (to make a slightly raised look around edge) oin with a sl st and bind off, leaving a long tail for sewing on.

INNER EYE:
With black, make 2
6 sc in magic circle, join with a sl st and bind off, leaving a med long tail for sewing on.

Sew inner eye to whites however you like; in the middle, to the sides, or even looking in opposite directions.

Sew eyes onto the hat in the middle of the black stripe.
Sew mouth on (shaping it however you want your minion to look)

HAIR AND BOW:
Cut 4 equal strands of black wool.  Loop through the top of the hat and tie in a knot.

In pink:
Ch 9.
Row 1: skip 1st ch, and hdc 8 down chain.
Row 2: Turn, hdc 8
Row 3-10: Repeat row 2
bind off.  Take a long strand of pink wool, and wind it in the middle of your bow, pulling it into a bow shape.  Knot securely and tie to strands of hair at top of hat.

Now for the mittens :)  I like to make them with an extra long cuff to keep little wrists from getting cold as well.

Starting with pink:
Ch 21
Row 1: skip 1st stitch, sc 20. turn
Row 2: sc 20 in back loops only.  Turn
Row 3-21 (Repeat row 2)
Join cuffs together in a circle and sew up the ch 21 to row 21)

With Yellow:
Pick up 25 stitches around the top of the cuff
Row 1: sc 1 round, until last stitch.  skip the last stitch.  Place a marker.
Row 2: sc 1 round
Row 3: 2 sc in first sc, 2 sc in 2nd sc, sc around rest of round to marker
Row 4:  2 sc in 1st sc, sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc around until marker
Row 5: Ch 5, skip 5 sc and join with sc in 6th sc and sc around (this makes the thumb hole)
Row 6: sc over top of ch (5) and sc around to marker
Row 7: sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog, sc around to marker
Switch to black
Row 8: Sc 10, sc2tog, sc 10, sc 3
Row 9: sc around
Switch back to yellow
Row 10-12: sc around
Row 13: sc 10, sc2tog, sc 10, sc2tog
Row 14: sc 7, sc2tog, sc 7, sc2tog, sc 3
Row 15: sc around
Row 16: sc 6, sc2tog, sc 6, sc2tog, sc 3
Row 17: sc 5, sc2tog, sc 5, sc2tog, sc 4
Now, (without keeping track of rows, sc 3, k2tog until there are 10 sc left.  Sl st and bind off leaving a tail.  Sew the top together only after adding thumb (to make sure it is folded properly)

Thumb:
Pick up 11 sc around thumb hole
sc to join then at bottom part of thumb (closest to wrist) hdc 6
Then sc 20, sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog, sc 15, sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog, sc 1, sc2tog,
*sc 1, sc2tog* Repeat 3 times from * to *
sl st 2 together and bind off.

Eye (make 2): In black: sc 6 into magic circle
Switch to white: 2 sc in each sc (12)
*1 sc in 1st sc, 2 sc in next* Repeat from * to * around (18)
Switch to grey
*1 sc in 1st, 1 sc in 2nd, and 2 sc in 3rd* Repeat from * to * around
sl st and bind off leaving a long tail.  Sew one eye to the back of each mitt.

Sew up the cuff if you haven't already done so and sew up the top of the mitt.

If you want a bow on the mitts:
Row 1: ch 7
Row 2: Skip the first 2 ch, and hdc 5. Turn
Row 3: hdc 5. Turn
Row 4-7: Repeat row 3
Bind off.  Wrap a long piece of wool around middle several times to form the bow and sew to the top of the cuff.

And voila!  Hat and mitts are complete!  Any questions about this pattern?  Need clarifications?  Please feel free to comment below :)