kids catch toy made from old coke zero bottle

Recently my parents and one of my brothers visited me here in Tanzania and at the site.  I wanted to do something special with the pre-school as part of their visit so I had a plan to make catch toys from old coke zero bottles that Lynda from my church told me how to make.  The basic idea was to make one for each kid and tell them to practice with them counting how many times in a row they catch it so they inadvertently practice their counting.

Here is a couple of videos of the kids playing with them and then I will walk you through making them.

I tried making them from diet pepsi bottles as well but the shape of the coke zero bottle makes it easier to define the cut you need to make.

You will need the following to make one. 

empty plastic coke zero bottle with cap
a foot of yarn (yarn works better than string but both will work)
one hole punch
pair of small scissors
a foot of electrical tape or if you want to decorate it some the small duct tape rolls in color designs.
retractable blade utility knife

Step one:  remove the cap and set it aside.  remove label and discard.
Step two:  cut the bottle in two at the top line of where the label had been.

Step three:  take the top part you cut off and put it on the bottom with the screw top down and use tape to attach to the main bottle body.

Step four:  use one hole punch and punch hole in side of bottle

Step five:  use scissors and punch hole in top of cap.

Step six.  attach cap and bottle with string.

Crochet Bag Pattern

Crochet bag pattern

While I was making this bag I was using scrap yarn folks from the states sent over to me last year so I ran out at some critical points and I am not totally certain how much there was to begin with if it was not a new skein so I have guessed at some of the items.

This bag features pockets for magazines or instructions and the inside of the pockets are stitched so it can hold your crochet needles and scissors. The two main compartments will hold your skein of yard upright so you can pull from the end as you crochet.

I made the project in panels and then sewed them together.  I normally sew up the seam first then back down to make sure it is secure.

Stitches used: 

DC=Double Crochet

SC=Single Crochet

Ch=chain

Outside Main Panel-Make 2 of these

I used 2 skeins of Blue Camo Stripe “I Love This Yarn” 5 oz skein.  (this was used on the outside main panel, outside end panels and handle as well as top crochet and sewing outside panels.

Crochet Needle I-9

1^st row chain 38 across

2^nd row DC in third hole then DC in each stitch then chain 3 and turn-35 DC stitches across (counting the chain 3 at the beginning)

3^rd-25^h row DC in 2^nd hole then DC in each stitch then chain 3 and turn-35 DC stitches across

26^th row DC in 2^nd hole then DC in each stitch to end and tie off.  -35 DC stitches across

Outside End Panel-make 2 of these

I am using the Blue camo stripe still

 Crochet needle I-9

1^st row chain 23 across

2^nd row DC in third hole then DC in each stitch then chain 3 and turn-20 DC stitches across (counting the chain 3 at beginning)

3^rd-25^th row DC in 2^nd hole then DC in each stitch then chain 3 and turn-20 DC stitches across

26^th row-DC in 2^nd hole then DC in each stitch and tie off.  20 DC stitches across

Outside Bottom Panel-make one of these

I was running low on the blue camo stripe so I found some Red Heart Coffee Café

Crochet needle I-9

1^st row chain 21 across

2^nd row SC in 2^nd hole from needle then SC across then chain 1 and turn-20 SC stitches

3^rd row -40^h row-SC in each stitch across then chain 1 and turn- 20 SC stitches

41st row-SC in each stitch across and tie off.

Inside main panel (magazine pocket)-make 2 of these

I don’t know what kind of yarn this was.  I do recommend something that is easy to tell apart from the outside panels when you sew them together it will be easier.  Also I am sure what I am about to describe is some type of known stitch but I don’t know the name of it I just came up with it to make the needle holders and scissor holder.

Crochet needle I-9

1^st row chain 38

2^nd row DC in third hole from needle then DC in each stitch until end.  Chain 3 and turn (35 stitches across including the starting chain 3)  This must be in multiples of 3 to work.

3^rd-11^th row DC in 2^nd hole and DC in each stitch after chain 3 and turn-35 stitches across including starting chain

12^th-20^th row-  3 DC in 3^rd hole from needle skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch then skip next 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch skip 1 stich then 1 DC in next 3 stitches (this makes sewing the middle panel in easier) then skip 1 stitch and 3 DC in next stitch skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch, skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch, skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch, skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stich, skip one stich and 1 DC in end stitch, chain 3 and turn

21^st row 3 DC in 3^rd hole from needle skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch then skip next 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch skip 1 stich then 1 DC in next 3 stitches (this makes sewing the middle panel in easier) then skip 1 stitch and 3 DC in next stitch skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch, skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch, skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stitch, skip 2 stitches then 3 DC in next stich, skip one stich and 1 DC in end stitch then tie off.

place needles in holes created where the 3 DC go in one stitch and the scissors in the large holes beside those 3 DC

Inside middle panel-Make 1 of these

I used the same unknown yarn as the inside main panel

Crochet needle I-9

1^st row chain 23 across

2^nd row DC in third hole then DC in each stitch then chain 3 and turn-20 DC stitches across (counting the chain 3 at beginning)

3^rd-20^th row DC in 2^nd hole then DC in each stitch then chain 3 and turn-20 DC stitches across

21^st row-DC in 2^nd hole then DC in each stitch and tie off.  20 DC stitches across

Sewing panels together.

I start with the inside middle panel to the two inside main panel.  I sew the sides of the middle panel to the middle of the main panels by using the middle single DC stitch on the rows that have the skipped stitches. (the 17^th stitch)

After I sew the inside panels together then I sew the outside main panels to the outside end panel and the inside main panel.  Lay them on top of each other.  The first sewn corner should be from bottom end panel, outside main panel and then inside main panel.  The inside panel should be set so it is one row from what will be the top of your bag.  I was able to do this on two ends then the other two I flipped it inside out to sew them together remembering to reverse the layout.  I sew the bottom panel on last to the outside panels only

Handle:

After I have sewn the panel together I start at one corner of the top of the bag and single crochet around the top starting at one end of the main panel and going across that main panel first so I will end my sc row on the end panel. 

That SC row becomes the foundation for the handle and first row.  Chain 3 and turn

2^nd row. Decrease DC then 1 DC.  Repeat 6 times then 1 DC in last stitch chain 3 and turn-14 stitches

3^rd row Decrease DC then 1 DC Repeat  4 times then 1 DC in last stitch chain 3 and turn- 10 stitches

4^th row-Decrease DC then 1 DC repeat 3 times   chain 3 and turn 7 stitches

5^th row-Decrease DC then 1 DC repeat  2 times chain 3 and turn 5 Stitches

6^th-30^th row DC in 2^nd hole and 1 DC in each stich- 5 stitches (please not if you want more handle keep going)

31^st row-2 DC in 2^nd hole, 1 DC in next repeat 2 times- 7 stitches

32^nd row-2 DC in 2^nd hole, 1 DC in next repeat 3 times- 10 stitches

33^rd row-2 DC in 2^nd hole, 1 DC in next repeat 4 times- 14 stitches

34^th row-2 DC in 2^nd hole, 1 DC in next repeat 6 times- 20 stitches

Work each stitch into the sc stitch on the opposite end panel and tie off.

Giraffe applique card

Giraffe Card Applique Instructions  (Giraffe in Swahili is Twiga)

Crochet Needle size D

Yarn Kenyan 4 ply color yellow

Abbreviations:

Ch=chain

SC=single crochet

St=stitch of previous row

DECST=Decrease Stitch single crochet style  *insert needle in next st from needle and yarn over and pull through st then insert needle in next st and yarn over and pull through st.  and the two loop on the neele*

1^st row:  slip knot then Ch 17 turn and sc in 2^nd hole from needle (note do not work in tail of slip knot-it will become tail for giraffe)

2^nd row: sc in each st turn and ch 1 (this is the back leg and body)

3^rd row:  sc in 1^st 6 st turn and ch 1

4^th row:  sc in 1^st 4 st then 2 sc in st 5 then sc in st 6 turn and chain 1

5^th row  sc in 7 st turn and ch 1

6^th row:  sc in 7 st turn and ch 1

7^th row:  sc in 7 st turn and ch 1

8^th row: sc in 1^st 5 st 2 sc in 6 st then sc in st 7 chain then ch 21 turn and sc in 2^nd hole from needle  (this is the neck)

9^th row:  sc in 28 st  then chain 11 turn and sc in 2^nd hole from needle(make sure as you come back to the body you crochet in same direction as before-the neck    should be opposite of the leg you did in the first  and second row) (the chain at the end is the front leg)

10^th row:  sc in 37 st leaving the last (will be the giraffe horn) turn ch 1

11^th row:  sc in 4 st turn and ch 1

12^th row:  sc in 4 st turn and ch 1

13^th row: 2 DECST in 1^st 4 st turn and ch 1

14^th row DECST in 2 st tie off and work in tail down neck.

Use a brown magic marker to make hoofs at bottom of legs, color in horns and put random spots along legs, body and neck.  Use black magic marker to make eyes and mouth

Lion’s Head Card Applique

Lion’s Head Card Applique

Needle Size D

Yarn Kenyan 4 Ply-a little small for the size D but I have difficulty handling the smaller needles

Abbrevations

Rd=Round

SC=Single Crochet

ST=stitch (previous round crochet)

HDC=Half Double Crochet

DC=Double Crochet

Start with Magic Circle

Rd 1—6 sc in magic circle

Rd 2—2 sc in each st total 12 sc

Rd 3—*1 sc in first st 2 sc* in next st repeat between * total 18 sc

Rd 4--*1 sc in first st 1 sc in next st 2 sc in next st* repeat between * total 24 sc

Rd 5--*1 sc in each of first 3 st, 2 sc in 4^th st* repeat between * total 30 sc

Rd 6--*1 sc in each of first 4 st, 2 sc in 5^th st* repeat between * total 36 sc

Rd7—1 sc in each of first 5 st; In 6^th st 1 HDC, 1 DC, and 1 HDC;  1 sc in next 5 st; in 12^th st 1 HDC, 1 DC and 1 HDC; 1 sc in next 11 st; in 24^th st 1 HDC, 1 DC, 1 HDC; 1 sc in next 12.  Total 42 st

Partial Rd 8—1 sc in each first six st; in 7^th st 1 HDC 1 DC and 1 HDC; 1 sc in next 7 st; in 15 st 1 HDC, 1 DC and 1 HDC.  These should line to be at the previous round DC.  1 SC in 16^th st and tie off.

Mark two larger parts as ears with magic marker and then eyes snout and mouth. 

Put fringe in all stitches except ears.

Use standard glue stick to apply to card of your choice.

Elephant Card-Asante Tembo

This is my Asante Tembo card which means thank you an elephant in swahili.

I am not great at generating patterns but here is my attempt to do so:

Elephant Card Applique

Needle Size D

Yarn Kenyan 4 Ply-a little small for the size D but I have difficulty handling the smaller needles

Abbrevations

Rd=Round

Ch=chain

SC=Single Crochet

ST=stitch (previous round crochet)

YO=yarn over

Body

Magic Circle

Rd 1—6 sc in magic circle

Rd 2—2 sc in each st total 12 st

Rd 3--*1 sc in 1^st st 2 sc in second st*  repeat between *  Total 18 st

Rd 4--*1 sc each in first 2 st then 2 sc in third st*  repeat between *  Total 24 st

Rd 5--*1 sc each in first 3 st then 2 sc in fourth st*  repeat between *  Total 30 st

Rd 6--*1 sc each in first 4 st then 2 sc in fifth st*  repeat between *  Total 36 st

Rd 7--*1 sc each in first 5 st then 2 sc in sixt st*  repeat between *  Total 42 st

Rd 8—1 sc in each first 16 st;  {start first leg}  chain 6 turn and starting with 2^nd hole from needle sc in 5 chains, 1 sc in each of next two st in body using this as the chain on the leg turn and sc in each st of the leg, ch 1 turn and sc in each st then sc into body {this completes the first leg}; 1 sc in each of next 6 st of body then {start 2^nd leg} }  chain 6 turn and starting with 2^nd hole from needle sc in 5 chains, 1 sc in each of next two st in body using this as the chain on the leg turn and sc in each st of the leg, ch 1 turn and sc in each st then sc into body {this completes the second leg}, 1 sc in each st back around to start of 1^st leg.  Tie off with long tail.  Weave tail back up outside stitches of body to leave a tail for the elephant.

Head

Magic Circle

Rd 1-6 sc in magic circle

Rd 2—2 sc in each st total 12 st

Rd 3--*1 sc in 1^st st 2 sc in second st*  repeat between *  Total 18 st

Rd 4--*1 sc each in first 2 st then 2 sc in third st*  repeat between *  Total 24 st

{start trunk}Ch 16 turn and in second hole from needle sc in each of the ch stitches, sc into st of head and tie off. Weave tail into head center {trunk finished}

Ear and attaching the body to head.

Make as slip knot pull it off hook.

Place head over the body with trunk opposite tail.  At top part of head work needle through both head and body from the head side.  Hook slip knot and pull through both body and head.

*Work needle with slip knot on it through head and body again from head side and YO and pull through body and head and through slip knot. *  Repeat between * 4 times

On  bottom side of head pull string around and CH 1 turn and sc in each of 4 st

Ch 1 turn and 1 sc in first 2 st then 2 sc in next stitch then 1 sc in last st. ch 1 turn

1 sc in 1^st st then 2 sc in each of next two st then 1 sc in next two st ch 1 turn

1 sc in 1^st 4 st then 2 sc each in next two sc then 1 sc in last st.  tie off. Weave in end.

Use glue stick to attach to card and magic marker to draw in eyes and mouth and color end of trunk