Monday, April 5, 2010

There’s no such thing as too much Easter!

Tissue Topper Made with Aunt Lydia’s Heavy Rug Yarn, Leaflet #1118, c. 1965

Easter’s almost over, but how can you say goodbye to all those adorable baby chicks and bunnies? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the joy of Easter in your home all year round?

Sure, you could purchase real baby chicks, but they’ll soon grow up. Next thing you know, you’re hiding illegal chickens in your backyard, and sticking your fingers in chicken parts that you never knew existed.

As for buying a real live bunny of your own -- what if you already have a pet? What if your pet tries to eat the bunny? Or worse, what if your pet engages in cross-species hanky panky and gives birth to a terrifying freak of nature?


Clearly, the only sensible way to enjoy Easter every day of the year is crochet up this Easter toilet paper topper. So, what are you waiting for?

Hop to it!

For the complete pattern (and more snark!):

TISSUE COVERS


Materials Required:
AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY “AUNT LYDIA’S” HEAVY RUG YARN
1 – 70 yd. skein for each cover
Aluminum Crochet Hook Size J OR ANY SIZE HOOK WHICH WILL RESULT IN STITCH GAUGE BELOW
8 inch doll
Assuming you can find an eight inch doll. Dolls these days tend to be a super-sized fifteen or eighteen inches, or else hopelessly miniaturized.

Yes, that’s Marilyn Monroe dancing on the head of a pin. Which means Willard Wigan is the one person who can answer the question of how many angels fit on the head of a pin.
1 Roll Toilet Tissue

GAUGE: 5 sts = 2 inches

BASIC DRESS for all dolls.


BACK: Ch 8 to measure about 3 inches, 1 d c in 4th st from hook, 1 d c in each st of ch, ch 3 to turn all rows (ch 3 at beg of row counts as 1 d c). 2nd and 3rd ROWS: 1 d c in each st. 4th ROW: ch 2 more, skip 4 d c, s c in last st. 5th ROW: 1 d c in each st of ch 5. 6th and 7th ROWS: 1 d c in each st. 8th ROW: SKIRT: 2 d c in same space, 3 d c in each st, 3 d c in end ch (18 d c counting ch 3). 9th ROW: Working in back loop of sts only, 1 d c in each st. 10th ROW: Working in front loop of sts only, 1 d c in each st. These 2 rows form ridge pattern. Repeat last 2 rows twice, cut yarn.
Another benefit of the Bunny Tissue Topper is that she’s not edible. Because Mother always warned you that gnawing off those bunny ears would get you into trouble, young lady.
FRONT: With wrong side facing attach yarn in 1st dc and work skirt to correspond.

FINISHING: Place dress section over doll and sew seams to underarm. Place doll through tube of toilet tissue.
You now have a very basic toilet roll cover, but don’t stop here. It’s time to give it that special Easter sparkle!
BUNNY


1 skein White
Additional Materials:
Pink Felt
2 yds. – ¼ inch Pink Ribbon
Sparkle not included.
EARS: Ch 4, work 2 d c in 1st st of ch, ch 3, turn. 2nd ROW: 1 d c in same space, d c in next d c, 2 d c in last d c, ch 3, turn. 3rd ROW: 1 d c in each st, cut yarn. Cut Pink felt in shape of ear section. Sew in place. Attach to hat (same as Eskimo) as illustrated.
“Eskimo” may be acceptable in the United States, but the Canadian Inuit get rather cranky about being called “Eaters of Raw Meat”.

Probably because Canadians are pickier about what we consider to be food.
HAT: Ch 14 to measure 4 inches, 1 d c in 4th st from hook and in each remaining st of ch, ch 3, turn. Working in ridge pattern 1 d c in each st, cut yarn. Sew seam at back of hat. Trim as illustrated. Sew a three inch length of yarn at each side for ties.
I now return you to your regular patterning, already in progress.
TAIL POMPON: Wind yarn 20 times over 2 ½ inch cardboard, slip off cardboard, tie in center and cut both ends. Trim into shape.

FEET POMPONS: Wind yarn 15 times over a 1 ½ inch cardboard. Finish same as tail. Tie ribbon as illustrated around waistline.
Those are pompons on the front of her skirt? I thought they were spring flowers. And I’m a little disturbed by what the position of those “feet” says about the size of our doll’s rear end.

Now that you’re finally finished your toilet roll cover, don’t let her out of the bathroom. After all, it’s still Easter Rabbit hunting season.


Click here for the printable pattern.

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