Fridgie Butterfly

Back in the early 80's a friend showed me a butterfly fridgie she'd been given. I thought it was really cute so I studied it and wrote out a rough pattern.

I've recently started making squares for SIBOL - Sunshine International Blankets of Love - and their "symbol" is crocheted butterflies. It reminded me that I had this pattern languishing in my collection.

I can't claim it as an original idea but I've never come across another pattern for it (similar but not quite the same), so I'd like to share it. If anyone does know the source please let me know.


Fridgie Butterfly

Yarn and hook of your choice

A small fridgie-type magnet
Craft glue

Pipe cleaner (optional)

Notes:

·    US  terms

·    Ch 3 for the beginning dc of rounds 1 and 2

·    Picot = ch 4, slst in 4^th ch from hook

·    Your work will be very ripply – this is normal and will flatten out when you fold your butterfly in half

Wings:

Ch 6, join w slst to form ring.

1)  (3 dc in ring, ch 1) x 8, join w slst to top of beg dc.

2)  slst to next ch-1 sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in each ch-1 sp, join w slst to top of beg dc.

3)  Ch 1, sc over slst just made (i.e. in the gap btw the last and first 3-dc shells), (4 dc, picot, ch 1, 4 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc btw next two 3-dc shells, *(4 dc , ch 1, 4 dc) in ch-1 sp, sc btw next two 3-dc shells*,  repeat btw * x 5, (4 dc, picot, ch 1, 4 dc) in ch-1 sp, join w slst in beg sc, FO leaving a long tail for sewing up.

Antennas:

*Ch 9, slst in hump of 2^nd ch from hook and next 7 ch, repeat from * once, FO leaving both tails for tying off.

Body:

Weave in beginning tail. Fold the butterfly in half, with the two picot “wings” forming the bottom pair of the butterfly with the yarn tail between. Place the antennas at the top of the wings, tucking the tails inside. Stitch up the centre of the butterfly and over the middle of the antennas to secure them, then stitch back down again. Repeat once and FO. Knot the antenna tails together and cut off close. Glue the magnet to the back and voilà! - one butterfly fridgie.

Alternatively, leave a shorter ending tail, weave it in, omit the crocheted antennas and use a pipe cleaner (p.c.) for the “body” and “antennas” –

Fold the p.c. in half and position the fold at the top of the wings (i.e. at the head).

Keeping the two halves parallel, wrap the p.c. down over the middle of the wings and up the underside.

Bring the ends up through the loop formed by the original fold at the top.

Press the p.c. “body” flat, adjust the antennas and give them a little curl.

-- Judy M Kerr ©2012

As always, if you spot any goofs please email me. Thanks!

Peace Granny Square - Reverse V-Stitch deciphered

I've had several people contact me saying they were having trouble understanding the Reverse V-Stitch instructions. I thought it best to post my reply here and put a link in the pattern.

Thanks so much for contacting me. In hindsight, Reverse V-stitch may have been a poor choice of name – Upside-down V-stitch is more accurate. Perhaps if I write that round out “longhand” it will be a little clearer...  

Rnd 7) With B: sc in beginning ch3 of the previous round, ch 2, (skip next stitch, sc in next stitch, ch 2) x 3, *skip next stitch, #yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through two loops on hook (2 loops will remain on hook), yarn over, skip next stitch, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through two loops on hook, yarn over, pull through 3 loops on hook (Reverse V-stitch complete)#, ch 2, (dc in same stitch as last dc, ch 2) x 2, repeat between #s starting in same stitch as last dc, (ch 2, skip next stitch, sc in next stitch) x 6, ch 2, repeat from * around, join with slip stitch to beginning sc. = 40 ch2 spaces

I hope this helps. If it's still as clear as mud please don't hesitate to contact me. Happy hooking!