Blog Contest!

I was encouraged by my husband's recent dollar short sweepstakes to host a blog contest of my own to celebrate March as National Crochet Month. So all you crocheters out there, get out your hooks and scrap yarn, give me about 30 minutes of your time, and you could win a fabulous prize!

Here's what you need to do: Complete the mystery pattern written below. When you're done, email me (knitsandknots@gmail.com) a picture of the finished object and/or a description of what it is by March 23rd at 2 pm. I will take all of the correct entries and choose at random one winner to receive the prize on that day. Here's where you get to be creative: I'll also post some of my favorite pictures of finished objects, and we'll hold a poll to determine the "people's choice" who will win another great prize! Voting will be open from Mar 23-30, and the winner will be announced March 31. I won't give any hints as to what the FO is, but take note of the suggested colors of yarn to make the most accurate representation.

Prizes:
Each of the winners will receive a copy of my JoJo the Giraffe amigurumi pattern, and the matching JoJo blanket pattern (when it is finished-currently being tested!) and a set of handmade stitch markers.
Also, the "people's choice" winner will get one ball of Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette fingering weight yarn in "briar". This is an AWESOME alpaca, merino, silk blend.... yummy!

So without further ado, here is the pattern:

Materials:
Worsted Weight yarn (less than 1 oz probably) - suggested colors: gray, white, or brown
Size 10 Cotton thread (very small amount) - suggested color: blue
Hooks: Size H (5.0 mm) and Size 7(1.65 mm)
Split Stitch Markers - 3

Abbreviations:
US terminology
sk - skip
dc - double crochet
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
tr - treble crochet

Pattern:
Using any one of the colors of worsted yarn and size H hook, ch 11
Rnd 1: (makes an oval) work 3 dc in 4th chain from hook (1st 3 ch count as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 6 ch, 8 dc in last ch, turn piece counterclockwise and work 1 dc in each of next 6 unworked loops of base ch, 4 dc in last unworked ch loop, join with sl st to top of starting ch 3. (28 dc)
Rnd 2: ch3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same stitch, 2 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in each of next 8 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in each of next 4 dc, join with sl st to top of starting ch 3 (44 dc)
Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 7 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 3 dc, 7 tr in next dc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 6 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 8 tr in next dc, sk 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 5 dc in next st (mark top of 1st dc worked in this st with a stitch marker), sk 1 dc, sc in next dc (mark top of sc with 2nd stitch marker), sk 1 dc, 4 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 9 tr in next dc (mark top of 2nd tr worked with 3rd stitch marker), sk 2 dc, 2 sc in next dc, sk 1 st, 6 dc in next dc, sk 1 st, sc in next dc, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. Finish off and weave in ends

*Join cotton thread at first stitch marker using size 7 hook with right side facing you. ch 18, sc in 5th ch from hook, sl st in next ch, turn (chain loop on the left), sc in next sc, sc in next ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, sc in next ch, sl st in each next 2 stitches, finish off, leaving long tail (approx 6 inches). Weave tail through back loops of chain toward the worsted yarn, all the way to starting ch, tie two ends of thread together and weave in ends.

Join thread at second stitch marker. Repeat as above (*), using a base chain of 13 (instead of 18)

Join thread at 3rd stitch marker. Repeat as above (*), using a base chain of 20 (instead of 18)

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Good Luck to all!