Helpful Hands & Pet Paw Motif-Crochet Emoji

I just finished up a pattern for a hand motif. I'd looked around for one for a while but couldn't quite find what I wanted so I wrote up my own. I wanted something that would be a good size for coasters because I thought it would be kind of funny to have a hand hold my drink. I made them in various skin tones (I found Caron had the best flesh colored yarn). As I finished it up, I realized it would be a good motif for lots of things. Using small crochet thread, one could make appliques for pants pockets, purses, etc. Bulkier yarn might make a good pot holder. And any worsted weight yarn can be used for sewing this hand onto afghan blocks or hats or scarves or...whatever. I added this pattern to my Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/listing/224820603/helpful-hands-crochet-pattern and to my Ravelry Store http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/helpful-hands for $3.00. In the process of making this pattern, I accidentally made some animal paws which I've posted as a free pattern below.  :)

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Animal Paw Pattern

Skill level: Beginner

Materials Needed:
Worsted Weight Yarn or any weight of your choice
H/5.00 mm crochet hook or hook needed to match yarn weight
Large-eye blunt needle for weaving in ends

INSTRUCTIONS: note-paw is worked in rounds, do not turn, 1st st is always in the ch 1 st unless otherwise specified. You will always join in the top of the first stitch.

Ch 2

Rnd 1: make 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to top of 1st st to join. (You can  make a magic ring instead if you prefer)

Rnd 2: ch 1, sc in same st as join, 2 sc in ea st around, sl st to join.

Rnd 3: ch 1, sc in same st as join, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join.

Rnd 4: ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next st,* 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join.

Rnd 5: ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next 2 st, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join.

Rnd 6: ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next 3 st, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 st. Repeat from * around. Sl st to join.

Rnd 7: ch 1, sc in same st as join, [hdc, dc, hdc] in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st, *sc in next st, [hdc, dc, hdc] in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st. Repeat from * around for desired number of toe pads.

Embellish as you see fit!

**To make pet mats or paw rugs with super bulky yarn, try ch 3 at beginning and working 12 dc into 3rd ch from hook. Work rounds the same as for sc. Six rounds (before toes) makes a small pet mat (about 12.5" diameter). Work more rounds for a larger mat. 9 works well for medium, 12 for large.**

© 2015 April Snyder All rights reserved
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