There are affiliate links below, if you are unsure of what affiliate links are please go to “Disclosures/Disclaimers” and “Privacy Policy” at the top of my HOME page. Affiliate links basically allow me to receive a very small referral fee, butonly if you make purchases. Just because you go to the link doesn’t mean that I will receive a referral fee. Thank you so much for considering my affiliate links; I really appreciate it!
Denny Campbell contacted me via Facebook and asked if I could design a crochet Koala. Denny wanted to make crochet Koala to help fundraise for the firefighters and animals affected by the fires in Australia. I told her that I would love to design a crochet Koala for her!
I also purchased a paver from Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary in Australia on behalf of all Helenmay Crochet YouTube Channel Viewers/Subscribers and Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Members to help Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary secure the future of Australia’s wildlife. Thank you Denny for asking me to help design a crochet Koala to assist you in your fundraising efforts!!! I am not affiliated with the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Here is the free PDF download for the Crochet Koala Eye/Ear cutouts:
If you like the white glitter felt that I used behind the safety doll eyes, you can click on the picture below, or here, to go directly to the affiliate link:
If you want to use the simple quilting technique that I show in the Koala video tutorial, you may like this fabric selection! Prime eligible and choose from different colors!! Click the picture below, or here, to go directly to the affiliate link:
I like to take pictures of my finished crochet items and make them into cards! If you would like to make cards too, you might like this deal! Click here, or the picture below to go directly to the affiliate link:
You can use a glue stick, but I like to use this photo-safe adhesive. Click here, or the picture below, to go directly to the affiliate link:
Crochet Amigurumi Koala Part 1 of 4 DIY Video Tutorial:
Crochet Amigurumi Koala Part 2 of 4 DIY Video Tutorial:
Crochet Amigurumi Koala Part 3 of 4 DIY Video Tutorial:
Crochet Amigurumi Koala Part 4 of 4 DIY Video Tutorial:
Crochet Australian Royal Bluebell Flower YouTube Video Tutorial:
Crochet Little Honeycomb Purse DIY Video Tutorial:
Crochet Amigurumi Adorable Baby Koala Part 1 of 2 DIY Video Tutorial:
Crochet Amigurumi Adorable Baby Koala Part 2 of 2 DIY Video Tutorial:
You might like this book to go with your adorable crochet Koala and/or Baby Koala! Click here, or the picture below to go directly to the affiliate link:
There are affiliate links below, if you are unsure of what affiliate links are please go to “Disclosures/Disclaimers” and “Privacy Policy” at the top of my HOME page. Affiliate links basically allow me to receive a very small referral fee, butonly if you make purchases. Just because you go to the link doesn’t mean that I will receive a referral fee. Thank you so much for considering my affiliate links; I really appreciate it!
THIS CROCHET ALONG (CAL) IS GEARED TOWARDS AN ABSOLUTE BEGINNER. This was a MYSTERY CAL THAT IS NOW COMPLETE. I completed the graphghan in 4 block increments with 40 x 40 graphs and the Tss (Tunisian Simple Stitch). This mystery CAL is complete and all of the PDF graphs can be downloaded for free. There are also YouTube video tutorials to get you started with this Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Mystery CAL 2020 Graphghan and to show how I finished my Graphghan.
This Crochet Along has an ongoing surprise Giveaway!!! Please check out my Contests and Giveaways link at the top of my Blog’s HOME page for details. The random surprise free giveaway winners will be announced on 1Oct2020.
If you like my crochet work, please consider becoming a Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Member! To find out details and what member benefits you will receive, here is the direct link: Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Members Information
For those of us with a lot of yarn in our stash, this is the perfect crochet project for having fun with a lot of our different colors. If I have a lot of different yarn colors left over, I may have to attempt this Crochet Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon!!! Here is the direct Ravelry link to check it out! Crochet Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon
Under The Sea Mystery CAL START DATE 5JAN20. Join in at any time.
This CAL was completed APR 2020. I finished the bonus graphs as well. You can use the bonus graphs to substitute graphs that I used for the main Graphghan, and/or to make pillows to match your finished Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Graphghan!
The first block will be in more detail, and then each subsequent block will be for getting people started, teaching points, and answering any questions asked during the CAL.
People who have been following my crochet work know how much I love Tunisian Crochet for my Graphghans! I want to share that love with others. So far, I have completed 3 Tunisian Crochet graphghans: Minecraft, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Wizard of Oz! I had tons of fun making each one, and each one is treasured by the recipient! I can’t put a price on them because they are priceless. Each Tunisian Crochet graphghan that I have ever made was for family. This “Under The Sea” Tunisian Afghan was also requested by a family member.
Whether you use my graphs for your graphghan or make your own, you may like this National Geographic Kids link for fun education material:
In the past, I provided the YouTube video tutorials for Minecraft, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Wizard of Oz for free and the PDF “rough” graphs that I used to make them. I decided to take the YouTube video tutorials down because they are copyrighted/trademarked images, and now, I only provide the “rough” graphs that I used in my Private (but free and NON-monetized) Facebook crochet group. Just look in the group files for the free graphs. Here are the direct links to each of my Facebook Groups:
In this private group, I share crochet & craft ideas with others. Anyone can join this private group for free and visit, post, and receive updates from me. This is the group with the free downloadable files:
In my private Facebook group, you can go into the photo albums and see detailed pictures of my prior Tunisian Crochet Afghans and how the “rough” graphs come to life!!
In this video tutorial, I explain how I got started with using the Tss (Tunisian Simple Stitch) for my afghans. I also show how I make my graphs!!!
If you decide that you want to make your own graphs too, you may like the same doodling kit that I use! Click here, or the picture below to go directly to the affiliate link:
This video tutorial is just a quick video showing how I hold my Tunisian Crochet hook:
My “Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Afghan” will be the first FULL step-by-step YouTube video tutorial through my WHOLE process of making an Afghan similar to mine! Before we begin, I like to let people know a couple of things about my unique Tunisian Afghans:
There are a lot of loose yarn ends due to the color changing, and I like to tie knots. I have NEVER had any knots showing EVER. I also don’t bury the loose yarn ends because I like to put an inexpensive fleece backing to cover the back of the afghan! I know that most of you are singing “Hallelujah” at this point!
I am more comfortable working in blocks, and I found that I enjoy working in blocks of 4 best. There will be 3 blocks of 4 at the bottom, middle, and top of the blanket. The whole blanket will consist of a total of 36 blocks! This is how I made my Wizard of Oz Tunisian Afghan, and I found that it fit together much easier! The finished size should be similar, which is 72.5″ x 58″. This includes the clamshell border. I found that the clamshell border is my favorite for the finished Tunisian Afghan, also it would fit perfectly with the theme of this CAL!!
I always use the Tunisian Hook approximate size 5.75mm for all of my Afghans. The number rubbed off of my Tunisian Hook, so I had to hold it up to my crochet hooks to get the approximate size!
I have always used my yarn stash for the different colors in my Tunisian Afghan. Most of my yarn stash is inexpensive 100% acrylic medium 4 yarn, but sometimes I would use colors from my 100% cotton stash or even other styles of yarn without difficulties in the finished Tunisian crochet work. If anything, it is fun adding a different texture in your unique afghan! I would stay close to the size of a medium 4 yarn though! I wouldn’t recommend using a bulky yarn with a medium 4 yarn! I don’t think that would work. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT USING DIFFERENT STYLES OF YARN CAN ALTER THE SIZE OF YOUR WORK, SO BE CAREFUL IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. You want your finished blocks to fit together. For beginners, I would recommend using 100% acrylic medium 4 yarn for your first time making these blocks. When you get more comfortable, you can start to experiment with adding different styles of yarn.
If you have questions, you can always contact me via my blog (Look at the top of my HOME page), Facebook, or YouTube comments.
Helenmay Crochet “Under The Sea Mystery CAL Part 1 video tutorial”
Helenmay Crochet Under The Sea Mystery CAL Part 2 Crab Block Cont:
Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Mystery CAL Crab Part 3 DIY Video Tutorial:
Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Mystery CAL Crab Part 4 DIY Video Tutorial:
I wanted to recommend some helpful tips that worked for me:
I purchased a few of these yarn tote bags from Mary Maxim a while back (I am not an affiliate for Mary Maxim). I found that they worked great for when I Tunisian Crochet. When I am not using them, they are also great as a yarn storage bag, or a future project storage bag. As of 14Jan20, these bags were on clearance for $9.99 on Mary Maxim’s site!!
For those of you that are not near a dollar tree, which is where I found my Jumbo Clothespins, you may like this Amazon Prime Deal! Click here, or the picture below, to go directly to the affiliate link.
I stocked up with a LOT of Jumbo Clothespins because I really like how much easier it is to work with the yarn, instead of the larger skein of yarn!
At night time, I like to sit and watch television while I crochet. I found that if I folded a length of cardboard, I could attach my clothespins to it. I can unravel the yarn off of the back of the clothespin as I crochet!! I use the storage bag to hold my extra clothespins. I found that if I clipped it to the storage bag, I could find the colors easier. In my house, the Television room is dark, except for my night light. Now, I don’t have trouble finding the excess color.
Block 1 for the Crab completed 15Jan20:
Finished crab block measures approximately: Width 9″ x height 12″.
I am thrilled with how my adorable crab turned out!! I just love all of the different colors!! There is no need to block your crochet work unless you want to. Blocking your crochet work means to give it an even, professional appearance. Your Tunisian Crab Block will curl and that is normal. As we join the blocks, and complete the border, the images will lay flat.
I wanted to show the back of the block. “The Horror!” LOL! Don’t worry, we don’t have to bury the loose yarn ends:
Even with the use of clothespins, I still have a lot of loose yarn ends due to the multiple color changes. However, we don’t have to worry about this…”Hallelujah”…LOL…These loose yarn ends will be covered by the fleece blanket, when we have completed the whole Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Blanket. I will show you how I attach my fleece when we get to that point.
Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea CAL 2020 Left Bottom Sea Horse Block#2
Here is the free downloadable PDF graph for the Sea Horse:
Most of you know that I love sharing my Crochet skills with others. I also am constantly learning myself. So, I wanted to share this story with all of you that are starting to love this wonderful Tunisian Simple Afghan Stitch (also known as, aka, Tunisian Simple Stitch, Tss) as much as I do! I shared pictures of my finished crab and seahorse blocks in one of the Tunisian Crochet Facebook Groups, which are wonderful by the way. The groups are especially good for those that want to veer off into the Tunisian Crochet World. I basically only like the Tss for my graphic design afghans. Anyway, back to my story. One of the members mentioned that I had “broken lines” in my finished Tunisian Blocks. I had no clue what she was talking about because I have 40 vertical stitches for each row that lines up with the previous rows vertical stitches. She said that some of my vertical lines curve. So yes, I wanted all of you to know that with multiple color changes, you may have some curving of the vertical lines. I actually think that this blends well with the image. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Just so that people are aware, I am sharing how I like to make my Tunisian Crochet Afghans. You don’t have to make your Tunisian Crochet Afghans just like mine. You are free to use the graphs and make your finished Afghans any way that you like. I just ask that if you use my graphs, please give me credit. Thank you very much!
This Facebook Group “Hooked on Tunisian Crochet” made my Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Mystery CAL their group photo!!!
Here is the video tutorial for those that need additional help getting started with the Tunisian Crochet Clownfish Block #3 and the Octopus Block #4. I also show how to Tunisian crochet these blocks together too (Just like the Crab block#1 and Seahorse Block#2).
Tunisian Crochet Left Lower 4 block Octopus block #4:
This next video tutorial will show you how to attach the top blocks Clownfish #3 and Octopus #4 to the bottom blocks Crab Block #1 and Seahorse Block #2:
Some people have asked me in the past why I make my Tunisian Crochet Afghan’s in blocks instead of one solid block. I found it easiest for myself to work in 40 x 40 blocks. There is more than one way to use the Tunisian Simple Stitch (Tss) to make a graphghan. I am showing you the method that I like to use. The other benefit to working in blocks is that you can use the blocks to make pillows, bags, and/or kitchen hot pads too! Check out my Tunisian Crochet Cardinal pillow and/or kitchen hot pad to see how I did this.
I already have the next Tunisian Crochet Lower Middle Afghan 4 blocks drawn and graphed!
Here is Block #5 the Treasure Chest block. Can you guess what is reaching into Block#5 from Block#6? It is a true Mystery!
Surprise BONUS!!! If you share a picture of one of your finished Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Blocks, you are eligible to receive my FREE Koala graph 40 x 40 block! At the top of my blog’s HOME page, you will see a contact link. Just contact me and you can share the crochet picture and let me know that you would like to receive the free Koala graph!
You are also eligible to receive my Tunisian Crochet Koala Laptop Bag PDF written pattern!
I used Lion Brand Pound of Love for my main ocean blue color. I am running out of my 2nd skein of the main ocean blue color towards the top of the Graphghan. You can see how I started blending a lighter ocean blue color towards the top of the Graphghan (See Part 7 blog post). I have decided to add more of the lighter ocean blue for the rest of the top blocks so I don’t need to purchase another skein of my main ocean blue color. If you used the same color ocean blue as I did, you can decide if you want to purchase another skein of the main ocean blue color, or add another lighter ocean blue color like I am doing.
Please go to this link to continue on with the Crochet Along:
I had so much fun last year sharing everyone’s crochet pictures! I still have the blog post, if anyone would like to see the pictures from last year. If people share their crochet pictures with me for the year 2020, I will place them here for everyone to see. I will make sure to put your name on the shared picture, or you can place your own name on it before sharing. When you share a crochet picture with me, you will become a Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Member for the year 2020!
When you become a Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Member for the year 2020, you are eligible for all member benefits! You can use the blog links above for details, or go to the top of my blog’s HOME page to find the direct link.
The first crochet picture shared for the year 2020 was made by Miriam Newell! Miriam said: “I’ve made two pugs so far for a dog charity to sell to raise funds.”
Here are additional pictures shared during the year 2020 from 01January until 20Jul2020:
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Here are additional pictures shared during the year 2020 starting from 20Jul2020 to 28Jul20:
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Crochet pictures from 28Jul20:
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Crochet pictures from 30Jul20
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Crochet Pictures from 31Jul20
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Crochet picture from 7Aug20:
Crochet Pictures from 9Aug20:
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Crochet pictures from 14Aug20:
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Crochet Pictures from 17Aug20
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Crochet picture from 20Aug20:
Crochet pictures from 21Aug20
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Crochet Picture from 27Aug20
Crochet picture from 29Aug20:
Crochet picture from 3Sept20:
Crochet pictures from 4Sept20:
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Crochet picture from 8Sept20
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Crochet Picture from 9Sept20 made by Joanne Addison:
It is a brand new year of crochet fun for 2020! I will be working on other crochet items in between the crochet items on the following list:
This year I am choosing one random Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Member that sends me a postcard/handmade card before 1Oct20 with a crochet design request. If you would like to find out more details, here is the direct blog link: Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Member 2020.
Finished January 2020. The first amigurumi project for the new year is a Crochet Amigurumi Koala. Denny Campbell contacted me via Facebook and requested that I make a crochet amigurumi Koala so that she could make them as fundraisers for the real Koala’s. If you would like to find out more about the Koala’s and the protection of their habitat, here is the direct link to the Australia Koala Foundation. Here is the direct blog link for my adorable crochet Koalas: Crochet Amigurumi Koala and Baby Koala
PDF written pattern crochet request for one of my YouTube video tutorials
A member or non-member can make a monetary donation for a PDF written pattern crochet request for one of my YouTube video tutorials. No refunds. Your request will go to the top of the waiting list if there is one. You will receive the completed Crochet PDF written pattern for free and will become a Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Member (If you are not already a member.) and eligible for all member benefits. There is no guarantee for time-frame to completion, but I will give you an approximate time frame. Usually, I can complete the task within 4 to 6 weeks.
$20.00
Finished APR2020. Started Under The Sea Mystery CAL for the year 2020. You can join in at any time. The bonus graphs are complete and can be found on part 10. They can be used to replace any of my current graphs in the Graphghan or make matching pillows!
FINISHED 20MAR20. A family member requested a crochet panda, so this crochet request will be started after the Koala is completed. Started March 2020 with a goal of completion date by the end of March 2020. If you would like to make my Crochet Panda Bear, here is the direct link: Crochet Large Amigurumi Panda Bear.
Finished. Request made by TnDancer for a Crochet French Bulldog. Request made 9Jul19. This crochet request has been moved to the year 2020. APR2020 start date. Finished 9May20. This Crochet French Bulldog has a PDF written pattern and free step-by-step YouTube video tutorials. Here is the direct blog link: Crochet Amigurumi French Bulldog
Finished. 2 Baby shower crochet sets for family/friends. Started 24Apr2020 with a planned completion date in May2020.
Finished. Crochet Chocolate lab dog request made by a friend. Started 24Apr2020 with a planned completion date of May 2020.
Finished. Request made by Caroline Struve for aShih Tzu crochet dog. Request made 9Jul19. This crochet request has been moved to the year 2020. Finished ahead of schedule in May2020.
Finished. Arianne C. had trouble with making a crochet cat bed. The original crochet designer wasn’t responding to Arianne’s request for help. So, I decided since I am slightly ahead of schedule, and I wanted to make it anyway, I have moved the “Blue Crochet Cat Bed” ahead of schedule. You can follow along by joining my Helenmay Crochet Facebook Group, it is free to join. Finished May2020.
Finished May 2020. Bonus Crochet request from the year 2019 moved to the year 2020. Susie Lafferty requested a girl and boy crochet rag doll. This crochet pattern has free step by step YouTube video tutorials and a PDF written pattern! Here is the direct blog link: Helenmay Crochet Amigurumi Jack and Jill Ragdolls
Finished 17Jun2020. Started 3Jun2020. Danielle Johnson contacted me via Facebook and said: “Thank you for doing this. (Designing the crochet koala’s). We finally got some rain so I hope and pray it rained in the right places. The number of Koalas that died is alarming and their habitat is burnt. It will take a long time to rebuild what was lost.
It’s still so heartbreaking to come back to my homeland after living in New Orleans and seeing this devastation.
Also prayers to the firefighters who lost their lives in the raging fire.
I can’t wait to make these (crochet Koalas) and donate them for raffle draws to raise money for the bushfire appeal.
Now we just need a matching Kangaroo! What do you think Helen?” 🙂 I was able to finish a crochet large amigurumi kangaroo. Now, I am just finishing up the littler crochet kangaroos as of 17Jun2020.
Finished 17Jun2020. Christmas Crochet Angel request made by a family member. Planned completion date is before Christmas 2020. I followed a crochet PDF written pattern from One and Two Company whose crochet angel is just too adorable. Pictures coming soon. Started 14Jun2020.
12. Marlene M. is a Helenmay Crochet Special Donor Member and her crochet request was for a Tunisian Crochet Australian Wildlife Graphghan. Marlene said that she loves to Tunisian Crochet and is currently working on her second Tunisian Crochet Under The Sea Graphghan. She told me that she is excited to start on the Tunisian Crochet Australian Wildlife Graphghan. As of 24July2020, I am currently working on the Australian Wildlife Tunisian Crochet Graphghan
There are affiliate links below, if you are unsure of what affiliate links are please go to “Disclosures/Disclaimers” and “Privacy Policy” at the top of my HOME page. Affiliate links basically allow me to receive a very small referral fee, butonly if you make purchases. Just because you go to the link doesn’t mean that I will receive a referral fee. Thank you so much for considering my affiliate links; I really appreciate it!
When I made the YouTube video tutorials for both the large Dalmatian Dogs and the Dalmatian Puppy Dogs, I used Effervesce yarn. If you have never heard of Effervesce yarn, it is because it is, unfortunately, no longer available. For the written pattern, I used different yarn styles to show that you can still make the crochet Dalmatian dogs using the same YouTube video tutorials that I created in the year 2015. I will put the yarn styles on this blog post for you. In the YouTube video tutorial for the large crochet Dalmatian Dogs, I seemed to skip around a lot in the part 2 of 2 video tutorial. So, I decided to make a free PDF downloadable cheat sheet that will show the times that I made the different parts for the large dog. Here is the free downloadable cheat sheet:
Keep scrolling down for all of the YouTube video tutorials.
The Effervesce yarn equivalent that I used is from Hobby Lobby. Here is the information about the yarn that I used:
For the large Dalmatian Dogs.
3 skeins Yarn Bee Tender Touch “Snow” colored yarn, 100% acrylic yarn, bulky 5, 135 yards, 3oz. for the main color. I used this style of yarn for the male dog.
Alternate yarn choice for the main color: 1 skein Crafters Secret Big Idea, 16 oz, 810 yards, medium 4, 100% acrylic yarn. I used the “Off White” colored yarn. I used this style of yarn for the female dog (You will have a lot of yarn leftover).
Here is the direct Ravelry link for the PDF written pattern:
2 skeins Yarn Bee Tender Touch “Snow” colored yarn, 100% acrylic yarn, bulky 5, 135 yards, 3oz. for the main color. You will have a lot of the 2nd skein of yarn leftover. So, if you wanted to make 2 puppies, you would only need 3 skeins of yarn.
Alternate yarn choice for the main color: 1 skein of “I Love This Yarn” Metallic White-colored yarn, 97% acrylic/3% Metallic polyester, Medium 4 yarn, 252 yards, 5oz.
1 skein Caron Simply Soft Party “Black Sparkle” colored yarn for the nose, spot behind the eye, outer ears, and the mouth. Alternate yarn choice: You could also use the same colored black yarn as in the video tutorial.
Caron Simply Soft Party Sparkle colored yarn is a lot of fun to crochet with, and adds a lot to your finished crochet work!! Click, here, or the picture below to go directly to the affiliate link! Prime eligible in many colors to choose from!
Click on the picture above, or here, to go directly to the Ravelry link for the PDF written puppy dog pattern.
I added charms to the collars, you may like the following charms for your completed crochet dogs/puppies! Click here, or the picture below to go directly to the affiliate Prime eligible link:
Here are the Helenmay Crochet YouTube video tutorials for the Crochet Large Firehouse Dalmatian Dog:
Part 1 of 2 YouTube video tutorial:
Part 2 of 2 YouTube video tutorial:
Crochet Firehouse Dalmatian Puppy Dog YouTube video tutorials:
Helenmay Crochet You Tube Channel 