Ice Cream Sandwiches for Ben

Several months ago, I began crocheting and knitting play food for my daughter.  A few of my friends had come over to visit, and saw the food, thinking it was cool (and that I needed to get a life).  Later, I e-mailed one of them, and asked if there was something specific her son would like, as he was particularly taken with the toys.  So she asked him what he'd like, and I decided to make them for him for his birthday.  One of the items he wanted was his favorite frozen treat, ice cream sandwiches.  So I browsed Ravelry to see what was there, but unfortunately, I didn't find what I was looking for.  A challenge!  Aha!!  So... I made my own pattern.  Not that it was particularly difficult--it is all flat crochet--but I'm rather tickled that it turned out so nicely.  I made him three so that he could share sandwiches with his parents, and then I thought that it needed special presentation, so I also made up a box for them.  Yeah, I'm geeky that way.

Anyway, here are Ben's Ice Cream Sandwiches, a free pattern I share with anyone who likes them!

Supplies:

• Worsted weight yarn in white/cream and dark brown.  I don't know the quantities, but it was not a lot--remnants, leftover bits, etc.  I know I used Vanna's Choice yarns, however.  I like their loft and lack of "squeak" when you use them.
• Size E hook (3.5mm)
• 1" foam (I used a pre-cut chair pad foam from Jo-Ann's) cut into 3 1/2" x 1 3/4" rectangles

Sandwich cookie top and bottom: (make two for each sandwich)

With brown yarn, chain 14

1.  Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each sc across.  Ch 1, turn (13 sts).

2-5.  Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (13).

6. sc in next 12 sc, 3 sc in 13th sc, do not chain or turn.  Continue sc across ends of the other rows, spacing 4 sc across, 3 sc in corner stitch, then sc in each ch across.  3 sc in first ch, space 4 sc across row ends, 3 sc in last stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 13 sc.  Tie off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Ice Cream Filling: (make one for each sandwich)

With white yarn, chain 5

1. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each sc across.  Ch 1, turn (4)

2-48.  Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (4).

49.  Sc in each sc across, tie off, leaving an 8" tail for sewing.

Assembly:

Bury starting tail of ice cream filling.  Using the tail at the end of the stitching, sew the short ends of the filling together, creating a loop (be careful not to twist the stitching!).  Bury the tail and set aside.

Bury starting tail of sandwich cookie top and bottom.  Before stitching the filling and the sandwich cookies together, I made a stitch in the next sc top loops to make a smooth finish on the cookie edge.  To do this, I thread the yarn through a tapestry needle and then pass the needle under the top loops of the next crochet stitch.  I then take the needle back down into the same place that I started, making it look like the rest of the top loops.  I also like to take a little tack stitch unobtrusively in the crocheted fabric as a kind of "knot", securing the tension of that little stitch, and ensuring I won't pull it too much when I start the regular stitching.  Anyway, bring your needle up to the nearest corner and set it aside.

At this point, I put the foam rectangles in the loop of filling stitches, aligning the stitched corner with a corner of the foam, and keep it there.  It gives me a better idea of how the stitches need to be aligned as I sew it.  Place the cookie part on top, and whipstitch the edge of the cookie to the top edge of the filling.  After you finish stitching, tie off and hide the tail.

The tricky part is getting the top and bottom pieces to line up properly, which just means paying close attention to how things are lined up.  My first sandwich was just a bit off, and the sides looked a little wonky as a result.  The second two turned out better.  I found that I was expecting the second corners to end further than they really did, so I needed to start the corner stitching a stitch or two sooner.  If that makes ANY sense...  These were fun, quick, and easy!  Now my daughter wants some...  Sigh....

I also have the file for the box, if anyone wants that.  I completely made it up in Publisher.  :)  Just print it on cardstock, cut it out, fold and tape/glue the sides.