Free Pattern: Toddler Jump Rope

Even though her motor skills aren't there yet, my #1 loves to "jump rope."  She has been using my yarn, the cord from the vacuum - anything she can find - and whipping it around while jumping up and down.  I wanted to get her a jump rope, but I was afraid that the plastic handles would do some damage, with all the whipping.  So, the crochet jump rope was born.

This was made to be a non-functioning toddler toy.  You would have to use a weighted material (thick nylon cord, perhaps?) if you wanted to be able to actually use this as a jump rope.

Saftey Warning - this toy poses a strangulation hazard.  Never leave child unattended with this toy.

Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn (Red Heart Super Saver, two colors)
Size 5mm (H/8) hook
Size 10mm (P/15) hook
Stitch marker (scrap of yarn, saftey pin, hook earring, etc)
Tapestry needle
Fiberfill stuffing

Abbreviations:
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet

Instructions:
Rope
Starting with a long tail, with two strands held together, using the 10mm hook, (or if you don't have a big hook, just crochet really loosely), ch 125, or as long as you want the rope to be.  125 is just right, if not a little long, for my 2 1/2 year old.  Make a knot at the end, leave a long tail.

Handles (make one on each end of the rope)
Round 1: With one strand, using 5mm hook (or smaller - these stitches should be very tight), magic ring.  Inside magic ring, ch 1, 10 sc. 
Insert one end of the rope, from right side to wrong side, and pull magic ring tight around it, with the knot resting on the wrong side.
Do not join.
Round 2-14: 10 sc (mark first stitch of each round with a stitch marker)
I changed colors at rounds 6, 8, 10, 12

As you go, or at the end of round 14, weave in all the ends.  Especially important, weave in the ends of the rope really tightly.  If your kid is rough on toys, you may want to knot them on the wrong sides of a few stitches.

Stuff handles.

Using tapestry needle, sew in and out of each stitch in round 14.  Pull tight to close, weave in end.

© 2010 Alli Hyer, all rights reserved. You may sell items you make with this pattern, but you must include the safety warning, and if you sell them online, you must link to this pattern. You may not sell this pattern or claim it as your own.  You may publish or post a link to this pattern, but you may not publish or post this pattern in whole or in part.