Swine Flu!!!

A cute, lovable version of swine flu that anyone wouldn't mind cuddling up to. And since this is my first crochet-related post, I'm even going to throw in the free pattern for this piggy!

Materials:
1 ball Lily Sugar 'n' Cream in Hot Pink
small amount of white
small amount of black
I hook

Optional Materials
clear plastic straw
red chenille pipe cleaner
1/2" red pom pom
fine point sharpie
athletic tape

Pattern:

Ears (make 2)
ch2 work 6 sc into ring
row 1: 2sc in each around (12)
row 2: sc in each around (12)
row 3: *2sc in st, sc in next st* rpt from * around (18)
row 4: sc in each around (18)
row 5: *2sc in 1st st, sc in next 2* rpt from * around (24)
row 6-11: *sc in each sc* rpt from * around (24)
fold flat, sew end shut, leave tail to sew onto head

Tail
ch 2, work 4 sc into ring
sc in each sc around until tail is approx 3-4 in long
work pipe cleaner thru center of tail, FO end
wrap tail around pencil to get curly shape

Snout
ch 2, work 6 into ring
row 1: *2sc in each st* rpt from * around (12)
row 2: *2sc in each st* rpt from * around (24)
row 3: *sc in each st* rpt from * around (24) but going thru the bottom loop in the st (to create the outline of the front of the snout)
row 4: *sc in each st* rpt from * around (24) using the top loop in the st
row 5: *sc in each st* rpt from * around (24)

Body
ch 2, work 6 sc into ring
row 1: 2sc in each st around(12)
row 2: *2sc in next st, sc in next st* rpt from * around (18)
row 3: *2 sc in 1st st, sc in next 2 st* rpt from * around (24)
row 4: *2 sc in 1st st, sc in next 3 st* rpt from * around (30)
row 5: *2 sc in 1st st, sc in next 4 st* rpt from * around (36)
row 6: *2 sc in 1st st, sc in next 5 st* rpt from * around (42)
row 7-20: sc in each sc around (42)
row 21: *sc2tog sc in next 5 st* rpt from * around
row 22: *sc2tog sc in next 3 st* rpt from * around
row 23" *sc2tog sc in next st* rpt from * around

Left Eye
with white, ch 2 work 6 sc into ring
row 1: 2sc in each st around (12)
row 2: *2sc in 1st st, sc in next st* rpt from * around (18) FO
with black, ch 2 work 6 sc into ring
row 1: 2sc in each st around (12) FO
with Embroidery needle, sew black pupil to the white part of the eye

Right Eye
with white, ch 2, work 6 sc into ring
row 1: 2sc in each st around (12) FO
with black, ch 2, work 6 sc into ring
sl st to next st, FO
with Embroidery needle, sew black pupil to the white part of the eye

Thermometer (optional)
cut a piece of straw about 3-4 inches long
take Sharpie and draw lines on the straw about 1/8" apart
insert 5-5 1/2 inch piece of pipe cleaner into straw
take top end of pipe cleaner and warp around the outside of the pom pom
pull pipe cleaner down until pom pom rests on the top of the straw
stick thermometer into the pig, near the snout and wrap the protruding end of the pipe cleaner around one stitch to hold it in place

Attach all pieces and eyes, stuff firmly.

sc2tog around until closed

Head "Injury" (optional)
tear off approx 2 inches of athletic tape and cut in half longways
place tape on the forehead in "X" shape

And you have your very own swine flu! Please let me know if there need to be any corrections in the pattern, as it is my first, and has not been thoroughly tested. Thanks!