Crafting Creatures

I love granny squares. I dunno why. I found this person’s VERY cool way to join granny squares as you make them. I just had to try it out and I love how easy this is. I may complete that granny square quilt I’ve always wanted! Thanks Sarah London Textiles!

Here is my version (but I love Sarah’s colours!!!)

I am almost finished this crocheted neck warmer. Just have to buy some big wooden buttons! I’m pretty happy with it. I used a 9mm crochet hook so the varying thickness yarn could remain poofy. I was surprised how little yarn there is on a ball, but think this will make a nice neck warmer when the weather is cold again. I especially love these bright colours with my dark winter clothing :0)

This is my new favourite yarn. It’s a Canadian company, I just chatted with a fellow on their 1-888 number from their website. The company’s called Koigu and the particular line is Kersti Crepe, 100% Merino wool (100 m/ 114 yds). Anyways, it’s really soft and very puffy yarn. It is sportweight, but I used a 6mm hook to crochet this thin scarf. I probably should have bought two skeins of the yarn, but I’ll use this scarf more like a neck wrap (I put a single wooden button on it). Thanks to Angela for showing me how to crochet this particular pattern, which really shows off the loft of the yarn.

You can buy Koigu Kersti Crepe at Urban Yarns (urbanyarns.ca) at 4421 W. 10th Ave,  in Vancouver (near UBC), or Edgemont Village in North Van.

Note: When I was chatting with the Koigu fellow, I asked if their product was made in Canada, well it’s not. It is hand-painted in Canada. But the yarn is made in N. Zealand. They have 3 suppliers: one in UK, one in Spain and one in N. Zealand.

Dreamy octopus is imagining a bright, colourful world under the sea.

I couldn’t resist! I saw some gorgeous yarn at 3 Bags Full, but didn’t want to spend $42 on a skein, but found this at Birkeland Brothers which is different, but had that twirly variagated colour that I wanted to try.

It’s called “Freedom Spirit” and is 100% wool by Twilleys of Stamford (made in England). It’s kinda fuzzy and rough (doubt I’d be able to stand any clothing made of it — it makes me sneeze too), but it’s gorgeous and only cost me $6. It’s got 120m (50g). I’m going to make a little amigurumi octopus out of it. I should be able to make quite a few.

Working on a girl amigurumi (which I’ve never done before). My first attempt at hair was with my Spock amigurumi and that was hell! This one turned out much better, smoother and softer, not as bulky. Doubt I’ll be making many more of these girls though.

I must admit the hair is fun to make into a braid or leave as ponytail.

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I whipped up some mittens (I’ve always loved mittens). I finally thought of the perfect item for me to make using this lovely Koigu yarn I bought half price at 3 Bags Full on Main St. These are the softest wool items I own! Wow. I see why it’s important to buy expensive, higher end wool. These are not scratchy wool at all and seem quite durable. I did the very tips of the fingers (including tips of thumb) in Single Crochet, then increased to Half Double Crochet for speediness. I am definitely a Koigu Kerstye Crepe Merino fan now!!! And it’s made in Canada (I think).

Introducing Carl the sock-monkey. Loose lips sink ships, says Carl — that’s why he can’t be trusted with secret information–like where we keep the bananas…

Bought new yarn, needed to test it out. Lost my original pattern/recipe (and I was too lazy to look harder for it) so I just winged up some new glazes. Inspired by many crochet donuts I’ve seen.

Ok, ok, I’ve really done it now. I’ve lost my mind. I crocheted a sock for my new MotoKRZR cell phone. The cell phone is just so damn new and shiny and of course, I could not justify paying for a case if I could make one.

  Here is a progress shot of Jerome Charcoal Bunny.

Woof…

The pattern is found in this Japanese book.
ISBN-10: 4309266703
ISBN-13: 978-4309266701

The pug is modified from the fat black cat pattern on p. 39

Thanks for all your compliments!

Meow…

Her name is “Roxy 2″. She’s a sassy gal with lots of street smarts. Don’t be fooled by her innocent looks and girlie frills, she can out fox any cunning coyote! Her tail is especially foxy!! 

Her dress is made of soy wool, the variegated green yarn is Koigu hand-painted wool (Kersti Merino Crepe) . The rest of her yarn is made using TLC yarn and Red Heart. 

Here are progress shots of my latest amigurumi fox. Her name is “Roxy”. She is made using TLC yarn, which is a brand of Red Heart. I’m not a huge fan of it, except it comes in lovely colours. But it is quite thick and rough feeling. I do like it better than Bernat Satin. For some reason Bernat Satin “fuzzes” out. I think I handle it too much in the making process (turning inside out and outside in, putting on the eyes, sewing on the face, etc, etc…) TLC could withstand all the rough-housing I do…

I think I will go back to using Lion Brand 100% wool. They have gorgeous colours too.

Roxy’s dress is made from Patons SWS soy wool. I wasn’t a fan at first, but they do have some lovely colours and the thickness matches well with the TLC. Aaaahhh, the learning process never ends ~:0)

Here is my newest cupcake. It was a bit of a doozy to crochet! I broke my 6mm plastic crochet hook making this and had to use my Clover 3.5mm, just really loosely! Now I know what I need to buy next! Haha!

Anyways, I love this new Bernat MAX yarn. It has 75% acrylic and 25% wool, has varying thicknesses of yarn, as well as variegated colour. I LOVE IT!! My husband thinks it looks weird, but I love it. It doesn’t even need sprinkles!

Here is a new cupcake that I’m working on. I’ve always wanted a defined base. This one has the sides of the cupcake as a flat long piece and then the circular base is separate and then sewn on. 

My friend asked me to make an amigurumi to look like her cousin’s black chihuahua. I am always up for a challenge. Here is how he’s turning out. The ears are especially cute because they are sewen together at the base where it is attached to the head.

Here is teddy bear. He was crocheted using a 5.5mm hook and Paton’s Classic Merino wool. He was hand felted in hot water in a large bowl with dish soap. Scrubbing for about 10 minutes wearing rubber gloves. He was then rinsed in cold water, shaped then air dried. I just sewed the eyes and nose on this morning. I really like his tiny tail!

Before and after shots of teddy bear #2.

So it turns out teddy bear #1 was a girl: Bea Bear! She’s a little chubby, but that’s what makes her cute! She eats a bit too many honey donuts late at night, so she’s rolly-poly Bea Bear!

Meet Ollie, the elephant who can fit in the palm of your hand. He’s cuddley, he’s quiet and he remembers everything about you! Also meet “Blue” — he’s a baby elephant!! The pattern was created by Brigitte Read (found via Google search).

He has the designer black turtleneck sweater, suave goatie, and inquisitie look about him.

Here is Jake Bunny and Sabrina Bunny! They are not complete yet, but will be. My niece’s 5th Bday party is this Sunday and she will get to keep Sabrina. Amigurumi is a Japanese craft using crochet or knit to make characters (and toys).

Ok, just finished assembling Sabrina Bunny. She is complete except for her white cotton tail. She is wearing a fine bead necklace and some bead work at the bottom of her embroidered heart. Total hours: 14 hrs — whew!

Cupcakes galore! Just learned to make these crochet cupcakes — they are so cute and cudly. They are the actual size of a real cupcake.