Sunday, April 27, 2008

Crabby P

You've met Oh Poo! Now meet his evil nemesis Crabby P!



Naida started an Amigurumi-along at CFL and as much as I like amigurumi, I don't like crocheting in the tight circles you have to crochet in to make arms and legs. Then I had a wonderous idea! I'll make a partner for Naida's Oh Poo! And Crabby P was born.

In interviewing Mr. P, I asked him if there was any competition between him and Oh Poo! for the limelight. He simply replied, "Let's just say I always come out first."

Wanna a Crabby P of your very own? Here's everything you need:

Crabby P

Materials
Some yellow yarn – the brighter, the better
2 Green cat eyes (safety eyes that are attached with washers)
A little bit of stuffing
A yarn needle
A stitch marker (to mark your place if you’re not used to working in continuous rounds)
Size E / 3.5mm hook

The model was worked with Bernat Satin in Banana which is a very soft yarn. For amigurumi, it is better to use a standard acrylic yarn such as Red Heart Super Saver or Vanna’s Choice.

Notes
You will be working in continuous rounds.
Gauge is not important, but adjust hook size as needed to achieve tight stitches.
You should not see the stuffing through the stitches.

Instructions

Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 1: 2 sc in each sc around (12 sc)

Rnd 2: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (18 sc)

Rnd 3: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (24 sc)

Rnd 4: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (30 sc)

Rnd 5: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around (36 sc)

Rnd 6 - 9: Sc in ea sc around (36 sc)

Rnd 10: *Sc in next 4 sc, dec over next 2 sc; rep from * around (30 sc)

Rnd 11: Sc in ea sc around (30 sc)

Attach eyes 3rd row from the top approx. 1½” apart.

Rnd 12: *Sc in next 3 sc, dec over next 2 sc; rep from * around (24 sc)

Rnds 13 & 14: Sc in ea sc around (24 sc)

Begin stuffing.

Rnd 15: *Sc in next 2 sc, dec over next 2 sc; rep from * around (18 sc)

Rnds 16 & 17: Sc in ea sc around (18 sc)

Stuff some more.

Rnd 18: *Sc in next sc, dec over next 2 sc; rep from * around (12 sc)

Rnd 19: Sc in ea sc around (12 sc)

Keep stuffing.

Rnd 20: *Dec over next 2 sc; rep from * around (6 sc)

Last call for stuffing.

Rnd 21: *Dec over next 2 sc; rep from * around (3 sc)

Finishing: Insert hook and pull up a loop in ea remaining sc, yo, pull through all loops on hook. Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in ea remaining ch, pull up a 12” loop and cut.

Thread yarn needle, anchor sc strip to top of Crabby P, thread yarn through back of sc strip and out tip; insert needle at tip of Crabby P and run needle through his body (forming curl); weave in end at bottom of doll.

Enjoy!

The fine print: Copyright 2008. Feel free to make these for yourself, as gifts, for charity bazaars or craft shows to supplement your income. You may not use this pattern for large-scale commerical profit. Do not distribute this pattern outside of providing a link to this site. And for crying out loud, don't claim it as your own.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The Hobbit Is Coming!

In 2010! (not 2006 ~ this is a fanvid) Read more here:

http://www.thehobbitblog.com/

Monday, April 14, 2008

Boho Blocks

My last FO of my vacation is the Child's Boho Blocks Sweater from the Fall 2006 issue of Interweave Crochet. They had the pattern posted at Knitting Daily, but have since taken it down. If you are interested in this pattern, let me know as I have the PDF that I can send along.

The pattern called for using 2 strands of Lorna's Laces which I considered using since I loved the look so much, but when I searched the net for the cheapest price, I found it on sale for 54.99 a skein and it would have taken at least 6 skeins. There is NO WAY I'm spending $300 to make a kid sweater! Are they nuts?!

So I made it with 1 strand of Bernat Satin Sport. The gauge worked out perfectly. Total project cost - $15 (it would have been $11 had I stuck with 1 color.) Much better! And there was about 1/2 skein of each color left when I was done. I used 1-1/2 skeins of beige and a little over 1/2 skein each of the darker tan and blue. I admit that the 'plain' colors don't look anywhere near as appealing as the marled look obtained with 2 strands of Lorna's Laces, but then is the 2 yr. old kid really gonna know or care? I think not.


Why oh why do I continue to pick patterns that use squares? I hate sewing them together!

Since the sweater is comprised of squares, it worked up quickly. The loopy edging was a bit tedious (translate 'boring'), but because it is such a small size I managed to persevere! LOL

And so ends my vacation WIP-to-FO party ;o)

Saturday, April 12, 2008

It's Weave In the Ends Day

Which also means I'm clearing a couple of WIPs off the list ~ YAY! Today I finished off 2 potholders and a beach bag. I've been on a Drops yarn kick since I ordered the first ball of Muskat Soft. I just love this yarn! It's a smooth cotton between a sport weight and size 3 leaning more toward sport weight. The quality is wonderful as the plies are many and very thin. This translates to me as no pilling. Plus the variegated yarns just scream for something fun to be made with them. There are only 2 places I've found on the net that sell it. I've been buying mine at Nordic Mart. They have super-fast shipping and are very, very friendly!



The red is my favorite. As you're working with it, you are consistently surprised as to which color comes out next. Very fun to work with. So out of the red, I made these potholders to try it out.



They are made with 2 strands which gives them a great marled look. I altered the loop at the top as I hang mine right against the wall and the loop in the pattern wasn't working out so well for that purpose. I'm thinking of making placemats with it as well. Won't that look great on a summer picnic table?

I was originally going to make this purse, but since I just finished making squares, I was not in the mood for more immediately after. So instead, I made the beach bag.



The top edge is done in Ice which is a bulky weight cotton (brown yarn in first photo.) And you'll find the pattern here. I did not alter this one at all ~ I followed the instructions all the way. The cording instructions were a bit confusing, so if you decide to make this bag, you are making 2 straps using 1 strand of yarn for each. I had made 1 strap using both strands and went huh? Then I got it. Could just be me though... :oP

So that's 2 projects completed. I have finished the squares for the Boho sweater mentioned in my previous post, so I'll be spending the better part of the remainder of the day weaving in those ends and assembling them. I want to get that one off my plate before I have to go back to work on Monday.

Then... I'll be organizing the bazillion WIPs that remain and decide which ones I'll actually finish. No guarantees that I won't buy more Muskat though and start something new :oD

Ciao for now!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Here's Your Sign

I'm dedicating this post to my mailman who put a small box of yarn in my community-sized mailbox. It apparently fit going in on his side, but is too large to come out of my side. I can't get it out!! It was yarn that I had ordered to finish a beach bag. All that is left to do is the edging and the straps! You'll find the pattern I'm working on here. Needless to say, I'll be waiting for the mailman today. Good thing I'm still on vacation.

I've also started a lightweight pullover sweater for my girlfriend's little girl. Since it's made with squares, it's going fairly quickly and I am excited to get it done. It's the Boho Blocks Pullover from the Fall 2006 Interweave Crochet mag. I'd post a link to the pattern, but unfortunately, they've taken it down. I have the published PDF if anyone is interested. Just send me a message. Anyway, I'm making it with Bernat's Satin Sport in Beige. It's a yummy color ~ literally ~ it reminds me of a warm bowl of nice creamy oatmeal.

Isn't that the cutest kid sweater?


Bowl of oatmeal for color reference
And this morning I purchased 2 Stitch N' Pitch tickets for the Seattle Mariners vs. San Diego Padres game on June 29th. This is the first time I will be attending a Stitch N' Pitch event, so I'm a little excited. Hubby appears to be excited as well. It's a WIN WIN! I also managed to get great seats too ~ field box seats on the 3rd base line, 24 rows back. Usually when I get around to buying tickets for a game, we're in the nosebleed section. Here's the view:
Cool, huh!?
We might actually get a shot at catching a foul ball ~ better bring the mitts.
So that's it for this post. If I don't post before, have a great weekend!

Friday, April 04, 2008

OMG A Post!


So I've been a bit awol lately due to a crashed hard drive and other assorted adventures. I don't know about you, but when I don't have access to my computer I feel like someone has ripped off my right arm.

So anyway, things are starting to return to normal. I've been buying yarn like I'll live long enough to use it all! Although work has kept me so busy lately that I've been flitting from project to project not quite finishing anything. But I intend to remedy that this next week because...

I'M ON VACATION!!!!!!!!!!

So there shall be lots of crocheting, movie-watching and other forms of merriment. Heck, I just may drag out the sewing machine or finally learn how to use that knitting machine I bought 2 years ago. So hang tight, I just may have a photo or two to post to show off the latest and greatest. Until then,

Happy Trails,
~ Mini