Little Monsters

I made these little amigurumi monsters recently.  They are super easy to make.  I used felt, safety eyes, and puffy paint to create the faces.  I want to make a rainbow of them with all sorts of different expressions.

Here is the free pattern for them.

The purple one was made from left over yarn from my starburst afghan.  The yellow one fell after just painting it, so it got a little messed up.  He kind of reminds me of Charlie Brown, with the yellow shirt and black zig zag on it.

This pattern is so easy, that you only have to look at it once to have it memorized.  Its the perfect project for leftover skeins and on-the-go crafting.  The best part is that you can crochet everything while out and about, and then add the faces and stuffing when you get home.

3 Doll Dresses

My husband took some great photos of 3 of my dolls wearing outfits that I made for them on Saturday. Here is a link to his blog post with all of the photos.  I'm only going to share a few on here.

Frankie's dress and shrug were made from a sock.  It was a mummy sock with green eyes peeking out from the bandages.

I hand sewed this dress onto a different monster high doll.  There was no pattern.  I did run into problems when trying to take it off of the other doll.  I made it to form fitting, and it was nearly impossible to get off around her hips.  It goes on the create-a-monster dolls much easier, because you can remove their head and hands and slip it on over their neck.  You can't remove any body parts from the name monster high dolls.  Now she is ready to go out dancing.  Her hair is a Liv doll wig.  

Snow White is wearing a sock dress with a matching shrug. 

Soda Tab Pins

I've been enjoying making soda tab pins for Valentine's Day.  I made another flower one and 2 heart ones.  I don't have any soda tab classes scheduled yet for this year, and I've been really wanting to make something from them lately.  A crochet tab purse is on my list of things to make soon.  

Busy at work

Here are the 2 public looms that I worked on this month.  The first one needed a new warp, and the 2nd one needed repairs and to have the warp cut and re-tied.  The bottom center photo shows a little bit of what had been woven by random people on the 2nd loom.

Mini Snowman & Teeny Tiny Teddy Bears

This mini snowman was very easy to make.  However I want to make one using single crochet so that I won't see the stuffing.  He is the perfect dollhouse decoration.  Here is the free pattern for him.

Yesterday I made this teeny tiny little teddy bear.  It is perfect for my dolls to cuddle up with at night.

The brown bear was the smallest thing that I had ever knit or crochet until today.  I made a slightly smaller pink teddy bear today.  I love this little pattern.  It is crochet in 1 piece, so no sewing needed (except to close the bottom of the bear).  The pattern is easy, although I did have to look up 2 crochet stitches.  Here is the free pattern for them.  I used a C hook and sock yarn for the brown bear, and I used a size 3 hook (2.1 mm) and crochet thread for the pink bear.

I plan on making several more of these bears.

Tiny Amigurumi Turtle

I made this cute little turtle yesterday.  I used a C hook.  Man is he tiny!  He is made in 7 pieces that are then sewn together.  I plan on gluing a magnet on him and giving him to my swap partner.  Here is the free ravelry pattern for him.

Sashay Ruffle Scarf

I recently finished knitting this ruffle scarf using sashay yarn for a friend of mine.  It's a late Christmas present.  I wasn't able to make 5 gifts on my list in time for Christmas, but its nice to be able to make them for the people after Christmas.  

Soda Tab Flowers

I made these two soda tab flower pins this week using crochet thread, size 3 crochet hook, 6 soda tabs / pull tabs each, and a pin back each.  Here is the website where I learned how to make them, however it doesn't really give you a pattern to follow.  I did 5 sc on each tab with the inside color, joined to form a loop, and then dec in all the stitches between the soda tabs.  I dc around for the petals.

Snake and White Woven Scarf

Last night I crochet this snake for a swap.  There are 3 pipe cleaners that have been twisted together inside of it's body.  I used puffy paint for his eyes.  I'm going to go back and sew in the tongue since a toddler most likely will be playing with him.  He is just under 13 inches long.  Here is the free pattern for it.

I also finished weaving this scarf yesterday.  It is 8 inches wide, and I forgot to measure how long it is.  I used sparkly white yarn (its hard to see the sparkles in these pictures) and gray/silver eyelash yarn.  I am donating it to my church for them to sell at their holiday fair in December.  I know it is really early, but we are trying to get people to make things for it all year long.

Pocket Monster

I've been working hard all week to finish knitting this monster with a pocket in time for the Quidditch mascot deadline today (for the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup aka HPKCHC - in ravelry).  I used puffy paint and a paintbrush for his mouth.  I'm mailing him off for charity next week.  I want to make another one for my son's birthday.  He likes dark blue, so I might use 2 shades of blue or blue and white (kind of nautical looking) for his.  I hope the soon to be owner of this monster likes him.

This is for charity: “The 600 Monsters Strong Foundation” strives to bring monster-friends for children affected by gun violence and other traumatic situations through the generosity of crafters worldwide.


Pattern:
Daphne and Delilah the Momma and Baby Monsterby Rebecca Danger

Toilet Paper

I started knitting this roll of toilet paper last week, and finished it 2 days ago.  The paint dried on the face yesterday.  This is going to be a gag gift for my 5 year old for Valentine's Day, if I can wait that long to give it to him.  I'm going to put it on the toilet paper hanger the night before and wait and see what happens the next day.  I will be keeping the real roll close though, because I wouldn't want him using the knitted one, lol.  Here is the free pattern for it.  The pattern itself is really easy, thus making this easy to make while watching tv or talking with a friend.  I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in white and brown.  Then I used puffy paint for the face.  I needed to wet it and iron it to flatten it out, because the sides curled (due to the stockinette stitches).

Adventure Time Phone Cozy

I made this Jake the Dog phone cozy this week (from the cartoon Adventure Time).  It is a Valentine's Day gift for my oldest son.  Here is the free pattern for it.  It only took me 2 days to make it, but you could make it in one day.

Flower Coasters

I made these 4 flower coasters to match the hot pad that I made yesterday. 

Here is the free pattern for the coaster.

Chrysanthemum Dishcloth #23

This is the 23rd Chrysanthemum hot pad (I don't uses them as a dishcloth) that I have made.  Here is the free pattern for it.  For the last round, you crochet down 4 rounds / rows.  That part stumped me the first time that I made it.

I'm working on matching coasters right now.  I also started knitting toilet paper.  Yes, toilet paper.  Its going to be a gag gift for my youngest son for Valentine's Day.

Spun Newspaper Plarn Bag

I started making this plarn last summer.  The plastic came from newspaper plastic bags that I collected from my library.  I then spun it and crochet this small tote.
Here is my pattern - using an H hook:
ch 2
8 sc in center
12 increase rounds (96 stitches)
2 sc in st, skip a stitch, repeat until desired length.

Handle:
ch 35
sc 24
ch 35
sc 24
sc around for 4 rounds.
end with a sl st after 12 sts after the last handle.

Here are the photos from last Summer.  The first ones was at the beach, and the 2nd one was at a cavern site in Pennsylvania.  You can see my son in the background having fun at their gem mining area.  

Here is one of the 2 skeins of spun plarn that I used to make the bag.  

Happy New Year!

Here are the number of projects that I made in 2012: 

Total Items Made: 715

January's total: 82

February's total: 80

March's total: 71

April's total: 111

May's total: 43

June's total: 31

July's total: 48

August's total: 53

September's total: 35

October's total: 47

November's total: 84

December's total: 30

Items not added individually, but lumped in as a group: 124

My goal for 2012 was 700.  I'm glad that I succeeded, but sometimes it was a little to stressful with that big of a number over my head.

So my goal for 2013 is to make 500 items.  I went with a lower number this year so as to not stress myself out.  I also want to make a few bigger items this year.  You can see my little tracker at the top of the page for my goal.

I joined a ravelry group called 113 in 2013.  Basically it is a group where you can keep track of how many things that you make during the year.  Here is my thread for it (everyone has their own thread in the group).

So for January:

Queue:

• mini hearts
• mini items for a swap
• amigurumi camera
• 2 angry birds for nephew2

WIPS

• Mystery Crochet Along #21
• camera
• dishcloth for my mom

I started the dishcloth for my mom just now (1 am).  I really should be in bed, lol.

The Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup is starting today.  I am on the Quidditch staff for this term (Jan - March).  I'm looking forward to seeing what the class assignments will be.

I will also be posting photo collages from Nerd Wars T4 and T5 soon.  

Here is where I am add with the mystery crochet along.  The designer gave us the first 4 rounds.  I was so excited to make a kitchen item (which she says that it will be) that I started it already.

In other news, I am going to participate in another doll show.  I will be sharing photos soon of the past 2 doll shows that I participated in.  This next one is called "after dark." I'm also in an amigurumi sweetness event.  I'm also in a tiny treasures swap (making mini things).  

I'll be teaching an ikat dyeing class later this month, and I will be teaching another Sunday school workshop rotation.