Babies and Small Things

Some small things were finished and some small things were started.  Yay!  Crafting on a regular basis energizes the spirit, invigorates creativity, and gives a sense of purpose.  And finishing small projects provides a break from bigger projects as well as enough motivation to push ahead on those bigger projects (I'm looking at you, Rainbow Bedspread.  Someday you will be finished).

Meanwhile, I can derive satisfaction from these simple, but pretty, baby items.  This free basic beanie pattern can be found here on Ravelry.  And truly it is a good basic pattern.

Basic Beanie

Sadly the final item seemed rather small--as in freakin' wee!  The above photo doesn't really give a sense of its size until you compare it to something else--like a doll.

Above is my 18" American Girl/Maplea wanna-be and the beanie fits her melon perfectly. Me thinks this is proof that the beanie is too small for a baby--although it might fit a preemie--and I used the 0-3 month size (Worth noting that since my SIL is well into her 8th month, the baby should have a bigger head circumference). To be fair, the pattern included instructions for bigger sizes up to adult size, so I would have found the right size.  Instead I tried my hand at something else.

This second beanie pattern came from Baby Crochet by Lois Daykin.  It was the same book from which came the rainbow baby bib.  Unlike the bib, these instructions were easy to follow and I had no issues with it, other than minor modifications.  Since the original pattern called for yarn thinner than worsted, my mods included:
1) using a 50 st chain instead of the 60 st chain called for in the pattern.  Thankfully this mod did not mess up the decrease rows.
2) using five 30-st chains for the tassel instead of the twenty 30-st chains called for in the pattern (although I need to trim my ends on the tassels a little more).

I also started some booties.  It's a free pattern from Bernat (aka Yarnspirations--whose website is currently being "updated" so I used the Rav link above.  It will take you to the appropriate link at Yarnspirations--once their website is up and running again).  Since the pattern is one I've made before (see here and also here.  Or you can check out my meager notes on Ravelry), I know two things: the directions are easy to follow and the final item is of acceptable size and dimensions.  It's win-win. ;)

With variegated yarn, there's always the danger of bad pooling, but it's not too bad--at least on the side visible in the photo above.  

Whatcha think?  What's in your project bag?

More Amigurumi

Yup, still crochetin'.  And still makin' more amigurumi.  This time I'm making a cute little Toadette.  I just love how happy--and pink--she is.  She exudes such joy.

The Real Toadette

Most of her body parts are complete--except for the little balls needed to create her braid.  I'm hoping to get her stuffed and assembled during the week.

Yarny Toadette in Pieces

I've used this pattern before to make a pair of Toads for my boys a few years ago.  Perhaps you may remember these little fellas:

The Toads

Recently those Toads have started blogging 'bout their adventures in the farmhouse and living in the country Please check out their blog called Mushrooms and Octopi.   It's rather silly, but me and the boys get a kick out of reading it.


Strangely enough Toadette will be a wee bit smaller than the Toads.  For some reason I'm using a smaller hook.  Instead of 5.0mm used in the original project, I'm using 4.0mm.  Even though I'm using essentially similar yarn, the smaller hook size has changed my gauge--go figure how gauge can do that.

Waiting to be Assembled

Originally I'd used Red Heart Super Saver for the Toads.  I'm still using that yarn in the tan, but the rest is being done with Bernat Baby Cakes (sadly this yarn looks like its discontinued).  I definitely recommend a cotton or cotton-blend for amigurumi as it is less likely to pill.  Plain ol' acrylic generally works well unless the recipient will hug their toy.  All that lovin' eventually leads to pills.  Some acrylics are better than others, but best to use a cotton or cotton blend (FYI: Cthulhu is all cotton-blend although I suspect he won't get hugged too much--although maybe I'm wrong.  Maybe hubby gives him hugs when I'm not looking . . . ).


By the way, the pattern is a free one designed by Linda Potts (aka WolfDreamer).  Check it out over at Ravelry or go directly to the website Wolfdreamer where the designer has lots of other Mario and Pokemon characters for the intrepid crocheter.  Her instructions are very clear and easy to follow.


Here's hoping there's a new critter in the family come next week. ;)