Creating a Teddy

Making a teddy bear involves the creation of various pieces . . . 

Legs and Feet

Pictured above are the legs and soles.  There's a whole lotta ends and seams waiting to be taken care of . . . *sigh*  Perhaps I've mentioned my dislike of finishing?  And all that goes with it: seaming, sewing, weaving . . . *double sigh*

One Arm

And this is the arm.  I've already finished the first arm and slowly progressing on the second one . . . 

Tally ho, little knitter!  Tally ho!

We Has Tentacles!

While there has been little knitting, there has been progress of sorts.  Remember my octopus friend Iggy (from here and here)?

Tentacles galore!

Oh yeah, baby!  There are tentacles all about!  What?  There's only six?  Yeah, I didn't quite finish all eight, but I still wanted to sew on the appendages.

Sewing on a tentacle

So I guess my octopus is really a hexapus--ha, ha! Still, he is almost done . . . two more tentacles to go!  

The original "Eggy" has been well loved over the years.  He's looking a wee bit worn.  The yarn has pilled in spots.  And he's gotten increasingly floppy over the years (as if he's slowly losing his stuffing).

The original octopus, Eggy

To compensate, I over-stuffed Iggy so he wouldn't suffer the same fate as Eggy.  His little legs look very sausage-like . . . hee, hee!

I think someone will be very happy.

Crafty Stuff

The knitting is moving along slowly (now that I have some time on my hands).  My son's octopus now has four tentacles.  Only four more to go.  And I started a new project.  And yes, it is another toy!  Why do you ask?

I've decided to revisit Debbie Bliss' Teddy Bears.  Years ago I made some cute teddies for my boys (reminisced about them here).  And while the bears were cute, I found the patterns rather tedious--especially for  a "beginner" knitter (at that point I had been away from knitting for a while so I felt like a beginner).

Now that I'm more experienced, I'm tackling the patterns with better skills and hopefully more knitting knowledge.  In particular I'm checking out the Artist Bear.  He's a cute fella with smock and beret.  My artist will be more feminine with a raspberry beret and fuschia bow 'round her smock.

Bliss`Artist Bear

For now, she's only got legs (I might be dating myself, but isn't that a ZZ Top song?).  I'm currently working on the soles of her feet.  I'm using some Briggs and Little Heritage in heather brown.  

Legs in Progress

I just love the colour: there are specs of red and green, almost as if the dyer used red and green to create the brown and the colour mixture didn't quite mix well or get absorbed evenly.  Very cool effect!

Briggs and Little Heritage in
Heather Brown

Hope you're enjoying your weekend.  I'm looking forward to the upcoming holidays.  Hope you are too. :)

And Now for Some Knitting (and Crochet) . . .

Looking back on my posts for the last couple weeks, I realized there hasn't been much knitting content--in fact, no mention of crafts!  For shame!  'Cuz there has been knitting--much knitting!  

Meet Shroomy

First, meet my lovely new assistant, Shroomy.  She's a bit of a noob, so her sister Toadette is showing her "the ropes", so to speak.  I know Shroomy is missing her spots and her braids, but the wee one is finished as far as I'm concerned (maybe over the holidays, Santa could drop off a few spots and braids--maybe).

Two Sisters

And a new friend patiently awaits his tentacles.  I've got two done and am working on a third.  Since I'm working in the round, it's been a bit of a pain trying to remember how to avoid that dreaded colour jog . . . 

An octopus with his tentacles

The process works the same for either method: work one round with the new colour.  With the one on the left (below), I slipped the first stitch and then worked the round as usual.  With the right one, I picked up the stitch below and worked that with the first stitch.  Which one looks better?

Which looks better?

I prefer the one on the right 'cuz it doesn't leave any loose stitches (not visible from photo).  I just have to be careful how I pick up the stitch below so that it doesn't get twisted.  In the end it won't matter too much 'cuz the "seam" will be facing inward.

I also finished one big project (psst, its the Garter Surprise), but I think I'll wait before posting FO photos here (although you are more than welcome to check it out at my Ravelry project page [Rav link]).

Ball Band Dishcloth

I even managed to cast-on and finish another project: the ball band dishcloth(free pattern link at Ravelry).  That pattern has been sitting in my queue since forever!  I've been meaning to try it out and finally succumbed (mainly 'cuz while searching through the stash, I came across lots of leftover Bernat Handicrafter Cotton).

Lovely Dishcloth

The pattern is easy enough to follow.  I used the finished dishcloth this morning and it didn't stretch out too much when wet.  Of course I used the wrong size needles, so to compensate I cast on six less stitches than called for in the pattern.  Me thinks I'll make more . . . ;)

The Beginning of . . .

A new friend. It's been so long since I've shown any updates to my "Iggy" project.  He was started early September.  

Body In Progress

Soon his head and body were completed . . . In fact, it was a matter of days!

Doesn't he have quite the happy face? And he already has a friend waiting for him.

Eggy Already Loves Iggy

I've introduced Eggy before (Rav link).  He is patiently waiting for Iggy's completion so he can finally have a cephalopod friend to play with. 

Sadly his tentacles are . . . well, they just don't exist.  At least not yet.  

I started them.  Well, I started one tentacle and I got as far two stripes.  I was trying to work them in the round, but I had forgotten how to hide the colour jog created by changing colours in the round. I need to find some how-to videos online.

Meanwhile there are other more pressing projects needing my attention.

Later,

More Knitting

Garter Surprise Progress

My Garter Surprise is getting there. I finally reached Block 9--yippee! New colour change and with it comes intarsia (not my most fave technique). At least the end is in sight (ha! famous last words).

Soleil Tank Revisited

And I tried to finish my Soleil Tank. After seaming the shoulders, I tried it on and . . . too short (although the fit is quite good)! Since I've got leftover yarn, I'm adding a couple of repeats. I picked up from the garter cast-on edge and am working the pattern upside down (after adding another 20 stitches so that the lower edge will be a large instead of a medium). Hope this "experiment" works.

It's not a hat; it's an octopus!

And I started another project. Of course! This project is a special request from one of my "babies" (who soon will be 12, but just loves the toys I make. So there.). It's one of those "dastardly cephalopods" (seriously, you should check out our website 'cuz its funny when toys have adventures). We hit the local general store that carries a decent selection of colours. My son was quite pleased to pick out his own colours. Now he's patiently waiting for his "friend" to come to life. This is the fun part of knitting. I love it when recipients appreciate your hard work. That's the good stuff.

Later,

Craftiness

So we've been working on the veggie garden and I've been adding perennials to the flower garden.  But I haven't neglected my crafts.  There's still craftiness over at casa d'Acrylic-girl--it just happens in short spurts.


First off, I started a new project for no reason other than I wanted to.  I bought Patons Kroy on sale a few weeks back (not that I need more sock yarn); it's a pretty stripey red colour.  I finally cast on this week.

New Sock Project

I've used this pattern before: its Ladies Vintage Ribbed Socks from Vogue.  And yes, it is a cuff down pattern (I tired of the toe-up).  My previous attempt at this pattern netted a well-fitting pair of socks.


Since I had previously used 2.25mm dpn's, I was hoping to pick up a couple of circulars in the same size.  I prefer socks on two circulars.  Do you think I could find needles in that size?  I looked online and had a hard time finding them on a Canadian website.  Thankfully my in-laws were travelling to the city and kindly dropped into a yarn shop; sadly they only bought one circular.  I need two . . . So new plan: work the leg with dpn's and then switch to a combo of circular and dpn for the foot--unless I find something suitable.


In crochet news, my work progresses slowly.  Did you figure out the identity of the yellow object?  I've added more parts to it.  

Minion

Does it look familiar now?  It's a minion (from the movie Despicable Me).  It's a free pattern from Wolfdreamer.  I've used her patterns before and they are well written with stitch counts and ample directions.


Hope you had a crafty weekend.  
Later,  :)

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. ;)

Small is Good

Not much happening in the the sticks-and-string department (sorry Bohus Redux), other than working on my portable sock. Happy to report one sock is almost done with only an inch or so left to go (hurray for naps!).

Crochet Hooks (courtesy of Google)

While the needles are relatively quiet, there's lots going on with me hook!  Still on the small-project kick.  Slowly working through the long list of amigurumi in my Rav queue which include Luma, Mario, Luigi, a minion and Sackboy.  Can you tell there are video game addicts in my household?

Kirby (courtesy of Google)

The current fave is Kirby.  That rotund dude of pink fluff loves to eat (hmmmm, loves to eat . . .  sounds like me!).  And he is rather cute with his big eyes and happy smile.

Kirby Pieces

The pattern is quite straight forward.  You can find a link to the free pattern over at Ravelry or you can go directly to the designer's website (I love the site's name: nerdigurumi. She's also got links to videos if you need some visual assistance).  There are only a few pieces.  And even without the eyes and mouth, he looks sweet once he's assembled.

Prince Fluff (courtesy of Google)

My other son also wanted a Kirby, but he wanted different colours.  Initially we were gonna go for Prince Fluff. But my son wasn't crazy about the "angry" eyebrows.  So we're gonna keep the same colours, but  add Kirby features instead.

Kirby II

So far we only have a body.  Hoping to finish the feet and flippers this weekend.  Then I can assemble the thing during the week . . . 


There's just so much to do and I only have a finite amount of time and energy.  *sigh*  So many patterns; so little time :S

Sharing

You gotta check out this new blog.  Its soooo cute (granted I'm a little biased).  Its called Mushrooms and Octopi and its run by two cute little fellas who call themselves Two Fun Guys.  Perhaps you've met them before . . . 

Two Fun Guys out in the woods

Now its a new blog, so there aren't too many posts.  But I'm looking forward to their updates.  Should be fun.   ;)

Blog-jack In Progress

Don't adjust your screen!  It's just us, the Toads. :D

This is Toad and my brother Toad.  While that chicky Acrylic-girl is putting lights on her house, we've hijacked her laptop.  Aren't we scamps?  Actually we're really two fun guys--get it?  Fungi!! We're hilarious!

We wanted to share our knitting adventures.  One of us was feelin' chilly, so we decided to try this knitting thing.  If that chicky can do it, why can't we?  How hard could it be?

And like good brothers, we helped each other out.  Those needles are kinda big. 

But then something went horribly wrong.  Not sure exactly what happened . . . Guess knitting isn't as easy as it looks :(

That's not right, brother!  What did you do?  What's happening?!

Watch out!  Those sticks are awfully pointy and sharp.  Somebody could get hurt.

Oh noooooooo!  This hurts!!!!

Good thing we have a nice boy who loves us very much.  He patched us up and made one of us a lovely hat to keep our melons warm. 

That's not a hat, brother.  It's a mushroom cap--get it?  Haha!  We're hilarious!

Fungi Friends

New Fungi Friends

So my boys finally have some new playmates: meet Toad and his brother Toad (if you've ever played Super Mario, you'll notice that sometimes there are numerous Toad-like characters in various colours.  That was the inspiration for my different coloured fungi)

Toad and Toad

They were "quick" projects in that the pieces were small and easy to make.  Perhaps I could have finished these sooner had I not dreaded the "finishing" process--darning in the ends, sewing the pieces together and embroidering the face. 

All Felt Eyes on Blue Toad

I must confess that the most "fiddly" part of the whole process was working the face.  I must have re-done the mouth  5 or 6 times before getting it right (I recommend black sock yarn to make the mouth.  DK/Sport is still too thick and embroidery floss was too thin).  The eyes, too, were a challenge (I recommend embroidering the white highlight). 

Embroidered White on Black for Red Toad

Still, not bad for my first crocheted toys.  I do plan to eventually make Mario and Luigi.  I even found a cute Yoshi pattern too--but that is for the future.  Next up . . . .

Hmmmm, let me ponder that one for a bit. ;)

Stitching Up Toad

So I started assembling the pieces of one toad.  First, I attached the stuffed mushroom cap to the head using regular white sewing thread.  Looks almost invisible.

Toad's Head

Doesn't his head remind you of an acorn--a rather large one at that?  I used two mushroom stitches to every one head stitch (I pinned everything first).  Then I stuffed and attached the body.

Toad Has a Body

I used tan coloured embroidery floss to attach body to head.  It's barely visible.  My only complaint is that I should have used a smaller hook  (maybe 4.0mm instead of 5.0mm) 'cuz the stuffing is visible through the tan body (although I doubt it will work its way out).  But the boys don't mind (at least, I don't think they even noticed).

Then I attached the vest and arms using red thread.

Toad Dressed Up

I have yet to attach the feet, but I think I'll assemble the other toad before going any further. 

Lovin' the toadie goodness! ;D