I Made A Moomin...

 Over the Christmas period I crocheted this Moomin from a pattern that I got from the Simply Crochet magazine.  The pattern called for DK yarn but the finished measurements seemed quite large for my tastes.

 So of course I chose the thinnest yarn I had in my stash, used a very small crochet hook, and the darn thing took far longer than it should because everything was so small.

However, it was worth the effort - I really like him (especially his 'jazz hands') and he is about half the size quoted in the pattern.  Not sure what to do with him now - stand him next to the knitted Grommit I made last month I guess...

After 3 months of waiting, I finally got the phone call I've been hoping for - my second eye surgery is scheduled for the 28th January.  I cannot wait!  I have to admit, it has been very difficult since August trying to paint and craft with one lens in my glasses and that one a varifocal lens to boot.  The 'new' eye really needs glasses for painting, reading and sewing but there has been nothing I can do about it until the other eye has been operated on.  So I have been doing my best, painting at arm's length in order to focus as best I can, and crafting in the evenings using the headset magnifiyer.  It's not been easy.  So the prospect of it all being sorted out makes me very happy!  In the meantime, I have a long list of commissions to get done before my op...

Jeffy...

This has to be one of the ugliest things I have ever been asked to make!  However, it is for a small boy, so if it makes him happy then I'm happy.  The pattern I was given was awful, full of errors and very unclear instructions, what there were of them. Half way through I had to give up on the pattern and wing it for a while - goodness knows what a novice would have done.

Needless to say, I am NOT making any more of these!

F is for Fish...

I omitted to say yesterday that I bought two books, not just the natural history drawing book, but also a rather nice Amigurumi pattern book.


This was one of my favourite little creatures, so I crocheted my version of him last night, leaving off the extra knitted scales which made him look like he was wearing a nasty overcoat, and giving him proper fixed teddy eyes rather than stick-on googly ones. I've popped him on a little keychain to hang from a bag, zipper, or whatever.

He won't be going into the Etsy shop - the postage would cost more than he would - but if you would like to own him, or one similar in a different colour, do get in touch.

Fuzzy-Wuzzy was a bear...

Just using up some bits of stretchy mohair....bear £5, dog & basket £7.50

Break for a Bear....

Very small crochet bear in spicy coloured random yarn, with an orangey scarf - he's abut 4 inches tall. £6 + p&p

Poor Rudolph.....

This kept me amused last night - found the pattern on the net but adapted it to my own specifications - added ears, a little plastic nose and the red ribbon and jingle bells. This is a Christmas tree decoration but the general concensus in our house is that I should make another one, without the ribbon and bells, and mount it on a little crochet plaque - we are a sick bunch!

SOLD!

My Poor Eyes......

Here he is, my smallest crochet teddy bear yet, finished and ready for action and I think I may never see straight again! I'm amazed this got done as it has a strangely soporific effect on me - I fell asleep while making him again last night.

I'm not too sure what will happen to him - I'm thinking keyring/phone charm. My lovely son told me I should make lots of them as he is sure they'd sell (bless him for his faith in my abilities!) but I don't know whether my eyesight would last the distance!

I'm awaiting an Amigurumi book from Amazon - this really is becoming a bit of an obsession! However, I think it will be back to beading today - so many crafts, so little time....

Amigurumi Monkey Madness!

Since buying the Japanese Felt Mascot book, I have been enthralled with the style of these toys and keep looking on the net at all the books that are available - I know what I'll be asking for for Christmas this year! There is also a type of toy called Amigurumi (literally crochet doll) which I feel I could get addicted to as well - I found a picture of a little monkey with his banana shoulder bag and just had to try and make my own. Not so easy when all you have is a fuzzy print from a small illustration on the computer. My first attempt is the larger one - I think he is very cute but he wasn't small enough. Yesterday while having another search, I came across some basic instructions for these Amigurumi toys and realised where I had gone wrong, so had another go using their technique and thus came about the smaller monkey. I'd still like him to be even smaller, but now I have got the idea maybe I can experiment further. More to come I feel!

I shan't be posting for a while - I'm off to see my sister in Athens. I am definitely planning an excursion to the big bead shops and will hopefully be coming home with another big bag of booty! This time, after a year of making and selling jewellery, I have a better idea of what to look for and what to avoid, although I bet I still come back with some beads just because they are pretty....