Mommy mouse and Baby mouse Amigurumi Crochet Pattern.

Mommy mouse and Baby mouse Amigurumi Crochet Pattern.
Originally uploaded by Handmadekittypics

I love this cute little mousey momma and baby in sling. The little bow on the tail is adorable too. Nice Christmas-y colors, too - for those who celebrate these could be great little decorations or gifts.

Pattern available in Handmadekitty's Etsy shop (check out some other adorable patterns there, too).

Stash enhancement

Michael's is having a big sale on yarn this week, including on Thick and Quick, which means that I went and scored enough in the beautiful cranberry color to make this cardigan. I also got some worsted acrylics to experiment with for some amigurumi patterns I'm thinking of attempting to write.  I also scored a brayer.  Excellent.

While looking at sweater patterns for myself, I thought it might be a good idea to start off with something smaller, so my nephew and/or niece may be winding up with sweaters for Xmas.  Unless I get too impatient to do the little ones and just start on my own.  :P

Latest Project

So, I bought a skein of ultra bulky yarn quite a while ago intending to make myself a beret. And I finally got around to it. I actually started last night, attempting to follow a pattern. Yeah, not so much. I frogged it. Multiple times.

Screw following patterns. I made up my own. And here is the result. It's not finished yet, but I figured I'd share it here anyway. It's worked up ridiculously fast, but I can feel my tendons or muscles or something in my hands and forearms starting to twinge a bit more than usual, so I think I'll give it a rest for the night.

In other news, I managed to get up well before afternoon today. And I dusted, swept, mopped, and fed and watered my plants. I think the mini-rose is dead, but my African violet is doing spectacularly well. Maybe I'll try to get some more. Or see if I can find other flowering plants that do well in similar conditions (indirect light).

Schnauzer Puppy

Schnauzer Puppy
Originally uploaded by Jaravee

I love these adorable schnauzer amigurumis by Jaravee. Her other puppy patterns are equally adorable. The eyebrows for the schnauzers are a wonderful touch.
Schnauzers, though, have a special place in my heart - my mom loves them and currently has two - a white male named Oliver and tiny salt-and-pepper female named Lily. Dad grumbles about them, but he loves them too. I'm rather fond of them myself, but, of course, no doggie could replace Oreo in my heart.
Oliver, actually, was indirectly responsible for my adopting Oreo. I had spent a week or so at my parents before moving up to Chicago and Oliver would sleep in my bed. I realized that I really, really liked having a doggie around and thus wound up going to look at doggies for adoption in Chicago and found Oreo.

Knitting Away

My latest knitting project is this wrap that I've been working on while I watch TV (mostly The A-Team lately - I love our Roku). It's supposed to have a slight bit of ribbing to it but I keep loosing count of knit and purl stitches and so it's a bit wonky. The yarn, Lion Brand Homespun, is sufficiently knobbly and fluffy that it really isn't all that apparent that I fail at counting and paying attention. I have to say, I really like the softness and texture of the yarn. Now that I've gotten more experienced with knitting and crocheting I can actually make out my stitches in this too, which makes it far less frustrating to work with (beginners take heed). And the colorway - Corinthian - is really more lovely than I've managed to capture with the photo. Lots of rich jewel tones. So, hopefully this will be a nice wrap for me either around the house if it turns out a bit wonky or for going out if it winds up being nicer.

I've been eyeing more luxurious yarns lately too, primarily with the intention of buying a skein or two to make fingerless gloves or mittens for the coming winter. I still haven't decided on anything, though I'm leaning toward a silk-blend something, maybe with mohair. I'm not sure about weight. And I'm also trying to be a little cautious with the budget, so I may be waiting a while.

Where my knittas at?

'Cause I totally just finished my first knitting project, yo! No, really, I did. It's this nifty little washcloth with a nifty pattern available at Knitterly things and other stuff: "Learn to purl" washcloth/dishcloth.

See, I spent hours looking at patterns on Ravelry trying to find one that was just right - not too hard, not too easy, not too ugly, etc., etc.

This one turned out being just right. And yes, it took me two weeks, but we were moving and I was picking up and knitting maybe two or three rows at a time and then having to do other things.

Anyway, here it is:

I would like to point out here, as I do in the notes on the Flickr photo, that I hate that towel. Really. However it's a perfectly serviceable towel and the cherub things get rubbed on my butt, so I guess that makes it okay. If you hadn't already guessed, cherubs are really not my thing. Little devils, on the other hand, I'd be totally down with.

And here's a second photo because I am a huge nerd. Also, I really need to clean the mirror in the new bathroom. In our defense, it was like that when we moved in. I also need a haircut. The flip all the same way is a little weird.

The washcloth is made in Lily Sugar n'Cream (I do not understand this name at all and find it deeply annoying) that I scored when Michael's was having a big sale a while back. The pattern took up about half the skein (and the ombre skeins are smaller than the solid color skeins) and that was with me knitting fairly loosely on size 8s and having lots of inches of tail for cast-on and after cast-off.

Ice-Cream and Noodle

Ice-Cream and Noodle
Originally uploaded by irenestrange

Irenestrange has created these wonderful striped elephant who incorporate granny-squares in their design on backs and ears. They're adorable, plus a great way to use multiple colors or bust through some last bits of yarn in your stash. Very awesome!
Score the pattern in her Etsy shop and check out her other nifty creations.

he'll take you aboard his beautiful ship

he'll take you aboard his beautiful ship
Originally uploaded by giolou

Giolou has posted this adorable ickle knitted alien. I love the glowing silver yarn and the eyes. I have yet to knit amigurumi as opposed to crocheting them (and I should really get back to crocheting them, but I'm trying to finish my freakin' project bag before I do start any thing else).

Ahem. The alien. Super cute! Knitted. Giolou scored the pattern from the wonderful and generous Barbara Prime who has posted a free pattern for the adorable little dudes and dudettes on her blog. And this is one of the best sort of patterns, it appears to me, in that it is easily customizable and adaptable, resulting in all kinds of fun creations.

El Ranchogurumi

El Ranchogurumi
Originally uploaded by angelsan

I love this little guy. Especially the hat - that hat is awesome! And he looks so cheerful with his little poncho.

sukigirl: How to crochet Eve from Wall-e

Follow the link below for a wonderful crochet pattern for Eve from Wall-e.  Yay and thanks to sukigirl designing and sharing such fun for free!  

sukigirl: How to crochet Eve from Wall-e

Settlers of Catan 'ghan! With Free Pattern

Cthulhu Crochet and Cousins: Settlers of Catan 'ghan! With Free Pattern

I am ridiculously proud of myself for having guessed that a Settlers Afghan was in the making from a prior post.  Better is that the pattern is generously shared at the above link from Cthulhu and Cousins.  Including an inexpensive and washing safe method of making the sheeps!

Hello Kitty Devil

DSC_0490
Originally uploaded by silly_a1804

I will confess, I'm not a huge fan of Hello Kitty. Hard as it is to believe, she's actually a little too cutesy for me. (Don't analyze my logic there, others have tried, failed, and wound up with really bad headaches.) I like this Hello Kitty though - she's got some spunk. And I think a friend of mine would probably like her. Something else to go in the Ravelry cue.

silly_a1804 used the free pattern available here with some modifications.

I will keep you safe and sound...

I will keep you safe and sound...
Originally uploaded by saplanet

This mother and child amigurumi piece makes me feel cuddled and warm just looking at it. Very sweet and I think it would be a great gift for Mother's Day or for a new Mom (or even a not so new Mom). The pattern is available on etsy. I have already grabbed one myself - I was looking for something fun to make my Mom and I think this will be great!  

Have a look at her other great creations and shop too!

Bunny Bowling with thelongthread

Etsy :: The Storque :: How-To :: How-Tuesday: Bunny Bowling with thelongthread

There's a great how-to on making your very own bunny bowling set available from the Storque.   Check it out!

Embroidery Pattern for Doll Face

Embroidery Pattern for Doll Face
Originally uploaded by davis.jacque

Jacque has generously posted this fabulously fun pattern for free on Flickr (that was a lot of alliteration, there...) I don't embroider myself (or others), rather I don't do embroidery aside from a few details on my amigurumi, primarily because I don't think I can manage the small needles long-term without major hand pain and cramps, but that doesn't keep me from admiring other amazing work.
If you use the pattern, be sure to credit Jacque and share a photo of it so we can all see your creation!

Girl in a Frog Suit and Her Pet Frog Crochet Pattern

Girl in a Frog Suit and Her Pet Frog Crochet Pattern
Originally uploaded by stripeyblue

I have a thing for costumes and the color green, so this makes me happy on two levels. Another one I might just purchase!

Embroidery Designs at Urban Threads - Projects

Embroidery Designs at Urban Threads - Projects

I love this skirt.  Already added to the to-do list.  :)

Found via Whip Up

Yet another reason Etsy is awesome

Etsy :: The Storque :: How-To :: How-Tuesday: Make a Donkey Softie

Free patterns! Make your own adorable donkey softie!

University of Chicago Knitting Pattern

A lovely pattern by Sivia Harding to make your very own U of C scarf - vitally necessary in the winter, I might add...

Direct link to pattern pdf here

And Ravelry link (Requires membership)

(From the December 2005 issue of The University of Chicago Magazine)

More stuff for the Ravelry que...

from the archives: free knitting patterns � whip up

My favorites:

- #4

- #8 (was already in my que)

- #11

- #14 (awesome colorwork!)

I think I may have just realized that I have a serious issue with fingerless gloves, especially for someone who has yet to get around to actually making a pair...