Long Weekend Wrap-up

Three days weekends are a thing to celebrate. Knowing I didn't have to get ready for work Monday meant that I could spend pretty much all day Sunday dabbling in my craft space. I used this time to experiment with some new ideas I've had and to reorganize and take inventory. A lot of work was done (and a lot of Doctor Who watched) but I am excited to start the week with a nice, uncluttered work space so I can start on one of my new art projects:

Pins
I love my little critters so much I wanted a way to take 'em with me. Introducing cute crochet on-the-go, some wearable art:

Demonstrate your infinite wisdom with a public display of Master Yoda.

Is there anything better than bunnies? Nope.

Let this ladybug be your good luck charm. 

I may have a problem with pompoms. They are just so fun (and easy) to make! And once I figured out how to attach a pin-back, well, watch out world...

I'm sure this pin business will quickly spin out of control like so many of my ideas. I've already tried swappinga pin-back for a magnet. Soon my fridge will be overrun with crochet critters (and pompoms). I can't wait to bring to life some of the other animal ideas I have on paper. Look for these in my Etsy shop soon!

From bunny brooch to fridge domination. 

Bathtime Bliss

I love making my cute critters, but sometimes it feels good to make something that is a little more helpful around the house. A few weeks ago I made some washcloths for a friend with some lovely cotton yarn from KnitPicks. I don't normally use washcloths, so I started to look for alternative uses for my dishie yarn. I came across  images for soap savers, which are pouches you can put your bar of soap in (or scraps of bars)  to create a lather. A very practical device, really. I made one up right away, put in a lovely bar of coffee oatmeal stout soap, and gave it a shot.

To clarify, that is oatmeal stout as in beer. Soap made with beer? Yes, please. The soap smells nothing of alcohol, but has the rich aromas associated with a good, dark oatmeal stout. I don't know how its done, but it's amazing. The soap has a creamy texture that leaves your skin soft and residue free. The soap seeps in between the stitches creating a rich lather. while allowing all the wonderful aromatics to easily permeate. You can get your own bar here.

The pouch has a strap for hanging which allows it to dry in-between uses (no one-sided mushy soap here). I think these will make nice gifts, and after I work out some design kinks they will be available in my Esty shop. 

Fun with Hats

Here is a round-up of some of the hats I've made in the last year. While I participated at the UCR craft fair I was working on a hat throughout the day and I was wearing my LSP hat. I had a lot of people ask if those were for sale. I didn't realize hats, in particular beanies, were so popular here! Especially since it never gets very cold here in southern California. I plan to have hats ready to go at my next craft fair. I know I personally like to try things like that on before I buy, and I think they will be more popular at an in-person event than on Etsy. Anyway, enjoy these original designs!

A baby-sized monster hat for a dear friend!

An adult sized Hobbes hat. I love his whiskers.

Brain Slug hat (inspired by Futurama).
The antennae really make it.

Adult-sized Mudkip hat. The fin in the back is so fun.

My LSP hat!

Bat

I was commissioned by a friend to create a bat, which may seem like an odd animal choose, except her friend conducts research on bats. I love the idea of sending someone a crochet-version of her study organism! And I knew this was an animal I could take and make really adorable. At first, I wanted to add little fangs to this creature, but my friend suggested something a little less vampire-y (we wouldn't want to perpetuate inaccurate stereotypes of bats...) The result is something so cute I think I will have to make more. Yes, lots of adorable happy bats. This bat companion happily hangs upside down and has a hook and clasp built into its wing, so the wings fold up together. I'm really pleased with how this creature turned out:

Trying on different faces!

Just hangin' around.

Work in Progress Wednesday

Wednesdays, at least on the interwebs, is Work in Progress Wednesday or WIP. More specifically, in the crochet community everyone is asking “What's on your hook?” At anytime I am working on several projects; however, I try to minimize how many half-finished projects I have out at any one time. Wait--how am I working on a project if I’m not actually crocheting?

Each item I make has to be conceptualized and designed before I ever pick up a skein of yarn. Even when I am following a pattern that is already written, there is a choice of yarn color and style, hook size, and a level of interpretation and trial and error. There are many patterns available on the internet: some for free, others for purchase. My favorite website for beginners (and where I started with amigurumi) is AllAboutAmi. I found her patterns clear, easy to understand, and fun and adorable. From her patterns I realized that amigurumi patterns make mathematical sense. I have been able to use this general concept to make different shapes, which ultimately become my own patterns.

Maybe one day I will get into formal pattern writing, but for now suffice it to say there is a lot of mental power that goes into my patterns long before they become a reality! On this Wednesday there isn’t much on my hook, but that won’t last for long.

Most of the components I make are worked around in circles.

Change is good...

Please excuse my mess as I work on updating my website to reflect my new shop name and logo! I am an HTML novice, so there is a lot of trial and error when it comes to design. Being a visual person, I have play around with lots of designs before I figure out exactly what I like. Thanks for your understanding! Here is a cute bunny picture, for your patience:

Meet Stannis, aka Stanstan, aka the one true king of Westeros

Washcloths

I was commissioned by a new friend and fellow crafts-lady for a series of washcloths for her and her family. I was delighted, as I knew this would be a fun, and relatively quick, creative outlet. I love making my critters, but with washcloths I would be able to play around with different stitches and colors AND have a sense of instant gratification. In just a few days I had 6 beautiful unique pieces, all made with 100% cotton dishie yarn from KnitPicks. In exchange, I will be receiving a bar of my friend's homemade oatmeal stout (beer) soap! Trading crafts is such a great thing. Check out her lovely shop here. I bought a bar of her soap for my husband for Christmas at the UCR craft fair and he loved it.

Next time I will take better pictures! There is a lot of detail that can't be seen from this view.