Rudolf

Rudolf sits by my elf girl now. :)))

"Rudolf"

*Free Pattern* by Christel Krukkert

Visit my Ravelry page on this project

For Hind Legs, after I switch to brown yarn, I did sctog in every 2nd and 3rd sts to change the total number of stitches to 6 for skinnier legs and shorten them with less rows. - I did the same on Front Legs.

I spent 3 days to "get" the part on this pattern for antlers, but it could be just me. XD  I wasn't going to give up though since they were my most favorite parts of this design!  The antlers are tubular for sturdiness and are crocheted more or less in free-form crochet style.  If you are making this Rudolf and get lost at Antlers, my advice is to strictly follow the pattern without questioning and not to assume how they are done.  In this way, you will achieve the handsome 3 pointer. :)

How would everyone like a give-away??  Stay tuned! ;)

Red, Green, White...

Just recently, I went to Michaels for the first time in quite some time.  I was waiting in a line to pay for a few things I picked, and I looked around... then I caught this warm aura (yeah... XD) that was coming from something colorful.  As I made sure that Hubby and my son would stay where we were in the line, I left them and walked up to it.  Then, there it was..... the cutest softie I've every seen!!!  I grabbed one of the red, green, and white skeins of yarn shelved right beneath the cutie and dashed back to where my boys were in the line.

I believed some white and red acrylic yarn were in my stash. - Oh how wrong I was!!  I did NOT have any white yarn (Doesn't everyone have one??)!  So... I headed back to the store at 9am next morning (I'm usually nowhere that early!) when they just opened to buy a skein of the required white yarn and some black beads.

Lookie what I made :)))

"Christmas in July Crochet Elf"

Free pattern by Michaels

**Please visit my Ravelry page (registration required. It's free!) 
to find my corrections for this pattern.

I LOVE this! It sure tickles the inner child of this 42-year-old woman. :)  Oh, how so pretty her long red hair is! :D - I had never crocheted a doll with hair.  Also, I used my old Clover Pom Pom maker set I inherited from my beautiful grandmother over 20 years ago when she passed. - Grandma Kiku I miss you so much!

Anyways, this cute elf girl is currently sitting on my cup on top of the microwave. :D  This definitely is the girliest corner of my neutral-colored home right now!  I just can't wait until December. XD

I wish I had enough hands to make this doll for all little girls (and boys who want one!) in the world.
Oh and I almost forgot to mention - If you use different colors, you can make a cute non-holiday theme doll. :)

Off to crochet her a friend. :)  She is lonely now...

Shawl & Amineko

It's cold here today in Central Mississippi again!!!
It's 40 degrees F now, and it was snowing a bit a while ago. I get to wear my shawl I recently finished! :)))


Pattern: "Broome Street Shawl" from Lion Brand
Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Bulky in Blackberry
This shawl is knitted from a long side, and I was lazy to do a swatch (my bad!) so it comes down to my knee in front, and I'd prefer it to be a bit shorter. Oh well. :) The shawl serves the purpose! It's super warm and soft. :)
This pattern was a mindless knitting which I really needed!

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Also, I recently helped my friends crochet the famous Amineko (This site is in Japanese, but the pattern in English is available too!) designed by Nekoyama. :) I crocheted an Amineko long time ago, and my blog post is here.
And...
a drum roll for my friends' Amineko
...
and
Tadaaaa!!


Crocheted by T-san, Y-san, O-san


Crochted by O-san
Don't they just make you smile? :) I love amigurumi because none is alike even though same pattern is used, and you can never have identical results!

THE Amigurumi Neko

I finished THE famous Ami-Neko (amigurumi cat).
I think I like it a little too much. :D

Since I first saw this neko and its pattern that Nekoyama-san created, I have been wanting to make one.

Look at this amazingly peaceful facial expression! :)))


This kitty can sit fabulously well!
  

She needed a little rest...


I couldn't help it, I just had to dress her up a little! :D


The pattern in English can be found at Nekoyama-san's website).
- Stole pattern not included.
This is THE famous Japanese amigurumi neko. As some of you probably know, they even have its published pictorial in Japan!

The yarn I used to make this neko is Bernat Softee Chunky, and it's approximately 12 1/2" tall when sitting.
I made this amigurumi for my newborn niece in Japan, but I almost don't want to send it to her. :D This cat to me is an ultimate zen cat, and I just have to make another one ASAP for myself!

Pumpkins

I've put out some fall/Halloween decorations today, and I just had to make these. :)


I changed # of stitches and rows on Marlo's Puffy Stuffed Pumpkin pattern to make those pumpkins because I used Bernat Softee Chunky which was not worsted weight yarn that the pattern calls for, and also I wanted to make smaller pumpkins. I used sticky-back felt for the face.
My son absolutely loves them, and that makes me so happy! :)
I'm thinking about making Dimensional Pumpkin Potholder next. I always have a crocheted potholder/dishcloth hanging in my kitchen, and seasonal one like this one would be fun, don't you think? :)

Oh, and that just reminded me of something... Did you all know about Lily's Dishcloth Contest?! I love Sugar'n Cream yarn, and I just have to enter this contest. Why don't you join too? :) I think it will be so much fun!

Complete baby set

Here is the last addition to the baby set. (*^_^*)


Pattern is from DMC USA.

I used #10 Cebelia to crochet this and buttons for eyes and nose. This bear is half-double crocheted throughout.

The hardest part was to make its face like I wanted. It was like 5 millimeter(1/5 inch) more/less between each eyes makes a whole lot of difference! I spent lots of time trying to decide how far apart each eyes and also ears should be before I sewed them on. I like the result very much. (^^)


Complete baby set
I'm all ready for my niece's baby who is scheduled to be born at the end of August. LOL

Next, I'm going to start on a doily for my Crochetville doily swap partner. (^^)

"Kitty Kat Pillow"

I finished the pillow. (*^_^*)

Pattern Source: "First Steps in CROCHET" by Mary Thomas p. 15
Publisher: American School of Needlework.

The colors of this pillow on the book are light and dark orange, and eyes are green. The nose and the mouth are crocheted chain sewed on.

My son seems to like it, and he carries it around. (^o^)

*****

I am now working on a secret project for my Crochetville Secret Pal. After I finish it, I will start working on cradle purses for my nieces. (*^_^*)

Updates

Pattern Source: Handicraft #18 "Futoito Lace no Petit Komono" Page 7.
Publisher: Ondori-sha

Above is the small project I mentioned before. This simple coaster will always remind me of the day when I came back to Mississippi. :)

I finally got my computer to work right last night. :) I am soooo glad that I will be able to post regulary again like before and to visit other blogs of fellow crocheters and knitters. I missed way too much! :(

While I was working on my computer, I put an order for yarn to make "63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Heirloom Afghan", and of course, I joined Donna's "63 Square Crochet Along".



The yarn has not arrived yet, but as soon as I get it, I will post a picture here. ;) I can't wait to start crocheting the afghan. :)

Although it's going slowly, I have been working on my WIP "best vest", and I am not stopping. LOL

Below is a picture of a crocheted "DOG" which I made 2 years ago for Akira. I have to emphasize it is a "DOG" because most people who saw it thought it was a monkey. LOL The pattern was from a book I used to have, and the designer was a Japanese. I gave the book to my sister before I left Japan.