Medusa, Dahling

A Squeaker's Creatures Original

Follow this link for more photos DeviantArt Gallery

I had just finished crocheting Vu Doo Jack when the idea popped into my head; why not crochet Medusa? I was on Google before the idea had really taken form. I thought it would also be a great way to try out the curl technique for her hair and arms. I also had a fun time crocheting her tail. Instead of sewing a separate piece on, I just picked up stitches as I went along. 

It gives it a cleaner look in my opinion. Although, next time I'll have to make her tail a bit wider. I have to flatten her bottom a bit before she'll stand on her own. The balance isn't too bad once you get her standing. The best part was getting to embroider her face. I've always wanted to do that doll look, and for a first attempt I didn't do half-bad. 

In the World of Tomorrow

So, I started attempting to create inventory for the farmer's market, but I keep getting side-tracked. So far, I've made four things, but only one or two of them I'm willing to give up. I'm trying to think of small things that I can just mass produce, but to be honest that idea is boring. I'd rather make one or two unique items over a case of singular ones.

Unfortunately, that attitude isn't going to get me the inventory I need. I have been looking around on Ravely.com recently though. There are plenty of free patterns available, I just need to find one that I can properly change to make my own. Plus, I need to figure out what exactly I want to crochet. I've been seeing a lot of sea creatures, and I know chickens are popular. I'll just need to figure it out on my day off. It's the best time for me to just sit and relax, and let things settle down in my head. I also need some new yarn! That'll get the juices flowin' again.

My current project is a Wario amigurumi! I wanted to continue crocheting villain-esque characters after Medusa. My boyfriend and I were looking through the colors of yarn I have when he mentioned Wario. At first, I didn't think the shades I had would work, but so far it looks pretty awesome. He's going to be a pillow pal of sorts, but I haven't really gotten that far yet. I don't really plan, just do and undo and then redo. 

Guess I'll need to get back to that whole thing.

Here's the Happenings ..

Splotches the Monster!

Here's a link to the original pattern Mini Pillow Pals

My Latest Creature and Love

Originally, I had planned on only making the one little guy, for a friend on Ravelry.com. Since he turned out so well though, I'm going to make more! Don't know if I'll be sticking with the "splotches" theme since it took a bit of work, but it does look good on him.

Good News Everyone!

My aunt has convinced me to help her start a booth at her local farmer's market! She's retired now, so I think she is mostly looking for something to keep her busy. She used to be a salesperson at a furniture store, (working on commission even) so I think she'll make a good saleswoman. 

Originally, I thought she only wanted to try and sell a few of my creatures, but when I gave her a bag with six or seven in it, she told me it wasn't enough! I honestly didn't even think that she wanted to open up a booth, otherwise I wouldn't have given her anything until I was ready.

Thankfully, I have patterns for a few things and ideas for more. I'm currently working on making more snowmen, and toying with the idea of crocheting wine bottles. This is step one towards opening up my own Etsy store: inventory. So, I'm trying to set-up small goals for myself so I can keep calm and carry on.

It's really exciting though! I always liked working under pressure, so now it's on.

Amigurumi Photo- Dump!

As Promised, A Few of my Works

Here is the finished zebra that I crocheted for a coworker of mine. I still haven't been able to give this to her, but we do work together this week so we'll see what happens. Hopefully she likes it, even if it's a little wonky :)

Let's See Some Improvement!

This is one of the first pieces I did for my personal theme project. It was inspired by the Aztec Sun Calender. I really like this one, I just wish I had somewhere to display it! It's just a little too big to be converted into a car ornament.

I love this squid! I crocheted it for a contest on deviantart.com; the theme was giant amigurumi. He's approximately twenty-three inches long, and seven inches wide with the top fins. I'm thinking about trying to make a squid beanie too, but that's gonna be a project for sure! I've never made beanies before.

This stegosaurus was my first commissioned piece. I was originally going to do a teddy bear, but I thought, dinosaurs are much more cool! I'd say I've gotten better so far :D

My second attempt at amigurumi. I think he looks ok, but I was using stitches like double crochet when I should have only been using single crochet. I definitely learned some lessons with this one. I like how his fins turned out though; I even added some to his underside so he'd be more realistic.

I know I uploaded the big purple one, but here's the accompanying little owl with him! They're really adorable when you get to see them; this photo washes out their colors a bit.

Those are just a few photos that I have on my computer. If you'd like to see more, please visit my deviantARt account by following this link DeviantART Gallery

Simple Amigurumi Body Pattern

First, A Little Background .. 

So on deviantART.com I am in an amigurumi group and our challenge for the first half of this month is to crochet a sci-fi t.v. character. At first, I thought Futurama would be a great choice. It's one of my favorite shows, it's set in the future, and it's popular enough for me to be able to reference some patterns for characters. I slept on the idea for a few days, and then it hit me! I should do a show that I loved watching as a kid, Quantum Leap! If you haven't heard of it, that's ok, not many people have. Click the link and Wikipedia will tell you all about it :)

I wanted to make him into a doll, not just a rounded-off plushie thing. I searched the internet until I found a pattern that I liked, this one Craftiness: Basic Amigurumi Body. I started crocheting the pattern out, and I came across a few hitches. My feet looked way too big for the legs, and then my body looked way to small for everything else! I didn't even make it to the arms before I started writing out my own pattern for it all.

I wrote it out as I went, and tried to translate it later when I actually made my Quantum Leap amigurumi. 

I'm sure I have a few hitches in this pattern as well, so please leave me a comment if you find something out of place!

Here's what the finished doll should resemble :)

A few things that you'll need to be familiar with:

How to crochet in the round.

MR - Magic Ring

SC - Single crochet

Sl St - Slip Stich

Inc - Increase 

Dec - Decrease (I prefer to use the invisible decrease method. Check out this site for step-by-step instructions with photos PlanetJune.)

(stitch, stitch) x (number) - This means I want you to do a pattern within the row a certain number of times. For example: (SC, Dec) x 3 = single crochet, decrease and repeat three times, finishing up the row.

I used a size f hook myself, but depending on what kind of yarn you're using, you may want to use a size g hook instead. Be sure to keep your stitches fairly tight! You don't want your stuffing to show through.

Let's Get To It!

Legs - Make 2

Row 1: SC 8 in MR [8]

2: Inc around [16]

3-4: SC around [16]

5: SC next 2, Dec around [9]

6-16: SC around [9]

Sl St, Fasten Off

Be sure to slowly and continuously stuff the legs as you go. This will make it easier than stuffing before you close up the body.

Legs to Body

First, line up leg stitches and slip stitch two times in next two SC to connect, then continue around. See photo for example.

Row 17-20: SC around [16]

21: (SC next 2, Dec) x 4 [12]

22: SC around [12]

23: (SC, Inc) x 4 [18]

24-27: SC around [18]

29: SC next 4, Dec around [11]

30: SC next 2, Dec 4 times, SC [7]

Sl St, leave long tail to attach head.

Again, be sure to stuff every few rows; I would say every three or four.

Be sure the front of your doll is facing away from you when you do this! 

Arms - Make Two

Row 1: SC 5 in MR [5]

2: Inc around [10]

3-4: SC around [10]

5: SC next 2, Dec around [6]

6-17: SC around [6]

Sl St, fasten off leaving long tail to sew to body.

Here's what we have so far!

Head

Row 1: SC 6 in MR [6]

2: Inc next 4, SC next 2 [10]

3: (Inc, SC) x 5 [15]

4-6: SC around [15]

7: (SC, Dec) x 5 [10]

8: (SC, dec, dec) x 2 [6]

Sl St, fasten off, leaving long tail to sew onto body.

Now sew doll together and there you have it! Here's my Quantum Leap doll, still need to completely sew him together, but he's coming along nicely! I'll post the finished work another day.