Pepperberry Crochet

Octos

Seems I'm always apologizing for being busy, but there it is. I'm working on lots of fun stuff, just working really hard!

RIP Senator Kennedy

He was the senator from my home state, and has been for longer than I've been alive.

More importantly, he was instrumental in making sure that individuals with disabilities have adequate access to the same rights that those without disabilities have, by being instrumental in the Americans with Disabilities act.

He was an important factor in making sure that we have the right to choose when we have children, and making sure that we are safe at our jobs. His work on Meals on Wheels means that many people who wouldn't otherwise have food delivered have it.

He was a fighter for the minimum wage.

Goodbye...

House, Part 3

Things have been a little busy here. The house hunt continues, although I think we're getting closer.

My quest to improve my diet also continues. I have successfully added more fruits and vegetables, but a mysterious apple pie that has crept into the apartment is defeating my daily calorie count-- I keep exceeding it by 80cals or so.

I've finished work on some new octopi and am looking forward to posting them.

I'm enjoying the good weather and my new cotton yarn!

Starfish Pattern

The starfish pattern I mentioned that I was working on a while back is finished and up on etsy. Enjoy.

Blue Owl

Since these are the two highlights of my weekend, I thought I'd lead off with this. I made a new owl from a very nice cotton that I seem to have misplaced the label for. I'm quite happy with both the owl and the cotton. I made a resolution a while back that I was going to kick the acrylic yarn habit.

I know that acrylic vs. natural fiber is an intense and acrimonious debate. I come down on the side of "there's a use for everything". Acrylic is fantastic for anything that might get dirty (in my life, that means just about everything). I also admire its even weight, incredible variety of colors, and availability. I can get acrylic yarn at 9:00 on a weeknight, I can't say the same thing for quality natural fiber yarn.

I do also enjoy making amigurumi with acrylic yarn, but it needs to be done correctly. I've mentioned my obsession with C hooks before-- it's because C hooks work so nicely for acrylic and really pull the yarn "fibers" tight. I can do amazing sculptural things with acrylic yarn that can be challenging with other yarns.

Over the last year, I've been slowly transitioning away from the acrylic yarn, partially because I'm a little tired of making amigurumi with it--it's hard on my hands. It's been rather luxurious to use cottons and wools. I also -- and this is hard to explain -- like the look of cottons better, and the way that they photograph. This seems to be because cottons and natural wools are very matte, whereas acrylics have some gloss to them.

 

I also had my first Thrift Shop Success in quite some time-- I picked up all of these little wooden spools at Savers, along with some fun cotton print napkins to use as fabric (uhoh, adding to the fabric stash again). I like going to Savers because it's organized and the prices are reasonable. The other consignment shop I used to go to has become quite overpriced and isn't any fun anymore.

I love these wooden spools. They have great colors of thread on them, including two that happen to match my owl! I'm going to have to come up with something interesting to do with them. I'd like to display them somehow. Maybe I'll make those spool/button flower combos that people make for ornaments, or possibly frame them somehow, I'm not entirely sure...

Wednesday WIPs

Octopus Pincushion

After finishing with the Mendocino quilt (which I refuse to show a finished shot of, all of the quilters are going to laugh at me) I've found myself with a bunch of 1/8 yards of the Mendocino fabric. I also have a decent amount of wool felt hanging around, which you may or may not remember from this year's mushroom swap. On top of that, I've been buying bits and pieces of fabric here and there, so I've discovered I have a fabric stash. Some may think it small, but for a crocheter, it's pretty big!

Darling Mr. Pepperberry also gave me a Singer Simple for my birthday. Not that there's anything wrong with my vintage 7 Diamond (other than the fact it has only one speed, that being Warp) but the SImple has been, indeed, Simple, and I'm feeling more motivated to sew. Of course, I have to incorporate crochet into everything, so my first combined crochet/sewn project is the pincushion above. It's a 3" square of fabric and a 3" square of wool, sewn together and stuffed, and then edged in #10 yellow crochet thread.

 

This is a lined zipper pouch that I made. I am well aware that my color choices are a tad unfortunate, as is the angle I chose to photograph it from, but I don't care. I followed Anna Toborg's zipper pouch tutorial...sort of...and learned that the next time I make one of these I should actually follow the tutorial. I have an insane addiction to zipper pouches, especially Sew Mary Ann's, but it would be great if I could make some myself. Hence, the weird thing in the photo.

I've learned that in addition to following the tutorial, I shouldn't bother with fancy stitches on the exterior crocheting and just focus on squaring the piece as much as possible. With that in mind, hopefully my future attempts should be far more impressive!

As a last note, if you're interested in some fun graphic design, TheDieline.com has been featuring products from the 826 stores on the site all week. If you don't know what they are, definitely check them out!

What I've Been Working On Update

I've been working on this quilt made of the Heather Ross Mendocino fabric I ordered. I'm pretty much in love with it and spent most of the weekend trying to cobble together a quilt. It was....well, interesting. It's not exactly my best effort, and that's saying something, considering I lack quilting talent. It's okay, I still love it. Even better, I have some leftover fabric. I was thinking of using it as lining to make some zippered pouches with crocheted exteriors.

I've also been making some cat toys for my desperately bored cat, Luce. At least, I think he's desperately bored, as he spends a large percentage of his time howling obnoxiously.

This is my first attempt, a "Tiger Tug". It's a piece of cord threaded through a box. I know, thrilling. There's a reason there are no cats in the photo. They don't appear to find it terribly interesting.

A more amusing toy is this forage box made out of an old sterlie container. Pretty simple-- I cut holes in it and threw in some cat food. Frankie is loving it, I'm still holding out hope for Luce. I'm also going to try to round up some paper bags. I've given up on commercially produced toys-- the cats hate/ignore them.

Anyone know of any other handmade ones I should try?

Other Peoples' Awesome Etsy Shops: Purchasing Safety Eyes

There's a progression when making amigurumi. For the beginner (and always, always for toys for children under the age of 3) sewn eyes are the perfect eyes for an amigurumi.

The next stage is safety eyes from Joann Fabrics or a similar store. They're big, they're expensive, there's not much variety, but at least they're snap-in safety eyes. For those who aren't familiar with them, these are the kind of eyes used in most commercial plush toys.

When you find yourself wanting more variety in your amigurumi eyes, or something a little different, where do you turn? How do you source safety eyes other than the standard brown and black?

I was lucky when I started out, the lovely andricongirl was nice enough to clue me in to CRs Crafts, which sells wholesale and bulk safety eyes. I was going out of my mind trying to locate enough safety eyes to fill orders. I order from them every few months or so, and they're my main source for standard black 6mm safety eyes since I can purchase them by the 50pr. They have fantastic customer service and ship relatively quickly.

I'm not the only one who orders from CRs. Occasionally, I find that they're backordered, which is when I turn to 6060.etsy.com for my immediate black safety eye fix. I was impressed with 6060's fast service, accurately priced shipping, and free animal nose included with the order (admittedly, I'm a sucker for freebies). 6060 also offers the opportunity to purchase mixed color packages and hand painted eyes.

An aside, here. I've been attempting to make my own hand-painted eyes recently and haven't been terribly impressed with the results. I'm not sure what the major eye retailers are doing differently and can't vouch for it. The colors on the etsy listings are impressive.

For wildly colored safety eyes and good prices, especially for a unique project, I find myself looking to trulyoutrageous. She has a variety of safety eyes that I haven't seen before, and am itching to get my hands on and use. Trulyoutrageous also has the advantage of being a fellow crocheter, and in fact she sells crochet patterns in her etsy shop. I rather like her crochet patterns from the pictures, although I haven't tried them. (ETA: As of this writing, she is on vacation, check out her shop when she comes back). She also has an incredible etsy shop selling cupcake liners and accessories--it's pretty cool, you can check her blog to get the link.

I hope this gives you some alternatives and some help when it comes to your search for plastic safety eyes! Just remember:

• Safety eyes are only safe for children over the age of three.
• CRS crafts carries bulk safety eyes in a limited range of colors
• 6060 has variety as well as noses and other snap on parts
• Trulyoutrageous carries multicolored safety eyes in various sizes
• Enjoy your amigurumi!

Brittle Star Crochet Pattern

The brittle star crochet pattern is finished!

Download brittle_star_pattern.pdf (735.5K)

I hope you enjoy it, and as always, I'd appreciate any feedback. :)

Covetable Things

Via Futuregirl, amazing plate by Dovetail Shop & Studio. I must have this. In fact, I must have everything they make, it must become my new "good china". Should anyone want to buy me any, take note--this design is my favorite.

 

Attic24 just completed this incredible afghan. I thing it's really great, and if you're not reading her blog and you're a crocheter, you should be. I love the colors, but I think it might kill the Mr. if I made one.

 

Heather Ross Mendocino fabric. I just ordered some from Fabricworm, the price was good, so I'm hoping the fabric will be great too. It's sea themed, how cool!