Super Sonic (Sega): Crochet!

We have such an amazing talent and generous artist in Wolfdreamer when it comes to yarn art. She offers free patterns for a bunch of kid (and adult) favorite characters. Check out her website here.

Last year I took on the challenge of crocheting a Sonic the Hedgehog from her awesome pattern. It was  so fulfilling to create something COOL that you couldn't buy in a store. My youngest son, a huge Sonic fan, was beside himself with joy when he opened his new plushie Sonic for his birthday last year and still sleeps with him. You can see my version and my variations here.  A year later, as another birthday approached, he asked me for a Super Sonic. As his love for the speedy hedgehog had not waned, I couldn't resist. He was so fun to make.

Using a Deborah Norville WW in Baby Yellow and a Lily Sugar n' Cream, well, Cream, I worked Super Sonic just the same as the Sonic pattern. The only other variation was the red eyes. I tried to turn up the quills at the tips, but they don't really stay that way, which is okay. He makes a great playmate for Sonic anyway!

Chronicles of Meap: Crochet!

From the amazing adventures of Phineas and Ferb comes the not Bungaroo named Meap. In fact he is a space alien, and probably the cutest one you've ever seen. He even vomits rainbows, which is somehow adorable. Without his translating mustache he simply says "Meap!"

Isn't he SO CUTE??!

And now, my version of Meap done crochet style:

Hook size G
Yarn: WW white, WW pink
Felt in blue, black & white
Yarn Needle & a tiny bit of black yarn
Thread & Needle
Fiberfill

Unless otherwise posted, this pattern is worked in the round:

HEAD (using white)

MC 6
R1: 2 sc in each st (12)
R2: *1 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (18)
R3: *2 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (24)
R4: *3 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (30)
R5: *4 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (36)
R6: *5 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (42)
R7: *6 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (48)
R8 - R19 : sc around (48)
R20: *6 sc, sc2tog* around (42)
R21: *5 sc, sc2tog* around (36)
R22: *4 sc, sc2tog* around (30)
R23: *3 sc, sc2tog* around (24)
WORK ON FACE: Cut out a large blue circle, smaller black circle and 2 small eye highlights
Sew the eyes onto the head, note: they are fairly wide set
Using black yarn & yarn needle, embroider mouth. This took me forever, trying to find just the right way to show an underbite. Work it until your happy with it.

R24:*2 sc, s2tog* around (18)
R25: sc around (18)
F.O.
STUFF with fiberfill



HAT (using pink)

MC 6
R1: 2 sc in each st (12)
R2: *1 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (18)
R3: *2 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (24)
R4: *3 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (30)
R5: *4 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (36)
R6: *5 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (42)
R7: *6 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (48)
R8 - R18 : sc around (48)

EARS - make 2 (using pink)

MC 6
R1: 2 sc in each (12)
R2: *1 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (18)
R3- R6 : sc around (18)
F.O. leaving a long tail
STUFF & SEW onto hood. Do not close the ear, but as you sew onto the hood in a circle so it stays puffed out.

BODY (using white)

MC 6
R1: 2 sc in each st (12)
R2: *1 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (18)
R3: *2 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (24)
R4: *3 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (30)
R5: *4 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (36)
R6 - R18: sc around (36)
R 19: *4 sc, sc2tog* around (30)
R 20-R22: sc around (30)
R 23: *3 sc, sc2tog* around (24)
F.O. leaving a long tail

ARMS & LEGS - make 4 (using white)

MC 5
R1: 2 sc in each st (10)
R2: *1 sc, 2 sc in next st* around (15)
R3-R16: sc around (15)
F.O. and leave long tail
STUFF & SEW legs in the circle shape (open) onto the bottom of the body section.
STUFF & SEW arms first by sealing the opening with a whip stitch. Then sew onto the top of the body section near the neck.

Assembly:
Attach hat to head.
Attach head to body.
Attach arms & legs as suggested.

Cut out black felt mustache & sew on, if desired.

He's a cute fella and turned out almost "life" size! A good snuggly :)

Meap!

"

Hobbes & Hearts: A Valentine Version

My daughter saw Hobbes and instantly needed one. Since my oldest got his Hobbes for his December birthday I thought, "Okay, I can make one for your March birthday." March was TOO far away. She saw her brother being pounced on by his Hobbes and he wouldn't share. She needed one NOW.

I admit I was anxious to try another Hobbes to solidify the adjustments I made to this Sugar n' Cream pattern. So I figured I could satisfy both of our interests in making a new one sooner than later.

"But wait, Mommy!"
"Yes?"
"I want a VALENTINE'S Hobbes!"

Of course you do, sweetie. How could I resist?

He was so much fun to make. I added little felt hearts to the pads of the feet, one to the tummy, and made the nose heart-shaped. As I mentioned a few days ago, I think I'm starting to like Valentine's Day more!

Of course Valentine's Hobbes needed a scarf, too:

Using 5 hdc rows for as long as I needed the scarf to be and cutting out a couple matching felt hearts, this little scarf became a perfect accessory for V-Day Hobbes. And we all know that Hobbes isn't above dressing up in scarves that match the season...

My daughter actually gets into the fact that she's pretty much the Suzie of the family and enjoys out smarting the brothers. For all she goes through with Calvin's taunting, she normally gets the last word. So just to send you off with one more...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hobbes: Crochet!

I am thrilled when I see my kids reading comic books. Perhaps some would gawk at this, but I embrace it. Of course, the comic of choice in our household is Calvin & Hobbes. If any comic could build a big vocabulary, that one would! I love that they laugh along side the famous duo even if they don't fully understand it. "What does 'nuances' mean?" "What's 'mayhem'?" "Why is Calvin's mom mad?" They then bring the comic to life as they reenact certain recurring events including G.R.O.S.S. meetings and Calvinball. But without a Hobbes, they have not been able to reenact the reunion of Calvin & Hobbes after a long day apart.

My oldest adores Hobbes. For Halloween we sprayed his hair yellow, found a red shirt with black stripes and he was Calvin. But he needed a Hobbes to complete the ensemble. However, Bill Watterson never allowed his characters to be licensed for plushies (or anything else for that matter) so finding a Hobbes look a like was a challenge. We were able to find a cute Hobbes substitute for the costume at a Goodwill that year, but ever since, my eyes have been scanning the web for crochet patterns. In my searching I came across several great Hobbes projects folks had crafted:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/amigurumiphotos/4450655872/

http://www.cuteamigurumi.com/2009/06/29/hobbes-andno-calvin/


Of course Hobbes doesn't look like an active tiger all the time. To moms and dads he's just a stuffed animal:

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=334522.0

http://www.amiamour.com/2010/08/hobbes-your-imaginary-friend/

http://sukigirl74.blogspot.com/2011/03/free-hobbes-crochet-pattern.html

I noticed that so much of what makes Hobbes great is in the details of his face, which each fiber artist interpets themselves. This gave me the idea to look at some generic toy tiger patterns that I could then adapt. I decided to start small and my first Hobbes was inspired by this Sugar n' Cream pattern:

http://www.sugarncream.com/pattern.php?PID=4772&cps=21191

I liked the full amigurumi style of this little guy, and the color scheme (doing brown & orange instead of black and orange) but he needed some major adjustments on body shape, tail length and facial features to really become Hobbes. The end result?

Calvin & Hobbes love the snow so much, you often see Hobbes wearing a scarf:

A quick work up of 5 hdc across to the proper scarf length gave Hobbes an accessory for the winter weather:

If enough folks are interested in the specific changes I made to the toy tiger pattern from Sugar n' Cream, I'll try to post it soon. For now enjoy a last C&H comic strip and come back this weekend for 

Hobbes & Hearts: The Valentine Version ^-^

Sweet Peas in a Pod: Crochet!

Two Sweet Peas in a Pod

These sweet peas were adapted from Ana Paula Rimoli's adorable 3 Peas in a Pod. I wanted to make something quite a bit smaller so instead of WW yarn I went with a lovely shade of green in a super soft crochet thread 10. Using a crochet hook size 5 (aka size teeny tiny) I made two peas and thought my hands were going to fall off. So I decided to make one a boy and one a girl and put them in their own little pod. They fit snuggly right inside and pop out easily.

The kids love to play with play food and there's just something special about food with eyes :) I have a special place in my crochet heart for these two...

She-Pea boldly leaves the safety of the pod

He-Pea ventures out as well...

Look at the flower in my "hair"!

Just a handful

(^_^    ^_^)

A Garden Friend

I found this lil' caterpillar crawling through our garden this morning...

crawling around...

chomping on lettuce...

stopping to smell the flowers...

grabbing a cool drink from the watering can...

helping to water the grass...

Peek-A-Boo!

Lil' Caterpillar from Ana Paula Rimoli's book Amigurumi Two!  

Marcel the Shell (with shoes on): Crochet Version!

Yep. the Eyes Have It

If you've been following along and read my W.I.P. on Marcel (check out this post with the "before" pictures here) then you'll be pleased to know that I finally decided and went with the googley eye! I am sure there could be many different versions of crochet Marcel, but here's just ONE of the ways you could go about getting your very own


Marcel the Shell (with Shoes on): Crochet Version!

You will need:
E hook
G hook
WW soft brown yarn
WW white yarn
WW pink yarn
WW seaweed green yarn
1" googley eye
Brown & white felt
yarn needle/embroidery needle

SHELL:
Using soft brown yarn and Hook Size E
Begin by working in the round...
Magic Circle (6)
R1: *sc 1, 2 sc in next st* around (9)
R2: dhc around (9)
R3: 2 sc in ea st around in front loops only (18)
R4: dhc around (18)
R5: *sc 5, 2 sc in next st* around in front loops only (21)
R6: dhc around (21)
R7: *sc 5, dec 1* around in front loops only (18)
R8: *2dhc in next st* 8 times, *1dhc, 2dhc in next st* 5 times (31)
R9: dhc around (31)
R10: dhc around (31)
R11: dhc around (31)
R12: dhc around (31)
R13: sc around in front loops only (31)
R14: *5 sc, dec 1* around (24)
here you will start working in rows and shaping the googley eye hole...
R15: dhc 18, ch 10, sl st to first dhc of this row (you should sk 6 st when you do this)
R16: 1 sc into next st and sc across chain row, 1 sc into next st, turn, ch 1
R17: sc across chain row, 1 sc into next st, turn, ch 1
R18:  sc across chain row, 1 sc into next st, turn, ch 1
R19: sc across chain row, 2 sc down shell side, turn, ch 1
R20: sc across chain row decreasing twice evenly, 1 sc down shell side, turn, ch 1
R21: sc across chain row decreasing once in the middle, 2 sc down shell side, turn (do not ch 1)
R22: sc across chain row decreasing once, 1 sc on side of shell
Connect chain row to the shell by matching stitches between the two rows
(you may need to sc2tog once or twice)

front of shell

back of shell

SHOES (make 2):
Start using White and have Pink at the ready, Hook Size E
Work in rows...
Ch 5
R1: sc across (4), turn, ch 2
R2: sc across (5), turn, ch 2
R3: sc across (6), turn, ch 1
R4-R7: sc across, (6), turn, ch 1

Start working in the round...
R8: sl st around (23)
R9: sl st in front loops only (23) sl st into first st on this round. F.O.
Starting 1/2 way on one of the longest sides of shoes, attach pink
R10: 10 sc,  drop pink and join white , 13 sc (23)
R11: (p/u pink) 1 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec, 1 sc, ( p/u white ) 2 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 1 sc (18)
R12: (p/u pink), dec four times, (cut pink and leave tail inside shoe, p/u white ), 2 sc, dec, 2 sc, dec, 2 sc (12)
R13: 12 sc (12)
F.O. &  Stuff

EYE CUP:
Using Green and Hook size G
Working in the round...
Magic Circle (6)
R1: 2 sc in each st around (12)
R2: 12 dhc around (12)
F.O. tightly to cup the circle.
Glue 1" googley eye into the eye cup.

ASSEMBLY:

Stuff Shell firmly through eye hole, adjusting firmness with the shape of the shell

Using a good embroidery thread or matching yarn, sew shoes onto the underside of shell

Using a good embroidery thread or matching yarn, sew green eye cup in the hole of the shell

Cut out Dark Brown and Off-White felt in the shape of Marcel's mouth/teeth and sew in place on shell

ALLEN:
Grab a few yarn scraps and tie together with embroidery thread to give Marcel a doggie :)

"My one regret in life is that I will never have a dog, but sometimes
I take a hair and tie it to a piece of lint and drag it around"
~Marcel the Shell (with shoes on)

Boy Robot

Here is     Boy Robot      from Ana Paula Rimoli's book Amigurumi Two! It is full of adorable patterns for babies and this, in fact, is going to be given to a baby, so that's handy :)

He worked up really easily and after a few go's at the face, I settled on a button eye with felt sewed on behind for a cute robot-ish look.

Another great thing about     Boy Robot      is that I was able to use several yarn remnants from other projects:

The Blue I used on Yoshi and Sonic
The Lime I used on the Ben-10 Omnitrix
The Orange I used on Elmo's nose and Yoshi's spikes
The Grey I used on the Ben-10 Omintrix and a
Sherlock Holmes hat (which I haven't posted about yet...)

I guess those 4 colors are great colors to have on hand!

Get it...crochet...on hand...yarn is on your hand when you crochet...ahem....

Bad joke, I know, but it is high time I started with the bad puns on here ;)

Boy Robot      is about 14 inches "standing" up. 

W.I.P: Marcel the Shell

I was just recently introduced to Marcel the Shell with Shoes On - I know, I know...have I been hiding in a hole? How could I just now be meeting the little dog loving, dorito hang gliding shell? Nevertheless, the kids and I are smitten with the viral video that stars a little guy with one googly eye and a shell for a head. And, apparently, Marcel will also be appearing in his very own picture book (check out the article here). No doubt this will be a must read in our household when it is published.

My sister-in-law asked if I could make a crochet plushie of Marcel. This challenge has been fun and I am now in the middle of attempting to perfect little Marcel. Here's what I've got so far:

Work In Progress!!

I feel pretty good about my initial go on Marcel and how the shell shape turned out,  but I am trying to figure out some of the details: Is a large googly eye preferred over a crochet one? Should I redo the shoes? Do I use felt for the mouth or try to embroider one (since it's so tiny) - these are things I must soon decide!

Stay tuned to see the final product and for my very own unique crochet pattern to Marcel the Shell with Shoes On.

As you wait, drop me a line and let me know what would you do to finish Marcel the Shell :)

Happy Crafting!

Goomba: A Lesson in wrong side/right side amigurumi

Early in my amigurumi pursuit, I was unclear as to what side of the worked up yarn was correct for the outside of my projects. I would start my circle and notice that the yarn would naturally curl into a bowl. Figuring this was the correct way, I continued around, working on top of my stitches in a counterclockwise manner. It was awkward since you are taught to work rows right to left. Things got a lot easier when I realized I had not only been working my projects the hard way, but also finishing them off inside out!

It was only after already crocheting several projects that I finally decided to see what would happen if I pushed my little "bowl" inside out so that I could crochet in a clockwise manner. This project was Goomba from wolfdreamer. I had already made his head the way I had made all my previous amigurumi. The result is a stitch that I perceive as looking "flat":

The wrong side has a  blocky look and there is less of a sheen to it.

The proper way to work your amigurumi is to push the bowl "inside out" after a few rounds so that you are working around the circumference in a clockwise manner. The result definitely has a different look:

Working the right side up gives a more supple and uniform material.

This is the body and feet section of my Goomba and I realize it is harder to compare the two sides this way. I encourage you to do what I did and check out nerdigurumi's tutorial on youtube here. Not only does she thoroughly explain wrong vs right side but her side-by-side visuals will clearly illustrate the differences between them.

I finished up Mr. Goomba and gave him more secure felt features by sewing them on rather than using sticky backed felt. Now his teeth and eyebrows won't go missing again :)

Here's my 1/2 wrong side 1/2 right side Goomba :)