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I’m knitting and crocheting like a mad woman now. I’m trying to get gifts made for Christmas. I’m not quite sure how successful I’ll be, but I’m giving it my best shot. Last night I finished this little feline. I was inspired by this pattern at Armina’s Ami-nals.
I followed Armina’s directions for creating the head, the body, and the ears; however, I created different legs because I wanted the kitten to look like a cat sitting on its hindquarters. I also created a tail. The tail makes this toy look more cat-like, and it acts as a balance. The kitten can stand on its own. Also, rather than crocheting a dress, I knitted a scarf, long enough to wrap twice and tie, and I crocheted a little hat with a tassle.
My plan is to give this toy to my niece, Amanda, at Christmas. She likes cats as much as I do. If time allows, I’ll try to knit her a matching scarf/hat.
I love Halloween, and I’ve long wanted a haunted tree to decorate with Halloween ornaments. Being resourceful, I created my own haunted tree with a Halloween bucket, black spray paint, a dead branch found in my back yard, a cube of green florist Styrofoam, and black glitter. After creating the tree, I wanted something to hang on it; therefore, I’ve begun creating my own little spooky decorations, beginning with an amigurumi ghost.
This first ornament (I’ll show you others as I create them.) is made from crocheting and then felting Patons Classic Wool. He’s one of a kind. I had a mental image of what I wanted to create and single-crocheted my way there. If I were to do this project again, I’d aim for a different shape so that each ghost would be unique. The thing I love about crochet is that it allows one to sculpt fiber.
I noticed when I turned him upside down he looked like the top of a Dairy Queen soft serve ice cream. All that’s needed for another amigurumi is a felted waffle cone.
Next, I think I’ll crochet a witch hat or two.
The pattern for this little guy can be found here. I used both Lion Wool and Patons Classic Wool. My process differs slightly from the instructions. First, I crocheted all of the pieces and washed them in a lingerie bag in a warm water/cool rinse laundry cycle. I blocked the pieces and let them air dry.
I then constructed the panda and washed him again in a hot water/cool rinse laundry cycle. When I pulled him out of the washing machine, after this second felting, he had this fab little round body (see second picture). I let him air dry after this washing too.
It’s going to be so hard for me to part with him.
He's so cute, he makes me smile.
I love his little round body.
There are many sites with knitting projects for fans of Harry Potter. If you’re as eager as I am to see the new film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, then you might want to mark the occasion by creating a memento or something to wear. I’ve scoured several sites and have selected the projects I like best.
Knitting:
- Dobby Style House SockMark
- Harry Potter Bookscarf
- Golden Snitch Hat
- Dobby Hat
- Dark Mark Illusion Scarf
- Weasley Cell Cozy
- HP House Fair Isle Pouch Bag
- Quidditch Sweater
- Errol the Owl (owl belonging to the Weasleys)
- Harry Potter Wizard Scarf (pattern available for every house)
- Weasley Sweater
- Hermoine’s Cable and Bobble Hat
- The HiP scarf (a narrow, bias version of the Harry Potter striped school scarf)
- The Golden Snitch
- Professor Lupin’s Scarf
- Hermoine’s Cable and Eyelet Hat
Crochet:
- Luna Lovegood’s Cardigan
- Harry Potter Amigurumi: Hagrid’s Pets Norbert, Buckbeak & Fluffy
- Harry Potter and Hedwig Amigurumi
- Dobby Afghan
- Mini Hedwig Amigurumi
- Luna Lovegood’s Skinny Scarf
- Mini Molly Weasley Sweater
Related post: Harry Potter’s Magically Knitted Scarf
Felted wool feels amazing!
I love the way this little purse (approximate finished size = 8x 6 inches) feels. It’s so much more appealing in actuality than in the photograph. Darn!
I knitted this piece with Lion Wool Yarn and then felted it. The flower is crocheted and felted and adorned with seed beads. The button is made from bone.
I don’t know if I’m quite finished. I may add a felted wrist strap. Just maybe.
The basic pattern for this awnings purse can also be found on the Lion Brand website.
What was "old" is now NEW!
I purchased this handmade purse at a resale store for $2.00. I don’t think it had ever been used. The only problem with it was the handle had rough edges and badly needed oil. I saw great potential for it and purchased it.
I sanded the handle and applied several coats of orange oil. Now, it’s as smooth as the back of my hand. I loved the lining in the purse, but I thought the outside could use a splash of color.
I crocheted a rose to which I sewed a pin back. The rose can be removed and used on other things. The pattern for the rose came from The Chicks with Sticks Guide to Crochet. This book is full of easy, creative, and good-looking crochet patterns. I acquired the book at my local library. Browse your library for cool books on crochet, knitting, and crafts. You can also find free patterns for crochet flowers on the web.
The inside of this bag is clean and well-made.
I think this little purse is ready to take out on the town. The problem is I can’t decide whether to keep it or add it to my Christmas gift stash. Hmmm.
Amigurumi Catnip-Filled Cat Toy
An avid crocheter and friend recommended that I create a toy for my cats. So I did.
I had some difficulty trying to finish the project because two of my cats couldn’t wait to get their claws on this little guy.
If you want a project that takes less than an hour and makes your cats really happy, make this mouse. You can find the pattern here.
Golly really likes his new toy. If you don’t add the catnip to the toy and use 100% wool, you can felt the mouse. I’m sure he’d be adorable felted.
Golly likes catnip!
Crochet washcloths and scrubber
I recently became interested in crochet when I discovered Amigurumi - cute little crocheted cuddlies. I wanted to make them; however, I needed to learn how to crochet first. For my first project I made single crochet washcloths. I determined the size I wanted and single crocheted every stitch. I then graduated to the little scrubber, also seen in the picture. You can find the pattern for it here. Mine is just a little different from the pattern. The great thing about crochet is it allows you to easily improvise.
After mastering the basics, I moved onto my first Amigurumi, Vanna’s Choice® Amigurumi Cat. I think he’s just darling. Best of all, he stands on his own. His short little tail holds him up.
Basic Amigurumi Cat
After completing the Amigurumi cat, I made a small purse (finished size is approximately 6″ x 7″) which is just big enough to hold a passport, ticket, boarding pass, and other air travel necessities. The basic pattern comes from the book, Single Crochet for Beginners; however, just like the scrubber I modified the pattern. I highly recommend this book by Cindy Crandall-Frazier for beginners! Most Amigurumi are made with only single crochet stitches. If you’re interested in creating a menagerie of crocheted creatures, master this one stitch.
Crochet purse
Currently, I’m working on a head scarf and when I complete it, I’ll move onto making another Amigurumi. Lion Brand Yarn has a lot of great patterns for these adorable stuffed critters. Since I’m a crazy cat lady, I think I’ll make this cute, felted Siamese cat.
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