Gir

My nephew loves Gir from Invader Zim and had mentioned at Christmas how he would like to have one crocheted. So for his birthday, I decided that would be the perfect gift. I was able to find a pattern through Craftster.org which was really easy to follow.

The first one I made my daughter quickly claimed it. He looked pretty nearly just like the this one. So if I ‘nailed’ the pattern on the first try, you know it was good instructions. It was fun to make although I don’t enjoy working with Caron Simply Soft for amigurumis. But for this project, the yarn worked great.

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Princess Peach Crown

Rae was invited to a Princess party which inspired me to crochet a crown. After finding some great patterns on Ravelry, I decided to go a different route and create my own. I wanted to do a crown that Rae would recognize, so I chose Princess Peach. It’s missing the jewels which we think we have something somewhere around here that will work for it. We have yet to find them but haven’t given up.

I used a plain plastic headband and single crocheted around it to make a base. I’m not sure how many stitches I did. My goal was to cover the top of the headband. I then created the crowns with a single crochet in one stitch, followed by a half-double, then a double, then a treble. After the treble, I chained two and did a treble in the same stitch. Then I did a double in the next, followed by a half-double in the next stitch, followed by a single. I might have use a slip stitch next.

When working on it, I hadn’t planned on writing up a pattern but might do so. I think this would be a cute party favor especially since Rae has now expressed interest in having her own princess party. If I use it for her party then I need a prince crown since Rae has a lot of boy cousins.

Accessories

Tutu Cthulhu

My daughter requested I make her a pink cthulhu with a crown and a tutu. If I haven’t offended the elder god by now, then he can’t be offended. So I gave it a try. This is how he turned out.

I found a cloth star that I cut down to make the crown and used netting to make the tutu. She seems to like it and wants another one with blue eyes. She is enamored with blonde hair and blues eyes right now. That gives me an idea to add some blonde curls to the next princess cthulhu.

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Kids Crochet Purse

For our Sunday School class, I wanted to make a small purse/basket to put their treats in. I wanted to start with an oval base like a purse I had done about a year ago. Since I couldn’t find that pattern, I just winged it. I think they turned out really cute and plan to work up the pattern soon since I want to make more.

We only have two students – one loves yellow and one loves pink. The yellow one is made from cotton yarn and the other is acrylic. The acrylic one turned out a lot better. It will stand up better, so any news one I make I will stick with acrylic yarn.

Hopefully I will have the pattern written up within a week.

Accessories

Hot Cross Buns

With Easter fast approaching, I wanted to make a few little gifts for my Sunday School class. I teach pre-k and have two students – one of which is my daughter. I wanted it to be something with religious meaning. I decided to crochet hot cross buns. After not finding a crochet pattern, I decided to chart a cross and go from there.

I tried a few different techniques and like binding off after each row the best. It gives the best definition of the cross. The downside is that you have a lot of loose yarn ends. I wrote down my pattern and hopefully, it is somewhat legible. If anything is unclear, just let me know.

Hot Cross Buns Crochet Pattern

Yarn: Medium Worsted Weight- tan and cream colors

Hook:  size F (3.75mm)

Begin with a chain of 24 with the tan yarn.

Row 1:  SC into 2nd chain from hook and into the next 9 for a total of 10. Switch to cream color. SC into next three. Switch back to tan for the remaining 10 stitches. So your first row will have 10 SC in tan, 3 SC in cream, and 10 SC in tan. Bind off.

Row 2-10:  Join tan yarn in first SC of row. SC into first sc and into the next 9. Then switch to cream for next 3 SCs. Switch back for the last 10. Bind off *Repeat row 8 more times.

A note about switching colors:  On the last stitch of a color before swapping, pull through the color so you have two loops on the hook. Then yarn over with the new color and complete the SC.

Switch to cream color

Row 11-13:  With cream color, SC each row and bind off after each completed row.

Row 14-22 – Join tan yarn in first SC of row. SC into first sc and into the next 9. Then switch to cream for next 3 SCs. Switch back for the last 10. Bind off *Repeat row 8 more times.

For the back piece:

SC 2, six SC into second chain from hook. (6 SC)

Rnd 2:  2 SC into each SC. (12 SC)

Rnd 3: 2 SC into the first stitch, one SC into the next stitch.  * 2 SC into the next stitch followed by SC into the next stitch .* * Repeat for the round (18 SC)

Rnd 4: 2 SC into the first stitch,  SC into the next two stitches.  * 2 SC into the next stitch followed by SC into the next two stitches.* * Repeat for the round (24 SC)

Rnd 5: 2 SC into the first stitch,  SC into the next three stitches.  * 2 SC into the next stitch followed by SC into the next three stitches.* * Repeat for the round (30 SC)

Rnd 6: 2 SC into the first stitch,  SC into the next four stitches.  * 2 SC into the next stitch followed by SC into the next four stitches.* * Repeat for the round (36 SC)

Rnd 7: 2 SC into the first stitch,  SC into the next five stitches.  * 2 SC into the next stitch followed by SC into the next five stitches.* * Repeat for the round (42 SC)

Check the back piece to see if it is large enough. If not, add around 8:

(optional) Rnd 8: 2 SC into the first stitch,  SC into the next six stitches.  * 2 SC into the next stitch followed by SC into the next six stitches.* * Repeat for the round (48 SC)

Join the two pieces with the right side facing out. Use a whip stitch. You will have to gather a little of the square at the corners to make it fit into the circle. Once you get most of it sewn together, stuff it. Then continue to close it up.

Take a little black yarn to make the embellishments at the top.

Foodie, Patterns

Kokeshi Amigurumi

This week I have been working on some amigurumi for my husband’s benefit Legend of the Five Rings tournament. Proceeds are going to the relief effort in Japan. He wanted me to do some Cthulhus for prizes but I thought that samurais, and ninjas would be better for the theme. My search for ideas brought me across kokeshi amigurumi. I was familiar with this but my interest is now renewed. I freehanded a small doll for my daughter. I played around with some embroidery for decoration since I’m really bad at it and need practice.

She turned out pretty cute – especially for a first try. I plan to make more for my first craft fair in November. I had planned on setting up at a craft fair in May but just don’t have enough items made. Kokeshi dolls will definitely be on the craft table. They are just too cute.

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Pink Elephant

My most recent finished amigurumi is a pink elephant for my daughter. It is from the book Amigurumi World : Seriously Cute Crochet. My daughter wanted it in the same shade of pink as the picture in the book.

My amigurumis never turn out as well as the pictures. If I crochet the elephant again, chances are it will look better than my first attempt. Crochet patterns are definitely a ‘learn as you go’ process. I try not to get too bent out of shape figuring out a new pattern. It takes a little time and patience. Usually if I make an item again, the second one always looks better than the first attempt.

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Cthulhu Winner!

Congratulations to Fred for winning the crocheted Cthulhu! I gave each entry a number and used Random.org to pick a number.

This guy has a new home. Look for more giveaways in the future.

Giveaways

Cthulhu Giveaway

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As you may have figured out from looking around my blog, I enjoy crocheting Cthulhu. He is just too adorable in yarn. So I have made several the past few years – which my daughter has claimed most of them. But here is one guy she hasn’t. He is classic green unlike some of my other Cthulhus. He is about four inches tall – maybe slightly larger than some of my other Cthulhus. He seems to stand well on his own – so he would be perfect to hang out on a desk or shelf.

To enter the giveaway, you can either leave a comment on this post or ‘like’ the Crochet Mae Facebook page. Spam comments will be deleted and not count towards the contest. If you comment and like my FB page, then that will be two entries into the random drawing. Deadline will be Thursday, February 24th. The drawing for the winner will be Friday, February 25th. I will post the winner and contact them for an address.

Good luck! If this goes well, then I will hold another giveaway next month.

Giveaways

Pink Mini Octopus

Sometime last year I bought Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet which is full of cute amigurumi creations. For Valentine’s Day, I decided to make the baby octopus in the book. I used pink yarn and made a small red bow.

I did deviate from the pattern for the tentacles. The tentacles were supposed to be made in the round. I found that with such few stitches that my round wasn’t looking too clean. I instead made small square pieces sewing up the sides to create basically the same look. Fitting eight tentacles was a job. Next time I make one, I think I will do a round of backstitches so that I have a front loop to for tentacle attachment.

Next project from the book is the girl elephant which I hope to complete within a few days.

amis