Years in the making

I finished the last little amigurumi for my son.  This is the Cleric from Christen Haden's 'Creepy Cute Crochet'.

With the completion of this little guy, I can now take a picture that has been years in the making.

This is every model in 'Creepy Cute Crochet'.  I bought the book when it was first published (back in 2008).  My brother suggested that I make '300 Spartans' (The Spartan is second from the right, top row).  I declined.  My son flipped through the pages, picking out the one he wanted me to make.  I jokingly told him we could make all of them, and arrange them on the piano, just like in the book.

The little guy took me seriously.  So every few months since then, he's asked me for another model.  Now, 4 years later, he has his full set.  He even setup up the photo shoot for me.

Tatting and Head stuffing for WIPW

For no particular reason, I'm showing tatting pictures first today. The row I was working on is done, and I'm working on the next one (Clover doily by Eileen Stafford).  This is the row that nearly broke my will when I made the first doily, so I'm drinking a lot of coffee and resolutely tatting one motif at a time.

The little lady has been getting all the amigurumi goodies lately, so I decided to start something for the big guy.  Here's what I have so far.  It's one of the characters (not sure which character yet) from 'Creepy Cute Crochet' by Christen Haden.

The big guy is almost 8 and is going through the 'gruesome little boy' phase.  I half suspect he would like a decapitated head more than a finished product.

Like last week, I'm linking up to Tami's Ami's WIPW.  There are lots of lovely things there, so please visit.

I actually finished last week's WIP, just not in time for FO Friday.  Here's the finished neck nuzzler.

 The little lady loves it so much she has actually worn it around her neck a few times.  This is a tropical country.  You sweat buckets in anything heavier than t-shirt cotton.  Wearing a scratchy wool/acrylic thing around your neck is a true sign of love.

WIPW: Bunny neck nuzzler

It's been a while since I've participated in Tami's Ami's WIP Wednesdays.

I thought I'd get back to it, since I am the little lady's amigurumi making slave as long as she is still a little lady.

Here's the latest.  It's the Neck Nuzzler from Knitting Mochimochi by Anna Hrachovec.  I am dreading doing the duplicate stitch for the pink ear patches.  Why do I dread it?  I like embroidery!  I like hand stitching!  What is it about finishing that weakens a crafter's knees?

Sewn skirts and tatted blobs

Here's the latest of the little lady's handmade clothes. It's a little skirt.

I'm almost embarrassed to show the next picture, but I will, as an exercise in humility. Here's a closeup.  That's supposed to be a french seam.  The big guy wanted to 'help' with the sewing machine, and this is the result.  Sigh.  Oh well, 'help' is sort of good...

Next is the tatted blob.  Sadly, it doesn't look much different from the last time.  The blob is another clover doily by Eileen Stafford.  As I was working on the previous doily, I fell for that trick of perception that happens when working on round things.  The first few rows take so little time.  Those first rows are sooo easy.  Why don't you use up your stash and make two!  It's too easy to forget that rows get longer as circles get bigger.

Still, I'm determined to finish this.  I even drew myself a little motivational progress diagram.  The coloured parts are the rows that are done.

Sigh, I have a long, long, long way to go.

Alien

I've got aliens dancing in my head, with a Sting song in the background.

Here's the alien.  It's the 'Fuzzy Alien' from Christen Haden's 'Creepy Cute Crochet' book.  Since I didn't have any fuzzy yarn, he's actually a multi-colour alien, not a fuzzy one.

The Sting song is 'Englishman in New York'.

What's the connection?  It's the chorus;

     I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien....

I can't get the chorus out of my head, so I thought I might as well share.

Ribbon Flower Tutorial

A friend of mine showed me a little hair clip with a ribbon flower and asked me how to make it.  There are many, many ways to make ribbon flowers, but here's the method I want to share today.  If I find some willpower, maybe I'll share some more.

Step 1: Start with a a piece of 1 inch ribbon and a 50sen coin.  (This method is most useful for Malaysians).  For a 1/2 inch ribbon, use a 20sen coin.

Step 2: Put the ribbon on the table with the shiny side down. Using the 50sen coin as a guide, draw a petal on the back side of the ribbon.  Keep drawing petals until you get 5-6 petals all in a row.

Step 3:  Leave a bit of space, then cut the ribbon after the last petal.

 
Step 4: Take a longish piece of thread and tie a quilter's knot in it.  Just wrap the thread around the needle.  Pinch the part of the needle wrapped with thread between your fingers.  Pull the needle through and tighten to make a knot.

Step 5:  Starting from the right, do a running stitch along the petals.  Make sure to stitch almost to the edge of the ribbon

 Step 6: Keep stitching, pulling the stitches as you go until you get to the end. The petals will ruffle up as you pull.

 Step 7:  When the last petal is done, tuck the ends of the ribbon upward.  Stitch the ends together.  Take a few stitches through the center, to hold everything together.  Tie off the thread and cut it.

Step 8: Turn the flower over and embellish the center with buttons or beads.  Tadaa, the flower is done!