Holiday Crocheting

I've been doing so much crocheting of hats and scarves for this holiday season. I've got the yarn for most of the projects so given our scary financial situation, I'm hoping those I am making for like what they get.

Here are a few of the projects I've done so far: A hat and scarf set for my niece LM; a Hat and scarf set for my nephew Beau; and well - this isn't a project but a gift given to me to display what I'm making.

I have a couple of other projects in the works as well. I'll post pics of them once they are completed.

New Widget!

I added the "Follow by Email" widget to the right. I'm rather lazy about searching all the great pages I follow so I thought it would be nice for all you as well.

I was reminded last night that I forget this too often...

- - -and then end up getting 'taken advantage of' or just give my wares away to be nice, therefore 'lose money.' So then a friend posted this on her Facebook wall today. I had to laugh. I think the Universe has spoken. (lol) I do definitely have to remember not to "give" so much away :( I think I get lost in the desire to make people happy vs. being honestly compensated for my talent and hard work. How many of the rest of you are like this?

A Gentle Reminder to Myself As Well

Bobby the Alien (For Beau)

Pattern notes for "Bobby the Alien" Amigurumi for Beau. Also (other than antenna) it looks somewhat like a brain slug from futurama.

I made this little alien for my nephew Beau yesterday. He had a lot of scary doctor's appointments and I had hoped this little alien guy would help him be brave and give him a little company. I added a little magic "love" while making him and Beau seemed to feel that energy

Supplies:
mc - green yarn
black yarn
white yarn
Hook - Size I-9 - 5.50mm
Yarn Needle
Fiber-fil

The yarn I used for the MC was a VERY old skein of Red Heart "4-ply hand-knitting yarn - 100% Virgin Orlon acrylic fiber - A "Wintuk" Product - Color: 669 Mint Julep - dye lot 279-7544" (I'm thinking from the 70s maybe hehe) Honestly, it's more like a very bright fluorescent green! I also used a small amount of white and black yarn - both just plain, simple RHSS.

Instructions

Body with MC:
R1 -- 6sc in magic circle, sl st, ch1 (6)
R2 -- 2sc in each st around. sl st to close, ch1  (12)
R3 -- 2sc in sc then sc in next sc - repeat * around. sl st to close, ch1 (18)
R4 -- 2sc in sc then sc in the next 2 st - repeat all the way around. sl st to close, ch1 (24)
R5 -- 2sc in sc then sc in the next 3 st - repeat all the way around. sl st to close, ch1 (30)
R6 thru R16 -- sc in ea st around. sl st, tie off. (30)

Base with MC:
R1 -- 6sc in magic circle, sl st, ch1 (6)
R2 -- 2sc in each st around. sl st to close, ch1  (12)
R3 -- 2sc in sc then sc in next sc - repeat * around. sl st to close, ch1 (18)
R4 -- 2sc in sc then sc in the next 2 st - repeat all the way around. sl st to close, ch1 (24)
R5 -- 2sc in sc then sc in the next 3 st - repeat all the way around. do not tie off. (30)

Antenna with MC: ch 11 leaving 4" tail. 1 hdc in second ch from top, sl st back down to end. tie off leaving a 4". Attach to the top of the head and tie in place from the inside. knot and trim ends.

Eye:
R1 --Starting with black yarn: 6sc in magic loop. sl st dropping black yarn and pulling thru white yarn. ch 1.(6)
R2 -- 2 sc in each st around (12), sl st. tie off.

Best Buds!

Attach eye to body and embroider the mouth (See Pic)

Stuff body with fiber-fil.

Attaching base to body:
With base still on hook, line up stitches with the body to connect.
R1 -- sc all the way around. sl st, ch1. (30)
R2 -- TURN work and sc all the way around back the way you came. sl st, ch2. (30)
R3 -- Alternate 3dc then 2dc in each sc around. sl st in top of first DC. Tie off. Weave in end.

Feel free to make this hat for personal use -BUT I would appreciate it if you link back to this post for proper credit of design. ENJOY! ~Kena

The 'Jenna' Cloche

I designed this hat for a good friend. I hope she likes it!

Materials:
3 oz - any 4ply yarn (I used RHSS)
Size I-9 Hook
yarn needle
scissors

R1 -- 6sc in magic circle, join with ss, ch1 (6)
R2 -- 2 sc in each, join with sl st ch2 (12)
R3 -- working around the front of the ch2 dc in same st. Repeat around, ss to join, ch2 (24)
R4 -- Repeat R3. (48)
R5 -- y/o to dc in last st of R4, Skip next st, dc in next st; working around the front of the last st made, dc in skipped st. ss to join, ch3.
R6-10 --  y/o twice to tc in last st of last row. Skip next st, tc in next st; working around the front of the last st made, tc in skipped st. ss to join, ch3. (ch1 after joining ss in R10)
R11 -- sc around, ss to join, ch2.
R12 -- dc around, ss to join, ch1.
R13 -- sc around, ss to join, ch2.
R14 -- dc 3x in first sc, *sk next sc, dc 4x in next sc* repeat around, ss to join, tie off, weave in end.

Sample video clip of Front Cross Crochet Stitch

Flower:
R1 -- 6sc in magic circle, join with ss, ch1 (6)
R2 -- 2 sc in each, join with ss ch2 (12)
R3 (in front V of sc) 3 hdc in same space of ch, *sk ch, 4 hdc*, repeat ** around, ss to join, ch2.
R4 (in back V of sc) sk first st, *4 dc in next st, sk st*, repeat** around, ss to join and tie off, weave in end.
Attach to hat.

Feel free to make this hat for personal use -BUT I would appreciate it if you link back to this post for proper credit of design. ENJOY! ~Kena

New loomy stuffs I got over time

Flower Loom Set

Sock Loom

Kitty Toy

LOVE THIS!!!!! Catnip kitty toy using a practice golf ball -- I'm making one NOW!!! -- my son Gabe has a bunch of practice balls - I'm going to steal one :-P
Crochet For Your Pet Friends - Sharon Zientara's Blog - Crochet Me

PICTURE COMING!!

George the Sock Monkey

He is 20"  and made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Light Grey (Color # 0341); Aran (Color # 0313); & Cherry Red (Color # 0319). I'll post the pattern as soon as I re-write it from my notes. In the meantime, here he is.

OCT 3, 2011 - I was just inadvertently reminded that I haven't posted "George's" pattern yet.So here are my notes in the meantime!!

STUFF AS YOU GO - throughout whole project.

Arms (Make 2)
With Cream
6sc in mc, ss to join, ch1 (6)
2sc around ss to join, ch1 (12)
1sc then 2/1 sc around ss to join, ch1(18)
@R10 Change to Red
@R16 Change to Grey
sc around, ss to join, ch1 until - arm reaches 7"
Tie off leaving 10" end for attaching to body.

Tail
With Cream
6sc in mc, ss to join, ch1 (6)
2sc around ss to join, ch1 (12)
@R10 Change to Red
@R16 Change to Grey
sc around, ss to join, ch1 - until tail reaches 7"
Tie off leaving 10" end for attaching to body.

Leg 1
With Cream
6sc in mc, ss to join, ch1 (6)
2sc around, ss to join, ch1 (12)
1sc then 2/1 sc around, ss to join, ch1 (18)
1 sc 1sc 2/1 sc around, ss to join, ch1 (24)
@R10 Change to Red
@R16 Change to Grey
sc around, ss to join, ch1 - until leg reaches 8"
Tie Off.

Leg 2
With Cream
6sc in mc, ss to join, ch1 (6)
2sc around, ss to join, ch1 (12)
1sc then 2/1 sc around, ss to join, ch1 (18)
1 sc 1sc 2/1 sc around, ss to join, ch1 (24)
@R10 Change to Red
@R16 Change to Grey
sc around, ss to join, ch1 - until leg reaches 8"
DO NOT TIE OFF

Body
With Grey still
Attach Leg 1 with sc at last st. sc in same stitch
continue around leg 1 until back to center then 2sc in starting stitch.
continue around leg 2 to end, ss to join, ch1.
sc around, ss to join, ch1 - until body reaches 2" (belly button height.
At that row, sc around until you get around where the belly button would be then 2dc in next sc, sc in the next st and to the end, ss to join, ch1
sc around, ss to join, ch1 - until body reaches about 7-8"
DO NOT TIE OFF

Head:
With Grey still
in next row: decrease (2sctog) at each shoulder
sc around, ss to join, ch1 for 11 rows
@R12 Change to Cream - sc around, ss to join, ch1
R13 decrease *(2sctog), 1 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc,* repeat ** around, ss to join, ch1
R14 sc around, ss to join, ch1
R15 decrease *(2sctog), 1 sc, 1 sc,* repeat ** around, ss to join, ch1
R16 sc around, ss to join, ch1
R17 decrease *(2sctog), 1 sc,* repeat ** around, ss to join, ch1
R18 decrease *(2sctog)in each st around, ss to join, ch1
R19 decrease *(2sctog)in each st around, ss to join, ch1
Tie off leaving 6' and thread yarn through the last stitches sealing the top of the head. Weave in end.

Muzzle: I haven't double checked this so the #s might be wrong.
In Red - Ch7
R1 - 3sc in back V of 2nd ch from hook. sc in next 5 back V of ch. 3sc in first ch, turning and now sc in next 5 front V's, ss to join, ch 1.
R2 - 3sc in 1st st, sc in next 7 sc. 3sc in next st, turn and sc in next 7 sc, ss to join, ch 1.
R3 - 3sc in 1st st, sc in next 9 sc. 3sc in next st, turn and sc in next 9 sc, ss to join, ch 1.
R4 sc around, ss to join, ch 1.
R5 sc around, ss to join, Tie Off leaving a 10" end for attaching.
Stuff.

Ears (Make 2)
In Cream
R1 - 6sc in magic circle (leaving 6" end), turn
R2 - 2sc in each sc (12), turn Change to GREY
R3 - 2sc in each sc (24), Tie off leaving 6" end

Pull the mc line to make an ear shape and attach to head. weave in ends and shape.

Attach arms, tail and muzzle as well, weave in ends.

With black yarn or embroidery thread, stitch in Eyes, nostrils and mouth. weave in ends.

Attack of the Sock Monkeys!

I'm making a couple of crocheted sock monkeys for a friend; both a mini and maxi. I haven't found a pattern that I like anywhere however, so I'm going to design my own. I'll post the whole pattern once I'm finished but in the meantime... Arms Legs and Tail, here I come!

Blog Neglect?

Nope - I promise :-P Well . . . not technically. I've just been working on my other blog Mackena's Hook n Needle Adventures trying to finish out Kit #1.

Hit a small snag there when the last scarf ran out of yarn before the edging was complete. I am having to match it now in order to finish it. I think it was just something as simple as a typo in the pattern. I believe it would have had a little left over if they had chosen an H hook. My gauge swatch matched properly according to yarn size, so perhaps and hopefully it wasn't "user error" - as I tend to blame myself first. I'd like to think it wasn't me but since I don't know of any other member complaints about that scarf (not that they have a place to publicly complain or ask about the kits anyway), I'm still wondering where I went wrong - trying to own up to user error being the cause.

Regardless, the scarf is gorgeous!!! and I LOVE it!! I'll try to match yarn today to finish it. I have a couple of different White S2s around so hopefully one will match the color. How difficult should it be to match WHITE after all?? LOL  Don't answer that!!

Epiphany

I have finally decided that I hate ROW 1 - Doesn't matter what pattern... I hate the first row after the chain. I just wanted to put that out there! Grrr - especially when there are 227 chains!!

A Boy & his Link!

Okay, so I know it's only the 11th, but he was talking about LINK and the Twilight Princess and blahblahblah... I couldn't stand it anymore!! ROFL I HAD to give it to him early!!!

And you know what???? He POUNCED me and screamed OMG I LOVE IT!!! *insert very nervously relieved mom tears here*

My only disappointment is...errr... he is PLAYING with it and I showed him the sword and shield! He preceded to inform me that Link got his shield before he got his HAT so I needed to hurry up and make the shield and sword so his Link wasn't embarrassed!! ROFLMAO

The only problem now is that he is giving me a mile long list of things and characters I need to make to go along with his Link - and he just keeps saying, "Mom!! I LOVE him!!!!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I'm so totally feeling the LOVE today!! Oh and he wants me to make the Twilight Princess (which is who I thought was Zelda) LOL

~ Together Forever ~

Link's Sword and Shield Pattern

 I found this pattern online this morning trying to find other Zelda Ami. Gonna try to make these for Evan's Link.

Here are the patterns:

Shield (front)
Country Rose or Light Maroon
CH x 8
1. INC, SC x 5, INC (3 SC in 1 SC) now go around to the other side of the same CH like a U-Turn, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 5, INC then join. CH 1
2. INC, SC x 7, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 2, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 7, INC then join. CH1
3. SC 4, DC x 6, DC then treble then DC in the same hole, SC x 4, DC then treble then DC in the same hole, DC x 6, SC x 4, SL ST, switch to grey, join. CH 1
4. SC, INC, SC, INC, SC x 6, INC 3 in 1, SC x 6, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 6, INC, SC, INC, SC, INC, SC, SC, SC SL ST. CH 1
SL ST around
Shield (back)
Chocolate or Brown
CH x 8
1. INC, SC x 5, INC (3 SC in 1 SC) now go around to the other side of the same CH like a U-Turn, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 5, INC then join. CH 1
2. INC, SC x 7, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 2, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 7, INC then join. CH1
3. SC 4, DC x 6, DC then treble then DC in the same hole, SC x 4, DC then treble then DC in the same hole, DC x 6, SC x 4, SL ST, switch to grey, join. CH 1
4. SC, INC, SC, INC, SC x 6, INC 3 in 1, SC x 6, INC (3 SC in 1 SC), SC x 6, INC, SC, INC, SC, INC, SC, SC, SC SL ST. CH 1
In grey SL ST a line across top and bottom third of the shield.
Shield Handle
CH x 8
1. SC x 6 then finish off leaving a long tail for sewing in. Attach to grey strips to make handle for the shield.
Stitch the front and back together, right sides facing out.
Sword Blade (make 2 then stitch together, right sides facing out)
CH x 21
1. INC (3 in 1 ST), SC x 18, INC, hook into other side of CH (acts as a U-Turn to work up the other side of the CH) INC, SC x 18, INC (3 in 1 ST);
2. SC 17, SL ST then proceed to SL ST around, finish off and keep a long tail for sewing.
Sword Handle
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 5; (5)
2-4. SC x 5; (5) repeat for rows 2 through 4
5. INC x 5; (10)
6. SC x 10; (10)
7. INV DEC x 3; (7)
Finish off and weave in tail.
Sword Base
CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. SC x 6; (6)
2. INC, INC, SC, INC, INC, SC; (10)
3. SC, INC x 3, SC x 2, INC x 3, SC; (16)
Finish off and leave a long tail.
Attach the handle to the base and sew securely. Wire the handle so it remains stiff. Pinch the base so it make a flat “envelope” around the bottom of the blade of the sword and stitch shut sewing the blade firmly in place.
Sword Sheath
Start with grey CH 2 or Magic Ring or start however you like
1. DC x 6; join;
2. CH x 2, 2 DC in 1 ST, 2 DC in 1 ST, switch to brown DC, switch back to grey, 2 DC in 1 ST, 2 DC in 1 ST; join; switch to brown
3. CH x 2, DC x 5, 2 DC in 1 ST, DC x 5, 2 DC in 1 ST; join;
4. CH x 2, DC x 12; join;
5. CH x 2, DC x 12; join;
6. CH x 2, DC x 12; join;
7. CH x 1, SC around; join;
8. switch to grey; SC around ;
SL ST around, finish off and weave in grey yarn. Stitch to the back using brown yarn.

NOTE: I realize that I forgot to post the LINK to the site - mostly because I was more making a note of the patterns for this for Evan than making an actual entry into my blog!! But now I can't find the bloody thing!! ACK!! So I will update this entry as soon as I can!!! I promise!! And I humbly apologize to the original author!!

Link - Final!!

Guess what I found?!?!?!? Yellow Yarn!!! Woot! Here he is. All finished and put together. Enjoy!

I'll post the pattern if anyone wants it - but I had to make so many corrections that it may take a few days. I sure hope Evan likes it!

Link's Big-Arse Bald Head!

What words can describe what a picture cannot?? hahahahaha

 

Here is how they connect (See? I told you it was weird!!)

Link - Progress Report

The ball joint for the head is kind of funny. Arms, head, hair* and hat left.

Body, Ball Joint, Boots

Still can't find the yellow yarn though - grrr!!!

Link...

I worked on Link last night for a short time. His main body, legs and boots are completed now. I have arms and head left. I still can't find my yellow yarn though so I may have to actually drive to town for some if I find it soonly. A bald Link is a sad Link LOL

Loomage - Knifty Knitter and others...

Okay, so remember a long time ago when I got my first loom? The SCARF LOOM from Hell! Well, the collection has been expanded and I've made a few things since.

Loomage Collection as of 2/2011

I also have a couple of books:

So far I've made a few hats, learned how to make socks (still learning that, though) and have joined a couple of great yahoo groups to learn more from. If anyone is interested in them, I will post the links. Just comment below.

I'll post more projects I do as I go, of course.

Current Projects

I'm not posting about H&N projects here, just all the others... Here's what I have in the works now:

Autumn Tones Throw

 This is the pile of a throw I've been working on for years and years! It has 101 squares of two different types, so you can imagine how tired of making the same thing over and over again could be... I'm finished with the solids and I only have about 30 more of the variegated squares to go before I can put it together - which in its own way will add another issue - Weaving in the Evil Ends Syndrome!!! UGH!

Pic2 - Finished Autumn Tones Throw

Here is a picture of what it will look like when it's finally finished [Pic2]. I am making it for someone special and had hoped to have it finished by Winter 2010, but alas...

Pic3 - Granny Square in Blue & Purple

Pic3 is just a HUGE granny square blanket that one of my sisters asked me to make for her for Christmas. However, once it got about 3 feet around - it started to feel like a chore, so... I know my limitations and probably won't be doing many more blankets in the future for anyone.

I do have one more throw in the planning process, but after that - no more unless I'm getting $PAID$ for them! *cheesy grin*

Pic4- Link (Zelda)

This is LINK from the Zelda Series. My son has a HUGE love for him and I've already made him a Link hat that he has his "adventures in the woods" in once in awhile. He is a bit of a geek (which I LOVE!) as far as Pokemon and Zelda stuff goes - which is kind of nice since Amigurumi is one of my favorite things to make!
I will post the original and translated pattern sites for this after I'm finished with it. However, I had to make corrections to the English version, so I'm not sure if I will just post MY version as well. Any preferences?

First Baby Set - Blanket, Cloche and Jacket

Made this a LONG time ago. Here is a pic: