Just Monkeying Around

I craft in class. It's fact, and it's also a nice ice-breaker, because (so far) no one in my classes have any idea what I'm doing (NEITHER DO I).

Last week, one of my classmates asked me what kinds of animals I could make. I haven't yet encountered an animal that wasn't on the internet already, so I told him that I could make pretty much anything. He then asked me to make him a monkey, which I have now done.

I've got to tell you, it was immensely satisfying to see a full grown man light up over a stuffed animal.

You can get the free pattern here: Chinese New Year Monkey pattern by Stephanie Jessica Lau.

The Octopus With Blue Eyes

Octopi (octopodes? octopusses? octopeople?) are generally known for their eight limbs, their slimy skin, and fabulous ink-making capabilities. Thankfully, amigurumi can't spray ink everywhere (note to self: MAKE THAT HAPPEN), although they are adorable.

This little octopus was originally not an amigurumi; it was more like a finger puppet. So, I added a couple of rounds to the body to close it up (as you can see on my project page). It's such a tiny little thing that it can fit in your palm!

Then, I made a seal, complete with a pink tutu (no outfit is complete without the addition of a tutu)!

Its whole body was made in pieces and then sewn together, which was a total of only seven pieces if I remember correctly (I've made an amigurumi with more than thirteen before, and that was a beast).

Peanut Buttah JELLY

Some undetermined time ago, I decided, "You know what? It's been staring at me for a while now. I'm going to use up that single skein of really colorful novelty yarn." 

It was quite a challenge to find a pattern that I didn't think would make someone's eyes bleed if they looked at it for too long but, after what felt like years of searching, probably only 30 minutes or so, I finally came across this beauty on Ravelry.

OHMYGOSH A JELLYFISH! He's so fun and sparkly. I didn't know I had an affinity for sea creature plushies, but apparently I do! 

If you'd like to make this fabulous creature, the pattern is free at: Jellyfish pattern by Charlotte W.

Little Bunny in the Woods

My summer class ended this month, so during the last couple of weeks, I have been doing an insane amount of crafting!

I've also been trying to get on a regular sleeping schedule, because going to bed at around 11 and then waking up at 5:30 or 6 isn't working well for me. 'Trying' as in 'we'll see how this pans out'.😂

Because I have so many projects to show off, I'm going to make several small-ish posts rather than one GIGANTIC one.

And now we move on to the project that I began and ~completed~ first.

I finished a bunny, guys! The pictures can't capture the squishiness and cuddliness of this li'l dude!

My little siblings have already told me that they all want one, too!

You can find the pattern for free at: Henry's Rabbit pattern by Sara Elizabeth Kellner

Much Basic. Such Hat.

Hello, again, peeps!

I've finally published the pattern I made for the basic bulky beanie that I made a couple of months ago! I had already written all of it down, I just needed to actually publish it... Yeah... So, here it is!

The pattern would be easy for even the newest of knitters, and I knit it up in less than half a day!

For those of you who care to know, my sweet little model is my younger brother, Gabriel. He really liked the hat, even though it was hot when I made him wear it! 

If you would like to make it, you can get the pattern for free at: Much Basic. Such Hat.

Wibbly-Wobbly-Timey-Wimey

Wow, I can't believe it's been a month since my last post! WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO TIME?!?

Uh, anyway, I have a couple of finished projects. But, I can only show you one of them, because the second one is a Christmas present, and I'm not entirely certain if the intended recipient reads this blog or not.

As you can probably tell from my Ravelry page, I've been working on a hexipuff blanket for a while now...But, due to the sheer amount of time that it would take to make (over three years, if my math is correct) and a little bit of laziness, I decided that I really didn't want to complete it.

But what about the finished puffs? Do I just throw all of them away? LIKE HECK!!!

So, I took some of them, and I made them into a cushion for my sewing chair.

It's WAAAAAAY more comfortable than the slightly tattered pillow that I had been using up 'til now!

As you can see in the photo above, there is a sewing project in progress! It's my sister's, but it's still awesome! Maybe in a couple of weeks, I'll be able to convince her to post the finished project on Yarn Yetis. ;)

In closing, I would just like to show you this random cat photo I found on my iPod.

Katherine is out! PEACE!

Fluffy Fabulousness

     GUESS WHAT?!


            ...


     Have you finished guessing yet?

     Okay, good.
     I finished a blanket!

     IT'S SO FLUFFY!!! Seriously, this thing is about as soft as a baby unicorn. To you underprivileged few who haven't ever felt a baby unicorn, it's a lot like a bunny.
     You know, this blanket only took me about three weeks to complete, which is probably a world record somewhere. I'm glad I chose to make a simple pattern with the fluffy yarn, because if I'd done cables, there is no way that they would've shown up clearly!
     I used a (sadly) now discontinued Hobby Lobby yarn called "Riot Eyelash", and I think that it completely "makes" the blanket.

     The pattern is free, so if you want to make the fluffy fabulousness, go to: Addison pattern by Heather McVickar

Lovey Dovey is Owl I Talk About

     Soooo, for this title, I was trying to think of a way to make a title that rhymed with owl and lovey without being too long. There's the rub: without being too long. I probably sat in front of this computer for ten minutes thinking of something awesome to write.

    Meh. It's the thought that counts, right? ;P

     This li'l baby was made using (ALMOST THE LAST OF MY) Red Heart Super Saver! It's basically a big blanket square with a squishy owl face. It only took me about two days to finish!

     If you would like to make this, you can get the pattern for free at:Owl Lovey pattern by Rachel Hill

One Fish, Two Fish-

     Like I said a couple of days ago, I've been working on some little goldfish for my booth. By the time this blog post goes up, I'll be done crocheting the third and final goldfish, but right now, I just have two.

     I'm going to start off by saying that they are super easy to make! It's pretty much instant satisfaction, with one jumping off of the hook every day.

     My only problem is: I'm going to have about one third of a skein of this bright orange yarn once I'm done with the third goldfish.

     WHAT THE HECK AM I GOING TO DO WITH THIS ORANGE YARN?!? Feel free to give me ideas, because, currently, I have none.

     Here is fishy numero uno curled up with Artemis, my kitten.

     This is fish *whispers* hashtag two, fresh off of my hook. And, contrary to popular belief, I'm not holding him with my foot. ;)

     If you would like to make this free pattern, go to: Fancy Goldfish Amigurumi pattern by Kate Wood

NOM NOM a Straight Needle Hat

     This hat was actually an experiment. I've never knitted a hat flat before, so this was something I wanted to try!

     It was marvelously easy, and it was a nice break from the somewhat more difficult cabled socks I'm working on!

     Okay, so I'm still undecided about one thing, though. I have JUST ENOUGH yarn to make a pompom for the top. Should I do it or not?

     If you would like to make this hat, you can get the free pattern at: Nom Nom Garter Hat

Love, Happiness, and a Harmony Shawl

     This shawl was super fun to make! The pattern was so easy to memorize and it only took me three days and one skein of Red Heart (With Love)!

     My lovely model is my younger sister Hannah, who had just gotten out of the shower before this picture was taken. :)

     Bonus Picture: This is a picture of my kitten, Artemis. He was sleepy, and decided to sit on the shawl while I attached the fringe!

     If you would like to make this pattern, you can get it for free at: Harmony Shawl pattern by Bodhi Sasa

Red, White, and... No, Just Red.

     I have completed another project (you're going to see this sentence A LOT for the next few months)!

     So, this one is a broomstick lace cowl by Drops Design Studio. It was super easy to crochet up, and it only took me about a day to finish! 

     I used some more of my Red Heart yarn, so this counts toward my New Years resolution (to de-stash all of my acrylic)!

     If you would like to make this SUPER FUN cowl, you can get the free pattern at: http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/us/pattern.php?id=6731&lang=us

We're Going On A Bear Hunt

     So, for those of you who don't know, I have been getting ready for the Texian Market Days at the George Ranch (mainly just boring email stuff involving getting approval for a booth). Buuuuut, I have also been KNITTING ready (Haha, you're so pun-ny, Katherine!)

     I'm going to be selling the Camas hat, among other things (that I'm not going to tell you about yet. BAHAHAHAHA!), as well as this adorable (and so squishy!) bear.

     By the way, my computer stopped working, so if the font changes, just know that it's the Blogger app and not some weird form of art by me. ;)

     This bear is knit with the Magic Loop method, and has BEAR-ly any seaming! 

     If you would like to make this, you can get the free pattern at: http://www.simplynotable.com/2014/knit-one-piece-teddy-bear-pattern/

Camas Hat

     I finished this Camas hat in three days. That's probably a record of the slowest I've ever knitted a hat, but I do have an excuse.

     The yarn hurt my finger.

     For real.

     As all of you know, this year is the year I vowed to de-stash ALL of my old (and mostly acrylic) yarn. So, I pulled out a big pink skein of Red Heart Supersaver and started to work.

     AAAAAH! THE AGONY! [insert dramatic music here]

     Despite my pain and growing dislike for the yarn,- no, one can never truly hate yarn- I prevailed. And I have a fabulous hat to show for it. :)

     If you would like to make this hat, you can get the pattern for free at: Camas by Cory Ellen Boberg

A Junk Mail Delight

     So, a few days ago, I got a letter from Love of Crochet magazine that nicely begged for my money. You know, the usual "BUY OUR MAGAZINE AND WE'LL GIFT YOU STUFF!" kind of letter. But reading it wasn't a waste, because the letter also contained two FREE patterns! How awesome is that?! 

     I made the second pattern, if only for the reason that it called for the exact yarn I intended to use in my next project. ;)

     Unfortunately, I couldn't find the pattern on my corner of the internet. But you might get the pattern if you sign up to| Love of Crochet magazine.

How to: M1R

     The Make One Right (abbreviated M1R) increase is almost exactly the same as the M1L increase, except it leans (you guessed it!) right.

     To begin, knit up to the point that you wish to make the increase.

     Insert your left-hand needle through the back of the strand between the stitch you just worked and the first stitch on your left needle.

     Now knit the strand you just picked up.

     After a few rows of increasing, your work should look somewhat like this.

How to: M1L

     Make One Left (abbreviated M1L) is a left leaning increase. It's a bit more complicated than the traditional kfb (Knit Front and Back), but is still super easy!

     To begin, knit up to the point that you wish to make the increase.

     Insert your left-hand needle into the front of the strand of yarn between the stitch you just worked and the first stitch on your left needle.

     Knit the strand you just picked up through the back loop, and you now have increased one stitch!

     When you've increased over a few rows, your work should look something like this.

A Curtain's A Curtain, No Matter How Small

     I was in the midst of packing for a trip to Arkansas when I came to a horrible realization: my five bags weren't enough to hold all of my projects. *scream of panic, horror, and general despair*

     So I grabbed some old curtain fabric from Mom's stash (she has a lot of fabric, okay!) and got to sewing.

     Basically, I just made the same type of bag as the Trippy Planets Bag, except it's bigger, I made straps, and added two pockets to both the front and inside.

      "It's the same, but different!" should totally be my tagline on Google+.

     I'm not sure why I made it so large (I was only making my dog, Corky, a sweater), but I think this'll be useful for projects the size of baby blankets.

     If you would like to make a sort-of-close-to-this-bag bag, go to YouTube at: DIY Tote Bag

Organization Was Probably A Good Idea

     I have a lot of circular knitting needles.

     I do.

     And I am proud of this.

     But... All of my needles falling out of their plastic box got pretty annoying...

     So, I browsed the glorious YouTube and found a video on how to make a needle case. I can tell you quite truthfully, my life has not been the same since! Okay, well, that might not entirely be true, but my needles have definitely been more organized!

     I used up ALL of Mom's red and checkered stash fabric to make this, and I am definitely in love! I made two pockets on the inside instead of one, so I have twice the storage space for all of my needles. You can just barely see the outlines of the needles in the photo above, but they're there!

     If you would like to make a needle case similar to this, go to: DIY Crochet Hook Case

Trippy Planets Project Bag

     This bag (I'm lovin' the name I chose for it! lol) was made with some fabric left over from some curtains my mom made once. I had to use some wooden handles because Mom didn't quite have enough fabric for me to be able to sew handles.

     I'm just telling you now, I am very much a beginner at sewing, so my lines aren't particularly straight. I had a good deal of fun making it, though! And it is going to be perfect to hold my Kroy Sock!

     If you would like to view the video I used as a general guideline, go to: DIY Tote Bag