The Bearinator

I think this is my favorite project to date. I LOVE him. I made him using the Herman the Enigmatic Bear pattern, by DangerCrafts. Just like with the Snail I made, I don’t usually pay for patterns (too many good free ones out there), but this one was worth is. SO simple, yet SO cute!

Crafty Decor

I bought these cute mini bottles of ginger brew when my parents came to visit. I was really taken with the pretty green bottle, and kept one. I thought I’d crochet a little cover for it and make a pom pom flower, using the same yarn as my ripple blanket.

However, I’m not sure about it. It kind of looks a bit like a beer coozie. I fit it over a Bon Maman jar, and I’m just as iffy about that use too. Which looks better? Jar or Bottle?

Now I Have a Set

My next project after my hat was a pair of matching fingerless gloves. I used this free pattern, that is knit flat and seamed together. I only had straight needles at the time, so my options were limited. However, I really like this pattern. It is fast, easy and easy to modify.

Since my yarn was bulkier than the yarn called for in the pattern, I used my guage from my hat, and cast on about 25% less stitched. I then followed the pattern as is, but with 25% less everything (stitches, increases, rows, etc). It worked out really well actually!

The bulky yarn is pretty, but I think that it kind of makes my hands look chubby. But I don’t care, they are really mostly used while at work, so my fingers don’t freeze at the keyboard!

Pointy Hats for Pointy Sticks

Well, I’ve fallen completely head over heels for knitting. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I love crochet, but I do. I think I just love making things using only my hands and some sticks and string… I started out by just purchasing some super cheap bamboo needles from amazon. They work great, are are actually really good quality for the price.  After about three projects on the straights, I realized that many, many patterns call for circular needles or DPNs. I’d really like to avoid buying tons and tons of needles, so I decided I would just get a few of the Knit Picks interchangeable needles, and learn the magic circle technique for projects in the round.

I LOVE my Knit Picks interchangeables, but hate how they aren’t labeled by size. So, I decided to make some point protectors and size labels in one. I used this amazing modeling foam clay from Daiso. It is perfect for the project, but detail is impossible. I ended up just rolling it into cone shapes, and making them into little gnomes. I tried making some mushrooms, but they didn’t turn out as cute as the gnomes. They fit very snug on the needles, because they are squishy foam. I love them!

Mrrrooow!

*Drum roll please*

Here is my first knit project! I didn’t post her, because I had yet to figure out how I wanted to do her face. I was sorting though my ‘craft closet’ (it is a wardrobe with tools, extra linens and craft supplies) and I saw that I had pink, black-brown and light grey felting wool, and some needles for needle felting. I decided to see if I could needle felt onto acrylic, and it worked!!

I am so incredibly happy how this pattern came out. So much cuteness for so little effort!

Pattern for the knit kitty

First Ever Knit Hat

Well, I finally bit the bullet and learned to knit. After 6+ years of trying, I decided to make a go at continental, and it clicked. I still had issues with purling, so after much Googling, I discovered Norwegian Purling (scroll down), and again, it  clicked.

My first actual project was the Garter Stitch Kitty, but I don’t have pictures of that yet. My second project was the hat, Gothcha covered. It is a beanie, but I knit it extra long (and without the folded cuff) to make it a slouchy hat. Here’s what I learned:

• I originally chose the woman’s size, but it was WAY too small. I chose the men’s size, but it is still a bit small. I think I should have cast on at least 4 more stitches.
• I shortened the ribbing, and only knit it 7 inches before the decreases. I like the length!
• I knit too many rows, and tried my hand at unraveling rows, but somehow ended up twisting every since stitch on the row. I ended up untwisting each stitch as I knit it. Need more practice at frogging correctly.
• I somehow managed to increase 2 stitches randomly, which left a big hole. I just decreased later, and stitched up the hole, so no worries!
• I learned how to decrease in 2 different ways:)
• I learned the mattress stitch.

Overall, a really great learning project.

RRRRobot RRRRadiator!

Right when we moved into our apartment, I was really annoyed by our huge, clunky heater. It made arranging furniture really difficult, and was just an eyesore. So, I decided to turn an eyesore into a piece of art!
I had ZERO craft supplies, so it is a box the router came in, some metal bits found on the ground, a black piece of paper, and a white wire hanger.

I love seeing him every day, and he does quite a good job at keeping me warm. When my best friend/excellent interior decorator finally saw my apartment, she took one look at my robot, and said, “That is such a Jessica thing to do. Only you…” While laughing and shaking her head. What can I say, I like home decor that makes me laugh!

Morton “Patchy” Minibear

Morton lost his eye in a freak embroidery accident, so DON’T CALL HIM A PIRATE!! (It is a sensitive subject for him).

I used this pattern. I couldn’t get his right eye to look decent, and I tried so many times he was left with a mangled mess where his eye should be. Finally, I said "screw it", and crocheted him an eye patch with the embroidery thread. I quite like the way he turned out:)

<3 <3 <3

I made this necklace using this necklace pattern. The heart is from here. I decided to use a heart instead of the flower. I love it! Although, it is really difficult to keep straight, because the weight of the heart makes it fall to the center. I’m thinking of ways to add a counter weight, something invisible, because I like it exactly as it is.

Gary’s Cousin Stopped by…

So I’m not usually one to pay for things, such as crochet patterns, or easy DIY projects. My take, is that it will encourage me to actually try and make something on my own, improving my creativity. However, there are some thing just TOO cute, and too difficult to make on my own. Such as the Signature Escargot from GourmetAmigurumi. I’ve been admiring her snails for a long time, and she finally put the pattern up in her shop!!

So, I fought my ‘anti-spending inner voice’ and bought the pattern. I am SO happy I did. It is extremely well written and easy to follow, and the end result was cute as a button. Or a snail, really.