Crochet Critters!

At Arisia(post coming soon) I learned how to crochet. I already knew how to knit from knitting lessons that my mother and I took when I was a kid. But for whatever reason crochet never worked, it always turned into knotted mess. Unfortunately the crochet lessons at Arisia were in the kids section so I had to listen to children while I learned. Oddly enough it was all adults at the learn to crochet lesson, but they still scheduled it in Fast Track which was all kid stuff. The people that were there crocheting did potholders and vests, not the kind of thing I'd find useful. One of the things I don't enjoy about crafting is most of the patterns tend to be useless or kitchy.

However, apparently there is a crochet genre called Amigurumi. Which pretty much translates into cute small creatures. The next day Colin and I went to the craft store and I found a book called Easy Crochet Critters from the Lion Brand yarn company, its 10 patterns of animals with instructions on how to make them. I made several patterns from the book, they all turned out to be pretty easy. Ami's are worked in continuous spirals so you pretty much mark where you start your round but there is no attaching, no turning, just crochet then add on legs, flippers, whatever your animals needs. I found bunches of patterns online, free and not free and a couple adorable books. My newest book (just delivered today!) is called Creepy Cute, review coming after I've tried some patterns.

So far I have done a hippo, elephant, monkey in a top hat and tie, kitty, hello kitty valentine, seal and cthulhu. Cthulhu is my favorite pattern so far. The wings I really needed that picture tutorial because the directions sounded weird but I made them and I think they came out well. I made one with a dark green shirt for Kathy (he looks angry for her because she has to be nice to people). I also want to try even smaller earrings but who knows how they will turn out or when I'll get the time to do them.





I've been really enjoying my new hobby. Although I did bring it to a party and I pulled it out when everyone started watching tv on the computer. I got some VERY weird looks but whatever, I got to work on my crochet kitty until fun TV came on. (PS The Supersizers is a really great show)Its nice to work on something productive and get it all done in one or two nights.

Baby pictures! They haven't gotten things crocheted for them yet because I am worried about them eating the strings. I just need to find other people with animals that can wear crocheted or sewed stuff.

Yukiko got a new leash this weekend. her daddy found it just for her so she could go around the apartment and explore all she wanted. Apparently she wanted no leash this picture was about equal to the amount of time the leash stayed on.



This is Miyo's first snow. Yukiko also has pictures of her first snow but was more interested in exploring, Miyo seemed actually interested in the snow and watched it for awhile.