Amigurumi swap - done!

Inky and I finished our amigurumi challenge, and we met up for the swap on Sunday. Here's what we made:Inky's creation (on the right) was the most awesome teal skate in the world. He's happy and floaty and he's currently keeping my other skates company on the shelf in my office. They all seem very happy together. As soon as my camera recharges I'll take a picture of them all so that you can judge for yourself..

My piece (on the left) was a bastardized version of a pattern I found on Etsy. It was supposed to be a little boy in a T-Rex suit, but I decided that it had to be an Inkysaurus instead. Note the dark bangs and big dangly earrings. Due to some equipment shortages in my area (darn you, Orange Park Joann's and Michael's) my amigurumi didn't turn out exactly the way I planned, but I'm still fairly pleased with the results.

And just because Inky is awesome, she made a bonus amigurumi:

Meet the beet! He's soft and cuddly and, unlike his vegetable cousins, does not make me sick to my stomach. He makes me happy instead. He also makes Bean happy; she appropriated him on the way home.

Since we finished early, I started a hat for Bean out of pinky camouflaged yarn. I'm hoping to get it done by the end of the month. I should get it done by the end of the month, darn it! Look at all the stuff Inky can churn out. Inky rocks.

WHAT-WHAT

C'EST FINI!

Woohoo I am so excited!!! I would post a picture but I want it to be a surprise. I didn't think I was that close to being done, but I finished it all tonight! I would like to thank the Academy, and SKate, and of course SKate's mom. Oh boy oh boy. I love making cute things!

Finally getting started

Yes, I know that the month is half done, but I just finally started my amigurumi today. I've finished the first piece:


Now only six more to go! (That's not counting the final finishing, of course).

The crocheting is lot more time-consuming than it should be due to two reasons.

1. My grandmother was the one who taught me how to crochet when I was about five years old. I don't know if she never taught me the names of stitches, or if she did and my wee mind jettisoned them to make room for the lyrics of the "Fraggle Rock" theme song, but to this day I don't know most of the stitch names. I have to constantly cross-check my little crochet manual or internet tutorials against my pattern. It always takes me at least five rows before I can mentally connect "single crochet" with the motion I learned almost twenty-four years ago.

2. I've been knitting recently more than I have been crocheting, so my fingers keep wanting to do the wrong motions. I don't know if this is common among needleworkers, or if it means that I have the motor skills of an empty potato sack. Either way, it's the way I am.

I still think I should be on track to finish by month's end. I just have to keep going, and refuse any more help from my daughter. This is Bean's attempt to help with the yarn:

As you can see, she thought the inclusion of a toy would add to the artistic merit of the work. While I agreed that it was charming in an outsider-artist kind of way, I explained that it wasn't really in keeping with the amigurumi theme. Then I gave her my practice swatch to play with, and she was happy.

I hope Inky's happy with the finished product. It doesn't look like much now, but I have high hopes for the future.

wtf crochet

Bonjour c'est moi Inky. I am proud to report that my challenge for February is half-done. It has gotten thus far due to the tutoring influence of SKate's mother, who has kindly given me tea and cookies and helped me when I so often go awry with hook and yarn.

Unfortunately I think my project is going to remain half-done until next week as SKate is having her mother to her house for a few days and I, who so confidently thought I could Finish This Off without any additional help, am sitting here frustrated trying to join a new piece of yarn into my current project. Every time I try to do it, I get hung up on this slipknot or things stop looking like Single Crochet and start looking like A Mess so I just rip it out for the fifth time. Maybe I'll do better tomorrow. Or maybe I'll have to wait until next week.

It's February!

Bonjour c'est moi Inky! SKate and I had a lovely time in New Orleans, complete with photos! I am sure that SKate will be more than happy to update them when she has time, what with her busy schedule. Keeping up a family, a house, and two blogs is not for the weak!

I am here bearing not photos, but the FEBRUARY CHALLENGE!


February Challenge: Amigurumi Gift Exchange.

SKate was so kind as to introduce me to crocheting, giving me all the needed supplies for my birthday! Unfortunately that was months ago and all I have learned is Chainin'. My friend Lulu even tried to help me learn Single Crochet stitches, but all I managed was....a lump? Kind of?

At any rate I am ready to pick up my hook and start making Cute Things. It is my life goal to Make Cute Things, and since SKate gifted me with so many crafty accoutrements, I want my very first crocheted thing to be for her! Hence the exchange.

I am sure that I will be back throughout the month with many tales of yarn. Have at thee!