Friday, November 21, 2008

Magic Ring

I've been making amigurumis for... a year, maybe? I forget.

But I only now managed to try starting with a magic ring. And it's so much better!

With chain 2 start, while it's easy, there sometimes remains a sort of bulging chain. If you use the chain two you probably now what I mean.

But with magic ring the first round is all smooth and pretty. No bulging. Here is a great tutorial.

I'm not going to change my previous patterns (lazy!), but when it's mentioned to start with "chain 2", you can of course start with magic ring. In fact, I recommend it.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Butterfly Magnets

My Internet connection was cut from Thursday evening until yesterday. A computer without Internet is so sad. What do you do with it?

I have no TV, but instead spend my days sitting in front of my laptop. Without Internet what do I do? I sit in front of the computer and wait for the Internet connection to come back. So sad.

More magnets:

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Scare Crow

Hahaha, I had no idea that talitiainen was blue tit in English. That's pretty funny.

Anyway, my balcony is infested with them. I'm not sure why, but they especially seem to like the thuya I have in there. It was ok though, until I found one dead on the floor. Now, every time I see one of them standing on the railing I'm terrified it'll fly to the window.

In Finland we don't celebrate Halloween, but it did give me an idea. Tadaa!

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I can't remember where I found the pattern exactly, but if you Google "raven silhouette" or similar, it gives a lot of results. I cut it out of black sponge rubber and attached it to the window.

I haven't seen any blue tits since. Heh.

Monday, November 3, 2008

How to Crochet an Amigurumi Onigiri

It's been awhile since I last posted a pattern.
I've never tasted onigiri, but would like to. In the meanwhile here is a crocheted version.
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I tried to write as clearly as possible, but if you have any questions, please ask.
Because of the triangular shape, sc inc would be insufficient, and instead the increases are done crocheting 4 sc in to a sc.
PATTERN
Chain 2 in white.
  1. In to the second ch from the hook sc 6.
  2. Sc inc around (12).
  3. *Sc in the next sc 4 times, sc in the next 3* twice, 4 sc in the next, sc in the next 5 (21).
  4. *Sc in the next sc 4 times, sc in the next 6* twice, 4 sc in the next, sc in the next 8 (30).
  5. *Sc in the next sc 4 times, sc in the next 9* twice, 4 sc in the next, sc in the next 11 (39).
  6. *Sc in the next sc 4 times, sc in the next 12* twice, 4 sc in the next, sc in the next 14 (48).
  7. *Sc in the next sc 4 times, sc in the next 15* three times(57).
Finish off. Make two.
Chain 57 in white, join with a slip stitch.
  1. Sc around
  2. Sc around.
  3. Sc around.
Join in to the back loops of the edge of the first triangle, and then on to the second triangle, matching the corners carefully. I suggest you start from the middle of one edge of the triangles, this way you can hide it under the nori part.
Chain 10 in black or dark green (I used black). Sc in to second hook from the hook and across (9). Turn. Sc 28 rows like this. Finish of and sew on to the onigiri.
As always, you could sew on a cute face;)

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Marquetry Coasters

It's really frustrating to have a lot of projects to post, but having no light to photograph them. I love living in Finland. I'm an arctic creature, anything above 20 degrees Celsius makes me nauseous. And I usually love autumn, the rain, the darkness... But it really makes photographing impossible. I'm thinking I might have to wait till summer, before being able to post anything new...

Anyway here are some coasters I made. Most of them are blotched by coffee now, but here are a few that have managed to stay white.

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I used this pattern, except I skipped the row 6, to make them smaller. It really is an easy and quick project and the result is even and tight. And cute!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Stamp Magnets

Here are the magnets made of old stamps, I mentioned in the last post.

I used to collect stamps for years when I was little, and have a few albums full of them. It was fun hobby at the time, but after I stopped, the albums have been pretty much a waste of space. Until now.

Here are some that I chose to make into magnets.

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I'd love to make magnets of all my collection, but it might not be practical or cheap.

The magnets are made of self-adhesive magnetic sheet and self-adhesive film. And stamps, obviously.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

On magnets

My favourite craft after amigurumis is making magnets. They are quick, they are cute, they are very useful! I have two magnetic notice boards, filled with postcards and photographs, all held with magnets I've made. I'm going to add magnets as a new label, but in the meantime here are the magnets I've posted before.

Coin magnets

Picture magnets

I've also made magnets out of stamps, which I used to collect when I was little. I'll post those too once I have a change to take good pictures.

Anyway here are the once I was planning here, but only got around making now. They are quite large, about 7cm x 5cm.

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I think they look like vintage toys!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Fingerless Mittens

It's starting to get pretty cold in here...

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So, I decided to knit a pair of fingerless gloves.

I'm a very inexperienced knitter, so there are quite a few mistakes. The reason I chose black yarn is that it's pretty much the only colour I wear, but now it's also good because my mistakes don't show so well!

I'm going to wear another pair of gloves underneath these, since it's already too cold to expose your bare fingers to the weather outside.

The pattern (in Finnish) is by Elina Aro and is called Polysemiakämmekkäät.

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Well, at least they are almost the same size!

Friday, October 3, 2008

Christmas!

I've been really bad at updating my poor blog. As an excuse: school swallowed me whole.

But today is my birthday, and I've decided to take off the day to do nothing. I'll probably sit all day on the computer in my pyjamas drinking coffee. Bliss.

My Aunt is participating on a Christmas craft sale in her home town, and she asked me if I'd like to sell some of my handiwork there. Obviously it can't be anything based on somebody else's' pattern, so I'm not sure what it could be. I'm pretty sure the eyeballs would not sell that well...

I've lately been inspired to make crocheted cookies. Do you think anyone would be interested in those? I'd really appreciate opinions.

Here are a few pictures of the cookies, they are all based on real Finnish cookies.

Hannu ja Kerttu (means Hanzel and Gretel) such a cute name, but they've  now changed it into Princess Carnival, ugh)

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Doris (chocolate and truffle)

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Ballerina (raspberry jam and vanilla creme)

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They are about 5 cm (2 inch) across.

I've almost decided on these strawberry ornaments. They're about 4 cm long.

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So, what do you think?

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

How to Crochet an Amigurumi Mushroom

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PATTERN
With tan chain 2.
  1. Into the second ch from the hook sc 6.
  2. Sc inc around (12).
  3. *Sc, sc inc* around (18).
  4. *Sc 2, sc inc* around (24).
  5. Sc around (24).
  6. Sc around (24).
  7. Sc around (24).
  8. With brown, sc dec around in back loops only (12).
  9. Sc dec around (6). Stuff firmly, finish off and sew shut.
With tan chain 2.
  1. Into the second ch from the hook sc 6.
  2. Sc inc around (12).
  3. Sc around (12).
  4. Sc around (12).
  5. *Sc 2, sc dec* around (9).
  6. Sc around (9).
  7. Sc around (9). Stuff.
Sew the pieces together using tan thread.
You can use any other colours you like, too.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Top Hat

Amigurumi accessories: a crocheted top hat!

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Made following this pattern. Very cute and quick.

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Cruelly secured on to his head with sewing pins, ouch. But he looks cool. Or like a tramp.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

How to Crochet an Amigurumi Black and White Cookie

Yes, another crocheted cookie.
I'm not going to post a picture of the cookie I made, because the cookie has disappeared. It was on my desk and then it was gone. Where, I don't know. My guess is spontaneous digestion. It did look delicious.
If I ever find it, I'll post a picture. And maybe tell a tale of it's great adventures into the unknown...
PATTERN
With tan or a "cookie dough colour" of your choice chain 2.
  1. Into the second ch from the hook sc 6.
  2. Sc inc around (12).
  3. *Sc, sc inc* around (18).
  4. *Sc 2, sc inc* around (24).
  5. *Sc 3, sc inc* around (30).
  6. *Sc 4, sc inc* around (36).
  7. *Sc 5, sc inc* around (42).
  8. *Sc 6, sc inc* around (48). Finish off.
Make the topping in exact same way, except on the first round sc the first 3 with white and the next with brown (or if you prefer a darker chocolate, you may use black). On the next rounds you'll always crochet into the previous round's white sc with white and into the brown ones with brown. Here it is spelled out:
Chain 2 with white.
  1. Into the second ch from the hook sc 3 with white and 3 with brown (6).
  2. Sc inc around, first 3 inc with white, the next 3 with brown (12).
  3. *Sc, sc inc* around 3 times with white, 3 times with brown (18).
  4. *Sc 2, sc inc* around  3 times with white, 3 times with brown (24).
  5. *Sc 3, sc inc* around  3 times with white, 3 times with brown (30).
  6. *Sc 4, sc inc* around 3 times with white, 3 times with brown  (36).
  7. *Sc 5, sc inc* around 3 times with white, 3 times with brown  (42).
  8. *Sc 6, sc inc* around 3 times with white, 3 times with brown  (48). Finish off.
Now you have two options to sew the two pieces together:
  1. Sew the edges together with tan, all around.
  2. Sew the white half with white and the brown half with brown (this is what I did).
There you have it. I hope your cookie won't vanish.
EDIT: Here it is!
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

How to Crochet an Amigurumi Chocolate Chip Cookie

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What a horrible picture once again!
Here is a pattern for a crocheted chocolate chip cookie. I seem to write my patterns using a bit different terms and directions every time. This is because I'm still trying to figure out the best way to write a pattern. I hope this is not too confusing!
PATTERN
Chain 2.
  1. Into the second ch from the hook sc 6.
  2. Sc inc around (12).
  3. *Sc, sc inc* around (18).
  4. *Sc 2, sc inc* around (24).
  5. *Sc 3, sc inc* around (30).
  6. *Sc 4, sc inc* around (36).
  7. *Sc 5, sc inc* around (42).
  8. *Sc 6, sc inc* around (48). Finish off.
Make two.
Embroider on the chocolate chips, note that what's normally the "wrong" or the back side will be facing outside! I liked this part the most. Usually when you embroider something you have to be really precise, but in this case the more deformed and weird the chips look the better!
Sew together along the edges the back sides facing out.
Do not eat!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Amigurumi Acorn

Here is a great free pattern from PlanetJune. Acorns!

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She says hers are about 2 inches tall, but mine came out about 1 inch tall. I use a small hooks (1.50 - 2.00) so all the patterns I find in the Internet tend to come out tiny when I try them. But that's OK, I like all things tiny and cute.

On converse, all the patterns I write, probably turn out huge if you use a bigger hook. Sorry about that! I hope there are other small hook users out there, who find my patterns useful...

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Apupupu

This is a campaign by the Finnish Red Cross. Actually was, but I'm a little late as usual.

Apupupu, which must look like a crazy word for foreigners, means "help bunny". They are meant for traumatized children.

Here's a link to the pattern. It's in Finnish, but apparently the Australian Trauma Teddy is similar. So, if you'd like to help, you can make that one.

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The Finnish campaign ended last Christmas (did I mention I was late?), so I hope they still accept these.

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Aww, let's hug!

Monday, September 8, 2008

How to Crochet an Amigurumi Sun

I crocheted a tiny sun with an orange blush.
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But now that I look at these pictures, she looks like Pikachu.
It's a sun, I swear! Look:
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Anyway, the principle is sound, I'm sure! And if you use a nice yellow colour instead of a ghastly mustard, it'll be really cute, I promise!
PATTERN
Chain 2.
  1. Into the second ch from the hook sc 6.
  2. Sc inc around (12).
  3. *Sc, sc inc* around (18).
  4. *2 sc, sc inc* around (24).
  5. *3 sc, sc inc* around (30).
  6. Sc around (30).
  7. Sc around (30).
  8. Sc around (30).
  9. Sc around (30).
  10. Sc around (30).
  11. *3 sc, sc dec* around (24).
  12. *2 sc, sc dec* around (18).
  13. *1 sc, sc dec* around (12).
  14. Stuff, sc dec till you have a small hole, sew shut.
Rays: Chain 43, join with a slip stitch in to a ring. *Sc in the next chain, hdc in then next , [dc, tr, dc] all in one chain, hdc in the next, sc in the next, sl st in the next* 7 times, bind off, leaving a long tail.
Sew the ray piece on to the sun. Embroider on the face and glue on the cheeks.
P.S. If you try this pattern, please leave a comment! I would also love to see a picture of the finished product:)

Friday, September 5, 2008

How to Crochet Amigurumi Eyeballs

Yes, really. I crocheted some eyeballs.
I don't own a small jar, so to display them I opted for a glass. The problem with this is that they don't look remotely scary. More like a ...cocktail.
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Mine are about the size of a real eyeball, I think. And no, I have no idea what to do with them.
PATTERN
Chain 2 with black.
  1. Into the second ch from the hook  5 sc.
  2. With the colour of your choice, sc inc around (10).
  3. With white, *sc, sc inc* around (15).
  4. *2 sc, sc inc* around (20).
  5. *3 sc, sc inc* around (25).
  6. *4 sc, sc inc* around (30).
  7. Sc around.
  8. Sc around.
  9. Sc around.
  10. *4 sc, sc dec* around (25).
  11. *3 sc, sc dec* around (20).
  12. *2 sc, sc dec* around (15).
  13. *1 sc, sc dec* around (10).
  14. Sc dec around, stuff, sew shut.
Bonus photos! This is what my desk looks like, when I'm working on a pattern.
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P.S. If you try this pattern, please leave a comment! I would also love to see a picture of the finished product:)

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Donuts and Cookies

Some days it's just impossible to get good pictures. I'm going to blame the lighting again.
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The pink donut was made with this pattern. It turned out cute and tiny, because in Finland thread is so much thinner compared to what the pattern called for. In America everything really is bigger, I guess. The blue one is bigger even though you cannot probably tell it by looking at the picture.
EDIT: The pattern seems to have disappeared, here's a similar one.
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The Oreo pattern is from here. I've never eaten Oreo's as you cannot get them in Finland, but we have a very similar cookie (at least in looks) called Domino. So, I think these as Dominos. They look convincingly real; I had to stop my father from trying to eat one.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Coffee Jarrr

Haha! Ahem, anyway, I could not sleep last night and ended up sketching. This one started as just a skull, but ended up as a label for my coffee jar. I tried to mask the fact it's just a doodle by colouring it, but I'm not sure it worked...

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Regardless, the jar looks way better with the new label. And instant coffee is my choice of poison.

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Yar...

Monday, September 1, 2008

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Goth Strawberry

The Goth part was quite accidental. I run a cross this strawberry pincushion pattern at Martha Stewart. I wanted to try it right away, but only had pink and black felt. Well, then.

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I changed the pattern a bit. I made the end flat instead sharp to get the shape I wanted, and cut about 1cm off from the long edge to make the strawberry shorter. I also completely winged the stem.

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I'm not sure what to do with the strawberry, since it's stuffed with regular polyfil and does not sharpen the pins like it's supposed to.  The pins would suit the Goth theme, though.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Baby Chicken

This has to be my favourite amigurumi pattern. It is fast, easy and cuuute! The pattern is from Craftster by MarjorieCrochets. She calls it a baby duck, but I always think them as chicks.

I've made seven, I think, but have given some of them as gifts. Here are the remaining four.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Amigurumi Voodoo Doll

My brother wanted me to post the voodoo doll I made, so here it is.
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It's based on a picture of a crocheted voodoo doll I saw somewhere in the Internet, and made (once again) by horribly abusing the sweet bear pattern.
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You could use it as a pin cushion, but I feel a bit icky about sticking pins in it. Since I made it, there is a good chance it's full of my hair.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Black and White Striped Scarf

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I've wanted a scarf like this for awhile now.

I'm allergic to wool, so I had to think of something else .

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The first version I tried was made out of cotton; it looked the way I liked, but was too heavy to actually  use.

So, this one is made of acrylic. It's light and soft.

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The bow brooch is from here.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Green Wolf

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I made another amigurumi following the instructions from monday. A green wolf. In the picture he is with the panda I made following the crochet bear pattern. The panda was one of the first amigurumis I ever made, along with the amineko. While they are both adorable, I think the round head is somehow a bit more ... amigurumi like? The picture is quite dark once again, but you can see the head difference between the two patterns.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

How to Crochet Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans

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I adore Harry Potter. So, in a moment of inspiration I crocheted some  Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
They might be completely useless and ...silly. But they make me really happy!
It's also a good project for using up scrap thread. Make one in every colour you own!
PATTERN
  1. Chain 2.
  2. 1. Into the second ch from the hook sc 5.
  3. 2. Sc inc in the next, 1 sc, sc inc, 1 sc, sc inc (8).
  4. 3. Sc around (8)
  5. 4. Sc around (8)
  6. 5. Sc dec twice, stuff, sew shut.
P.S. If you try this pattern, please leave a comment! I would also love to see a picture of the finished product:)
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