Crochet little monsters

Wow, this blogging thing, as it turns out, takes a little more discipline than I have... but I shall keep trying.
A friend of mine is having a craft sale of sorts to raise money for her daughter's school.  A lot of the parents are involved, selling treats, or wares that they have made and she has asked me to make some of my little crochet items.  The first thing that came to mind are those little monsters that have been circulating everywhere.
A while back, J was having trouble falling asleep, thinking that monsters were coming to get him.  I think part of this may have stemmed from living above people that were extremely noisy, and liked to fight often.  He would get scared of the screaming and yelling that was happening while he was trying to fall asleep, and this fear translated into monsters, or lions coming to get him.
So, I knit him a little monster, off the top of my head, and told him that this monster would keep all the other monsters away from him.  It worked!  He cuddles the little thing every night.
Monsters are actually extremely easy to make patterns for - you just make any shape that you want, stuff it and add a crazy face.  But, I realize that not everyone has a mind for making up patterns, just as I don't have a mind for math, or science, or anything that isn't artsy, really.  So I am going to post the patterns for the monsters that I create.
As of right now I have 3 monsters finished, and continue to make more in between other crocheting projects.  I also have an idea to make alphabet monsters - adding faces (somehow) to a crocheted alphabet softie.  Wish me luck.

So, without further ado I give you, the three little monsters:

Note for all monsters - gauge is really irrelevant as they can be big or small; however I used mercerized cotton (really strong for all the teeth that may be using them as chew toys, or pulling on them) and a size 2.50mm needle.

Pink monster:

Body
Rnd 1: ch 2 (or use magic loop)
Rnd 2: in first ch (or in loop) sc6, join at beginning with slip st.
Rnd 3: ch 1, 2sc in each space around (12 stitches) join with slip st
Rnd 4: ch 1, *2 sc in first space, sc in next space*, repeat all the way around (18 st) join with slip st
Rnd 5: ch 1, *2 sc in first space, sc in next 2 spaces*, repeat all the way around (24 st) join with slip st
Rnd 6: ch 1, *2 sc in first space, sc in next 3 spaces*, repeat all the way around (30 st) join with slip st
Rnd 7-13: ch 1, sc in each space, join at the beginning with a slip st
Rnd 14: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 3 spaces*, repeat all the way around (24 st) join with slip st
Rnd 15: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next 2 spaces*, rpt all the way around (18 st) join with slip st
Rnd 16: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next space* (12 st) join with slip st, stuff the body at this point
Rnd 17: ch 1, sc2tog in each st around (6 st) join with slip st.
Sew closed.

Eyes (make 2)
Start like with the body, up to Rnd 4.
Rnd 5-9: ch 1, sc in each space, join with slip st
Rnd 10: ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next space* (12 st) join with slip st, stuff the body at this point
Rnd 11: ch 1, sc2tog in each st around (6 st) join with slip st.
Rnd 12-16 (or however long you want to make the eyes): ch 1, sc in each st around (6 st), bo.  leave a tail long enough to sew to the body.
In white - make a circle with 18 st in the last round, sew on to the front of the eyes and embroider the pupils in.

Arms (make 2)
Rnd 1: ch 2 (or use magic loop)
Rnd 2: in first ch (or in loop) sc 6, join at beginning with slip st.
Rnd 3: ch 1, 2sc in each space around (12 stitches) join with slip st
Rnd 4-5: sc in each st around
Rnd 6: ch 1, sc2tog in each st around (6 st) join with slip st.
Continue to make 1 sc in each around to make a cord until the arms are long enough for you.  I did 17 rnds
BO, leave a tail long enough to sew it on to the body.

Feet (make 2)
Start like with the body, up to Rnd 4.
Rnd 5-8: ch 1, sc in each st around, join with slip st at beginning
Rnd 9: ch 1, sc in the next 12 spaces.
Rnd 10: ch 1, turn work, sc in the next 12 spaces *(repeat for 3 more rounds) sew the back of the feet together, leaving an opening at the top.  Stuff the feet.
Pick up 8 st. evenly around the top of the foot and make a cord 13 rounds long (or as long or short as you want).  BO and leave a tail to sew on to the body.

Sew all the pieces together, embroider a mouth.  I played with the idea of giving this guy a belly, but in the end I decided not to.

The other patterns will be up within the next few days.

Enjoy!

Oh my Goodness!

It has been a very long time since I have posted!
Things have been - busy.  I won't say crazy, or hectic, because they've been calm and relaxed - just busy.

With all this nice weather that we've been having we spend a lot of time outside getting our yard (however small it may be) cleaned up.  We have found that renting houses doesn't always leave you with the nicest yards - so we try to improve them.  Mainly because I plan on both my boys playing in it, and because I don't like how it looks when there is trash and what not everywhere.

I in no way am a clean-a-holic, as I read the other day that about 1 in 3 women are, however, I do like things to be clean.  Messy, I'm okay with - dirty - ABSOLUTELY NOT!

So, that has been occupying my time.  That and my two boys, Iz is now walking, craziness has ensued.

I found one of the crochet skirts at Winners for $25, so I'm pretty much giving up on that crazy pattern.  Maybe another time when I have a plethora of time on my hands.  As for right now, I have minimal time on my hands.

I am, however, working on a bath scrubbie pattern for my boys.  A puppet/scrubbie.  So, stay tuned for that :)

I hope you are all enjoying the wonderful weather we are getting!

M.I.A.

Sorry about the lack of posting - I'm working on a very difficult pattern.

A couple months ago, I found a picture of this skirt on Pinterest and I literally fell in love!  But they're insanely expensive, so I figured, like last week, that I would try to make it on my own.  So I found a few lace patterns that I'm going to attempt putting together to make a skirt look-a-like.

Hopefully.

In the meantime, though, I have finished the pillow!  And I have started a new sweater for my little guy -   which one at this point - the pattern is a little funny.

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTtrellis.html

I'm pretty sure I'm following the gauge and everything, but the sweater feels like it's going to turn out too big for my 10 month old - maybe J can wear it.

And my blanket... oh what to say.

It is coming along, slowly but surely.  I just added a whole bunch of hexagons that more than doubled the size and it made me pretty excited!

Crochet Bear and Sugar Cookies!

The other day I decided to finally try making sugar cookies with royal icing.  The recipe that I used was Peppermint Plum's "Thick, Soft Sugar Cookies".

Oh my goodness!!!  These sugar cookies are amazing!  Even W said that they were, and compliments from him on my cooking/baking are kinda rare.  He just doesn't care about what it tastes like all that much.  Every time I try a new recipe I ask, "what do you think?"  and every time the answer is, "it's okay."

Oh well.  It doesn't sway my adventerousness at all.

I made 3 different kinds of cookies - bear, train and horse.  The only ones that I really thought turned out were the bears, so those were the only ones that I took pictures of.  After my train disaster (I tried to make them look like Thomas...) I found this on pinterest, and it shamed me.

Sorry about the quality, this was taken with my phone.

So, there he is, the pointy-eyed little bear.

Speaking of bears - here is the crocheted bear that I came up with:

And here is the pattern:

Crochet Teddy Bear

Finished Bear: 10 in. high

Materials:

Hook: size E/4 (3.5 mm)

Yarn: Worsted Medium, Size 4

Ring Stitch Marker

Thread for face and arm and leg joints.

Fiberfill

Gauge:  10 sc x 10 rows = 1.75 in x 1.25 in

Stitch Explanation and Abbreviations:

ch - chain

sc - single crochet

rnd - round

Sc2tog - (Insert the hook and draw up a loop) twice, yarn over and draw hook through all 3 loops on hook - 1 sc decreased

Notes:

All rounds are worked in continuous spirals, use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of a round.  Do not turn at the end of each round.

Use diagrams for further explanation.

***  When working on the body attach legs and arms as you move up so that you get them on before the stuffing is in and it’s impossible!  ***

Leg (make 2):

Ch 2 (or use magic ring)

Rnd 1:  Work 6 sc in first ch.  Mark first st for beginning of rnd; move marker up each round.

Rnd 2:  Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.

Rnd 3:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) do this 6 times – 18 sc.

Rnd 4:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc) do this 6 times – 24 sc.

Rnd 5:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 3 sc) do this 6 times – 30 sc.

Rnd 6:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 4 sc) do this 6 times – 36 sc.

Rnd 7-9:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 10:  sc2tog twice, sc in each sc around – 34 sc.

Rnd 11:  sc2tog twice, sc in each sc around – 32 sc.

Rnd 12:  sc2tog twice, sc in each sc around – 30 sc.

Rnd 13, 14:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 15:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 3) do this 6 times – 24 sc.

Rnd 16, 17:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 18:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 2) do this 6 times – 18 sc.

Rnd 19-24:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 25:  (sc2tog, sc in next sc) do this 6 times – 12 sc.

Rnd 26-29:  sc in each sc around.

Fasten off.  Stuff each leg and sew flat across the top.

Arm (make 2):

Ch 2 (or use magic ring)

Rnd 1:  Work 6 sc in first ch.  Mark first st for beginning of rnd; move marker up each round.

Rnd 2:  Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.

Rnd 3:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) do this 6 times – 18 sc.

Rnd 4-12: sc in each sc around.

Rnd 13:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 7) do this twice – 16 sc.

Rnd 14:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 15:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 6) do this twice – 14 sc.

Rnd 16:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 17:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 5) do this twice – 12 sc.

Rnd 18-22: sc in each sc around.

Fasten off. Stuff with polyfill and sew flat across the top.

Body:

Ch 2 (or use magic ring)

Rnd 1:  Work 6 sc in first ch.  Mark first st for beginning of rnd; move marker up each round.

Rnd 2:  Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.

Rnd 3:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) do this 6 times – 18 sc.

Rnd 4:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc) do this 6 times – 24 sc.

Rnd 5:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 3 sc) do this 6 times – 30 sc.

Rnd 6:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 4 sc) do this 6 times – 36 sc.

Rnd 7:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 5 sc) do this 6 times – 42 sc.

Rnd 8:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 6 sc) do this 6 times – 48 sc.

Rnd 9-19: sc in each sc around.

Rnd 20:  sc2tog twice, sc in each sc around – 46 sc.

Rnd 21:  sc2tog twice, sc in each sc around – 44 sc.

Rnd 22:  sc2tog twice, sc in each sc around  - 42 sc.

Rnd 23:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 5 sc) do this 6 times – 36 sc.

Rnd 24,25:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 26:  sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 18 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc rest of round – 38 sc.

Rnd 27:  sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 18 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc rest of round – 40 sc.

Rnd 28:  sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 18 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc rest of round – 42 sc.

Rnd 29:  sc in each sc around.

Attach legs.

Rnd 30:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 5) do this 6 times – 36 sc.

Rnd 31:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 4) do this 6 times – 30 sc.

Rnd 32:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 3) do this 6 times – 24 sc.

Rnd 33:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 2) do this 6 times – 18 sc.

Attach arms.

Rnd 34:  (sc2tog, sc in next sc) do this 6 times – 12 sc.

Stuff.

Rnd 35:  (sc2tog) do this 6 times – 6 sc.

Fasten off and close hole.

Head:

Ch 2 (or use magic ring)

Rnd 1:  Work 6 sc in first ch.  Mark first st for beginning of rnd; move marker up each round.

Rnd 2:  Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.

Rnd 3:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc) do this 6 times – 18 sc.

Rnd 4:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 2 sc) do this 6 times – 24 sc.

Rnd 5:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 3 sc) do this 6 times – 30 sc.

Rnd 6:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 4 sc) do this 6 times – 36 sc.

Rnd 7:  (2 sc in next sc, sc in each of next 5 sc) do this 6 times – 42 sc.

Rnd 8-10:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 11:  sc2tog, sc in each of next 5 sc, sc2tog, finish round – 40 sc.

Rnd 12:  sc2tog, sc in each of next 4 sc, sc2tog, finish round – 38 sc.

Rnd 13:  sc2tog, sc in each of next 3 sc, sc2tog, finish round – 36 sc.

Rnd 14:  sc2tog, sc in each of next 2 sc, sc2tog, finish round – 34 sc.

Rnd 15:  sc2tog, sc in next sc, sc2tog, finish round – 32 sc.

Rnd 16:  sc2tog twice, finish round – 30 sc.

Rnd 17-21: sc in each sc around.

Rnd 22:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 3) do this 6 times – 24 sc.

Rnd 23:  (sc2tog, sc in each of next 2) do this 6 times – 18 sc.

Rnd 24:  (sc2tog, sc in next sc) do this 6 times – 12 sc.

Rnd 25:  (sc2tog) do this 6 times – 6 sc.

Rnd 26:  (sc2tog) do this 3 times – 3 sc.

Fasten off.  Stuff and close opening.

Ear (make 2):

Ch 2 (or use magic ring)

Rnd 1:  Work 6 sc in first ch.  Mark first st for beginning of rnd; move marker up each round.

Rnd 2:  Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.

Rnd 3-7:  sc in each sc around.

Rnd 8:  (sc2tog) do this 6 times – 6 sc.

Rnd 9:  (sc2tog) do this 3 times – 3 sc.

Fasten off.  Close opening (do not stuff) and press flat.

Putting it all together:

Legs and arms should already be sewn on to the body (for sake of ease).  Sew ears on to head.  Sew head on to body.  Embroider eyes, nose and mouth.  Sew from bottom of chin to just above the nose to create a little crease.  Do the same with both feet.

Enjoy!

Finished Rug!

I did it!  I finished the doily rug, and it turned out beautifully, if you ask me.

It's not quite as big as I would have liked, but next time I'll just use a chunkier yarn, or double it up and a bigger hook.

With this rug I used size 5.00mm/ H8.  And without further ado:

So get out there and find a doily pattern that you love and make it into a rug!

I'm off to do my backed-up laundry...

Knit/Crochet A.D.D.

I don't know if I actually have A.D.D., but it sure feels like it when I'm knitting or crocheting.  I just seem to jump around from project to project.

I'm still working on that pillow that I mentioned in my last post.  I'm also still working on my afghan, a sweater that I started a little bit ago (Aidez) as well as a few smaller things.  But then I had this brainstorm.  Probably not very unique, but I had it nonetheless and am going to take full credit for it.

Everywhere I look I'm seeing these beautiful doily rugs but no patterns for them.  Dilemma...

So, my brainstorm, or inspiration, whatever you want to call it, was to use a pattern for a smaller doily with a larger hook and yarn.  Problem solved!

I am currently crocheting (and close to finished!!!) Summer Splendor.  It is hard to read but pretty quick to do.  If you want to see a picture of it look at Ravelry.

I will post a picture when I'm finished, which should be very soon!  It's exciting.

Hand Warmers

I'm going to try and post a little more frequently than this, but, you know, the life of a SAHM.  It really is amazing how the days just fly by and it feels like I haven't accomplished anything.  Like, for example, that massive pile of laundry that is just waiting to be folded and put away.

Isn't it just so much easier to take the clothes from the pile??

It's such a dreary day outside.  The weather called for freezing rain, but I have yet to see the freezing temperature.  Instead it is just rainy.

Iz is sleeping and J is putting his blocks away.  I swear he spends more time putting the blocks away than he actually does playing with them.  And he makes it fun too.  I'm sitting here laughing at him, encouraging his craziness.

So, I just started this new pillow pattern.  It's pretty simple, and goes pretty fast.  I'm still working on it, and I will post a finished picture and the pattern when I'm done.  It's for a standard 16in. x 16in. pillow. I also have an afghan on the go.  A simple hexagonal afghan that is taking way too long!  I had no idea how much effort was put into these things!  All the ends that have to be woven in, and then all the pieces have to be sewn together.  I am definitely going to appreciate it when it's done!

The pattern is from the OneLoopShort blog.  So far I am loving it.  It's so plain and simple, and the colours I'm using are cozy.  Or, at least they are to me.

So, these hand warmers.  They started out as someone else's hand warmers, but I changed the pattern.  A lot.  So, the only thing that is still from the original pattern is how many stitches to cast on.  I think.

They're made out of the leftover cotton that I have from the face cloth.  I love them!  I already made a second pair for a friend of W's at work.  She loves them too.

Hand Warmers:
Using size 4 dpns CO 36 stitches, dividing evenly 12 stitches between each needle.  Join the round without twisting and place a marker.
Row 1: k1,p1 to marker.
Row 2: k all the way around
Repeat these two rows 2 more times.
Knit until you have the desired wrist length.  If you slide the mitts over your hand they will come up to the bottom of your hand, where your thumb actually starts (the 3rd segment).
K1, M1, k to the marker.  Knit 8 more rows.
K1, place marker, M1, place marker, k to the end of the round.
K a row
K1, M1 at first marker, k1, m1 at second marker, k to the end of the row.
K a row
K1, M1 at first marker, k3, m1 at second marker, k to the end of the row.
K a row.
Continue in this pattern until there are 13 stitches inbetween the markers.  Put these 13 stitches on a stitch holder.
K next round, joining the fingers together.  Knit for 2 inches.
Work the pattern at the beginning, BO after a Row 1 to avoid curling.
Pick up the stitches from the holder and pick up two more stitches from in the corner of the thumb so you don't have a hole.  15 stitches total.
K for an inch and work 2 patterns from the beginning, BO after a Row 1 to avoid curling.

Enjoy!

Dish Cloth

I have about five minutes to write this post - let's see how I do.

It's amazing how time goes out the window while you have kids.  J is napping right now, but as soon as I put J down, Iz woke up.  Figures, eh?  (Yes I'm Canadian)

So Iz is now sitting beside me eating a snack while I frantically try to get this post finished.  I might just have to give him a little more snack to try and get through this post.

I made up (?) a pattern for a dish cloth!  This may be a lie, there may be a dish cloth pattern out there exactly the same, but I promise, I had no idea it existed before I told you that I made this up.

It is a great dish cloth, and you can easily make it any size that you want.  It is extremely bumpy on one side and nice and smooth on the other side.  Would probably even make a good face or wash cloth.

There it is.  It's a thing of beauty.  It's knit in 100% cotton that I found at my local textiles shop.  They make it themselves, so it is extremely cheap.  Lovely when you find deals like that, isn't it?

Getting to the pattern:

Dish/Wash/Face Cloth:
CO however many stitches you want (an odd number) so that your cloth is the size you want.  I used size 4 needles, so I cast on 45 stitches.
Row 1: p1, (k1, p1) repeat until you reach the end. This will be the WS
Row 2: k all the stitches

Repeat these two rows until you are satisfied with your length (I usually try to make it a square but in order to do that you have to actually make it a little longer because the cotton will shrink length-wise)

BO and sew in the ends.

There you have it!  Enjoy!

Hello!

I've tried blogging for a while.

Somehow I think that blogging will instill a sense of organization into my life - how?  I don't know.  Maybe it's all those amazing blogs that I read with all those amazing moms who are constantly doing amazing crafts/baking/etc. all while the pictures of their homes and their children look neat and tidy.  These are all very rare things in my house.
Neat and tidy boys (2 boys, ages 2 and 9 months) or a home are rare things.  But they are happy boys.  As the toys littered all over my floor can contest to.
So, the reason that I think my blogs always kind of peter out is because I have nothing solid to blog about.  Nothing on-going in my life.
Well, there are the kids - but then I always feel that I have to say something inspirational - something helpful to other moms who may or may not be reading my blog.

Too much pressure!

So NOW!!!  I've found a hobby!  I knit and crochet - and I enjoy it immensely!  It is calming, and I can do it while reading books to my little guys and I can do it while I'm relaxing at the end of the day.  I can also do it while the LOs are playing and it doesn't take up enough of my attention that I am completely oblivious to what they are doing.

Here we are - our first family picture since Iz was born.  He is 8 months old in this picture.  We have lots of pictures, just none of all of us.
(left to right) J, me, Iz (cause I just won't work) and W.

Nice to meet you!