Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Lucky Wings

Thanks to my very cool brother, a software engineering student, I now have a quirky new banner and a new blog name!

I'm seriously trying to think of something I should submit to CrochetMe...any suggestions?....

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

A Rectangular Thyng

On the Belle Epoque front, although I am not learned enough in the craft to convert it from knit to crochet, I figured that it can be broken down into rectangular panels, which anyone with enough patience can do. Here's my sketch: http://www.geocities.com/thelibrarian18/pattern.jpg

See, there are two bottom panels, one top front, one top back, two shoulders, and two sleeves. The sleeves would be the last part, when everything else was assembled. You would just attach the yarn at the armhole and crochet in a round down, like you would a thumb on a mitten. The neck had me stumped so I asked the Craftster crew, and someone suggested finishing the panels and then crocheting around the neckline to create the scoop effect. If this is confusing, just wait; I haven't tried it yet either. However, my test swatches have turned out too bulky for this project..admittedly I was using worsted weight. I think I may have to break down and invest in some thin fluffy yarn for this. I may try knitting the rectangles, since that's the shape you learn with. Still, if I find a crochet stitch/hook/yarn combo that gives me a light enough material, I'll try that too. Let me know if you come up with anything, or if you have any questions at all. If enough people like this, maybe we could do a crochet-along? Drop me a line at thelibrarian18@yahoo.com if you'd be up for that.

Monday, December 27, 2004

Bunny Slippers

I needed slippers, and would you believe I couldn't find a single adult bunny slipper pattern on the net? Very weird. So I made one. I hope you wanted some too.



And the pattern in up on my patterns page, too.

The Belle Epoque



When I saw this knitted tea gown pattern in the winter Knitty.com, I knew I had to have it. Somehow. So my vacation will be spent on these activities:

1. Altering a Simplicity pattern to sew it out of stretchy flannel;

2. Learning to knit in the hopes that one day I may be able to attempt the tea gown;

3. Designing a crocheted version.



Because I need this tea gown. Very very much.

Thursday, December 23, 2004

Feathers McGraw

I was on craftster, browsing around, and came upon this cute penguin ornament link. http://www.kreinik.com/PDF/crochet_penguin.pdf Given beads for eyes and a clever glove disguise, he's my very favorite claymation villain! You all know Wallace and Gromit, right? Because if you don't, your life is incomplete, and you must immediately obtain copies of the movies: A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave. Because they're heartwarming, dry, and hilarious with about four minutes total of dialogue in a half-hour. Your kids will love them too, as an afterthought....



Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Here's Alex with angel wings...



I've been crocheting some Christmas things....here's a holly collar I made for the household cats....the model here is Alex.



Here's my mom in a beret I made for her from a pattern from crochetpatterncentral.com...on her shoulder is a Christmas tree ornament I made of a little mouse holding a candy cane. I'll post the pattern for him later. The tree is covered with cool ornaments I've made, I used a bunch of Victorian Christmas cards for a pattern from jpfun.com. I love that old well-dressed animal style. You punch holes all around the card and do a picot ending in the holes....



Thursday, December 16, 2004

Flying pigs and butterfly wings

Well, amidst the end-of-semester madness, this is what I've been doing. I counted up my Christmas gifts and realized I had so many things for everyone already, I actually had time to indulge myself.

The butterfly potholder is from this site: http://www.denisecrochets.com/

It's from a 1940's pattern, and it's under the Kitchen section. I swear with my hand on my heart this is the only potholder I have ever made, and I'm sure you can see why. It's irresistible in that "unashamedly-tacky-so-it's-really-sort-of-cool" way. I loved the colors and design so much that I made up this purse to try and capture the cheerfulness in portable form. I used that really simple granny square pattern, and added long sc and french knots...If I had not been in such a hurry to get it done, I would have made it more like the butterfly. I might even try making a miniature version of the bug to pin on the bag.



The pig exists because I had to buy a huge skein of pink Super Saver to make the bows for Ms. PacMan and I dislike pink. So I had to think of something to do with it.



Here's the pattern:

http://www.geocities.com/thelibrarian18/piggy.html



I've been experimenting with sewn felt creatures lately, too...that isn't crochet but it's still real neat! I'll post them after Christmas, since one of them is a present for my brother and I can't risk him seeing it....I've got some major Christmas spirit this year!



Dawn made some neat Buddhas....wildyarn.blogspot.com

Neat idea to give him a flower. I was trying to replicate some of those tiny red wooden figurines I have from Chinatown, so it never occurred to me to embellish them. Neat!



P.S. All my free patterns are now accessible from one page.....look for the link at the bottom of this page.


These colors make me happy.

And a curly tail, too....

Never again shall I lack a comeback to "Yeah, when pigs fly!"

Wednesday, December 8, 2004

Giggety giggety giggety....

Here he is, everybody...you asked and we delivered.......back again after his European tour.....the one, the only, CROCHET BUDDHA PATTERN!!!!!!!!!



Enjoy.



http://www.geocities.com/thelibrarian18/buddha.html

Tuesday, December 7, 2004


The perfect Buddha. Even more happiness!

Can it be true?

I am incredibly flattered. I recieved an invitation to publish the buddha pattern in the Crochet Pattern-A-Day calendar. And that is just from the silly warped one I have on here! Now I have to post the perfect one....I'm at school right now, so when I get home today I'll get on that...and some serious pattern-writing.

Monday, December 6, 2004

Ms. PacMan pattern is up

Here's the tutorial for Ms. PacMan and the ghosts. You know. I don't really want to sell my stuff...it seems mercenary....but I don't know if a charity would consider it safe for kids or not. http://www.geocities.com/thelibrarian18/pacman.html

Sunday, December 5, 2004

Craft Fair Leftovers

And boy, are there a lot of them. I made about $35 out of a possible $200. I think everyone was shopping for their parents for Christmas. Not that there were very many people there at all. So all the stuff in the pictures is up for sale, at these prices:

Gophers $4

Necklaces $3

Hats $6

PacMan $3

Flower pins and barrettes $3

Soap Savers $5

Fingerless gloves $5



I know you all crochet anyway, but if anyone doesn't feel like making the stuff, you can buy mine. =) Otherwise it will sit in a drawer somewhere, making no one happy. I don't have that many appropriate people to give them to.

If you're interested email me at thelibrarian18@yahoo.com



Shipping would be actual cost. (And I really mean that. Down to the penny.)

Saturday, December 4, 2004


fingerless gloves

The display (with only one of everything)

They're hamsters now.

Ms. PacMan coin purses

My flower pins and barrettes.

Thursday, December 2, 2004

Watch for new patterns on Monday...

The reason I haven't posted in a week is because there's a craft fair at my college on Sunday and I'm trying to get a table. I applied late, and it's still iffy if I'll get in or not, but I'm crocheting like mad to try and get up some stock.....but I made up a bunch of new stuff over Thanksgiving which I will post as soon as this scary experience is over. Such as:

Wooly Mouse christmas ornament

Jimmy the Cat

The perfect Buddha

Scary Gophers



I also adapted a hat pattern and a mitten pattern.



So hang in there, stuff will come.