Willie the Whale

I'm continuing work on my summer birthday ocean project in between work on the doll donation project. Willie is another pattern from Hooked on Amigurumi and I'm coming to love the style of amigurumi that crochets the parts of the animals on as you go and eliminates almost all sewing.

I've started working on an ocean playset that folds into a storage bag to store all the animals. You can find the free pattern here. I find it easier to work on these types of projects in between smaller projects. Along with the ocean bag the pattern also includes animal patterns. I've chosen to use a range of patterns so I can pick the ones I like the best. However, if you are looking for a free set this one comes with everything.

Birthdays Bring Crochet

My DH knows I love to crochet and always asks for a wish list to shop from for my birthday and other special occasions.

I am so thrilled to have new projects to work on:

For my 18" Doll projects:

Bobby Socks and Polka Dots

I had the Crochet Calendar version of the Bobby Socks, but the printed version is easier to read and I love the Skirt pattern.

Anastasia’s Ready for Spring

This one's been on my wish list for a while. It is a beautiful outfit.

Summer Styles for 18” Dolls

I have been afraid Annie's would retire this one before I got to it. I love the summer designs.

Barnyard Set

Mom and I are working on a farm yard set for a little one for Christmas so this is a great addition

Gnomes

I've been collecting garden gnomes for years, now I can make a crocheted family

Pilgrim Lovie Blanket
I'm looking forward to making a couple of these for the holidays

Halloween Cupcakes

These of course are for my Halloween box

I have several projects to post, but I keep getting behind with other things. Hopefully I'll find a better way to manage it all.

Magic Hat with Bunny

I was gifted the Magic Hat with Rabbit and Wand pattern during a Crochetville wish list. I wanted it for an April birthday and I just finished the project in time for my mailing deadline.



The original pattern uses a small hook to make a decorative hat. I kept increasing my hook size until I got the base to a size that worked as a hat that could be worn by a child and didn't look too loose. What good is a magic hat if you can see what is happening in it? I didn't want to add stitches because unlike ami's I wasn't sure how changing the stitches would alter the shape of the hat. By changing the hook size I was able to make a bigger hat size without altering the basic shape.

I love the secret this hat provides for a young magician who may need some help as he/she gets started doing magic tricks. I wrapped and packed this last night, as it needs to ship this week to make it on time for its birthday deadline. I am anxious to hear the reaction it gets.

Birthday Presents

I read about some husbands displeasure of their wives hobbies and I realize how blessed I am to have a supportive husband. As part of my birthday presents I got some items off my wish list for crochet and looming books/patterns.

I got one of the two loom knitting books on my wish list, Loom Knitting Scarves, Hats, Bags & More: 40 Simple and Snuggly No-Needle Designs for All Loom Knitters that I had borrowed from the library. I plan to review this book later, but I was very pleased to find it had made the cut.

The second book helped me decide on my Crochetville Olympic challenge. Tasty Cute: 25 Amigurumi Gourmet Treats has some adorable food crochet patterns I do not currently have in my collection. I decided my project is going to be a play food theme to donate along with the doll donation. I have to work out the details, but this book was the inspiration for the choice.

As for e-patterns, this year I got two that will be fun to work on for Christmas or birthday projects depending on my schedule. They also would be cute donation projects. I got the Fox in the Car pattern that I have looked at for a while. I waited to purchase it until I completed the bear in the plane pattern. Her work is challenging, but within my range to finish. The second pattern was a Hello Kitty in a plane. I am always looking for new ideas for the Kitty as I have family members who love the toys.