Crochet Today September/October 2011

I was hoping to see more toys when the cover said, "Create a Storybook Halloween for Kids of All Ages!" However, I did find a flip pumpkin/candy corn doll to add to my Halloween project list to send out. I like the fact it is made in cotton and the characters are very cute.

If you are looking for some Halloween clothing/costume items to make, the magazine does provide patterns for those. There is a Red Riding Hood cape for a little girl, a wolf hat, a little child's sheep hat, a Snow White outfit for a girl, and a Rapunzel wig for a woman.

I am planning to add the toy taxi and bridge to my toy pattern collection.

All and all my investment still seems worth it.

Ana Paula Rimoli Gnome Patterns in Crochet Today

I have not read about a contract between Ana Paula Rimoli and Crochet Today, but this is the second magazine in a row to feature her patterns. The May/June 2011 copy has a fairy and a gnome pattern for readers to make using Red Heart Yarn.

If you visit my home in the summer, you will see a collection of garden gnomes so you can understand my excitement about the gnome pattern. The fairy is also cute.

Her new book Amigurumi Toy Box: Cute Crocheted Friendsis due out this month so that may be one of the reasons for her increased presence. I hope she continues to work with Crochet Today. It would keep me subscribing.


The magazine also had a wizard’s cape that I thought was cute. The downside is it is designed using sport weight yarn and requires 11 skeins of yarn. I will admit to being cheap, but it seems this project would have been just as effective in worsted weight and a great deal less expensive. I could see doing the stars in a lighter weight yarn, but I am thinking the cape would have been just as much fun and a good deal cheaper and accessible in worsted weight yarn. I cannot imagine finding nine skeins of sports weight blue in my local store, which means I would have to order it. On the other hand, in worsted weight, it would be less expensive and I could pick up the items locally. I may try playing with the pattern to see if I can make it small enough. It would make for a fun dress up costume or even a Halloween item.

Pictures may not be used without written permission.

Ana Paula Rimoli Patterns in Crochet Today

Anyone who reads this blog knows I am a huge fan of Ana Paula Rimoli. One of my first crochet pattern books was Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet. Last year's Easter projects were based on her small bunnies and chicks. I quickly followed with a purchase of Amigurumi Two!: Crocheted Toys for Me and You and Baby Too. I made several birthday presents, including the candle from the cake for my FIL. I hinted strongly to my husband that a great item for my Easter basket this year would her yet unreleased book, Amigurumi Toy Box: Cute Crocheted Friends. My loyalty to her published work is pretty strong.

So you can imagine my pleasure when I opened my copy of Crochet Today March/April 2011 to discover that she has two patterns featured in the issue. There is a Alice in Wonderland theme and her contributions are a amigurumi version of the White Rabbit and a Drink Me Tea Set. There is a child's dress, a baby afghan, and croquet balls designed by other contributors to round out the theme.

I have several tea set patterns, but I like the coffee cup style of these teacups. If you have seen Ms. Rimoli's cups before you will likely recognize them. The pot is taller than most of my patterns which have the traditional stout teapot. I am not sure I will be making the hot pink set, but it would stand out in a crowded playroom.

When I saw the picture of the bunny, I recognized the designer and only had my suspicions confirmed by reading the designer's name. The bunny looks like one of Ms. Rimoli's creations. The outfit is what made this a pattern I must make. I have a young relative that is fond of the Alice story. In fact, I have been looking at a complete pattern set to purchase. However, that bunny is not dressed. They say clothes make the man. Well in this case the outfit makes the bunny. From what I have read of the pattern so far, the outfit is designed in a similar fashion to a cape that drapes front and back. The pattern even includes the rabbit's watch. This may be a Christmas item before I have time to complete him. However, I am determined to get him on my list of items to finish.

If you arrived here looking for free toy patterns please see the following pages:

Hello Kitty

Crochet and Knit Puppets

Crochet Amigurumi Animals and Stuffed Animal Free Patterns

Knit Amigurumi and Stuffed Toys

Crochet and Knit Amigurumi and Other Dolls

Knit and Crochet Toys

Dinosaurs and Dragons

Teddy Bear Patterns and Clothes

Knit and Crochet Food Patterns Great for Play Food

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Pictures may not be used without permission.

Crochet Today Amigurumi Patterns

New Amigurumi patterns are available in the May/June 2010 Crochet Today magazine. The article is titled, "Roar It's a Zoo." The patterns include a Mom and child panda and tortoise, a monkey, and lion. I am looking forward to trying the Panda when I finish my dinosaur project. There is also an adorable mobile. The pattern is a rainbow motif that includes a rainbow, sun, and stuffed raindrops. This is a project is on my list of patterns to try.

For those who are hesitant to buy, try your local library. I find through our local library, I am able to get a number of knitting and crochet magazines through interlibrary loan.

Pictures may not be used without my written permission.

Barbie Ski Outfit in Crochet Today

I actually went out to buy the holiday issue of Crochet Today after having determined I had all my holiday gifts purchased. I was surprised to find the Christmas one had been removed and replaced with the January/February issue. I will have to head off to the library to see if I can find the patterns I was looking at, but delaying purchasing until I had paid the holiday bills.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a remake of a vintage Clarks and Coats patterns in the January/February issue. The old pattern included sewing, knitting, and crochet patterns that were cute for the time period. This current version would help Barbie fit in with the more modern ski and snowboard crowd on the slopes. The pattern has the hat, sweater, and pants set for Barbie.

For those who don't want to purchase another magazine, I suggest checking out your local library. I have been amazed at the variety of magazines our library has available for patrons.


Credits:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/migrainechick/ / CC BY 2.0