Crochet-Along

7:12 PM Posted In Edit This 0 Comments »
Hey!

So I've been working on a crochet-along from Lion Brand for a little while now.  It's a beach cardigan, and each Thursday they explain a little more on part of the pattern.  It's a pretty simple pattern once you understand the basic stitches and how to count it out right for your size.


This is what it will look like, ideally:



I'm using a different yarn than called for, since the total price was a little hefty originally.  I'm using Eco-Ways by Red Heart, and I'm really pleased with it.  It's 30% recycled, very soft and constant, washes well, works up smoothly, and has a wonderful color right between olive green and goldish brown.  The color name is Fern, and this is the best picture I have to demonstrate it's gorgeous color:


The coolest part of it for me so far has been learning how to do a "no-chain" foundation.  Chains are pretty convenient, but they're never as stretchy as the rest of the material, so I find they really limit the end proportions.

The no-chain foundation basically forms the "chain" row and the first row all in one, and since it's explained really well on the Lion Brand CAL blog, here's a link.

So far, I have the body and one and a half sleeves complete.  This is about what it looks like now:

I learned two important things here - first, since this pattern doesn't close in the front, the circumference should match what you need when relaxed and not stretched.  This, along with an incorrect gauge (which I knew about but elected to not correct for based on the small amount I calculated it would affect my final measurements).  Second, stretch REALLY needs to be accounted for in the length.  I made mine to stop at the mid-thigh, but the weight of the material carries it all the way down to my knees!

The latter doesn't bother me so much, because the length is really arbitrary.  The circumference being too small though is really getting to me, so I'm going to be crocheting a separate, lacy little strip to attach to each side to bring it a bit more around before I block it for good.

Anyhoo, it's been a lot of fun to do so far, and I can't wait to have it finished!  I know several groups put on crochet-alongs or knit-alongs, so if you haven't tried one before I'd definitely recommend it!

I'll post a picture up when it's finally finished!  :)



-MM



P.S. - I'm thinking about crocheting up something real quick for Mother's Day, anyone have any ideas?  It's for a science teacher.  :)

Tiny Cupcakes

6:47 PM Posted In Edit This 0 Comments »
Bonjour!

In an effort to teach a friend how to crochet, I shrunk a pattern by Ana Paula (I HIGHLY recommend checking out her awesome blog here) to teach her to make a tiny amigurumi cupcake.  I would have made the full version, but I needed the project to be a little quicker to complete.  I've also made the full size one, following the pattern listed at the link above, and I highly recommend it!  Very cute!

I'll post up a cuter picture when she stuffs hers and makes a little cupcake platter, but until then you'll have to imagine my little grey-sprinkled cupcake is as cute as a smiling little army of them:


Here's the pattern I used, which is just a shortened version of Ana Paula's and for which I take absolutely no credit.



Materials and Abbreviations:
- two colors of worsted weight yarn - one for the bottom of the cupcake and one for the frosting
- beads if you want to use them for sprinkles
- 5 mm hook (really any that works for you, though)
- needle
- fiberfill or other stuffing

ch = chain
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
inc = increase (two single crochets in one stitch)
dec = decrease (one single crochet over two stitches)
R = round
rep. = repeat

Pattern:
Bottom
Ch 2, sc 6 in second ch from hook
R2: inc in each sc around (12 sts)
R2: *1 sc, inc*, rep. (18 sts)
R3-5: 18 sc
Bind off, leave loooong end (for sewing together)

Top
Ch 2, sc 6 in second ch from hook
R2: inc in each sc around (12sts)
R2: *1 sc, inc*, rep. around (18 sts)
R3: *3 sc, inc*, rep. around, 3 sc (21 sts)
R4-5: 21 sc
R6: *3 hdc in 1 sc, sk 1, sl st 1* rep. around - makes the frilly edge
Bind off

Sprinkles:  beads, French knots, little lines, whatever floats your boat

Sew 3/4ths around (attaching the row before the frilly edge on the top, to the last row of the bottom), stuff with fiberfill, cotton balls, or your stuffing of choice. Finish sewing up.  Tuck in ends.  Sew in a little face if you'd like.



Once again, I'd highly recommend visiting Ana Paula's blog, it's really great and she has several adorable free amigurumi patterns!  :) I really am working on several different projects, and I can't wait to write about more of them!  See you soon!

-MM

Catching Up

5:57 PM Posted In , Edit This 0 Comments »
So, just to recap, my last blog only covered a couple of things so far.  It's pretty young.  My recent projects have mostly been about crocheting, although there are a couple of other interesting happenings.  Here we go!

Outside of the world of yarn, I recently made a hay basket for my rabbit out of spooled wire.  I didn't want to go buy one that may or may not fit on his cage, but I happened to have the wire on hand.  All I did to create it was make a frame first, gluing it together with hot glue (it works, oddly enough), then clipped pieces to connect it and make a grid across the front and sides.  The back is made of screen-door mesh (which I also had on hand), but you can make it out of anything, just thicker than the grid so a minimum amount of hay falls out of the cage.  I wish I had a picture, but I don't at the moment.

Another great pet project is hot gluing popsicle sticks together to make little playgrounds for rodents.  For more on that bit, see my pet post here.

I think the rest of my recent projects have mostly been crochet.  I made a scarf for the boyfriend using a waffle stitch, and two media cases for my family (Gir and Gameboy themes).  Rather than retype those instructions, please check out this blog post for the general idea on how to make your own.  They're very cute, I'd go give them a look!

Lastly, I'm working on a few projects now I'd love to share with you in the very near future, along with a couple I have just finished.  :)  We'll get to them in the next post, because I've got to run now!

Happy creating!
-MM

Welcome!

5:43 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Hello and welcome!

I started a little craftsy blog over on Thoughts a while ago (http://www.thoughts.com/MissMouse/blog) but it wasn't really a great format for it, so I'm moving it here!  You've really only missed a couple of posts, honestly, and I'll try to redo them over here for your reading/viewing pleasure.  :)

I'm writing this in the hopes of inspiring others to do all sorts of creative things.  I do everything from construct home made pet toys to paint, draw, airbrush, design tattoos...pretty much everything, and my latest addiction has been crocheting.  I hope to offer some free patterns now and then, or at the very least easy-to-follow instructions to making your own.  :)

I run a couple of other blogs here as well, including one on pets and one on science news - yes, I'm quite nerdy!  Alright, well, let the blogging commence!  If you have any comments, suggestions, or ideas, let me know!  I'd love to hear from you!

Laters!
-Miss Mouse

P.S. - Oh, and I have a ravelry for you ravelers out there.  You can find me here:  13Wednesdays
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