Fun Crochet

This week I have been working on some amigurumi for my husband’s benefit Legend of the Five Rings tournament. Proceeds are going to the relief effort in Japan. He wanted me to do some Cthulhus for prizes but I thought that samurais, and ninjas would be better for the theme. My search for ideas brought me across kokeshi amigurumi. I was familiar with this but my interest is now renewed. I freehanded a small doll for my daughter. I played around with some embroidery for decoration since I’m really bad at it and need practice.

She turned out pretty cute – especially for a first try. I plan to make more for my first craft fair in November. I had planned on setting up at a craft fair in May but just don’t have enough items made. Kokeshi dolls will definitely be on the craft table. They are just too cute.

My most recent finished amigurumi is a pink elephant for my daughter. It is from the book Amigurumi World : Seriously Cute Crochet. My daughter wanted it in the same shade of pink as the picture in the book.

My amigurumis never turn out as well as the pictures. If I crochet the elephant again, chances are it will look better than my first attempt. Crochet patterns are definitely a ‘learn as you go’ process. I try not to get too bent out of shape figuring out a new pattern. It takes a little time and patience. Usually if I make an item again, the second one always looks better than the first attempt.

Sometime last year I bought Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet which is full of cute amigurumi creations. For Valentine’s Day, I decided to make the baby octopus in the book. I used pink yarn and made a small red bow.

I did deviate from the pattern for the tentacles. The tentacles were supposed to be made in the round. I found that with such few stitches that my round wasn’t looking too clean. I instead made small square pieces sewing up the sides to create basically the same look. Fitting eight tentacles was a job. Next time I make one, I think I will do a round of backstitches so that I have a front loop to for tentacle attachment.

Next project from the book is the girl elephant which I hope to complete within a few days.

Every once in a while, I like to crochet a themed Cthulhu. With Mardi Gras coming up later this month, I thought now would be the perfect time to make one and use up some stashed yarn.

Think it turned out pretty cute. I did the tentacles each a different color. For the wings I used a strand of each color. It was harder than expected. I really should have used a larger hook. I think next I will try another Valentine’s Cthulhu. My first one was not what I had expected. Think it was my color selection, so this year I will try mainly reds and pinks.

Not sure where the Mardi Gras Cthulhu will wind up. If my daughter likes it, then she will claim it – like she does most of my amigurumis. If not, then Daddy may take him to work for a while.

My daughter wanted me to make her a pink unicorn. She chose the pinkest yarn at the store. I didn’t use a pattern. Thinking about making another one since I always learn so much after I create a project.

While I was piecing it together, my daughter kept saying it looked like a pig. Well without the horn, ears, and mane it really does. The pink really makes it look like a pig. I’m thinking of making another one – maybe one in a more traditional unicorn color like white.

She is happy with it, so that makes me happy. Her next request is a peacock with a horn. Should be interesting.