Button hair pins

    This is something new I've been working on.  My Grandma gave me a gallon bag full or vintage buttons.  I've had them for a while now, and didn't know what to do with them.  Thanks to Pinterest, there are awesome ideas to discover, including this one for old buttons. They look so cute in the girls hair, and I can't wait to work on some more! They are so simple and easy, and quick to make. 

Lucky the Wolf

   

    February 19th - March 20th marks the month of the wolf! I had so much fun making this little guy!

I named him Lucky since he falls under St. Patrick's Day.  When I start planning my Amigurumi, I try my best to come up with an original sketch.

 I got the idea for the body, when I crochet this elephant (pattern found here).

This is my modification to the Elephant underbelly

     As I worked, I used a dog wire brush, to make the yarn appear furrier.

Here he is with Otis, the otter I designed for last month. 

4 Leaf Clover

Ch 12, sl st in 7^th ch from hook.

*ch7, sl st in same foundation ch as before* repeat 2 more times.

FO and weave in ends

Otis the Otter

    I have been following a awesome blog called allaboutami.  She has been blogging for four years now, and has designed and introduced a new amigurumi once a year for the Chinese new year.  I have been so inspired by her, and wanted to try to design my own amigurumi.  Her blogging has giving me the courage and inspiration to challenge myself.  I wanted to design a new amigurumi every month this year.  After a bit of research, I found a Native American Zodiac that helped me figure out what to make every month (here).  I don't really care about zodiac's but just used it to help narrow down ideas of what to design every month.  That being said, the Otter is the zodiac for January 20th - February 18th.  So here is Otis the Otter!

     Since Valentines Day falls under this zodiac, I designed little Otis holding a heart! Keep posted to next months zodiac.

Heart:

Make 2

R1: Ch.2, sc 6 in second ch. From hook (6 sts)

R2: Sc 2 in each sc. (12sts)

R3 – R4: Sc around(12 sts)

Fasten off first, with second slip stitch into first shape.

R5: sc crochet around (24sts)

R6: *sc2, dec1*, rep 6 times. (18sts)

R7:*sc1, dec1*, rep 6 times. (12 sts)

R8-R9: sc around (12 sts)

R10: dec around and fasten off (6 sts) 


** Incase you were curious, here is my original sketch of Otis 

Amigurumi Woodland Critters

   So I have always enjoyed crocheting.  But then I discovered the world of Amigurumi, or crochet stuffed animals.  I'm hooked! I have especially falling in love with this pattern, by Stephanie Jessica Lau (HERE).  This bunny is adorable! and the pattern is great for a newbie like me.

 Pretty soon I was inspired to create other critters from Stephanie's pattern, so without further ado, here are my woodland critters! 

Fox

Turtle

Reindeer

**** UPDATE****

  Woodland Critters are now on sale! (HERE)

Crochet: DIY Creeper Slouchie hat

I recently was asked to make a Creeper hat.  A Creeper is a character from the game Minecraft.  I started looking for free patterns to work on one, but wasn't happy with any of them.  I had recently finished a hat based of of Lion Brand's pattern (found here), with modifications by Ami's ribbed pom pom beanie.

  I loved the result so much, that I decided to use the original pattern for my Creeper hat. After some research, I found a block pattern for Crochet to help me make the face (here).  So here is my Minecraft version of Lion Brand's Ribbed hat. I used Red Heart Super Saver Spring Green and Black for this project.

Abbreviations:
    SC - Single Crochet*
    Ch - Chain

Gauge: The chain is your length; this should measure about 13 Inches.  Your Width will be from your rows; at the end, this should measure around 18 inches for an Adult sized hat. Every 3-4 rows should equal 1 inch.

*The whole pattern should be worked only in the back loops of each stitch, to create the ribbing.
**Ch into SC is first SC

Ch. 36
Row 1: SC 35 into Ch. Ch 1 and turn work**.
Row 2- 26: Working into back loops only SC 35. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 27: SC 16, before finishing the 16th stitch, switch color to black (method shown here), SC 5 in black, switching back to green SC 14. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 28: SC 14, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 16.  Ch 1 and Turn work.
Row 29: SC 5, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 3, switch back to Black SC 5, Switch back to Green SC 14. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 30: SC 14, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 5.  Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 31: SC 5, Switch to Black  SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 14.  Ch. 1 and turn work.
Row 32: Sc 19, switch to Black SC 8, Switch to Green Sc 8. Ch 1 and Turn work.
Row 33: SC 8, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 19. Ch 1 and Turn work.
Row 34: SC 19, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 8. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 35: SC 8, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 19. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 36: Sc 19, Switch to Black SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 8. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 37: SC 14, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 5. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 38: Sc 5, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 14.
Row 39: SC 14, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 5. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 40: Sc 5, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 14.
Row 41: SC 14, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 5. Ch 1 and turn work.
Row 42: Sc 5, Switch to Black and SC 8, Switch to Green and SC 3, Switch to Black and SC 5, Switch to Green and SC 14.
Row 43- 68: SC 35. Ch 1 and turn work.

Finishing up: (68 rows total) Making sure you end on a row at the bottom of the face, sew inside out by Slip stitching 35.  You should now have a tube. Close up the top of your hat using the Star seam (this is a closing method that involves slip stitching the top into a star like pattern, until no gaps remain), until there are no more holes on the top. Tie off and turn outside in!

To make this in an youth size Ch. 30 and minus 3 rows on both ends of project (62 rows total)