Lobster Project

Okay, so I have not updated this in a long time so here goes! I was working on quite a few things and just never blogged my projects.

I bought a lobster pattern off of Etsy to make for my mom-in law last August. She loves Maine and what better to represent Maine but with a lobster! This project took me a while because 1) It was my biggest crochet project 2)There were 2 parts of the lobster that had me a bit stumped. and 3) I'm not very fast at crochet. I worked on the body first which took me some time because I am easily distracted by the internet and that is where I sit to crochet, at my computer.

 I worked on the legs, antenna. eyes, and feelers  pretty quickly. Then I got to the parts that slowed me down the most, the lobsters claws and its scaly looking tail. I had to look online to try and figure out what the pattern wanted me to do, but I was able to find some help in the form of a heart pattern. I had to join the ends which was a new process for me. Once I started on one of the claws the second was much easier to do. For the "scaly" look of the tail I just had to learn a new stitch and how to join the yarn to a stitch. I was able to do it after a bit and it ended up looking really well!

 I decided to make a little felt heart for the lobster to hold since it was Valentines day. I just got some pink felt cut out 2 heart shape pieces and blanket stitched them together. I also cut out felt to spell "Maine" and hot glued them onto the heart. I am really happy with how it all turned out.

Back in action!

I haven't been doing much in terms of hobbies until now due to first finals for school, then my wedding, then moving from North Hollywood, CA to Madison, WI immediately after, but now I'm all settled in and ready to do some projects! I stopped by Michaels today to pick up some supplies for the various things I have planned. With the holidays coming closer this is the best time for me to actually start on things since it takes me a while to get started/finished. Speaking of taking forever, I made another crocheted cat! This one was a special request! I finally managed to ship it out today via UPS.

View at a slight angle

It came out smaller then the first two I made. I also decided to use black 9mm safety eyes instead of the cat eyes. I had clear cat eyes available, but it just looked too creepy and this is for a little girl.

Front view

 I don't know how I manage to make one eye puffier than the other. My sewing has much improved on this one except for where I sewed the "handmade by me" tag since I forgot to sew it before it would become too difficult to do so.

Side view

I just hope the cat survives the trip. I tried to sew everything together extra well but we shall see.


UPDATE!
I received some pictures from my awesome mom-in- law to whom I sent the pink cat. One is of all the crochet cats together and the other is the recipient of the pink cat! She is one of their neighbors kids and she ended up really loving the pink cat which is awesome. I'm glad I was able to make it for her! (Pink is her favorite color.)

Pink cat survived the mail trip!

Crochet Cats!

 For my first crochet project I decided to make 2 cats. With school and so much going on in December it took me a bit of time to get them finished. This pattern was rated easy and not too difficult overall. I used white and brown worsted yarn with a G hook.

The tools

I started by doing all the small pieces first like the arms, legs, ears, tails and faces. I noticed that with the brown yarn it was sometimes tough to see where to insert the hook into the stitch but after a few pieces I got the hang of it. Once all the small pieces were done I started on the bodies. I had previously worked on a practice body to see how it would turn out before I did the actual bodies that I planned to use. The actual bodies turned out really nice and tightly crocheted. 

The Kitty cats!

 I haven't sewed in years so this part took some time and so did doing the embroidery on the faces. These two aspects were quite a learning experience. With practice I think I can improve. I ordered the cat safety eyes from a store on Etsy.com and got them quickly! I was dealing with a bit of a time limit and had to get these cats done as quickly as possible!(I was making them as a gift) I really like the eyes and will most likely order from that store again.

My sewing needs some improvement.

I see you!

I kinda wish I had used a lighter brown only because its a little tough to see the mouth and nose on the faces. Embroidery really is not my specialty haha. The pattern wanted me to sew the bottom of the body together, but I was having none of that. I didn't like the way it made the cats bottom all scrunched up. I decided to make a separate piece for the bottoms so that I could close it up nicely and so that the cats would sit without having to be supported.

Cat bottom all closed up.

This flat bottom makes it easier for the cats to sit.

I really like how he tails turned out. They were nice and stiff so that i could practically pose them a bit. I made them turn up so that they looked more like cat tails then just random tails hanging out from the back.

            The following are some other pictures of the cats.

Top view

Side & back view

Size comparison next to some lifesavers.

Overall I am pleased with how they came out and look forward to working on some more crocheted creatures!

See you next time!

Hobby #4: Crochet!

I know crochet (knitting too) is thought to be an old lady thing/hobby/job, but I want to prove that wrong along with all the other people of varying ages who crochet! I want to add some more crafty arts to my hobbies. My main goal with crochet is to learn how to make Amigurumi, which is the Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed creatures/animals with the most important criteria being that, they must be cute!. I eventually will figure out how to make the more traditional things like hats and scarves later. Since I am a huge geek, I figured I should be able to make myself some characters from video games, t.v shows/movies and some cute animals ^_^.  First step on making myself these awesome characters in yarn form, learn to crochet!

So cute! ^_^

I have slowly been teaching myself with the help of a book I bought at the bookstore. It so happens as I was making my purchase the cashier at the bookstore tells me.

Cashier:  Oh I have tried crocheting and its tough. I am more of a knitter!
Me:  Ah, yeah I'm going to try and learn!
Cashier: I find it really difficult. Knitting is much easier for me.
Me:  I think I can give it a decent shot!

After leaving the store and armed with a beginners book, my adventure with crochet begins. I have found that pictures along with the instructions don't always work for me. Sometimes I just need to see how its done a few times. I hop onto YouTube and sites dedicated to Amigurumi and start watching videos on how to's and tools of the trade. The info I have found has been amazing, with patterns that I'm itching to make! Of course, I must learn the basic stitches and what size hook should be used for certain projects etc.

Hooks,needles and stitch holders.

Yarn!

I armed myself with some info on  crochet hooks and yarn type and headed to my local Micheal's to get the supplies that would get me started. I have posted pictures of my stitches. They are not very good but I am getting better and learning to do them without looking at the book for reminders/tips!

All the stitches I have practiced 

chain stitch

Made a chain stitch first then tried a single crochet stitch. I got confused halfway so I stopped

Take two on the chain stitch into a single crochet stitch. I did it!

chain into single plus a row

Chain into single crochet with 2 rows. Currently making this 3-4  rows to see how I do

I'm considering taking a few lessons just so that I can make sure I'm doing things correctly and to help me read patterns when the time comes. I am really enjoying crochet and can only imagine having more fun as I start to make amigurumi!