Amigurumi dogs

I have a lovely book I bought a few months ago called Ami Ami Dogs by Mitsuki Hoshi. I noticed it again yesterday and it just seems to be calling to me. I think I'm just going to have to make a dog as well as the ongoing knitted dolls. It's crochet so I find that easier and more portable, so I can do it anywhere even when travelling...







I particularly love the look of the sweet little Beagles...

Aren't they cute?

This book is brilliant-  the patterns are shown using the Japanese chart style but one whole dog pattern is shown using step by step pictures and written explanation so it is all well explained. Personally I think that once you try the chart style patterns you realise they are easier to follow.


I'm off now to look for suitable coloured wool...

Until next time
Gillian

Crochet: unfinished and new

I've only had a little time for crochet this week and so my amigurumi are making slow progress. I didn't feel like finishing my unfinished ones at the moment and so moved onto a new one....   I've never have been the sort of person who does things the sensible way if I don't feel like it!

My new amigurumi is again from Saplanet, it's going to be a pink WaWa, a sleeping baby monster. I think it's a really cute pattern...

Starting the head

Essential item 2. Stitch counter

Here are my two essential items for crochet; my comfort hook and stitch counter. My third essential is my stitch marker (the little green clip in the main photo).

Essential item 1. Comfort grip hook

On Mother's Day last week, my youngest son gave me a really sweet Blue Nose Friend soft toy badger called Bracken. I absolutely love it and was delighted when my wonderful husband bought me a second Blue Nose Friend on Thursday; a cute orangutan called Jungle.

Aren't they cute? Just adorable.

I feel a new collection coming on...











Until next time
Gillian

Speak No Evil

Speak No Evil

I finished my amigurumi. He is a Didi and he is based on one of the three wise monkeys from the proverb 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil'. The pattern is from Saplanet http://simpleartsplanet.com/.

So this is Speak No Evil. He was really simple to make and he took only about 3.5 hours to crochet (but I am a little slow and out of practice at the moment- I haven't done any for a couple of months). He was almost a practice piece to remind myself of the discipline of counting rows and stitches.

It's been fun going back to an old hobby. I've rediscovered how much I enjoy it and remembered how relaxing I find it. I've now dug out all my old Saplanet patterns and Amigurumi crochet books ready to make more softies...

I think I have a couple of part made crochet projects to finish before I start my next new project. So this week my target is to complete my Japanese girl and my large blue rabbit...

Until next time
Gillian

Amigurumi

Today's show and tell is about some crocheted Amigurumi that I've made. I learnt to crochet as a child thanks to the patience of my mother who taught me. I've never been able to knit  despite many people trying to teach me while telling me how easy it is, but crochet is just so straight forward. I love making small toys and crochet is just the perfect way to make them.

My favourite source of patterns is online at http://simpleartsplanet.com . They are good value and you can download pretty quickly after you pay. I can make a toy from start to finish in just a few hours- which means I actually finish them!!! 

Other plus points are that I can carry a crochet hook, wool and pattern and crochet anywhere; I can't do that with most of my hobbies!

Koko rat

Joycezie bull

Snooky snake

Aren't they cute?

I think I'm going to go and find some wool to start a new one tonight!

Bye for now

Gillian