When I re-taught myself to crochet, I used Debbie Stoller's The Happy Hooker as a guide. One of my favorite patterns from the book is Bedfellows by Camilla Engman. When I stopped quilting, it became my 'go to' baby present project for coworkers and friends. I have made 10 of them (!)
As usual, this baby present is late. Here is the one I made for this baby's older brother a few years ago. As you can see, my bear does not really look like a bear. The face is more mouse like. I made it in stripes because I was using up the blue and red yarns and did not want to run out in an awkward place.
It usually takes me about a week to make a critter. There have been too may distractions lately, so this one took longer. She was worth the wait.
Day 2: Crocheted 16 rounds of the face. She has a pointy nose.
Day 4: 5 more rounds on the face....
Day 5: Nada. Busy with work, car shopping, soaping, and packing up baby blankets. I need to make more money and work less so I can have more time to goof off.
Day 6: Placed the nose and eyes. I's fun. It goes from being this weird lumpy thing to a face. The faces can be so expressive.
Day 7: Did a few rounds on the head.Day 8: Finished the head.
Day 9: Made an arm.
Day 10: Made a second arm and a pink foot.
Day 11: One and a half legs done.
Day: 12: Finished! Went to Saturday morning knitting. While there, I finished the second leg, sewed on her head and limbs, and made and sewed the ears. Later in the day, I made her scarf and tail. Since she turned out to be a mouse, I made an I-cord tail. I started with a double strand on 5 stitches and slowly tapered it down. It looks pretty darn mouse like.
On Monday, she will go to her new home.
These critters are cute - I really must get the hang of reading crochet patterns and give it a proper go. I can physically make the stitches but I always wuss out because I know what I'm doing with knitting so much more! Naughty me.
ReplyDeleteI love the stripey mouse, all he needs is a beret and a french stick and I think he'd just scream European :)