adorably kawaii

Color Change Decreases: When you get to the decrease rounds of a...

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:04:57 -0700

Color Change Decreases:

When you get to the decrease rounds of a piece that that has color changes in the middle of the work (e.g. a penguin), you might need to decrease when you get to one stitch before the color change:

You can just move the decrease somewhere else but this may be troublesome if you need to increase evenly or do shaping. You can also decrease the next two stitches using the current color and then switch colors afterwards but that might look weird depending on the design.

I like to change the color in the middle of the decrease. Pick up the first loop with your current color and then pick up the next loop in with your new color:

I do these decreases through both loops:

If you do invisible decreases, it doesn’t look as neat because the next stitch’s loop will peak through:

Balanced Increase/Decrease Color Changes Rounds:

When doing decrease (or increase) rounds with color changes, you can also do the instructions about halfway through the round and then mirror it for the rest of the stitches to make it more balanced:

*Sc2tog, sc 3* x3, *sc 3, sc2tog* x3.

You can’t line up the color changes 100% when working in spirals since the stitches shift over but doing this will help the decrease rounds look better.

Crocheting Over Yarn Ends:

Instead of cutting the yarn and tying knots or carrying over long floats of the colors, just crochet over the ends! It can be more convenient when you’re doing a lot of color changes.

Also, if you don’t cut the yarn of the old color when crocheting over the ends and your next color change is that color, you’ll have it ready to go:

Here the 4th black stitch is being worked and the next color change is beige. The black yarn is dropped and the beige yarn that was crocheted over gets hooked to complete the stitch.

Front:

Back:

I hope this helps! I’m also working on a jogless stripes tutorial post.

Last month I mentioned I was taking a Craftsy Spindle Class~!...

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:14:07 -0700

Last month I mentioned I was taking a Craftsy Spindle Class~! I’m about halfway through the videos. I got some BFL fiber shortly after and finally got a drop spindle a few days ago!

I really wanted to make a drop spindle with a wooden toy wheel but it turns out the stores in my area don’t carry those anymore. They have wooden boxes, letters, dowels, bird houses, rocking horse… but no more toy wheel stuff?

I’m already thinking about getting other kinds of spindles like the Turkish one:

(Photo credit: Weekend Knitter)

It took me a while to get the hang of spinning and I reviewed the videos to see what I was doing wrong. It was a bit difficult for me to draft when spinning so it came out too bulky and lumpy.

I predrafted the rest of my BFL and started over. It’s a lot better than before! Here’s what I’ve got so far:

I need to finish the rest of the Spindling videos and then I’ll take Spinning Dyed Fibers class. I don’t think I’ll find time for a while to actually dye the yarn but it’d be fun to learn anyway!

I got to be a Swap Angel for MalonB in the Spring 2013 Amigurumi...

Wed, 08 May 2013 18:28:00 -0700

I got to be a Swap Angel for MalonB in the Spring 2013 Amigurumi Swap!

I received a cute octopus amigurumi, handmade pincushions, crochet & knitted accessories, mini sand bottle souvenir, and 2 yarns!

Here is what I put together:

I made a wolf amigurumi and fairy stitch markers. I also sent 2 yarns, little notepad, crochet hook, safety eyes, and some felt.

There were no sign ups for the 2 previous swap sign ups so I’ve decided to just keep it open until there’s enough. More information will be posted at a later time.

I really want to keep the group active so that there’s at least one swap every 2 months. If you’re interested, please join the group! :)

Oops! Forgot to post this in March. The pattern is Invader Zim...

Mon, 06 May 2013 14:40:30 -0700

Oops! Forgot to post this in March.

The pattern is Invader Zim GIR Knit Hat by Yarngear (Mei Lynne Travis).

I think I’ve had the pattern in my Ravelry queue for years. I don’t remember adding it so when I stumbled on it when updating my queue last week, I had to make it for my sister.

It has a knit in hem which is really awesome. You basically knit your brim 2x as long as you want it to be, fold it, and knit the stitch and the corresponding cast on loop together.

I used Red Heart Super Savers and US#8/5mm needles for everything since I don’t really have needles in other sizes. I also crocheted the eyes instead of knitting them.

I made this for MalonB in the Amigurumi Swap. It’s about...

Mon, 06 May 2013 12:11:40 -0700

I made this for MalonB in the Amigurumi Swap. It’s about 8” tall standing and about 5” at the widest. The tail is about 4.5” long and 2.5” wide. I couldn’t decide on how I wanted to position the legs so I made them jointed! Now it can sit or stand! :D

I made another wolf because I don’t make jointed amigurumi often enough!! It’s fun. I made the arms, legs, and tail jointed. Mr. Baby already claimed it by spitting up all over it though.

I remember getting requests from deviantART users to make a wolf version of the Sleepy Fox and I’ll still do that. I may make it soon while I still have some gray yarn left.

I made some mini cuttlefish amigurumi for Squittle!...

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:31:47 -0700

I made some mini cuttlefish amigurumi for Squittle! They’re about 4” (10cm) tall. I’m going to make a few more in other colors soon! :3

So many ideas for Squittle and just not enough time and yarn/money! I’m hoping to finally get around to making little bags. I made a squid shoulder bag a couple of years ago and before that I was working on an octopus bag. I’ve also tried making other designs (owl, camera, elephant, etc) but I never got around to finishing them. You can see some of those as WIP/Hibernating/Frogged in my Ravelry projects!

Does that mean you'll release the deer pattern soon? :D

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:25:01 -0700

In a few months. :) I’m working on several other patterns right now and I haven’t been able to start on the deer yet.

What is your gauge?

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:21:52 -0700

For what? lol

I’ve been wanting to make the Rainbow Unicorn Amigurumi in...

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:14:52 -0700

I’ve been wanting to make the Rainbow Unicorn Amigurumi in other colors and designs but it’s difficult to find time to make things for fun in between baby time (which is like 98% of the time), writing up patterns, working on orders, etc. So I stayed up a little late and got up early to make a yellow and pink Pegasus! :D

I embroidered on details instead of using felt, made the mane/tail thicker and longer for a french braid, and I used small yarn & 1.30mm hook to make the flowers.

The next Unicorn project is probably going to be a pink and blue pony. (And I’ll probably do MLP project later. I’m just not sure which one to make first. Any requests?)

I made a baby dress for a friend using the Angel Wings Pinafore...

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:20:00 -0700

I made a baby dress for a friend using the Angel Wings Pinafore Pattern by Maxine Gonser. I love crochet shell stitch dresses!! The pattern is for 0-3 months size but I wanted to make it in 9-12 months size so it’ll fit during summer (or later most likely since the baby seems to be extra small!).

Instead of using the hook and yarn weight specified, I used I/5.5mm hook and Red Heart Super Savers yarn. It ended up fitting my 6 month old and he wears 9-12 month clothes.

I made a flower button using a B/2.25mm hook and Knit Picks Shined Worsted:

R1: Ch 2, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sl st in first sc to join.
R2: *Ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sl st into same st. Sl st in next st.* Repeat from * to end. (5 petals)

I was drawn to this pattern because of Gabeycakes’s version on Ravelry:

Cute buttons and the yarn is a pretty color! It’s NaturallyCaron.com Spa in Ocean Spray.

I’ve been getting requests for the pattern of this deer...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:40:29 -0700

I’ve been getting requests for the pattern of this deer amigurumi. It’s an amigurumi design that I never finished making though. I started on it a couple of years ago and only put up this photo. I think I frogged most of it last year to use the yarn for a different project.

I couldn’t find my old sketches so I drew a quick doodle of how it was going to look like! (From what I can remember… Might have planned on the tail having some white.)

Before I wanted suggestions for the colors… pastels or something different from the usual bright colors I use. Since the work in progress one was just a prototype, I was going to make the final one in different colors. Here’s the lineart so if you have any suggestions, please color it in & email it to me!

I’d love to see what you come up with! It’ll probably inspire me to try out some new yarns!

What kind of yarn and hook size do you usually use?

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:53:33 -0700

I mainly use worsted weight acrylic yarn. (Lion Brand, Red Heart, etc.) I use a variety of hook sizes so it depends on the project.

Will you be crocheting more Pokemon?

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:49:43 -0700

I want to soon! I need a Jigglypuff.

I made an Upcoming Patterns thread with a poll in my Ravelry...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:13:27 -0700

I made an Upcoming Patterns thread with a poll in my Ravelry group! Vote in the poll or post a comment here!

I started working on writing up the Owl and Red Panda months ago so they’re at the top of the queue. But if you’re interested in any of my other ones (listed or not) more let me know!

Gifts for Crocheters & Knitters

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:10:00 -0700

I want to share some goodies for crocheters/knitters that I’ve had in my wishlist for a while.

I’ve been a fan of Atelier de Soyun for years. I love the designs and I really want one of the crochet hook organizers. It’s hard to chose a favorite! I think I’d end up picking one that’s pink or red. They’re so pretty! She also makes knitting needle cases, project/notion bags, and pouches.

I stumbled on Suncatcher Eyes several years ago and I received some in a swap. These craft eyes are handpainted and the colors are amazing! I use plain black safety eyes for most of my designs but I also like to use these for my other projects. She also has owl eyes, clear eyes, noses, and more!

I’m always looking out for cute stitch markers. I found Bead Passion when I was looking for animal ones. These are adorable, handmade, and made of polymer clay. I’m hoping to get the the pig ones soon! These stitch makers have split rings but I believe she can make these with a lobster clasp for crocheters. She also has stitch markers of cupcakes, cats, turtles, and more!

squittleamigurumi: Green Octopus Plush- 5” tall with tentacles...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:18:14 -0700

squittleamigurumi:

Green Octopus Plush
- 5” tall with tentacles
- 4” wide
- green acrylic yarn
- non-allergenic polyfil
- plastic safety eyes

www.squittle.storenvy.com
www.facebook.com/squittleamigurumi
www.twitter.com/squittleshop

I designed this lion with mister baby in mind! I took a break...

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:52:51 -0700

I designed this lion with mister baby in mind! I took a break from my crochet work to make him something cuddly. It took me several hours over a few days to finish it. It’s one of my biggest amigurumis so far. It’s about 11.5”/29cm tall and 6”/15cm wide. I’m working on writing up the pattern for this. :)

I finally got around to buying a couple of test swatches from...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:00:39 -0700

I finally got around to buying a couple of test swatches from Spoonflower of my Carrot Bunny. I’m going to buy a fat quarter later to make some project bags and stuff! :D

The Sleepy Fox Amigurumi Pattern is finally available! Sorry for...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:26:33 -0700

The Sleepy Fox Amigurumi Pattern is finally available! Sorry for taking so long! I originally designed this fox in 2011 to make the finished objects for my shop. It’s become Adorably Kawaii’s mascot. The pattern includes photo tutorial for magic ring and photos to help you along the way. The PDF has 21 pages and the skill level is intermediate. Pattern can be bought via Ravelry, Craftsy, and Etsy.

The rainbow unicorn pattern has been released today! I designed...

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:00:59 -0700

The rainbow unicorn pattern has been released today! I designed this unicorn last year for my shop. Pattern includes written instructions for stitches & assembly, photo tutorial for magic ring, template for the felt pieces, and some photos to help you along the way. Pattern is available on my website, Ravelry, and Craftsy.