first two granny squares

May 9, 2014 by 3 Comments

In my last post I wrote about the Granny Square app by Simply Crochet, in which they are publishing a free granny square pattern each week. The second one came out, so I’ve got pictures of #1 and #2!

Here’s the first week’s square:

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And here’s week #2’s square:

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As you can see, the first square is just a classic granny square. The second is a variation of the alternative granny instructions I made a while back. The difference is the chains in the corners — I typically use 2 but this pattern calls for 4, so that’s what I did.

The two squares do not have the same number of stitches on each side, nor are they quite the same size, so there will be no joining as I go, but that’s OK. I’m enjoying the squares so far — it’s nice not to be rushed.

Well that’s all for today. I have most of another project finished but I have the finishing touches to make and add on before I share. Thanks for stopping by!

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a new project

May 8, 2014 by 14 Comments

I do believe I’m starting something new, thanks to Simply Crochet’s new app for iPhone/iPad (they might have it for other platforms too, but I’m not sure).

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That’s a screenshot from my iPad and as you can see, there is already a basic pattern up. Every week there will be a new granny square pattern (not sure for how many weeks) and it includes a list of materials, the pattern, and a nice big chart for your crocheting convenience. Oh and did I mention it’s free? I think I’m going to do this and connect the squares as I go to make a blanket/throw… or maybe I should connect them all at the end since we don’t know how many there will be…
I am in no way sponsored to say these things to promote the app — I just thought it’s pretty cool! And since there’s just one pattern up so far there’s still time to hop on board if you want to!
Thanks for stopping by!

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big Totoro plushie complete!

April 26, 2014 by 24 Comments

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The crochet project I hinted at in my last post (where I only showed the yarn) is complete. It is a large stuffed animal/plushie of Totoro, the main character from Studio Ghibli’s “My Neighbor Totoro.” If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it, even if you’re not into anime. It’s just a simple sweet and fantastical story that is appropriate for anyone and just makes you feel good.

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He is about 20 inches tall (about 51cm) from the bottom to the top of his ears, and he took quite a bit of yarn! I used 6 skeins of KnitPicks Brava Bulky in the gray color alone, and there was NONE to spare. The original pattern found here makes a 9 inch plushie, but I wanted one that is more cuddly and pillow-like. The original also has arms and a tail, but like I said, the yarn ran out (and I think he looks fine without them, really).

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I used a size K hook with 2 strands of bulky yarn at once to make him as big as I wanted, except for the eyes, which I had to make less thick so that the safety eyes would go on. I also changed the pattern for the tummy piece so that it would fit a little better. All alterations are listed in the notes on the finished product’s Ravelry page.

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The leaf on top of his head is removable — I’m just attaching it with a safety pin. In the movie, Totoro doesn’t originally own an umbrella and uses a leaf to attempt to keep his head dry. I think the pop of color finishes him off nicely.
Well, that’s what I’ve been up to. It’s been nice to crochet again, even though it took me a while to finish this guy, and hopefully I’ll be at it more often now. I’m stumped for what to try next, although I’ve been eyeing some blankets… we’ll see.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you’re all doing well! See you soon!

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new project at last

April 9, 2014 by 7 Comments

After months of inactivity, I am excited to say that I am finally about to start a new project.  My yarn order arrived today:

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It’s all KnitPicks yarn in their Brava Bulky line, which is their really soft and cheap acrylic.  There are 6 balls of Cobblestone Heather, 1 black, 1 white, 2 cream, and 1 Avocado.  Hopefully that will be enough for my project — I’m upsizing a crochet pattern I found on Ravelry and so had to guess on the amount of  yarn necessary.

I will be really impressed if you can guess what I’m making with this (because I’m not going to tell you yet!).  Hopefully it will go by relatively quickly and nyac can get back in the swing of things.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you again soon!

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Hat Pincushion

March 4, 2014 by 14 Comments

If you were to check out the latest issue of Simply Crochet magazine (Issue 16), you would see my latest pattern — a springtime pincushion shaped like a little hat!

hat pincushion

As you can probably guess, I am incredibly honored to be in such a wonderful magazine. And guess what? My fellow blogger Rachel from The Little Room of Rachell is also in it with her own lovely brooch pattern. Rachel was the first blogger I ever met face to face. We met over the Christmas holidays in 2012 and it was great fun — hopefully I can go back and see her again one day! Rachel has actually already made her own pincushion hat, and I intend to make her brooch pattern as soon as I can get ahold of this issue (Issue 16); it isn’t available here for another couple of days. There may be even more bloggers in the issue that I know, but I’ll just have to wait and see!
Please forgive any formatting errors in this post — I believe this is my first post from my iPad and I’m not sure exactly if I’ve done it right, haha.
Also, thank you everyone for your kind words after my last post about my uncle — I really appreciate your sympathy and support.
Well, I think that’s all I’ve got for today. Thanks for stopping by!

**Edit: click here to be taken to the Revelry page for this pattern.**

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