I wanted to pre-face this with a little bit of history:

 I wanted to make a project for All Saints Day. When I researched the holiday, I at first got very little information besides what parts of the bible are read during mass on that day. Eventually however I found that in Spain it is a national holiday and instead of just celebrating Christian martyrs they try to remember all of the dead.

Of course my brain just loves free association, and the remembrance of the dead lead me to the memento mori’s of Victorian England. The culture celebrated death to some extent and mourning to a great extent; mostly because Queen Victoria never came out of mourning. They wore pictures of dead relatives, lockets with bits of their hair, and occasionally skulls in intricate gold settings.

Okay, now I knew what I wanted to do, and I chose the colors black- the Victorian color of full mourning, and Violet, the color of half-mourning.

(So you see- there is a method to my madness.)

The pattern is quick, and I made it in one night.

Materials: Size B crochet hook, Size 10 crochet thread in Violet and Black, (only a very little bit), hair clips- also called quilt binding clips, skull beads and a tapestry needle.

Gauge: not important, but about 8 st/inch

Some quick abbreviations:

sc- single crochet

hdc- half double crochet

dc- double crochet

tc- triple crochet

qc- quadruple crochet

Start by making an adjustable ring and single crochet (sc) 6 into ring, pull it closed and slip stitch(sl st) to join.

Round 1: Chain (ch) 3, sc in next sc, repeat 5 times (should be 6 ch 3 loops)

Round 2: (sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc) in each ch 3 sp around

Round 3: Join violet, and from back of project make a sc around the sc post from round 1, ch 3, (sc around next sc post, ch 3) repeat 4 times (6 ch 3 loops)

Round 4: (sc, hdc, dc, 3 tc, dc, hdc, sc) in each ch 3 sp

Round 5: pick up black and sc around the first post in round 3, ch 4 and repeat 5 times (6 ch 4 loops)

Round 6: (sc, hdc, dc, 5 tc, dc, hdc, sc) in each ch 4 sp around

Round 7: pick up violet, sc around the post of the first sc in round 5, ch 4, repeat with next 5 posts, (5 ch 4 loops)

Round 8: (sc, hed, dc, 2tc, 3 qc, 2tc, dc, hdc, sc) in each chain 4 loop, sl st to first sc in round to join, and  break yarn.
Weave in all ends, and use some extra black thread and the tapestry needle to connect the bead to the center of the flower and the flower to the hair clip. (The flower, the hair clip and hopefully the bead will all have convenient holes for this purpose.)  Tie off the yarn, and tuck the end in.  Ta-da!

First let me thank everyone who has commented with a suggestion about a fiber artist so far. My first few e-mails will be going out today.

Because I want to kick start the Friday Fiber Artist collectively, today will be dedicated to Fiber History. (Because, well, why not?)

I have been knee deep in Victorian historical research for the past week. In that vein I wanted to give you a couple of Victorian patterns that I have come across (and admired.)

First the Princess Crocheted Workbag. Not only is it gorgeous, but Mary Schlueter also provided translation, making the pattern workable from a modern day American perspective.

Doesn’t it look incredibly intricate? The instructions aren’t terribly complicated, and now I have a serious case of bag-envy. That seems to be a natural state for me though.

Second, from the same site: Infant’s Knitted Bootee . Unfortunately there is no gauge or yarn or needle size but hey, that just adds to the adventure!

Looking at them though, I wonder if it wasn’t done with sewing thread, because these look like terribly intricate booties to fit on a infant foot. Hmmm. Betcha if you use worsted weight and sz 5’s you could make an “Adult’s Knitted Bootee”

Well, tis the season for everyone to get sick and stress over the holidays, and it isn’t even Halloween yet. Close but no cigar. Makes me thankful I’m not in school anymore, otherwise I’d be a part of the sore-throated masses that are miserable at home right now. Instead, I’ve caught a different sort of bug, and its called knitting. Ever since I’ve gained confidence from working on the Dr.Who scarf I can’t stop myself. I bought a few sets of circular knitting needles. I’ve made a cute headband/earwarmer for my bestest, Elizabeth. It’s insane and just one more obsession that I don’t need…

But its fun

I’ve also made a pattern for a pouch, that I doubt will be useful to nearly nobody aside from myself. Last Christmas, my local Wal-Mart sold coke bottles in the shape of christmas ornaments. The bottles were really cool shapes, and as a LARPer, my thoughts immediately turned to “wow, that would make an awesome potion rep!” So I’ve had a few lying around for a while collecting dust. I got some nice thick vintage-esque rug yarn from my girlfriend Nikki a few weeks ago with every intention of crocheting it into pouches. Little did I know that it would be a match made in heaven.

I will take pictures at some point and update the blog post, but for now I’m going to post my (poorly written) pattern for a fist-sized belt pouch. Perfect for renn faires and re-enactments, as well as LARPing.

using a 6mm crochet hook and thick bulky weight yarn.

6sc into a magic ring, pull ring to closed, sl st to join

ch1, 2sc in each sc around, join  (12sc)

ch1, *2sc in next st, 1sc in next st*, repeat around, join (18sc)

ch1, 1sc in next sc, *2sc in next sc, 1sc in next 2 sc* repeat around, join (24sc)

ch1, 1sc in next 2sc, *2sc in next sc, 1sc in next 3sc* repeat around, join (30sc)

ch1, 1sc in next 3sc, *2sc in next sc, 1sc in next 4sc* repeat around, join (36sc)

work 4 rounds even in sc, spiral (36sc)

dec. 2sts in next row, spiral (34sc)

dec. 4sts in next row, spiral (30sc)

dec. 2sts in next row, spiral (28sc)

work 3 rounds even sc, spiral (28sc)

dc even for 1 round, join -this is to thread the drawstring through later- (28dc)

1dc in next 8dc, turn

ch3, 1dc in next 7dc, turn – repeat 4 more times

fold strap over on itself and sc across to form a belt loop, weave in ends

ch ~75 for drawstring, weave through dc round and tie into a bow in the front.

My husband had a large blue stegosaurus  that his grandma crocheted for him when he was little. He saw me surfing the web for patterns, and when I stumbled on Steggie, a stegosaurus pattern, he begged me to make it for him. The pattern was quick and easy, and the end result was cute. I wasn’t experienced with invisible decreases, and my hook was a size too big, so there are holes in the dinosaur, but my husband loves it.

Free Pattern

AG Pioneer Style Winter Outfit includes dress, poncho, hat and shoes. Quick and easy set made with granny squares and basic stitches. A great pattern for beginners.

Skill Level: Easy

http://cobblerscabin.wordpress.com/happy-hookin/ag-pioneer-winter-outfit-free-pattern/

Don’t forget to check out the other free and for sale patterns available!

Introducing Roja, the baby ninja!!

This baby ninja is named ‘Roja’ (there is a local food named Rojak, so I was reluctant to name this sweet baby Roja) because I lost the game of ’scissors, paper, stone’ to Mike. I wanted to name him Rojo, while Mike wanted Roja, so we decide that the winner gets to name the baby ninja. Obviously, I need more practices. That is the sad story of the birth of Roja, but he will live, because he has already mastered the Arts of Endurance.

The Chinese word you see in the background of the image, is ‘Ren’ (read as Fern, but replace ‘F’ with ‘R’ and quiet the tone of ‘r’ in the Fern). The direct translation would mean ‘Endurance’.

Roja is now in store, available in pattern, finished doll, and project kit.

The inspiration behind this baby ninja is really the situation I am in right now, and I really could use some endurance to go through this phase in life. Like Roja, I will live.

I have a friend who is on a mission for the LDS church. His birthday is coming up, and he said he wanted a tie or whatever. Nuts to that! Not willing to buy a tie as a gift, my search for something unique began. My thoughts turned to what I could make. My choices were to draw him a birthday card, crochet, knit or cross stitch him something, or just pick something up at a store. I chose to crochet him something.

Next, I had to determine what to crochet. Since he is a missionary, I decided to crochet him a doll that looks like him. I used the pattern from Geek Central Station Here is a picture of it mostly completed.

Adding safety eyes, and embroidery floss for hair, he turned out great. If you would like tips making one, just leave me a comment.

*note: making the tie out of felt would be much easier than crocheting one because of the thickness of the crocheted tie.

Sweet mummy holding her precious new born baby (I assume the baby is a boy), written all over her face are just blissful joy and happiness.

I have to think that she is the Mrs of Forestie Tortoise. She has a pair of large gorgeous eyes, which melt the heart of cool and innocent Mr Forestie.

Forestie has been ordered and made many times now, since his birth in 2007. He has been a hot seller, but one strange thing is that I have never made other colors beside the original set of colors he is designed in!

Finally, we now have a bright and cheery forestie!

Angel Belle shares the same family line as Angel Light (the very first angel of light, also the ambassador of saplanet originals).

Angel Belle is specially made for a very special lady – Belinda! The name Belle is named after Belinda aka Queen B. Angel Belle has a slightly different ‘power’ than Angel Light. Angel Belle is able to radiate healing light from the celestial crystal in the lamp she holds. Clearly, she is a healer. She has the most compassionate heart, and she will never leave you in the lurch if she is able to help in any way she could.

Belinda has dark hair, so I used dark brown color (I always prefer brown to black) for Angel Belle’s hair; the 2 hair buns derived from Belinda’s liveliness, I imagined that she chuckles like an innocent little girl; I believe Belinda is quite an active lady, so I figured thats she might get a nice tan on the skin, so I chose a slightly darker skin color for the doll; blue for the dress, because blue is said to represent peace, and I always think Belinda makes a perfect diplomat, to achieve peace. I ordered some Celestial Crystals, and I am so glad they arrived just in time for me to use on this doll. Belinda is an avid jewelry designer (refer to the notes below), it’s only natural that her little doll has something as representation eh?

If you remember, I blogged about Belinda a while back in the post ‘set the mood right‘, it’s the same Belinda I am talking about now. She is a very special lady, smart, funny, kind, diplomatic, elegant, creative….. and the list goes on, and on, and on…

Most importantly, Belinda has been a very caring friend, even though I have never met her in person.

Thank you, Belinda, for being such a wonderful friend, and on this special day, may I wish that you continue to enjoy every fabulous day with your family and loved ones! Happy Birthday!!!!

The bride has a bun-up hairstyle, instead of the original 2 pig-tails.

Unlike myself, this couple has the wedding preparation spanned out in probably 2 years. In a less hasty pace, they enjoy every single moment of preparing for the big day.

This couple is definitely heavenly-made…

This pair of wedding couple is originally named as ‘Dilian and Mayee‘.

Our wedding dolls are made with all yarns, and the parts are hand-sewn together. The benefit of having a full yarn wedding doll is that you don’t have to display the pretty dolls in the plastic packaging in the display closet. Hang them up in your car, carry them in your bag etc, if you are worried that the dolls get soiled overtime, just place the dolls in a cloth-bag and seal the opening up with a string, toss into the washer. They dry out pretty quickly.

Side-track a little, for those who are familiar with the MacDonald’s wedding dolls craze, oh well, my mum was one of those who got her friend to queue up for hours for the wedding dolls. Oh yes, she is a manipulator, is she not? The dolls were displayed in our lovely glass display closet in the living room. When you turned on the down-light in the closet, you were supposed to see the warm light cast on the ‘precious’ dolls, instead, you would see reflections of light, because they were in the exact plastic sleeves as they were picked up! My mum was worried that the dolls may get soiled, so she’d rather had them in the plastic sleeves. I had them removed after the plastic sleeves yellowed. I could understand why she insisted on having the plastic packing on, indeed, the dolls which are heavily accessorized with laces and artificial pearls are now spotted with yellow marks. I don’t dare to toss them into the washer, because the lace may just tear away and the coating on the pearls may peel. Now.. I am just waiting for the perfect timing to toss them out in the bin! Can you imagine how terrifying the closet may look in years to come?

Almost all our dolls are washable, but I wouldn’t advise daily wash, or on a regular basis. Yarns, like any fabric, may suffer gradual color fade if you wash it with harsh detergent on a regular basis.

Refer to our tips and care for step-by-step guidelines. We have tried that method out for our dolls, and the dolls still look deliciously good.

If you are familiar with the Japanese comic ‘One Piece‘, there is one episode dedicating to the recruiting of the new pirate crew ‘King of Liars – Usopp‘. The episode is highlighting on the background of this prospective pirate, and in this episode, there is a Sheep Servant – Merry, who serves a wealthy family and caring for Kaya, a very ill wealthy girl.

When I was making the fairer version of Vampie Vampire, the white hair reminds me of Merry, the sheep servant! Therefore, I pushed the protruding hair corners to the top instead of the sides.

I really love vampie!!!!

To distinguish the White Vampie away from the original Red Vampie, I am giving White Vampie a character of his own. White Vampie is a very gentle vampire, completely different from Red Vampie, he is very low profile, even the hair says otherwise. He is a vegetarian, and his favorite drink is tomato juice with a slight mix of carrot juice. He adores tea-houses and probably owns the only night tea-house in the community, where he would brew tea and chat the night away, in a somewhat serene ambience.

Almost all our dolls are washable, but I wouldn’t advise daily wash, or on a regular basis. Yarns, like any fabric, may suffer gradual color fade if you wash it with harsh detergent on a regular basis.

Refer to our tips and care for step-by-step guidelines. We have tried that method out for our dolls, and the dolls still look deliciously good.

The second crochet project I did was a cat based off of the Miuku pattern from Nimoe’s blog. I wanted to try and create my own cat. I changed the tail, added feet, and changed how the head was attached to the body. This was a gift, but this time it was for my cousin, Stacy. She loves cats and I thought that she might like a stuffed one, too.  The funniest part is that I sent it in an origami box I created and she thanked me for the box an forgot to mention the cat! After, it didn’t take very long to make, I had another friend who requested that I make her one, too.

Cat Amigurumi

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A long, long time ago Miss Tina of Beansie Babbles (or as we fondly know her “Beansie”) held a contest for the upcoming Harry Potter Movie. It was a 4-day Potter Palooza!
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And then, ‘lil ‘ol me who was visiting my Pinkie bloggy friends , yes including Miss Tina,  stumbled upon it. 4 days to represent the 4 Houses of School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
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I was picked for Ravenclaw – guess that explains all the blues (the happy blues, I should say). But that is just an assumption. I wonder if every house winner get to receive these in their own color.
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Miss Beansie created all of these (well except for the last two pics). And each one was wrapped in plastic for protection, and then all of them were neatly stacked.
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I really am looking forward on the tutorial for the tissue holder Wouldn’t it be great if it will be a post so we can all learn how to make it? I really think it will be a wonderful gift for our girlfriends We just have to wait patiently
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In the meantime, I’m eyeing for that frog and princess doll pattern. I can crochet – simple things but I’m really terrible at following patterns for I don’t know all the terms. Oooohhh but I am determined. Let’s hope I can finish a certain number of these dollies for little girls and little boys Wish me luck!
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(I have seen all Potter movies and I enjoyed all of them. But guess there really was something on the first one. Like the young Potter, you just have to be amazed by all the magic! And then having that feeling on the latest movie. But it feels short. I must be missing a lot – me not reading the books. Sad.)

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Happy Blue Monday!

Thanks Sally for hosting and see what others come up with at Smiling Sally.

To learn more about the event, click on the image below

Brace yourself to receive the Little Vampie’s arrival! Observe the cloak he is wearing, it is designed by World-class designer, only because he is getting ready to be crowned as the King of Style for major annual event – Halloween Night!

Vampie is probably the vainest vampire in the community. He has consulted with an image consultant to groom his overall image. He only leaves home when his hair is styled in a specific fashion. The cloak is designed to be worn two ways, the standard high collar would draw attention to him the second he enters the hall; when folded down, it’s advisable to make space for this little vampire to leap and fly! With the folded collar, he is assured that even in the air, he would fly in style!

Vampie is now available in saplanet’s stores – pattern, project kit, and finished doll.

A customized Kangie Kangaroo.

Lina, from Switzerland, ordered this specially for her Singapore friend, Jolene who is celebrating her birthday today. Lina is very sweet and I am guessing she is a very attentive friend. She wanted to make sure that the package reaches Jolene on her birthday, so we used Speedpost same day courier service for this purpose.

Not only that she has picked the  colors specially for the birthday girl, she also included a birthday note for her. (I am not sharing it here)

I hope Jolene likes what Lina has picked for her. Happy Birthday!

Quackie is quite a charmer, no wonder he has found himself a girlfriend so quickly.

Quackie is crowned as the Royal Duckling, because of his high harvested value in Farmville (where the inspiration of this design derives from). Despite his royalty status, he remains humble and amiable.

Since he is such a precious little duckling, standing at approximately 5.5cm (2.15″) tall, I use the Deluxe acrylic yarn to make most of his body parts. The colors are just so pretty!

Quackie is now available in finished doll, pattern, and project kit.

I must have mentioned so many times, if not too frequently, that I am hooked on a facebook game – Farmville, developed by zynga.

The main reason to play this game was and still is, because my family and relatives are playing it. Believe it, this game bridge the gap between 3 generations. Mike is also playing this game because he wanted to give me gifts from farmville, now, he is ranked amongst the top farmers in my neighbor list!

The graphics in this game is so well done, every farm animals are so adorable! I already have most of the farm animals in my amigurumi design collection, and I didn’t have a duck yet. Based on the duck in Farmville, I design this royal duckling!

CLICK HERE TO EXIT

1958

E-Pattern

You will receive your pattern as an email attachment. Payment will be excepted thru PayPal, only.

This was a free pattern which was included in 1958 Needlework Album.

E-Pattern A Cute Puppy Crochet Pattern $2.00

1990

Sheetpattern

New free crochet pattern for Capital E

Suddenly, an idea occurred to me. This idea shows that I am the parent of young children. I had a children’s song pop into my head with the refrain, “E, I, e, i, O.” So, my plan is to offer these patterns for free. Right now I have the I and am now offering the E for free. Look for the e, i, and O coming soon.

The download for the Capital E can be found here:
download now

Other patterns can be found on my Crochet Patterns page.

So, a story came off from this group of lovelies. I have absolutely no idea what the buyer has in mind about them, but this is my story about them.

Since crystal girl is a heroine in the virtual gaming world, I reckon, the super power will always remain with her, despite the different hair and cape color. This crystal girl is blessed with a gift, she is able to wands the power of peace with that crystal spear she holds. She doesn’t destroy, she makes peace.

Pisko, is the sweet and playful squirrel, crystal girl found him one day when she was out for a ‘peace-making’ mission. She loves him the minute she saw him, snuggling in a bunch of dry leaves. Since he loves to play with the crystal spear, he decides to follow her wherever she goes.

Bluko, the sweet and charming penguin doesn’t always see things eye to eye wih pisko, but they are buddies most of the time. Bluko joined the group the latest. It was probably destiny that brings crystal girl to the north of the world, and while bluko mistook the crystal spear as a precious ice cube, he clung on to the spear. That was the first time pisko sparkled up his green eyed jealousy when he thought crystal girl liked bluko better.

Oh well, with crystal girl’s talent to mediate even the worst differences, that trivial jealousy issue was a piece of cake. Just a few magical movement, all things are good. They live happily ever after…