Sunday, March 26, 2017

Frog-projects and new ideas

I've been sick this week, I don't know what it is. Most likely just a "normal" flu, but still I haven't felt like doing anything, except to go to school. After a long almost-a-battle I finally managed to finish my next #uglyarn project, which is a total frog 🐸.
I think I had a quite good yarn to fit the pattern I had the right needles, but somehow when I knitted the shirt with a 3months pattern I ended up with a shirt that fits a 2yr old. HOW did that happen?????I don't think that there is something seriously wrong with my knitting, but I didn't check the gauge (well I never do that if I have right yarn and right needles), but maybe I should've done that this time.
Next project are gloves made from yarn that has to be from the eighties, I got the first glove done and started the 2nd. Pattern is from garnstudio and I found the snowflake chart from Ravelry.

Annnndd I've been going through my stash and then I decided that I needed more safety eyes, and do you know what happens when you start surfing the great seas of Amazon, you buy something extra:
I got some knitting needles (18 pairs, 40cm and 60cm) and I'm sooooo happy. Well these are not the eyes I'm waiting for but I found these funny eyes too. Of course I bought regular eyes but those haven't arrived yet.
Ahh, when will I have the time to do some more amigurumi? I can't wait to get super funny looking toys done 😄😃😊.

Funny eyes and new needles


Saturday, March 18, 2017

Octopus Family *free pattern

Hello all and happy weekend!

I had time to write down my octopus family pattern yesterday. I had taken down a few notes about how I did the octopus family. This is just a quick note about how I made them, so I think that there might be a few mistakes and spelling errors in the pattern. So please tell me, if you find them.
We had a not-so-good light when taking the pictues, so this has to do. I'll take better ones after I get my ocean setting done :)

I decided to name the The Takotsubo family, takotsuba is a japanese octopus catching equipment or at least that is what I've been told. Takotsubo is also also a problematic heart thing, some people call the syndrome of a broken heart.

But now for the pattern notes (in US terms):



The Octopus family
You need:
-          Different colours of yarn, DK/Aran/Worsted are all fine
-          Hook to mach the yarn, I used 3mm
-          Stuffing
-          Tapestry needle
-          Safety eyes (various sizes) or felt or black and white yarn.

Dad Octopus
Dad octopus
Body:
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24 sc)
4) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (30 sc)
5) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (36 sc)                                                                                             
6) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5sc] repeat around (42 sc)
7) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 6sc] repeat around (48 sc)
8) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 7sc] repeat around (54 sc)
9-18) sc in every sc
19) [sc-dec, sc in next 7sc] repeat around (48sc)                                                                             
20) [sc-dec, sc in next 6sc] repeat around (42sc)
21) [sc-dec, sc in next 5sc] repeat around (36 sc)
22) [sc-dec, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (30 sc)
23-25) sc in every sc
26) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (36 sc)                                                                         BO and stuff

Bottom piece
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24 sc)
4) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (30 sc)
Bind off. Sew bottom piece to the lower part of the body. Remember to stuff

Legs (make 8)
These can be tricky but I try to explain how I made them the best way I can:
Ch 2, 5sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (10sc). The I basically made rows of sc around for about 6 rounds.
Next 2 rows: sc-dec twice, sc twice, 2sc in next sc twice, sc twice.
Sc around 6 rows.
Next to rows: 2sc in next sc twice, sc, sc-dec twice, sc.
Sc around 8 rows. Bind off.
I didn’t stuff the legs, but you can if you want to. Sew legs under the body, to the bottom piece.

If you want you can crochet eyes:
With white ch 4, turn, sc to 2nd ch from the hook, sc, sc, turn, sc 3.
Next row: 2sc in every sc. (12sc). Bind off.
Pupils: with black yarn: ch 2, turn, 6 sc to 2nd ch from the hook. 2sc to nex sc once. 
I did sew eyes before attaching legs: first the white and then the black piece. 

Hat
Ch 2, 5sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (10sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (15 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (20 sc)
4) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (25 sc)
5-6) Sc around.
7) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (30 sc)                                                                                              
8) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5sc] repeat around (35 sc)
18) [sc-dec, sc in next 5sc] repeat around (30sc).
Secure yarn endings and sew hat to the place. (This is basically done for every hat, just secure the yarn endings and then sew hat to the head)

Momma octopus
Mom octopus
Body:
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24 sc)
4) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (30 sc)
5) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (36 sc)                                                                    
6) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5sc] repeat around (42 sc)
7) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 6sc] repeat around (48 sc)
8-16) sc in every sc
17) [sc-dec, sc in next 6sc] repeat around (48sc)                                                                              
18) [sc-dec, sc in next 5sc] repeat around (42sc)
19) [sc-dec, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (36 sc)
20) [sc-dec, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (30 sc)
23-25) sc in every sc
26) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (36 sc)                                                                                              
BO and stuff

Bottom piece
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24 sc)
4) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (30 sc)

Legs (make 8)
These can be tricky but I try to explain how I made them the best way I can:
Ch 2, 4sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (8sc).
Sc around for about 6 rounds.
Next 2 rows: sc-dec twice, sc, 2sc in next sc twice, sc
Sc around 5 rows.
Next to rows: 2sc in next sc twice, sc, sc-dec twice, sc.
Sc around 7 rows. Bind off.
Sew legs under the head, to the bottom piece (with or without stuffing). 

Eyes
With white ch 3, turn, sc to 2nd ch from the hook, sc, turn, sc 2.
Next row: 2sc in every sc. (8sc). Bind off.
Pupils: with black yarn: ch 2, turn, 5 sc to 2nd ch from the hook. 2sc to nex sc once.

Hat:
Ch 2, 5sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (10sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (15 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (20 sc)
4-5) Sc around
Next row: [ch 4, skip 3 sc, slip stitch to next]. Repeat to end.
Next row: To every chain of 4 ch: [sc, hdc, dc x3, hdc, sc. Slip stitch in between] repeat to end. 
The pink flower was just done making shell stitches to a ring of 12 scs.

Kid octopus

Body:
Kid
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24 sc)
4) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (30 sc)
5) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (36 sc)                                                                         6-11) sc in every sc
12) [sc-dec, sc in next 4sc] repeat around (36 sc)
13) [sc-dec, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (30 sc)
14) [sc-dec, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24 sc)
15) sc in every sc
16) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (30sc)  
17) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3sc] repeat around (36sc)                                                                 
BO and stuff.

Bottom piece
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)
3) [2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24sc)  

Legs (make 8)
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
Sc around for about 4 rounds.
Next 2 rows: sc-dec, sc, 2s in next sc, sc
Sc around 4 rows.
Next to rows: 2sc in next sc, sc, sc-dec, sc.
Sc around7 rows. Bind off.

Eyes:  With Ch2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc).
Pupils: With black yarn Ch 2, 4sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
Bow: With pink
Ch 10. 1st 1sc to to the 2nd ch from the hook. Sc to the end. Turn to the other side, sc to each sc (18sc in total). Work in round: sc around 4 rows. Bind of. Sew the bottom seam. I wrapped one yarn ending around the bow to give it a bow-like shape. 

Baby octopus
Body:
Baby
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)
3) [2sc in next sc, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (24 sc)
4-7) sc around
8) [sc-dec, sc in next 2sc] repeat around (18 sc)
9) [sc-dec, sc in next sc] repeat around (12 sc)
10) Sc around
11) )[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (18 sc)

Bottom piece
Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (12sc)

Legs (make 8)
Ch 2, 4sc to the 2nd ch from the hook
Sc around for about 12 rows.

Eyes: With white Ch 2, 6sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
Embroider rest with balck yarn.

Cap:
With blue yarn:
Ch 2, 5sc to the 2nd ch from the hook.
1) 2sc to the every sc (10sc)
2)[2 sc in first sc, sc in next sc] repeat around (15 sc)
3) Sc around.
Change to orange yarn: sc1, ch 2, skip 1 sc and to next sc: {hdc, 3x dc, hdc}, skip 1 sc, slip stitch to next sc.

Hope you have fun doing this little octopus family :)

- Minttusuklaa

© Minttusuklaa, You can sell toys made from this pattern, but don't sell the pattern itself


Sunday, March 12, 2017

Stash treasures and childhood memories

Hello all,
There has been just so much to do during past week, some things were very stressful and other things also a bit sad, but I've noticed that God is good all the time and I'm so glad that we are blessed with a weekend 😄, and sheep that produce wool and that someone has invented how to make cotton yarn 💗
My new favorites 😍
As I went through my stash for my 'let's use all ugly yarns' - projects, I found an old skein of felting yarn. I bought it to knit slippers at least ten years ago and now I finally did them and I'm so happy. They're supercomfy and I just love the color, it is absolutely my favourite color. Of course I ran out of the yarn, but luckily I had at least couple of years older yarn lying around. I combined them and got my super cute extragirly ballerina slippers. And because I could I added cute buttons too.

I had a test on Friday about skin disordes and of course you need some de-stressing stuff to do after studying day and night, I started my 1st Under-the-sea project: The Octopus Family, and here is a sneak peek from momma and poppa Octopus. They still need kids and some random cuteness added, but that's a project for next week. I'm trying to get the pattern written down with proper pictures this week. The idea for my octopuses came from old pictures that my sister and I used to draw when we were kids. We had at least dozens of different kind of under the sea octopus stories with pictures, and these are crocheted according to those pictures 🐙 (or at least trying to resemble those drawings)


- Minttusuklaa




Sunday, March 5, 2017

'Toy factory' feeling

Hello,
Friday evening
This weekend I've totally felt that I have a toy factory in my room! I've had couple of unfinished softies hanging around and I still have, but yesterday and today I got around to finish them.
This is what my table looked like on Friday evening.
I had #uglyarn toys to make. I had an old yarn called Novita Palma, I think it is a bulky soft yarn and all in all quite pain to knit or crochet yarn. You really can't redo a thing if you miss. Last sunday I knitted the pig and past week I made the monkey. I'm so happy with both of them, it took at least two lectures to figure out how to knit fingers and toes for the monkey and how to make the nose. They're both about 40cm tall (so rather big).

Pigtail😁🐖
I did some sketches about both pig and monkey to make knitting easier. When you have a yarn that is pain to redo, you want to get everything done on the first go. Even the tails. Feet and hands were easier to design with the pig and using Google picture search certainly helped with monkey feet. I got the idea for yellow monkey, from an adorable baby monkey.


And then I've almost finished with my little brother's THE ICE HOCKEY player that I started knitting last spring (yes, it has been in my basket of unfinished toys for that long) and he brought to me couple of weeks ago saying: "SIS,WHEN are you going to finish this? You started this a YEAR ago!". So I guess I had to knit him ready. Hi is still missing a sort of a logo and his hockey stick and number. I had ran out of blue DK yarn and I had to wait for a week for the yarn delivery to the post office (it is so easy to order yarn online, I'm so happy about that 😄)

Skates
He has skates that I made out of black and silver yarn, I had (well my sister had) silver yarn, she was once supposed to knit a princess, but that didn't happen.I just came up with the clothes helmet as I knitted. I didn't have a pattern that I used. I combined fingering, DK and Aran yarn, it wasn't that smart to do.

THE helmet
And the helmet has a clear plastic what-is-it-called.  I just cat a laminated bookcase in to pieces and then just sew it to place. I'm not that happy with the helmet design, it looks a bit like a riding helmet. First it looked like a traditional Lapland hat, so I guess it's a bit better though when it resembles a helmet.

I noticed that my dolls' head tend to get too heave and then they're constantly nodding. I came up with an idea to insert an ice cream stick inside, so now they're a bit better.

 Next week I have test coming, but I promise to try to design my new pattern during next weekend, IF I get my yarn delivery by then (they have a sale now, so I think I'm spending a bit too much on yarn, but hwy, who cares? You can always have a new stashbusting campaign after #uglyarn 😂).

- Minttusuklaa