Tiny Crochet

May 26, 2010 Awkward Soul

I’ve been experimenting with size lately. First, I had some idea to make one of those thread yarn coaster things (of course, a spider web pattern) and it failed with me trying to crochet a round. Thread yarn and with a hook that small (1.4mm) was going to make me more blind! >__< This gives me even more respect for the people who can crochet that small!

So, next plan – How about some small amigurumis?

Making smaller amigurumis is very simple. Typically, amigurumis are made with worsted weight yarn with around 3.5mm to 4.25mm hook. For the tiny ones, I went for sport and fingering weight yarn and a much smaller hook and squinting eyes.
I followed my pattern the same, but with 2.5mm hook, sport weight yarn and 4mm safety eyes. For more on how I created this pattern, see my Orca post. I wish I had the normal sized Orca’s around to compare sizes. Either way, so teeny! For this Orca I added a little magnet in his tummy, he can become a fridge magnet for my boyfriend or something.

Changing the size via yarn weight is pretty easy. The only thing extra you will have to figure out is what hook to use with it and what size it’ll become. There is lots of great sock yarn out there, as well as baby type yarns.

For the tiny octopus, I used a fingering weight yarn with again a 2.5mm hook. I was hoping he was going to be smaller, like the orca, but turned out a little bigger than excepted. He still looks like a baby compared to the worsted weight official pattern size.

Maybe when I’m older and crazier I’ll try making those crochet thread doilies. Until then, teeny amigurumis!

Patterns for the Orca and Octopus are available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/AwkwardSoul

Orca or is it Killer Whale? Amigurumi

May 7, 2010 Awkward Soul

Awkward Soul's original pattern - Amigurumi Orca

I’m guessing they are called both Orcas and Killer Whales, however in rainy Vancouver, Canada, I’ve mostly heard Killer Whale. My boyfriend calls them Orcas.

This pattern came about satisfying my nature to make things for other people. My boyfriend LOOOOOOVES orcas. I didn’t believe it when he told me, until I saw this little “shrine” of orca pictures and things he has on display in his room when he lived with his parents. I scratched my head at this, I don’t get it. I guess the male version of liking orcas is about how they are big whales that eat things and kill people… I don’t know. Whatever, I love my boyfriend to bits and all his weird-ass quirks (he’s cute too).

So the patterns out there mostly required felted tummy sewn on or couple pieces. I freaking hate all that extra work. One piece/less pieces to sew on = superior in my book. I remember making the Amy’s babies Katamari (excellent pattern by the way) and going apeshit making all those freaking nubs and sewing them on correctly. People who are close to me say I’m a perfectionist.. I don’t think I am, but I’ve frogged a project over one stitch error and for the orca pattern – sewn and removed the fins at least a dozen times to get correct placement.

So, I just said whatever, and just starting making an orca. I was planning to construct it from the nose to tail (like my later pattern, Dolphin Amigurumi) but I got real lazy and just kept crocheting along until I realized it’s nose is too small… or its a body of a tiny orca. Baby Orca was born! I added some colour changes – something I’ve seen moreso restricted to stripes in lots of amigurumi (prolly cuz of the spiral construction) and had this ultra cute Orca the size of my computer mouse – which I grabbed a couple times by accident, the dorsal fin spearing my palm. Orca does not = computer mouse!

I then created a bigger one – as this pattern is damn cute, and selling the teeny version isn’t gonna cut it (now I got the idea to make a teeny one now, shit).

One thing I might change is the tail – its one piece tail (yay) is a little annoying to sew into the right shape.

AwkwardSoul and it’s pretty popular.

My boyfriend at first was all “Ugg, it’s cute!” but now he likes it – and the pair keep his other orca things company in his new house.

Dolphin Amigurumi splash splash

May 6, 2010 Awkward Soul

I find it very odd that all my current online published patterns are sea creatures. Okay Okay, I love octopi – I had to make a pattern. Jellyfish was a good second. The Orca pattern came about because my boyfriend wanted one.

Dolphin? Eeeeeh, I guess a test in skill on my shaping ability. That and I couldn’t find a dolphin pattern that was more cutesy. Personally, I’m not one for realism in the amigurumi I create. Realistic crocheted creatures look great, don’t get me wrong, but I like simplicity and cuteness <3

Unfortunately, this Dolphin is not as simple as my previous patterns. >__<
First was making the mouth not look like a nipple O__O that was difficult. Of course, a nipple mouth would of been easier, and I could of join the bandwagon of feminist-inspired stuff I could show off at work, but really – that doesn’t look like a dolphin, especially cute ones. Next was keeping the body in a dolphin shape, without making it too round or long ‘n realistic.

Finally – the tail was a pain! I frogged the thing about 6 times until I got the shape and length just right. I ended up with too many skinny tails with adding extra rows and decreases. Crochet can do some magical things with well placed increases or decreases… and sometimes it just fails altogether.

One thing that I regret was not making the tummy white. I just didn’t feel like colour changing that much, as it is constructed in a long shape. However, I might try it in the future, with blue and white. That would look cute (and be a terror to crochet)

With that said, it’s a cute pattern for someone who wants more sea critters (especially cute ones) . Not a beginner’s crocheter pattern, but still easier to follow than the more realistic dolphin patterns out there.

The pattern is up at Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/AwkwardSoul for $3.50 usd.

*splash splash*

Hello All! Introduction to Awkward Soul

May 2, 2010 Awkward Soul

Hello!

I’m Char, and this is my first post in this blog.

I enjoy creating my own crochet patterns – feel free to check out my Etsy shop @ http://www.etsy.com/shop/AwkwardSoul

Tako the Pirate / Sailor Octopus Amigurumi Pattern

Tako the first pattern I’ve posted online, however I’ve created other free form creations previously.

I started out making amigurumi with a banana pattern that I cannot find now. I started on japanese amigurumi books – crudely translating any important text and following charts to learn the basics of shaping with crochet. From there, I made many many octopi – as they are my favorite creature.

Thats it for now – I need to get back to crocheting!