www.shibumi.org/EotI
I admit I've become a little addicted to my google blogreader, but when I saw this it make me want to chuckle.
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Dinosaur Tail
So my girlfriend doesn't know it yet, but for graduation I made her a tail. We have an inside joke where we call her (hername)-saur, and make videos and write articles on lj about this mysterious being's living habits which mysteriously mirror a college students'.
Random note: the color of my girlfriend's hair is the same color as the dark pink.
So she graduated a couple of weeks ago, and since then I've been working on her graduation gift. Having looked on the internet and not finding ANY patterns for crocheting a dinosaur tail (there were a few knit ones I came across, but I did not find them remarkable) I decided to make my own.
I started from the tip, and worked in a spiral, increasing by two every third stitch and alternating with a row of no increase, repeat. About a fourth of the way up, this changed to increase every fifth single crochet for a round and then two rounds of single crochet, repeat. Finally, around where the third spike ends (from the tip up) increased every tenth single crochet in a round, and then had with three rounds of no increase, repeat.
As you can see, this was a very approximate pattern, which resulted in a little too much increase at the beginning of the fourth spike up from the tip. Still, I was rather pleased. However, when held up to the butt, the tail looked more like a random pink cone sticking out of the butt. I felt it needed to be angled down.
So then, I employed the same method I use when turning my crochet socks on the heel, except this was much bigger and less drastic. I crochet halfway across, turned, and went back. The next time I went across, I picked up one stitch from the opposite side, and then Crochet two.
It was very... feel along as you go type pattern, which is what I like best. There was also lots of unraveling involved. So finally, I angled the tail down enough that I was happy.
The second step was a giant coaster that was worked in a spiral and then sewed to close up the tail and enable me to stuff it.
Finally, I made the spikes. These were done in a single crochet square which was then folded into a triangle and single crochet together. The first spike is one round, the second three rounds, the fourth five rounds, and the last two seven rounds. They were then sewn onto the body. Looking back, I probably should have sewn those on, then attached the giant coaster and stuffed it.
But still, it turned out well.
What do you think?
PS: Model is my sister.
Random note: the color of my girlfriend's hair is the same color as the dark pink.
So she graduated a couple of weeks ago, and since then I've been working on her graduation gift. Having looked on the internet and not finding ANY patterns for crocheting a dinosaur tail (there were a few knit ones I came across, but I did not find them remarkable) I decided to make my own.
I started from the tip, and worked in a spiral, increasing by two every third stitch and alternating with a row of no increase, repeat. About a fourth of the way up, this changed to increase every fifth single crochet for a round and then two rounds of single crochet, repeat. Finally, around where the third spike ends (from the tip up) increased every tenth single crochet in a round, and then had with three rounds of no increase, repeat.
As you can see, this was a very approximate pattern, which resulted in a little too much increase at the beginning of the fourth spike up from the tip. Still, I was rather pleased. However, when held up to the butt, the tail looked more like a random pink cone sticking out of the butt. I felt it needed to be angled down.
So then, I employed the same method I use when turning my crochet socks on the heel, except this was much bigger and less drastic. I crochet halfway across, turned, and went back. The next time I went across, I picked up one stitch from the opposite side, and then Crochet two.
It was very... feel along as you go type pattern, which is what I like best. There was also lots of unraveling involved. So finally, I angled the tail down enough that I was happy.
The second step was a giant coaster that was worked in a spiral and then sewed to close up the tail and enable me to stuff it.
Finally, I made the spikes. These were done in a single crochet square which was then folded into a triangle and single crochet together. The first spike is one round, the second three rounds, the fourth five rounds, and the last two seven rounds. They were then sewn onto the body. Looking back, I probably should have sewn those on, then attached the giant coaster and stuffed it.
But still, it turned out well.
What do you think?
PS: Model is my sister.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Attack of the Daleks!
Finals almost killed me, but I promise I'll be posting some more. Here we have the two Daleks from Dr. Who that my two girlfriends asked me to make for them. The first, short one I did off a pattern that my girlfriend found. While a decent pattern, a combination of slightly different yarn, and unclear directions made it a struggle. So after studying pictures of Daleks, I made the second one, which I feel came out better.
In the second one I doubled up the yarn, and switched colors for the black parts. I feel it has a more solid, Dalek-y feel. I also enjoyed it much more.
Let me know what you think, and which one you like more!
In the second one I doubled up the yarn, and switched colors for the black parts. I feel it has a more solid, Dalek-y feel. I also enjoyed it much more.
Let me know what you think, and which one you like more!
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
Granny Style Decorating
Since I'm on a Granny Square bent, I came across this picture and thought I would share. What an idea to decorate! I love all the bright colors, and their use of borders on both the squares and on the shapes in general.
Monday, 24 December 2007
So it started out as just some pratice with the Granny Square...
And the thought that I should do something with the yarn that my boyfriend gave me before he comes to see me.
And then it just grew... and grew, and I started adding colors!
What do you think? Is it destined to be a wall hanging, an afghan, or something else entirely?
Friday, 14 December 2007
2005 Angel Ornament Exchange Let all images download before closing the Yahoo ad box to the right of the screen
2005 Angel Ornament Exchange (Let all images download before closing the Yahoo ad box to the right of the screen)
I'm working on angels right now for a christmas tree... so. Yeah.
I'm working on angels right now for a christmas tree... so. Yeah.
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Real Men Crochet
YouTube - Boise State's Ian Johnson on ESPN Gameday
I came across this video recently. What a refreshing look on crochet. I'm always excited when I see men who are able to do textile stuff- be it crochet, knitting or something else. It used to be that kitting was something all men knew how to do 200 years ago- how else were they susposed to get socks? I think it's unfortunate that now it's considered a 'girl thing.' When men do something like this to shake up the gender image, or just because they love it, they should get some kuddos.
However, looking up on it more I found out something very disheartening.
Boise State Broncos: The Familiar Story Of The Oppressed Crocheting Running Back With The Collapsed Lung
Apparently Ian Johnson isn't allowed to sell his scarves, hats or other crocheted items, even if he gives them to charity.
KTVB.COM | Boise, Idaho News, Weather, Sports, Video, Traffic & Events | IDAHO NEWS
I suppose it makes sense, seeing at as his popularity increases they didn't want trouble forming, but at the same time it's a pity when someone does something unusual that it gets nipped in the bud.
What do you think? Should he be able to sell his beanies? Or is it too much of a liability?
I came across this video recently. What a refreshing look on crochet. I'm always excited when I see men who are able to do textile stuff- be it crochet, knitting or something else. It used to be that kitting was something all men knew how to do 200 years ago- how else were they susposed to get socks? I think it's unfortunate that now it's considered a 'girl thing.' When men do something like this to shake up the gender image, or just because they love it, they should get some kuddos.
However, looking up on it more I found out something very disheartening.
Boise State Broncos: The Familiar Story Of The Oppressed Crocheting Running Back With The Collapsed Lung
Apparently Ian Johnson isn't allowed to sell his scarves, hats or other crocheted items, even if he gives them to charity.
KTVB.COM | Boise, Idaho News, Weather, Sports, Video, Traffic & Events | IDAHO NEWS
I suppose it makes sense, seeing at as his popularity increases they didn't want trouble forming, but at the same time it's a pity when someone does something unusual that it gets nipped in the bud.
What do you think? Should he be able to sell his beanies? Or is it too much of a liability?
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Killer Crochet- literally
OR_TO.jpg (image)
Take a look at this. "Killer hooked on crocheting as a 'small part' of atonement"
According to the article, in this state prison the inmates have learned how to crochet. However, "The scarves, caps and afghans go to charities, but victim advocates discount the inmates' intentions."
Personally, I have to think it's gotta be pretty darn boring in prison, and no matter what their intentions are, if they're doing it for a good cause, nobody should complain. These men meet for three hours a week in the prison recreation room to crochet.
Of course, the crochet hooks get locked up after class is over. Probably a good thing, even if the hooks ARE plastic.
EDIT: Later today I came across a second article. Juvenile offenders start life over with a crochet hook | csmonitor.com
Again, I think this is a wonderful idea. When you give a person a purpose- especially one that helps other people, not only are you helping th community, but you're encouraging people to get involved and invested in the community. And there something about watching something beautiful and filled with purpose grown in your hands. That is such a charge.
These youth are in the detention facility for the same reason the inmates above are in jail- attempted murder, murder, arson, gun running, drug sales... and more. They would be felons if they were old enough.
I love the quote one of the boys says, that I think nails this right on the head. "Crocheting makes me feel good," says Timma Johnstone, a pony-tailed, 19-year-old arsonist who burned a field "because I was mad at someone. When you're here you can calm down."
A lot of times, when I'm feeling angry, stressed, or frustrated corcheting is something to grounds me. It's like a simple type of mediation- repetitive movement, and the slowly growing creation. From something as simple as a blanket, to a complicated sweater crocheting teaches discipline. It also teaches persistence- this is one time in life where if you make a mistake, you can just unravel it and start over.
So what do you think? Does it help?
Take a look at this. "Killer hooked on crocheting as a 'small part' of atonement"
According to the article, in this state prison the inmates have learned how to crochet. However, "The scarves, caps and afghans go to charities, but victim advocates discount the inmates' intentions."
Personally, I have to think it's gotta be pretty darn boring in prison, and no matter what their intentions are, if they're doing it for a good cause, nobody should complain. These men meet for three hours a week in the prison recreation room to crochet.
Of course, the crochet hooks get locked up after class is over. Probably a good thing, even if the hooks ARE plastic.
EDIT: Later today I came across a second article. Juvenile offenders start life over with a crochet hook | csmonitor.com
Again, I think this is a wonderful idea. When you give a person a purpose- especially one that helps other people, not only are you helping th community, but you're encouraging people to get involved and invested in the community. And there something about watching something beautiful and filled with purpose grown in your hands. That is such a charge.
These youth are in the detention facility for the same reason the inmates above are in jail- attempted murder, murder, arson, gun running, drug sales... and more. They would be felons if they were old enough.
I love the quote one of the boys says, that I think nails this right on the head. "Crocheting makes me feel good," says Timma Johnstone, a pony-tailed, 19-year-old arsonist who burned a field "because I was mad at someone. When you're here you can calm down."
A lot of times, when I'm feeling angry, stressed, or frustrated corcheting is something to grounds me. It's like a simple type of mediation- repetitive movement, and the slowly growing creation. From something as simple as a blanket, to a complicated sweater crocheting teaches discipline. It also teaches persistence- this is one time in life where if you make a mistake, you can just unravel it and start over.
So what do you think? Does it help?
Saturday, 10 November 2007
Because it's just that cool
Go check out Revelry if you haven't yet. It's a great site for those of you yarn lovers out there. It's a mix between a social networking site, a place to brag about your projects, share them with others, catalog the projects you want to do, have done, and really like. It's neat, and even better, it's free!
Right now it's still in the Beta Stage, but still, it's pretty damn cool.
Go take a look.
Right now it's still in the Beta Stage, but still, it's pretty damn cool.
Go take a look.
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