Category: Crochet

Any day now, a friend of mine will find herself in the hospital, but for the best reason that you could hope for; She’s ready to give birth to her baby, as evident by a belly so rotund that she’s practically bursting at the seams! Cozy in the womb, this unborn infant is already proving to be handful, standing everyone up on her due date. All I can think each morning is “It could be today,” and I’m sure my friend echoes these thoughts with even more enthusiasm. It is still a shock that some one this close to my age is about to have a child of her own, such a difficult venture and life-long commitment, but I certainly wish her the best for it. I would never have a kid of my own, for lack of patience and fear of failure, but I just know that this friend will be the most loving mother anyone could ask for.

So any day now, I’ve been expecting the call to come, announcing the arrival of a sweet, smiling baby girl…

Despite my short temper when dealing with children, I can’t help but be excited to meet this new bundle of joy. So small and innocent, seeing the world for the first time with wide open eyes, she could become whatever she wants. Every door is open and the possibilities are endless- Who knows what hobbies she might pick up, what she’ll want to be when she grows up, who she might fall in love with some day? To contemplate the beginning of life with no restrictions is an overwhelming prospect to be sure, but so inspiring at the same time. Watching a newborn grow and develop into a walking, talking person… It truly is a miracle.

Still, I’m more than happy to observe from afar, having heard all too much about the pains of childbirth and of the sleep lost for months thereafter. If only there were a way to have a baby that is only quiet, well behaved, and appears on time, in less than a few hours after conception…

Head:

With any skin-tone worsted weight yarn and an F hook,
Sc6 in a circle
Sc twice into each st (12 sts)
Sc1, sc twice into next st* around (18 sts)
Sc2, sc twice into next st* around (24 sts)
Sc3, sc twice into next st* around (30 sts)
Sc4, sc twice into next st* around (36 sts)
Sc around for 10 rounds
-Embroider and insert safety eyes. Don’t forget the little curl of hair!-

Sc4, sc2tog* around (30 sts)
Sc3, sc2tog* around (24 sts)
Sc2, sc2tog* around (18 sts)
Sc1, sc2tog* around (12 sts)
Stuff firmly and leave a long tail

Ears: (Make 2)

Ch4, sc into second loop from hook, sc 3 times in next st, sc in final st (5)
Ch1, turn. Sc across, and then continue around and sc into backs of the first row’s sts (8)
Sl st into the last row to form an even oval, cut thread and tie tight.

Body:

In pink, Sc6 in a circle
Sc twice into each st
Sc1, sc twice into next st* around (18 sts)
Sc2, sc twice into next st* around (24 sts)
Sc around
Sc3, sc twice into next st* around (30 sts)
Sc around for 5 rounds
Sc3, sc2tog* around (24 sts)
Sc around for 2 rounds
Sc2, sc2tog* around (18 sts)
Sc1, sc2tog* around (12 sts)
Break yarn and tie off

Feet: (Make 2)

Sc3 in a circle
Sc twice into each st (6 sts)
Sc1, sc twice into next st (9 sts)
Sc2, sc twice into next st* around (12 sts)
Sc around for 2 rounds
-Insert stuffing-
Sc2tog* around (6 sts)
Sc around
Break yarn and leave a 6 inch long tail to sew with

Arms: (Make 2)

Starting with the skin colored yarn, Sc6 in a circle
Sc around for 2 rounds
-Switch to pink yarn-
Sc around for 4 rounds
Break yarn and leave a 6 inch long tail to sew with

Bib:

In white, sc5 in a circle
Sc twice into each st (10 sts)
Sc1, sc twice into next st* around (15 sts)
Sc2, sc twice into next st* 3 times (18 sts)
Turn, ch1, sc 14
Break yarn. Whip out your red yarn, and attach that to one of the top corners. Sc into each st all the way around, sl st into the corner that you started in, ch 18, sl st into the opposite corner, forming a loop (It should look like a little necklace.) Break yarn and weave in ends.

To Assemble: Positioning the bib on the body so that the loop goes around the opening up top, sew on the head. Done correctly, this should prevent the bib from ever coming off (as long as the baby keeps its head together!) Cut a smile out of black felt and either stitch or use fabric glue to adhere it to the face. Everything else is very straightforward- Sew on the ears, arms, and feet as indicated by the photos.

Take care of your new bundle of joy!

Considering how much I adore travel and how little I actually get to do it, it just figures that one of my very own crocheted creations would go on to see with world… Without me!

Mere weeks ago, an innocent conversation with a talented food blogger lead to the proposal of- Yes, you guessed it- A swap. A half dozen smiling eggs for three jars of homemade preserves. Little did I know that a large plan was about to be set in motion, one that would involve so much more of the blogosphere than just the two of us. Creative and generous person that she is, Helen decided that as much as she adored the little fellows, there was simply no place that she could display them for all to enjoy, so what better way to show them off than to send them around for others to see in person? Now you too can join the Traveling Eggs Meme, and host them in your own neck of the woods too! If you’re interested in getting a half dozen little guests that don’t ask for much at all, guaranteed to be on their way shortly, and are a pleasure to entertain, you can find details on what’s involved on Helen’s blog.

Talk about some lucky travelers!

Fluttering gracefully through the sky on wings so delicate that even a sheet of paper could trump their heft, butterflies are the creatures of stuff of myths, captivating endless poets, artists, and young girls looking to for a first tattoo. Admittedly, I’m not typically an out-spoken admirer of the colorful moths, as the popularity of their image makes them seem so common, so overexposed. But if you were to forget about the cheap drawings and awful love songs, nothing compares to seeing a real butterfly just an arm’s width away. Watching this fragile creature push its way through the air with such strength is truly an inspiring sight, no matter what you may or may not have already heard about them.

About this time of year, when the butterfly bushes start to bloom and winged insects of all shapes and colors start stopping in for spell, there is no denying what beauty nature is capable of. This, my friends, is the first butterfly of the season, and I happened to catch it on film. I’m still in awe that it stood still long enough to give me a clear shot, as though it were posing for its close up. One picture was all it wanted to surrender though, and as soon as the shutter had closed, my yellow butterfly was on the move again, soaring high above the trees, up and up and up until it disappeared from view. Wishing desperately for a working pair of wings so that I might see it just once more, I returned inside and sighed heavily, sad that the moment had been so fleeting.

Shifting the camera from hand to hand, unsure of where to go from there, I noticed that the vase of flowers sitting on the kitchen table somehow looked brighter, more colorful, more…

…Alive!

A live butterfly, nestled right there between the bright green stems had made itself right at home, no invitation necessary. Confused and disoriented, it took me a good five minutes to stop staring blankly and form some sort of comprehensive thoughts again. Far-fetched to be sure, the only possible scenario I could invent was that this must have been a friend of the one that got away, but she following me inside instead of going along with her companion. What a quick little devil to have slipped in the door without my knowing!

This little winged bug was much more tolerant of my camera-happy tendencies, staying put and showing off her best side like a true model. Although her patience soon ran out as well and she headed back through the open window, it was such a treat to get a close up of such an ethereal creature.  If ladybugs are supposed to be good luck, then butterflies must have some sort of mystical powers as well, because it takes more than just plain luck to get near two of them in one afternoon!

Browsing through the blogosphere can be a very dangerous thing indeed, no matter what side of it you choose to delve into. Poke through a dozen food blogs and you’ll find yourself high-tailing it to the fridge, ravenous to taste some of the impressive culinary feats this skilled home cooks display. Investigate just as many craft blogs and instead you’ll be running for you wallet, chasing down some of the incredible hand-crafted goods being offered by some of those bloggers. I certainly know both of these dilemmas well from first-hand experience, and while it would be helpful to cut down the negative side effects from both of these sorts online explorations, but the expenses from impulse buys is perhaps most troubling at this point. Being able to boast of only a 9-hour work week at minimum wage, I have a hard enough time affording another skien of “super saver” acrylic yarn!

Luckily, bloggers are the kindest breed of humans that I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with. After stumbling upon Clare‘s blog and online shop by chance one day, I knew that one of her adorable stuffed fruits was destined to find its way into my hands. Common sense prevented me from reaching for my credit card though, and instead I made a passing comment about how I would love to do a little swap for one of those hand-stitched beauties. Fearing that she wouldn’t want anything to do with my own creations I prepared for the worst, but to my delight, it took little persuasion to get the swap underway and let my poor checking account to recover from it’s previous expenditures!

From my own post office I sent out a crocheted cakelet, in a delicate palate of pastel pink and white, and topped with a “frosting” flower. Hoping that this variation on the first would please my gracious swap buddy, I wrapped the tiny package up and sent it out that very day, hoping desperately that this would make for an equal exchange.

Hearing that it had arrived safely and in record time, I was relieved that it seemed to be received well. When Clare’s side of the swap arrived in my box about a week later though, I was sure that I got the better end of the deal.

No, she didn’t send me a bowl of fresh strawberries- Take a closer look at the beautiful berry on top! The details in embroidery are just mind blowing, and all of the stitches look so perfectly even, it’s hard to believe that such a treasure was truly hand made. This is one sweet treat that defies all the dangers of blog-hopping; Enticing as it is, it didn’t make ravenously hungry, and it didn’t even empty out my wallet!

Thank you so much for swapping with me, Clare, your stuffed berry truly is a treasure!

–With great difficulty, in my case. Despite all the tender loving care I can muster, dutifully picking weeds and providing a veritable feast of water and plant food at demand, hardly a single plant has yet been willing to share its fruit. The long, scraggly vine climbing up wire trellises will pop out a tiny pod of snowpeas every now and then, but for the most part remains rebellious like its peers. My miraculous strawberries showed great possibilities early on, surprising everyone by the fact that they even showed up, but they seem to have given up the ghost early, finishing off their season without so much as a peep, let alone a bang. Perhaps a total of three ruby red jewels ever made it into my mouth before they too stood me up on every date I planned, and it wasn’t long before we were both tired of each other. Truly, I shouldn’t be surprised- And all things considered, this was one of my best years in gardening! Still I return to stand guard of my motley crew of greenery, fenced in and protected from the “wild” creatures looking for an easy snack. This annual battle has not come to an end, since there are many plants that have yet to arrive at the party.

Speaking of which, I realized only a day or two ago that the carrot seeds that were tucked away so many months ago might be developing into something more substantial. Since they had been planted early on, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable to hope for decently sized tubers about now, so I determined it was high time to unearth those treasures and accept whatever might be found, be it baby carrots or mutant 10-pounders. Gingerly moving handfuls of soil away from the garden floor, a good 10 minutes passed before a single, decrepit old root was to be found. What happened to my carrots? The seeds were brand new, they were treated to plenty of sun and food… But they hadn’t just failed to thrive, they had disappeared altogether! Mourning the mysterious loss of yet another crop, it was then that some motion in the corner of the garden caught my eye.

Scrabbling about quietly, an uninvited guest appeared to be going through the same motions as I had just a moment ago, digging through clods of dirt and errant weeds, but to much greater success. Right before my eyes, a bright orange root found its way into this lucky scavenger’s arms! Alarmed that this thief had made it past my meticulous fencing and pest-proofing, it was the most I could do to contain the obscenities waiting to hurl themselves at this intruder with all the force of a machine gun. I couldn’t, however, prevent the indignant shriek that was stifled in my throat, and instantly the tiny beast whipped around to locate the commotion.

Caught red-handed, the culprit clutched his find closely, unwilling to surrender the delicious tuber. I could feel my pulse quicken as I approached, livid that all of my dear carrots had fallen prey to this despicable, malicious, disgusting, cheating…

…Adorable baby bunny. With wide eyes and the most innocent smile, how could I possibly look into that face and remain angry? As much as I would love to taste the fruits of my labor, I simply couldn’t bring myself to snatch the carrot out of those tiny paws. Sensing that the danger had passed, the rabbit in question gathered up his confidence and quickly hopped away, thumping across the soft earth and jumping gracefully through an inconspicuous opening in the fence. At least this led me to the source of the problem, so that now I can fix the gap without inviting other hungry critters in…. I just wish this guy would have shared!

Humidity is my number one enemy right now, battling me from the moment I wake up, relentlessly provoking me throughout the day, and even interrupting my sleep just to torture me further. Summer wouldn’t be nearly so bad if this muggy, suffocating moisture didn’t stick around like a wet leaf, but alas, such is the atmosphere in this neck of the woods. Sometimes it’s enough to make me reconsider living on the opposite coast, where the temperatures certainly rise but the saturation of the air sure doesn’t. There’s always a trade off though, as is evident by the raging forest fires that result from all that intense, dry heat- All jokes aside, there are currently 44 active blazes out west! Despite all the evidence that seems to point to the atmospheric conditions, I think that those conflagrations aren’t all the work of a cruel mother nature, who so often takes the blame, but in fact the mischief of a much smaller source.

Trying his best to be inconspicuous but still in plain view, I noticed a small creature unlike any I had ever seen before huddled near a box of matches. Sporting beautiful little wings and rough, scaly skin punctuated by snow white horns, this fellow was no garden-variety animal that you might normally find in these parts. Wracking my brain, trying desperately to recount where I might have seen such a beast before, a light bulb moment came and passed in an instant. No way could this tiny thing be a bona fide dragon, could he? Moreover, why on earth was he playing with matches?

Moving as quietly as I could in his direction, it took only a quietly snapping twig beneath my shoes to draw his attention, whipping his head around to meet me square in the eye. Catching me by surprise with this sudden motion, it was impossible to so much as greet the little guy let alone inquire about his activities with my heart in my throat. As he held his firepower threateningly, I started having second thoughts about marching up so nonchalant. Had he wanted, the whole backyard could have been set ablaze in seconds, nevermind the damp heat surrounding us. Looking on with fear as he fumbled with the match, a terrifying moment passed before I realized why he was holding onto this unlit torch in the first place- Not even the thinnest whisps of smoke were escaping his lips, no matter how hard he huffed and puffed in attempts to breath fire.

Backing up a step, I could now see that he was no more than a wee baby dragon, and poor little fellow couldn’t yet figure out his natural skills for creating infernos. Trying to make up for his lack in natural talent, he had somehow gleaned those human tools from careless campers nearby, and was hard at work trying to learn something from them. I’m certain that he meant no harm, but how easily his harmless experimentation could have ended up as a horrible accident! Luckily, it didn’t take much pursuasion for him to drop his “weapons” and retreat into the safety of the woods, back at square one without the learning curve of a flame in action.

Now, maybe I’m going out on a limb to say this, but perhaps there are just more dragons out west trying to figure out how to breathe fire and having the practice go horribly awry. This was the first time I had seen such a thing, and we never have forest fires around here after all!