Welcome to my blog

This blog is to show off my crochet crafts -- whether they are wearable, embellishments, amigurumi, or something else. I hope you enjoy everything you see here.

Feel free to leave me comments! Some of the items can be made-to-order, so leave me a comment if you're interested in something. We can chat and see what happens. I can also be reached via email at trystan830 at gmail dot com.

thanks for visiting!

A Long Overdue Update

I want to apologize for lack of updates. i create, and then i don't keep my site updated. In the meantime, since i last updated the site, i have made many shawls, wraps, scarves, and amigurumi -- quite a bit of them for the HollyDays.

To make up for my lack of updates, I will offer to those visiting this site a link to My Project Page on Ravelry. This page has all of my FOs (or Finished Objects) i have made. The pictures on the left side can be clicked on to see the full picture of the item. so if the items say "by J" or "by M" after them - these are FOs the girls made.

also on these pages are the names of the patterns i used, and you can highlight them and search for the pattern online. in many of the cases, the patterns are available online. (some of them, however, you can only access if you have a Ravelry account.)

feel free to leave me a comment on this post about any of the FOs, any questions... and thanks for visiting!

Third Time's A Charm

they say the the third time's a charm, and that's the truth. i've had it happen twice so far with yarn and the projects they turned into.

#1
i had some fuzzy black Rainbow boucle yarn that wanted to make a wrap with. first i tried the crochet version of the Wingspan (it's a Ravelry download). but the yarn was so fuzzy, i had to diligently count and keep track of every single stitch - no thanks!

so next i tried the Snowdrop wrap, which i'd made before. nope, still couldn't really see the stitches, so that wasn't the right wrap for the yarn either.

finally i decided to just make my own again, and used a variation of my own Shoulder Wrap i made last year. i first chained 251, for 250 hdcs across for my first row, and realised that was going to be huge, so i took it down to 200. from there, row 2 was to ch1, hdc across, creating a mesh. row 3, i worked it so i would hdc into the space, and separate the stitches with a ch1. sometimes a the beginning of the row, i would chain 2 and then hdc into the space, or i'd ch1 and hdc into the first stitch, and create the hdc-into-the-ch1-space that way. when i got to 25 rows, i decreased each row in the first two and last two stitches, and worked that way for another 25 rows and then called it done.

here's the result~ and it's fuzzy and comfortable too!




#2
i wanted to make the Wingspan since i saw it. i like the asymmetricalness of the wrap, it calls for all single crochet stitches, and it's a rather simple pattern to master. first i tried it with some wool yarn, but that was making the fabric too stiff. i wondered about using hdcs instead?

i found a yarn that would have made a wonderful fabric - but you've already read that story above.

after some more searching, i discovered Jo-Ann's Sensations Breeze yarn, it's soft, thin, and made a nice drapey fabric! it was like it was perfect. and as i've said, sometimes the yarn picks the pattern. i bought two skeins, and started a different wrap on one skein, but then after several rows, i got curious and started the Wingspan on the other.

and several rows after that, it became clear the Breeze yarn wanted to be made into the Wingspan. my own version had seven wings, and the first and odd-numbered wings were made with the hdcs i'd wondered about (obviously, it worked out wonderfully). the second and even-numbered wings were made with the single crochets. it created some symmetry to an asymmetrical wrap.

Phillies Phanatic pattern

Phillies Phanatic pattern


i made this guy for for my friend, since she's a huge Phillies fan, and then i got the idea to make on for her mom too. i wrote the pattern, but hesitated posting it -- i used the base from another pattern (attributed at the end) and it's a licensed product. so, here's my version of the Phanatic, for free. i'm not making any money off of him; and please don't sell the pattern either.

also, this pattern has not been tested. please feel free to let me know of any corrections or typos by leaving a comment, or PMing me (trystan830) on ravelry.

materials needed:
*worsted weight/weight 4 - green, red, white, black and blue
*a little bit of red and white felt
*E hook - Gauge isn't essential here, the larger the hook, the larger the Phanatic
*9 mm safety eyes (optional)
*the pattern is in US terms
*the pattern is worked in spirals, and rounds are not joined.

BODY & HEAD (start with green):
Body (starts at the bottom and goes up):
Rnd 1: 8 sc in MR* *Magic Ring (8)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (16)
Rnd 3: sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc around (24)
Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc around (32)
Rnd 5: sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc around (40)
Rnd 6-14: sc in each sc around (40)
Rnd 15: sc in next 3 sc, dec around. (32) In last stitch, change to white.
Rnd 16: sc in each sc around (32)
Rnd 17: sc in next 2 sc, dec around, (24)
Rnd 18-21: sc in each sc around (24). Begin stuffing at this point if you haven't already. Continue stuffing the body as you go.
Rnd 22: sc in next 2 sc, dec around (18)
Rnd 23: sc in each sc around (18) In last stitch, change back to green.
Rnd 24: sc in next, dec around (12). do NOT finish off.
Head (continues from body):
Rnd 1: sc in each sc around (12)
Rnd 2: sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc around (18)
Rnd 3: sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc around (24)
Rnd 4: sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc around (30)
Rnd 5: sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc around (36)
Rnd 6-11: sc in each sc around (36)
Rnd 12: sc in next 4 sc, dec around (30)
Rnd 13: sc in next 3 sc, dec around (24)
Rnd 14: sc in next 2 sc, dec around (18). Begin stuffing the head at this point if you haven't already.
Rnd 15: sc in next sc, dec over next 2 sc around (12)
Rnd 16: dec around (6). finish stuffing and close.

HANDS & ARMS - make 2. start in Green
Rnd 1: 8 sc in MR (8)
Rnd 2: sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc (10)
Rnd 3-4: sc in each sc around (10)
Rnd 5: sc in next 5 sc, ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 chs. sc in next 5 sc (10 sc and one “thumb”)
Rnd 6: sc in each sc around (sc behind “thumb”) (10)
Rnd 7: dec, sc in next 3 around (8)
Rnd 8-11: sc in each sc around (8) switch to white in last stitch on round 11.
Rnd 12-16: sc in each sc around (8)
FO, Stuff arm, and attach to body.

LEGS/FEET:
Legs (using red, make 2)
Rnd 1: 8 sc in MR (8)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (16)
Rnd 3: (back loops only) sc in each sc around (16)
Rnd 4-8: sc in each sc around. (16) (use both loops starting with round 4)
Finish off, stuff firmly, and don't close the open end.
Feet (using white, make 2)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (12)
Rnd 3: sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in last sc (14)
Rnd 4-10: sc in each sc around (14)
Rnd 11: dec around (7)
Finish off, stuff lightly and shape as desired. Weave end through final round and pull to close. Secure and weave in ends. Sew feet/shoes to 'closed' end of leg (open end is attached to the body)
Make red shoe laces.

SNOUT:
1: 6 in MR
2. 2 sc in each sc around (12)
3: BLO, sc in each stitch (12)
4: dec, sc in each (11)
5: sc around (11)
6: dec, sc in each (10)
7: sc around (10)
8: dec, sc in each (9)
FO, leaving a tail for sewing.
Tongue:
pull up a loop through the middle of the snout, chain 6. in the 2nd st from the end, 3sc. sc in the next 4. FO, hide ends in the snout.
Edge:
Starting in the back with the top of snout facing you, pull up a loop through the first stitch, ch 1, sc in same stitch, 2 dc in next stitch, sc in next stitch, (2 dc in next sc, sc in next sc) around (16). after last stitch, sl st into first sc and finish off. Stuff, sew on near bottom of the face.


EYES: make 2.
Rnd 1. 6 in MR with black, change to white on last stitch **OR** Start with white and use 9 mm safety eyes in the center.
Rnd 2. inc in each (12), FO first one only.
Rnd 3. on the second eye, change to red, ch 1, *sc, inc in next* 3 times; attach to second eye with sl st. *sc, inc in next* 3 times, sl st, FO. leave a long tail for sewing.
use the white tail of one circle to sew to other white circle in 2 or three stitches
sew eyes on above snout. when get to the top of the eyes, make sure to leave a space to attach the eyebrows.


EYEBROWS:
use pieces of blue, and attach as a fringe at the the top of the eyes.

TAIL (green):
1: 4 in MR
2: *inc, sc* around (6)
3: sc around (6)
4: *inc, sc* around (9)
5: sc around (9)
6: *inc, sc in next 2* around (12)
7: sc around (12)
attach to back of body, below the shirt.
make small blue and green pompom and sew to tip of tail.


HAT (in red):
1: 6 in MR
2: inc around (12)
3: sc, inc around (18)
4: 2 sc, inc around (24)
5: 3 sc, inc around (30)
6. 4 sc, inc around (36)
7 -9: sc around (36)
9: *dec, 7 sc* around (32)
10: ch 1, sc 10 across, FLO, ch 1, turn
11: skip first sc, sc across (9), ch 1, turn
12: sc across (9), ch 1, turn
13: skip first sc, sc across (8), ch 1, turn
14. skip first sc, sc across (7), ch 1, FO


Add stripes to shirt and sleeves; add P to shirt and hat.

Body, head, legs, feet and arms are inspired from Wolfdreamer's Mario plushie. snout, eyes, tail and hat are mine.

Peace is not an Illusion

i got this idea from the tapestry panels i’ve made, combined with some of the knitted cables, and got an idea. and it worked. i used regular scs for the background, and back post scs to make the motif.

i have no idea what i’m going to do with the panel. maybe make lots more and put them together for a blanket or something.

An Assortment of Amigurumis

can't forget these guys, everyone loves them!

since i have a tablet that runs Android, i made a Droid, cause they're just so cute!


M likes Harry Potter, so i tried my hand at a Hedwig:


Both girls got a tablet for xmas, and they found an addictive game (Cut the Rope) with a cute character, Om Nom. so found a pattern, made one for each of 'em.


M and I have seen all the Ice Age movies, and while i enjoy all the characters, i like Sid and Scrat just a little bit more. (and Diego's voice.*wink*) So i went on a hunt, and found a Scrat pattern over on Great Grey Crochet. and i found his acorn there as well.



i made this for my daughter M (“Meg”) and when she gets silly and glomps someone, we say they have a 1-Meg attachment. and when she gets grumpy, she gets grumpy. so, yeah.



also, i translated the pattern from knitting, but the original is a Grumpasaurus by Kat Lewinski.

Remote Cozy

Our couch liked eating our remotes, so i used up some stash yarn to make a cozy that drapes over the back of the couch. and now our couch is very hungry, since we don't feed it the remotes any more....

A Sweater & Cozy Wraps

i recently made a sweater for J. she picked out the yarn, Caron's Simply Soft Simply Pink. and it really IS soft.



i just finished a Mobius wrap. it worked up rather interesting, as after a few rounds i no longer joined the rounds, but just made it a huge spiral. and when i'd gone around one full time, i was actually opposite where i started, according to my green and orange stitch markers. it was an interesting, very neat learning experience. and again, my panther is showing it off.



i also made a petal wrap. this is out of Loops & Charisma, and is very warm and cozy.

Those Ruffle Scarves....

you know the ones that seem to all over the place? i made a few:



i made one for M:

and one for J:

the panther is modelling mine:

not a ruffle, but pompom yarn!

Accessories

so now that the HollyDays are over for another year, i've made some other things.

like rainbow gloves

(they're actually a little bulky and awkward.)

but the mittens are comfy~


the sweater is cozy and warm



the sparkly bag and cellphone case are shiny


and the cute snowman is cute on my collar when i'm at work


prices vary; email me at trystan830 at gmail for current prices.

HollyDays - Gift for Me!

One night, M made me dinner~


and then she made me dessert! (well, just the ice cream sandwich anyway....)

HollyDays - Gifts for the Girls

it's difficult making something when your kids are still awake! and then they go to bed at 10 p.m.! let's just say that they knew some of what they were getting. heh.

i made a lot, so i'm just going to post all the pics.

for J:
a cactus, cause she jokes about taking one to Prom

a pair of green handwarmers/fingerless gloves

an olive Punch Buggie (aka Volkswagen Beetle)

a cozy hat (she picked out the yarn)

a Bomb Bird from Angry Birds

and a pig (with the mustache) from Angry Birds

the pig without the mustache i made for M.


for M i also made:
Stitch! because she just loves him

a pair of purple handwarmers/fingerless gloves

(they don't really look purple, but they are!)
a Death Star. heh.

and the Red Bird from Angry Birds



prices vary; email me at trystan830 at gmail for current prices.

HollyDays - Gifts for Others

continuing on... i made a Phanatic for my friend F for Chanukah~




and then i surprised her mom with one!




i made a scarf for my boss:


i made a tapestry panel for my friends T & R~


and my friend Bodge asked for Groke

and Snufkin:



prices vary; email me at trystan830 at gmail for current prices.