Mermaids

I started these after I finished Seth's blanket. I like them, really I do. The hair is gorgeous. I found the pattern for the hair in an image search that brought up a blog by PinkMambo and a mermaid roundup. Unfortunately the link was broken. But Ravelry saves the day. The pattern is archived. Mermaid Houseguest by Brenda K.B. Anderson. I'd already had most of my doll done when I found this. My dolls are intended for toddlers and I didn't want loose yarn hair but something 'flowing' for the mermaids. It does use a lot of yarn so make sure you have a whole skein. But then as I made more dolls. I needed 2 for the twins and wanted one for ME, I separated the hair 'cap' out of the pattern and made that first. Then you can add the strands of hair in any and all colors you choose. Mine is the one with the multi colored hair. I was able to use green scraps and threw in a few contrasting colors. The second doll I added one or two strands in a different shade of the original color. I also worked the tail fins different as I refined the design to something I liked. The tail technique was similar to a baby mermaid tail bunting I had made and also close to the Houseguest pattern.

They are intended for twins hence the color reversal

Off all the colors I don't like the purple. There is even a peach and a yellow that look fine.  The purple just ..ehh

Left to right the evolution of the tail fin. The houseguest pattern was closest to the blue one. The one I finally liked, the peach, skips 2 stitches on the end and has a second sc2tog right after the first.

Yes mine has boobs, that are pinned on. The peach was also a finer yarn so the body has that weird line were the others flow smoothly into the tail at the hips. Those are extended stitchs btw. And none of them have faces! And they still don't . they were supposed to be Easter gifts. <shrug> I cant find anything I like and is suitable for toddlers. I'll most likely go with simple embroidery eyes and lips.


Edit:Eyes

Crochet Crab & Raven

Spring is here and the boys school is having their 'fair' day. Each class creates a themed basket to auction off and asks for donations. This year the class got 'Maryland' <cough> ? My mom went to her favorite store, 5 Below, and found an oriole lunch box & lanyard and some raven stickers. I made a crab which I almost kept for myself. I'll just have to make another one. Maybe embroider the cancer symbol on the shell. And a raven dressed in football mascot gear complete with tiny shoes that I obsessed over and didn't get to making the oriole bird I intended to. Hence why they are getting my crab. Seth says he looks like Mr Crabs and my father asked where the other legs were. The stupid legs looked dumb ok...so they got left off. I'm sure when I make my version it will annoy me until I make acceptable minor legs but the school will have to deal. I only had 2 days. I hope someone likes them enough to bid on them. I wish I had little fabric labels to add to them.

Hand stitched. ehh

I love these shoes!!!

He's cute. Maybe I'll make a whole set. Edgar, Allen, & Poe

back fins

yeah...I'm looking at YOU!

Edit: Added Oriole and my crab pics

amigurumi Toothless

So I have all this fiber fill I bought for my youngest sons minecraft pets. After a huge search I decided to make Toothless from How to tame a dragon. The pattern I settled on is by Sarselgurumi and can be found on Ravelry.  The pattern is cute and well written. The legs and 'toes' are so cute. The tail is linked to another artist and is challenging if your not careful and sometimes even if you are. I frogged mine twice before I got something I liked.  

crochet eye

red tail addition

I know mine isn't exactly like the pattern. I crochet the eye pieces. I altered the small middle horns. And only added one set of the smaller horn under the large I didn't like either of the tail 'fins' and made one red to signify the Viking made piece. I also haven't added the wings. I'm unsure if I like the pattern wings. They are cute in their simplicity but I've already tweaked the fins so maybe I'd add big showy wings. But he is cute and chibby like. Still undecided. They are pinned on his back while I think it over.

James' Panda Hat

Tahdahh! Panda Hat. Made to the same basic pattern of his red & black winter cap. The 'brim' is single crochet with panda eye patches in tapestry style.

 Hmm..the black ears aren't easy to see. But isn't he cute.Hahahhahha