Merry Christmas!

Happy belated holidays, Internet Land.

Things have not been going too well here. I haven't had a good Christmas, and the socks haven't gone well. I really messed up on the pattern, and I don't like it at all. Doubt I'll make another.

Ah well! Back to doing what I do best, and that's dolls, right? ^_^;

Wishing you a most merry Christmas.

Baaaaaah!

That's the sound made by my scholastic entry: White sheepie! I'm also going to make a black sheepie soon, too! Above is visible my dear friend Liza hugging the alleged sheepie. (Don't tell her, but she's getting one for graduation, hehe!)

This little baby is soooo cute, and huggable! I'm seriously considering adding them to the etsy shop when it goes lie in early april. I'm gunna be making a crappyload, yay! Stay tuned for more updates.

On the docket are two sock patterns and the whimsie I'm currently working on. I think I'll post them up here, since they'll be sooo cute! The one I want to do next I have the yarn for (it was gifed, I have no idea of the contents or brand or anything, but it's super thin. . .). And it has fish! Oh the insanity.

Hope you are all doing well on the internet, keeping alive, at least. Work hard on those Christmas Presents!

Boo!

Well, my new design flopped, totally, royally. . . but I'll try again!

Right now, I'm working on more and more things for scholastic. I've got a design for a plush pair of sheep and a draftblocker that needs to be filled with sand. Other then that, I've been looking at Christmas gifts and revising my list of wanta-books. Amazon is the bestest ever, really and truly.

So, without further ado, I present to you my Amazon want-list, hehe.

Toilet Roll Covers may not seem like much, but they look so cute! And only seven dollars, too. . . what a steaaaalll. I love the piggy thingy on the cover.
World of Knitted Toys My Mommy actually bought me this. . . but I haven't opened it *sweat sweat.* It's verbotin until Christmas, wah!
Modular Knitting Not really amigurumi-related, but it attracts my interst. . . hmmmmm.
Knitting Little Luxuries I really want this! Really, really, really. . . my dad was supposed to buy it for me, but he lied XD It looks so cute! Uwahhhh. Once I buy the book, I'm gunna join the knitalong. Totally.


Um, anyway. . . That's all that. I've also eyed a book at my local Michael's about creative knitting, where a woman knit a screen door. What house wouldn'tbe complete without one!?

So that's things in my world. I'm dreaming about books and bamboo yarn.

I'll drop a hint!

So, I'm a little disappointed because the pattern that I've been working on developing hasn't come out quite right. I worked the hat up to the brim, tested it out, then unravelled it. It just didn't look right, I guess! In hindsight, I guess I should have at least taken a picture or some measurements. . . but I can't really talk about it now! I want it to get into Knitty! XD Don't tempt me, internet people!

Today, I also went to the Yarn Shop in my city (there is only one.) It was AMAZING. My previous experiences with LYS(s?) have been previously tainted by old ladies telling me that I hadn't been knitting long enough to think up my own stitch pattern. What horrible memories! The only good part is, haha, if only they could see me now :3



Anyway, the place was called "Malley's In the Yarn," and I fell in love with it as soon as my friends and I pulled into the lot. If your'e ever in the Elmira, NY area. . . check it out, really and truly! I'm in love with the place.

Um, yeah. You guys probably don't want to listen to me mabble. Sorry about that! If it'll entice you into reading my blog the next time I post, I'm also working on another food-oriented doll. I'm super busy right now, with Scholastics around the corner. . .

Another Ami Present

I thought I'd make up for my absence by posting the finished product of a few WEEKS of labor! *Yes, actually, I work hard on my patterns.* This little guy had been lost for a good few months, but I recreated him and now here's the pattern. You internet people take good care of it, and make sure I don't lose it again, ok? ;)

Magic Snowfall Gloves

Well, hm, yes, I finished the gloves just in time to slip them in the coffin this morning, so I'm happy about that. Sadly, I don't have any pictures (I had left my camera at my Dad's house, spent the night at my Mom's. . . confusion ensued.)

My mom requested a pair, though, so I'm going to make those for her. When I do, I'll add a picture to this pattern. In the meantime, if anyone wants to help me out and knit up a pair, I'd be eternally grateful ;)

Note that these gloves are to be made in women's sizes. . . i.e, for those with small hands.

Magic Snowfall Gloves

Snowfall Pattern:
Row 1: *K2, P2, K4, P2, K2* Repeat.
Row 2: *K1, P4, K2, P4, K1* Repeat.
Row 3: *K2, P2, K4, P2, K2* Repeat.
Rows 4-5: K. Row 6: *P1, K4, P2, K4, P1* Repeat.
Row 7: *P2, K2, P4, K2, P2* Repeat.
Row 8: *P1, K4, P2, K4, P1* Repeat.
Rows 9-10: K.

Cloud Rim Pattern:
Row 1: K
Row 2: *P2, K5, P2.* Repeat across row.
Row 3: *P3, K3, P3.* Repeat across row.
Row 4: *P4, K1, P4.* Repeat!
Row 5: P

Thumb:Using a figure 8 CO, CO 12 sts onto the needles. Divide and join the stitches and K until two and a half inches long. To finish, cut the yarn and slip the active stitches onto the tail. Make two.

Glove: Using a figure 8 CO, CO 24. Join and divide stitches 6-6-12. K1 round. On the second round, Kfb the first and last stitches on each needle. Repeat this for two rounds, until there are 36 stitches on the needle.
Begin Snowfall Pattern. Work the pattern twice, then work rows 1-5 of the pattern.
Work Cloud Rim pattern.
P 1 row, dividing stitches evenly between two needles. 18 stitches should be on each needle.

Joining Thumb: Turn thumb inside out, then slip the stitches onto the needles, placing them at the opposite end of the needles (Basically, you won't be knitting these stitches immediately.) Also, try to have the thumb tail against the glove proper, instead of on the outside. P a round, dividing the stitches 12-12-24 being careful to pull stitches tight between the thumb and the glove. This division will be important in shaping the thumb gusset later; the round should be 12-12-24 needles, with the thumb stitches split between two needles.

Thumb Gusset: P 17, p2tog, P10, P2tog. P to end of round.
P17, P2tog, P8, P2tog. P to end of round.
P16, P2tog, P6, P2tog. P to end.
P16, P2tog, P4, P2tog. P to end.
P16, P2tog, P2, P2tog. P to end.
P16, P2tog, P2tog, P to end.
P16, P2tog, P to end.
You should now have 34 stitches.
P 1 more round, dividing the stitches. 10- 10- 14
P until your work is approximately 1 inch from where the thumb joins.

Wrist: Next row, P2 together at the beginning and end of each needle. You should have 28 stitches.
P2tog, P to the last two stitches of the second needle, P2tog. P2tog, P to the last two sts of the third needle, P2tog.
You should have 24 stitches.
Proceed in K1P2 ribbing until cuff has desired length, then bind off LOOSELY.

Um. . .

Well, it turns out all our internet prayers couldn't help my Grandmother. . . She passed away Friday, at around 9 PM.

I'm probably going to take the week off from school. . . meaning I'll have time to knit and stuff.

I made this doll for my baby cousin Ava that's coming in
Sooo cute. It's one of a few I've been wanting to make. . .

Check out this Knit Flower.
Or this one.

I'm not in my normal happy mood. . . sorry. I think I'll feel better later.

Posting Pictures of my Boyfriend on the Internet

So I finished the sweater! What do you think? For my first sweater, I don't think it's half bad. . . Maybe I'll make a few others! ^_^

Input is, of course, always appreciated, hey, maybe if someone asks I'll give them the pattern! Hm? Hm?! Pshaw, you internet people see through me. . . I'll probably post it later.

*Giggles* He's going to kill me when he sees these pictures . . . Isn't he so cute!

For now, my current project is called "Magic Snowfall Mittens." That's because they're not finished until the very end, when you turn them inside out! I'm excited.

Anyway, this post is nothing about amigurumi, but I'm going to post it anyway! Mwahahaha! I feel so evil!

. . . So lonely. I wish I had more friends that knit. Or internet friends! Anyone want to be my blog buddy? Yeah, I'm such a loser.

My First *Posted* Free Pattern!

I thought I'd wrap up food week with my own pattern! So, dun dun dun dun *cue fanfare* witness my um. . . first ever doll design, Shy Sister! Did you ever watch Monster Rancher as a kid? After your time? Anyway, they had this thing called "sweetcakes," but also "mochi," which totally confused me because mochi is NOTHING like sweetcakes. Duh. Everyone knows that. Later, I learned that the dish was actually Sakuramochi, a sweet cake made from cherry mochi wrapped in a cherry leaf. Go figure.

Anyway, here it is, in all it's glory!

KNIT MOCHI DOLL (Shy Sister)

NEEDS:

Double Pointed Needles (The size used is 5)
Yarn (Can be Scrap Yarn, in whatever desired. Pink seems the most sensible. I used black.)Scissors.

Some scrap Yarn in red for mouths.

Buttons for eyes

Stuffing

ABBREVIATION:
[CO] = Cast on
[K] = Knit
[P] = Purl
[K2sts] = Knit two stitches from the same stitch (an increase)
[K2tog] = Knit two stitches together (a decrease)
[BO] = Bind off

SHY SISTER(Black or Pink):

Using a Figure Eight Cast on, CO ten sts. K one round, dividing sts 3-3-4 onto three needles.

Rnd One: K2sts every stitch. Now your stitches have been doubled!

Rnd 2: K

Rnd 3: K2sts, K1, for whole round. You should have 30 stitches.

Rnd 4: K
Rnd 5: K2sts, K2, for the whole round. Now, you have 40 stitches.

Rnd 6: K
Rnd 7: K2sts, K3, for the whole round. Now, you have 50 stitches
Rnd 8: K
Rnd 9: K2sts, K4, for the whole round. At last, you have 60 stitches!
Rnds 10-20: K

Rnd 21: K2tog, K4, for the whole round. There are 50 stitches left.

Rnd 22: K

Rnd 23: K2tog, K3, for the whole round. There are 40 stitches left.

Rnd 24: K
Rnd 25: K2tog, K2, for the whole round. There are 30 stitches left.

Rnd 26: K
Rnd 27: K2tog, K1, for the whole round. You only have 20 stitches.
Rnd 28: K

BO

LEAF (Green):

CO 4 sts onto 2 dpns. K 1 Row. DO NOT turn work. Instead, slide stitches to the end of needle and knit off the unworked end (a la i-cord.) K one row, slide work again and knit another row, THEN turn work.

Row 1 (WS): Purl twice into one stitch. Do this for all stitches.

Row 2 (RS): K1, K2sts twice, K2, K2sts twice, K1
Row 3 (WS): P
Row 4 (RS): K1, K2sts 4 times, K2, K2sts 4 times, K1
Row 5 (WS): P
Row 6 (RS): K1, K2sts 8 times, K2, K2sts 8 times, K1
Row 7 (WS): P.
You should now have 36 stitches.
Row 8: K1, K2tog, K until last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
Row 9: P
Row 10: K1, K2tog, K11, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K11, K2tog, K1
Row 11: P

Row 12: K1, K2tog, K9, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K9, K2tog, K1

Row 13: P
Row 14: K1, K2tog twice, K3, K2tog twice, K2, K2tog twice, K3, K2tog twice, K1

Row 15: P
Row 16: K1, K2tog, K to last three stitches, K2tog, K1
Row 17: P

Row 18: K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1
Row 19: P

Row 20: K1, K2tog twice, K2, K2tog twice, K1

Row 21: P
Row 22: K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1
Row 23: P

Row 24: K2tog 3 times; 3 stitches remain.
Row 25: P
K2tog, K1. Pull first st over second, then BO.

ASSEMBLAGE:
Sew on eyes in a place the best suits your taste.Sew HALF of leaf to base so that hole at the top is partially covered. Stuff, then sew up the rest of the hole.

Anyone needing an introduction to dpns should go here. Figure-8 issues? Go here.

Info on Sakuramochi

Delays and *GASP* Sweaters!

Sorry about the lack of updates. Christmas time is around the bend, and I'm busy as a bee making gifts for people I know! First on the list is this lovely sweater for my sweetie (the reason I've been absent the past few weeks!) The back is going to have an pretty intarsia wing pattern that I've designed myself.

Doesn't it look adorable? I know he'll like it! If anyone wants, I can post up a better graph and directions for the pattern. It's knit over 64 stitches and 82 rows. (I don't know what else you could use it for besides a sweater. Maybe a pillow?) The pattern for the Sweater is my own modified design, pilfered from the Amazing Amy's knitty pattern :D She's so awesome, check out her blog too. There are some free patterns: no amigurumi, but a lot of cute clothing (very much gift material!)

I need to go start side two of my knitiferous sweater-vest! Catch you later, internet gators!

(P.S.- Have a cool amigurumi pattern you want to share with the world? Email me or just post right here, and I'd be happy to add it. As you can see, there's only so many patterns you can get off google.)

The Mystery of the Bent Needle

Nothing to do with Amigurumi, but you know what, I'm sure that all you (nonexistant) people out there in Reding-My-Blog-Land don't really mind. I've had to stop knitting for a while, not from lack of motivation, no, but from lack of supplies.

Last Friday, I came home and noticed one of my double pointed needles was missing. I simply chalked it up to my lack of organization, and didn't give a second thought to it until Monday came and I had to make my bus ride. Well, I tore the house apart and found no needle. I cursed my forgetfulness. I cursed my procrastination in acting upon the problem. I cursed the needle, several times.

It finally turned up Wednesday when, as I was walking down the hall to class, one of the teachers stopped me. She said she had found the needle, and given it to another teacher. Then she reprimanded me for five minutes about knitting in school. I wouldn't have minded this as much to mention it in the story, if the whole thing hadn't made me late to class. Plus, the principal has passed me several times while I was knitting and said nothing. The teacher's a bit of a busybody anyway, but PLEASE. It shouldn't disrupt my learning.

To continue, the needle was returned to me at lunch. . . bent in half. Who did it? Why did they do it? I wish I knew, so I could find some sort of malicious way to retaliate.

So there's my excuse. I'm getting new needles tomorrow, so I'll be able to perfect the pattern I'm working on! How exciting. You must all be, ever so excited.