Yarndango Project 35 – Recycling and a Hedgehog

Written By: madcroscientist - May• 07•13

Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 2013 in the United States. While having to create a holiday to remind us to take care of our home planet saddens me a bit (shouldn’t we be doing this EVERY day?), there are obviously some good things that come of it. New programs and technologies are discussed, awareness is raised, and a possibly new traditions are adopted that are better, less wasteful, and in harmony with our little blue marble. One thing that many of us already do to reduce our negative impact is to recycle! I’m all for that! In fact, I’ve decided that I can recycle some of my free patterns!

So, in my mad crochet scientific way of trying to be practical and accomplish more than one thing at a time, I’ve decided to run some experiments at the lab. These experiments consist of willing volunteers (test subjects) who cro-ate new items from my existing patterns by following some instructional tweaks I provide. This allows me to test those patterns out before turning them into downloadable PDF files, results in some amazing cro-ations, AND allows me to continue to satisfy my Yarndango challenge! The first experiment was a complete success. Several lab rats were transformed into hedgehogs, using my free Nutters the Nervous Lab Rat pattern with a few tweaks thrown in. Also, I was able to detect an error in the pattern and fix it at the same time.

The photo above shows a hedgehog I made using eyelash yarn. To see the pattern and the other successful experiments from my volunteers, please visit the bottom of this page.

In other news, Amiguruthi had been under the weather and super busy lately yet she STILL came through and provides a beautiful scarflette based on the cutie mark from a My Little Pony. It’s lovely and sweet. Check it out here. Have a lovely mad day!

Posted in Links to Other's Patterns, My Patterns, Yarndango , amigurumi, crochet, free, hedgehog | 3 Comments »

Yarndango Projects 33 and 34 – Nuts and Cats

Written By: madcroscientist - Apr• 24•13

It’s been mad crazy busy as usual here around the Mad Crochet Lab. Yes, I realize I say that often. Because it’s true. But I also realize it must be getting boring to hear that so let me just tell you that a wild screaming horde of elephants stampeded through the lab this past week. That really ISN’T true, but if you could see the lab right now, you’d probably be inclined to believe me. So anyway, I had one of those days when pressure and stress was building up so I had to just sweep all my projects aside in rebellion and work on something totally new and unrelated. I came up with this hungry little cat. There is no pattern as yet because of the stampeding elephants and all, I just haven’t had time. But maybe in the near future.

Peanuts

I came up with this pattern a long time ago as a simple little stuffed animal for my great nephew. When he was at the age where he was no longer putting any old thing into his mouth, this made a perfect sized plaything for him that he could grip in his hand and carry around with him. He would walk around muttering “peanut” or “mister peanut” and it was the cutest thing ever. Anyway, I digress. The fact is that this is a super-easy project and a great one for a beginner to amigurumis. It’s good practice for increasing and decreasing and it’s one of the few items that I actually prefer the “wrong” side of because it has more texture and resembles a peanut shell just a bit more than the “right” side would. Go ahead and make a bunch of these using a smaller hook and yarn. Fill a recycled pill bottle with them so you can send “nutty” pills to your friends. Disclaimer: I don’t know if the pills cure or cause nuttiness, but they usually bring smiles to the recipient.

Some older, well-loved and worn peanuts that my great niece helped “decorate.”

Before I write the pattern out, I wanted to share what Laura made on her blog. Apparently she’s gone a little batty! But I like that! And you will too! Check it out here.

Peanut

This pattern is my property and is not to be copied or reposted. It should remain free and finished objects made from it may be sold. Credit must be given to me as the designer.

Materials for this Cro-ation

Size F Hook (3.75 mm)

Small amount Polyester Fiberfill

Small amount of Worsted Weight Tan Yarn

Optional Felt, Fabric Paint, Embroidery Thread to Finish as Desired

Note

Directions are for child-safe size (about 3-1/2″ tall) – use a smaller hook and yarn or thread, if smaller size is desired.

Directions

With F (3.75mm) hook and worsted weight tan colored yarn:

Rnd 1 – Make 5 SC in Magic Circle

Rnd 2 – Increase in each stitch around = 10

Rnd 3 – *SC in next stitch and increase in next (repeat from * around) = 15

Rnds 4-8 – SC in each stitch around = 10 15.

Rnd 9 – *SC in next stitch and decrease in next using a normal decrease, not an invisible one (repeat from * around) = 10

Rnd 10 – SC in each stitch around (10)

Rnd 11 – *SC in next stitch and increase in next (repeat from * around) = 15

Rnds 12-16 – SC in each stitch around (15). Decide which side you’d like for the outside and turn the work inside out if you need to now.

Rnd 17 – *SC in next stitch, decrease in next (repeat from * around) = 10, stuff

Rnd 18 – Decrease around = 5, finish off, leaving a long tail for gathering and sewing opening closed. Embroider all details for child-safe version. Otherwise, decorate as desired.

Side 1

Side 2

Finished peanut

Ant Option

To make Ant: Use appropriate color yarn (red or black)

Do NOT turn work inside out after Rnd 16.

After Rnd 17, repeat Rnds 11-17 again and continue with pattern.

For eyes (make 2)

Rnd 1 – 6 SC in Magic Circle

Rnd 2 – SC around = 6. Slip stitch in next stitch and finish off. Stuff with a scrap of yarn and sew on to face.

For Mandibles (make 2) with yarn split into 2 plies and 2.25mm Hook

1 – 4 SC in Magic Circle

2 – SC around, INC in last =5

3 – SC around, INC in last = 6

4 – SC around, slip stitch in next and finish off, leaving a tail to sew. Stuff with yarn scraps. Attach to mouth area.

For Antennae and Legs

Insert pipe cleaners and turn ends so sharp edges do not injure anyone

Dancing Peanut Option

Use pipe cleaners for arms and legs, turn ends so sharp edges do not injure anyone

For Top Hat

With black and F Hook

1 – 6 SC in Magic Circle
2 – INC around = 12
3 – SC in back loop only around = 12
4-6 – SC in both loops around = 12
7 – *SC in next, INC in next (repeat from * around) = 18
8 – INC in each stitch around = 36. Slip stitch in next and finish off. Weave in end.

Posted in My Patterns, Yarndango , amigurumi, peanut, simon's cat | 6 Comments »

Yarndango Project 32 – Simple Doll Lab Free Video Pattern

Written By: madcroscientist - Apr• 15•13

I finished filming and uploading my first video pattern for this doll. It took many, many hours of work between making the doll itself, filming and editing, and uploading videos, plus I’m no videographer. As a matter of fact, everyone should be grateful that the video is not in 3-D because there were several times I got too close to the camera with my work and I think I even poked the lens at one point! But the result is pretty cute, in my opinion. I thank my friend, Que for putting me up to the task, or I might never have tried it. There may be more video patterns in the future…once I get a better internet connection. The upload speeds were killing me. Fortunately, I survived and am able to show you this:

So, to make this doll via video, you can go here: Simple Doll Lab Free Video Pattern on youtube. There are also four separate parts to the video that are posted on my channel individually. The link I gave above is for the entire series of videos linked together. It consists of:

Part 1 – construction of the head

Part 2 – construction of the body

Part 3 – construction of limbs and attaching

Part 4 – hair

Or, if you prefer written patterns, I’ve also written up instructions in a pdf file which can be found here: Simple Doll Lab on Craftsy. This doll is my own design so we don’t have to worry about licenses so it is free for you to make and sell items from but please do give me credit, link to my page, share on facebook, etc. You know the drift.

And, of course, since I made an adorable, sweet little doll, Amiguruthi has gone the opposite route and made an Oogie Boogie! LOL. You have to see this. I did not know what it was – where does she FIND these ideas?! But it is super cool, creepy, and cute all at once and it even has special reflective features! I love it!

Posted in My Patterns, Yarndango , amigurumi, crochet, crochet pattern, doll, simple doll pattern | 3 Comments »

Tending the Garden

Written By: madcroscientist - Apr• 14•13

I’ve been missing writing real posts on my blog for some time. So when my friend Kim started her new blog, she inspired me to write something real in addition to the Yarndango updates I’ve been posting here. This isn’t so much a rant as an observation of some behaviors I find unacceptable that I’ve been seeing a lot of on Facebook. Kim has already touched on several of them at her blog – I do encourage you to read her posts as she has done a fantastic job of discussing them and her blog is an entertaining read.

To add to the subjects Kim has already discussed, one of the behaviors I’ve noticed that really turn me off are people who never participate in conversations on a crochet-related facebook page, but are the first to pipe up when they see something they like, with a “Pattern please?” comment. Yes, they did say, “please,” but somehow that doesn’t soften the sharp edge of curtness and rudeness that cuts me when someone does that. It’s the equivalent of saying “Get out of my way,” and then adding “please” to the end. You COULD argue that it’s a given that they liked the item being displayed or they wouldn’t want to get their hands on the pattern, so it should be considered flattering. But it IS dismissive of the person who did all the work in the first place when there is no mention of the workmanship/time/color choice involved. And I COULD argue that the designer of the item in question owes nothing to anybody. It’s probably a good idea to remember that the designer does not exist on this earth simply to provide anyone and everyone else with patterns. They are a human being with feelings, thoughts, ideas, and time constraints just like everyone else. Take a little time to give them credit. If the only time you bother with someone is to gain something, then it is not flattering. It is USING. And if the pattern is not worth more than two words to you, then it’s not worth asking for.

One other undesirable behavior I’ve noticed lately is the tendency for people to start having a discussion in the comments about having someone else make the item for them when someone posts a photo of work they have done. When I see this happening, I can’t help but wonder if these people weren’t raised in a barn. Someone just shared something you obviously like but instead of complimenting them or encouraging them, you start asking someone else to make the item for you, RIGHT IN THEIR COMMENT SECTION? That is incredibly rude. If you know someone and want them to do the work for you, then that seems like a perfectly appropriate time to have a PRIVATE conversation about it. I know these things are going to happen and it’s not rude to ask someone you know or prefer to make something similar for you, but to do it RIGHT ON SOMEONE ELSE’s post about it? Imagine how you’d feel if you were sitting at a craft fair, trying to sell your hard work and having a couple of people stand right in front of your booth, look at your items, and discuss loudly how they are going to have so-and-so make these up for them. Or, as another example, you would not go up to Calvin Klein in his studio and inspect his latest denim jeans design and then inform him that you are going to have your seamstress friend make you up a pair just like that. It’s quite insulting and if Calvin Klein never spoke to you again, I certainly couldn’t blame him. Could you?

Fortunately these behaviors are only small thorns in the rose garden of the wonderful crochet cro-munity. Nothing a little pruning can’t fix.

Posted in Rant , bad behavior, cro-munity, crochet, manners, rant | 9 Comments »

Yarndango Project 31 – Simple Doll

Written By: madcroscientist - Apr• 09•13

Wow. I’ve been crazy mad busy and I realize some of the projects I’ve been coming up with lately for Yarndango really aren’t suitable for weekly projects. They are too long and involved for me to get patterns written up in time to do on a weekly basis. So I’m going to try to do a few smaller and easier projects for the next few weeks and think about beginners who might want something simple to do as they progress in their crochet skills.

In the meantime, I’m still working on my sloth fanny pack pattern and getting it ready to publish. It’s been tested by a most wonderful, talented, and patient crocheter who is totally worth her weight in gold. I’m very thankful for all her help, insights, advice, willingness to work in the madness of the mad crochet lab, and with me. I’m also giving a shot to creating a free pattern in video format. This has been quite a learning experience. Basically though, what I’m learning is that camera batteries run out quickly when filming video, but most of all, that we need better internet service at the Mad Crochet Lab! Part 2 of my video segment took 5 hours to upload to Youtube. In all that time, I was afraid to walk away from the computer in case it timed out or the screensaver came on or that there would be a cat walking across a keyboard and killing the process!

This is a doll I came up with that was inspired by a character created by Claudia Everest of A Dog A Day. The simple doll pattern I am filming will be similar in construction but not exactly the same. I will post more photos about it in the near future as well as provide written copy for those who do not wish to follow a video pattern.

In other news – Amiguruthi has been making some fabulous patterns of her own which you can see here. She’s also made some more of her adorable slugs in different colors and styles that you can see here. And this is so exciting – she’s been interviewed by The Sun and the Turtle Amigurumi page here, so check it out and learn more about Amiguruthi!

Laura has made a wonderful hippo with a free pattern she found on Ravelry. I’m not sure if it is the great pattern or the great hooking by Laura, most likely it is both – but it is the cutest hippo ever and I love the color flecks in the yarn Laura used. Lovely shaping, great stitching!

Posted in Yarndango | 4 Comments »

Catching up and Yarndango Project 30 – Sloth Fanny Pack

Written By: madcroscientist - Mar• 28•13

I feel like I’ve been neglecting this blog. But there is good reason! It’s been mad busy at the Mad Crochet Lab and in new places too!

I’ve become part of a collaborative new page, called Treblemaking Hookers on Facebook. The page was created to serve our wonderful crochet community. It’s a work in progress and will be growing over time. It has a companion blog as well, where we will be adding resources to promote the art and business of crochet. The Facebook page is interactive so we can address questions from readers in a timely manner and have active discussions. The blog will become the knowledge base where information about crochet of all kinds can be found and to quickly direct you to what you want to know.

I’m working with two wonderful crocheters, Sharon Ojala of the Amigurumi Freely page and Kim Sofia. Sharon had already been serving the amigurumi community with her wonderful video tutorials and free patterns, as well as providing directories of free amigurumi patterns. Kim Sofia is my other cro-conspirator and recently started her own blog at KreepyKim’s Freak Boutique. She also has a Facebook page at Kim’s Sticks and Strings. Kim creates each of her kreepy yarn spawn directly from her kreepy mind without using patterns. Each is one of a kind and she is a true inspiration to the community. Her amazing work is testament to the fact that if you can think it, you can create it! I look forward to working with them to serve our crochet community.

For a Yarndango project I have something interesting to show. It’s a furry little sloth fanny pack with a zippered pouch and long arms to hang onto the waist. It’s being tested as a pattern as we speak and will be available soon with options to make it into a stuffed animal. It’s a bit larger than a normal weekly project for me so it is going to take a little longer to hammer out the pattern, but I’m happy to say that it’s already been child approved (my great niece and nephew each want one – they are six and ten years old). I’ll post about this again after the pattern has been through testing and becomes available.

Amiguruthi has been hookin’ circles around me as usual. But she also made something slow for her latest project. You can check it out and its free pattern right here!

Posted in Yarndango , fanny pack, sloth, sloth fanny pack, treblemaking hookers, Yarndango | 6 Comments »

Yarndango Projects 28 and 29

Written By: madcroscientist - Mar• 10•13

I’m still playing catch-up over here but wanted to put up a post as soon as I could! The first project I have to show is one that I didn’t write up a pattern for. It’s a little trophy that will be used in the future for a project that will be revealed later.

Project 29 is Lenore, the Cute Little Dead Girl, whom I made at the suggestion of one of my facebook page friends. The free for personal use pattern is available in my Craftsy shop as a pdf download.

Checking in the other Yarndangoers reveals that Amiguruthi has been doing circles around me yet again – I believe she is on project 32 or 33 by now. But this is my first time linking you to her adorable dachshund pattern. I’d also like to point out that she plays fair to cat lovers by adding this Neko Kitty pattern – thanks for introducing me to this, Amiguruthi! And speaking of playing, she’s made herself a D20 – These type of dice are used to play role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. Amazing!

Posted in Links to Other's Patterns, My Patterns, Yarndango , amigurumi, crochet lenore, free pattern, lenore the cute little dead girl | 3 Comments »

Yarndango Project 27 – Dog A Day Logo

Written By: madcroscientist - Feb• 24•13

I’m behind on posting Yarndango projects since took my little hiatus but will be catching up as quickly as I can.

As part of my “sucking up to Claudia Everest” so I can sell her little Dog A Day characters in crochet form, I made her a crocheted version of her logo, which is appropriately enough, a dog turd. LOL. This pattern will not be written up for sale but it was still designed and made by me so it satisfies my Yarndango project. Too bad they don’t sell scented yarn so this could have been more realistic.

You can check out A Dog A Day here. Claudia has already received her items and has posted photos of them a couple of times on her facebook page. This makes me happy, but I still feel bad for Moroni as he always seems to be at the pointy end of Tiddles’ shenanigans.

Amiguruthi came up with this fabulous character and I really wished I had been able to post about it sooner but I ran out of time before my vacation. Regardless, this little guy is so worth checking out and I love how she transcribed him into yarn form!

Laura handled a little mishap seamlessly with her speckled creation here – I would have never known if she hadn’t mentioned that she was running out of yarn. This creature looks well-planned to me!

Pumpkin has been so busy lately with the arrival of a new nephew and caring for her niece during that time. But that has not stopped her from creating these lovely yarn items. Bonus photo of her new nephew! Squeeee!

Posted in Yarndango | No Comments »

Mad CAL – Fairy Theme Roundup

Written By: madcroscientist - Feb• 02•13

Wow! There were many fantastic things that came out of this Crochet-A-Long experience, and not just the fabulous custom fairy gardens that each person made! There were a lot of patterns created along the way, a lot of links shared, a lot of inspiration to fellow crocheters, and a load of smiles! I hope everyone has enjoyed the experience as much as I have. And although it is officially a completed CAL, there are still some people who are working on their gardens or who may start one in the near future. No matter where you are in the process or if you are even IN the process, I’d like to share some links here just because they are so inspirational.

Alice Bakker’s fairy garden – even a video of her fabulous enchanted tree!!! So awesome!

Ellen Hartmeijer’s adorable fairy!

Rhonda’s fairy garden that includes a two-story fairy home!

Liz’s incredible fairy garden and her adorable fairy which is now available as a very affordable pattern on Craftsy!

She’s not in a garden but fairy fans will love this fairy by Dee of Off d’ Hook Creations!

There are other photos in my facebook album too.

There are so many others that were involved and still are working on their gardens that I’d love it if they would like to share links in the comments!

I’ve learned many things during this CAL since it was my first. And I’d like to share what I’ve learned so we can have even better CALs in the future!

#1 Thing Learned – A LOT more people love fairies than I could have imagined. LOL. People seemed to come out of the woodwork for this project and it was really awesome to see!

#2 Thing Learned – Because so many people were interested, it was very difficult for me to keep track of all the projects going on and I am sure I missed some things and links along the way. If I missed posting something of yours, it was unintentional and I apologize. I learned that bouncing from blog to facebook page was probably not the best way to keep the CAL organized. However, I have since learned about this interesting feature on Facebook called “Groups.” It’s a wonderful way to share links and photos with each other that each person can post to instead of relying on my own brain to remember things and so I am thinking that future CALs will be organized into a group on facebook! I got way too excited about this CAL and totally didn’t think of it before. ::headdesk::

#3 Thing Learned – No matter what size container you start with, it will never be big enough to hold all the things you want to make for your scene. No matter what size your house is, you WILL fill every room with cute CAL related stuff if someone doesn’t stop you. LOL. There were so many wonderful things that I wanted to include – ladybugs, mushrooms, a lily of the valley, a snail, etc. And as hard as it was, I had to hold back and decide against some of the items because my scene was going to get too crowded. I had to keep reminding myself that I did not have to make every project, just pick and choose the ones that were really important. I do think my fairy still needs a little creature friend and I may still add one, but it will have to be small – perhaps a ladybug.

#4 Thing Learned – There is never enough time to make all the things you want to include in your scene. Each week was flying by and though the projects were small, I had way too much fun trying different patterns and deciding how my scene should look.

#5 Thing Learned – Some of you did not let #3 Thing Learned or #4 Thing Learned stop you in the least. LOL. And I’m truly glad of this because some of the creatures, trees, and fairies that came out of this were way too adorable and I loved seeing your gardens grow!

#6 Thing Learned – Really, I already knew this but it is just reinforced by this experience – necessity is the mother of invention! Some of you wanted a snail, so you created a snail. Some of you wanted an insect, so you created one. Some of you wanted cool enchanted trees, so you designed them! I know I wanted a posable fairy so I came up with the humanoid pattern. Thanks to everyone who shared their designs either in pattern form or just in photo inspiration form. It was really neat to see the new designs that came out of this project.

#7 Thing Learned – It’s been a fun ride and I want to do it again! I’m thinking we take a little break and then clear out our containers and start all over again with a different theme in March or April. Same idea of a small complete project every week as part of a bigger scene. But this time it will be better organized in a Facebook Group. Anyone with me? :D

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

Yarndango Project 26 – Tiddles

Written By: madcroscientist - Feb• 01•13

It’s Project 26 – this means I’m halway through with the Yarndango challenge! Woot! So the project I designed and crocheted this week was a cat called Tiddles. This is a character that belongs to the author/illustrator Claudia Everest who draws A Dog A Day (there’s a caption contest going on there now where you can win some of her art).

There will be no pattern for this one as it is not MY character. However, if you are interested in purchasing a limited edition of this or her Moroni the dog character, visit my facebook page and let me know.

I haven’t seen any other Yarndango projects up this week but Amiguruthi did put up an awesome crochet-related post that needs to be read by crocheters new and experienced. It is too funny! Enjoy!

Posted in Yarndango , A Dog A Day, idrawdogs, Tiddles | 2 Comments »

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