Yarn pumpkins and acorns

Over the last several months I had been admiring pictures of various Autumn decor items and recently made these knit and crochet pumpkins and acorns.  In the picture, the knit items are on the left and crochet on the right.

 

Pumpkins:  I watched multiple crochet pumpkin videos and winged it using a few techniques from those videos to make my own version (I chained 21 and used a half double crochet stitch).  After I finished it, I was very motivated and I searched for a knit pumpkin pattern.  I found this pumpkin pattern by Studio Knit and followed the instructions for the medium size.  The circumference of the pumpkins are approximately 16" for the crochet and 15" for the knit and a height of about 5-5 1/2".  For the stem of the knit pumpkin, I knit two 5 stitch I-cords and sewed together for a bit more thickness.  I used Lily Sugar'n Cream yarn in the colors hot orange and warm brown.  I added a bow made from a piece of the Lily Sugar'n Cream ecru yarn to bring in the color from the acorns. 

Acorns: Even more motivated I thought a few acorns would be fun to add to the collection.  I followed the Little Acorn Crochet Pattern video by Jayda in Stitches and the How to Knit Acorns video by Studio Knit. Also, instead of adding a hanging string on the crochet acorn, I finished the top just like the knit acorn.  The finished acorn sizes are 2" (crochet) and 3" (knit).  I used Lily Sugar'n Cream yarn in the colors ecru and warm brown.

Happy crafting!

Autumn cross stitch

My latest fully finished cross stitch project is the freebie Autumn cross stitch pattern by Tiny Modernist.  I stitched this up last year and put it away until I could figure out what to do with it.  I initially wanted to finish it on a wooden pumpkin piece but it was just a tad too large.  So, the next best finish was to make it into a pillow.  

 

Here are the details:

Cross stitch fabric:  14 ct. off-white Aida cloth

Pillow size:  approx. 6 1/2" x 7"

Cotton trim: orange rick rack (from Sew Vintagely)

Pillow fabric:  Adel in Autumn collection by Sandy Gervais for Riley Blake Designs

    front fabric panel:  SKU #C10824 (chocolate)

    backing fabric:  SKU# C10822 (chocolate) 

Floss:  DMC 729 & 720; Sullivans 45170, 45242 & 45268

 Happy stitching!

 

 

Knit slippers - a Phentex pattern

I've had a skein of Red Heart super saver acrylic yarn, in the color soft navy, for quite some time and I only recall making one project out of it and I recently decided it's time to use it up!  I first attempted to make a wall hanging but didn't like how it was looking so I ripped it out.  I then pulled out my file of knit and crochet patterns, that I've collected over the years, and found the knit slipper pattern from Phentex.  I don't know how old this pattern is but I'm sure I've had it for more than 5 years; it was a freebie flyer on display at the craft store.  And here are the slippers.

 

 

The pattern sheet has two designs, a cuff and short version and I chose the latter.  It was an easy and quick project and I used size 8 knitting needles to knit them up last month.  I do question if there was an error in the beginning of the pattern but I just did what made sense which didn't matter in the design.  While it was an easy knit, the only part I didn't like was that for each slipper, you had to knit two pieces and sew together.  (It says make 2 pieces alike and me thinking, yes, two slippers so you're making two alike.  Uh no, each slipper has two pieces.)   I didn't want a seam on the bottom of the foot but oh well, it was a free pattern and a good practice project!   I will remember to read through a pattern first before starting!  

This is what remains of the skein and I will be looking for more ideas to use it up!

 Happy knitting!

 

    

Crochet amigurumi - Six and Nome of Little Nightmares

Even though I have basic crochet skills, I was up for the challenge when asked if I could make a character using a crochet amigurumi pattern.  I had seen crocheted toys before but never thought I could accomplish such a craft.  I purchased the pattern, Little Nightmares, from ElizettaCrafts, a shop on Etsy.  Oh my, the pattern includes two characters and has lots of pages which was a bit daunting, but I read through it and printed only a few to start and not get overwhelmed. 

Wow, I had to check back to see when I began this project and it was shortly after my purchase last February!  I started with the character Six who was crocheted in numerous parts including her hood, jacket and jacket accessories.  I paced myself and worked on her occasionally, and I did have to look up a few techniques (glad to have found some videos to use as a reference) but the instructions in the pattern are very good, it's just that this level of crocheting was new to me.  Well, I finally got her completed a few months ago and pleased to have this as an accomplishment; the recipient was happy to receive!  This is Six:

Also, I decided to crochet the second character, Nome, that was part of the pattern.  Yes, I was that confident, LOL!  It was a smaller character and less parts to crochet!  I worked on him occasionally for approximately a month or two and finally finished him last week.  The recipient was surprised (didn't know he was included in the pattern) and happy to add this character to his collection!  This is Nome:

 

  Six and Nome together:

 

Supplies for Six

Hook sizes - 4.00mm and 4.25mm

Yarn - Lily Sugar n' Cream in the colors yellow, soft ecru and black

 

Supplies for Nome

Hook size - 4.25mm

Yarn - Lily Sugar n' Cream in the color warm brown

 

Other supplies for both as included in instructions

Fiberfill

Plastic coated wire

 

There are some imperfections but I think they turned out cute!  Happy crocheting!