Amamani Puzzle Balls

I bought the ebook of patterns a year or more ago, and I finally got around to making some! The race, after all, is on. I'm due to hatch this new little hatchling at the beginning of July. I remember from the last time that I couldn't really sit down and crochet until she was about a year old, so I know very well that I need to finish up my queue of crochet projects before he's born!

I've been crocheting my little fingers off... Good thing I'm enjoying myself!

Here are three Amamani Puzzle Balls I made over the last couple weeks. They're pretty cool!

You can get the pattern all over the internet, but I purchased mine here:

https://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=113005

I've found it cheaper in other online places since then, but that's where I got it. :-)

Robots in Spaaaace baby blanket (FREE crochet pattern)

Hello again! I've got another great pattern for you! First I have to give 95% of the credit to a gal named Jessame. She designed and posted a free pattern for a Nautical Afghan in February of 2014. I came across her pattern sometime in early 2015 and I made it (only 16 of the squares) for my cousin's baby boy.

Well, now I'm having a[nother] baby boy of my own, and I wanted to stick with the Robots theme that I already have for my little girl's nursery (it's already blue in there... no need to redecorate!), but I kind of wanted to add some space stuff to it. So I was thinking of ideas for this little one's baby blanket.... and then I thought to myself that I should just modify the Nautical Afghan to have robots and space graphics instead of the nautical stuff.

Here's my Robots in Spaaaaaace blanket. (You have to read that with, like, an echoing, booming voice. Go back and do it. I'll wait....)

And here is the Nautical Afghan I made for my cousin's little boy, following Jessame's pattern:

So the major changes I made between the two are the following:

1. Instead of the red, white, green/blue, navy blue colors for the nautical, I changed the colors to red, white, blue, and grey. (So where there is the green/blue color in the nautical, I swapped it for grey in the robot blanket.)

2. The white cable squares call for 19 rows in Jessame's pattern. I found this to be too long, so I did 17 rows for the robot pattern.

3. I only used three different graphics in the nautical afghan (anchor x 2, life saver, sail boat x 2), but in the robot pattern I used five different graphics. (Robot, gear, star, battery, rocket ship.)

4. The stripes squares I just did my own color repetitions.

5. I always do my own border.

6. Oh, the original pattern for Jessame's nautical blanket is for a much larger blanket that could probably fit on a twin size bed. It has a total of 30 squares. I just followed the bottom left 16 squares (4x4) to make it a good size for just a little baby blanket.

7. The squares that are comprised of 4 smaller squares came out pretty small this time in comparison to the other squares, so I added a row of hdc around it in different colors.

The instructions for the various squares can be found for FREE on Jessame's blog. You can access that pattern here. If you have any questions about her instructions, she is great at responding to comments on her blog. (You can also ask me here, if you want, but I'm not looking to steal her thunder.)

Here are the graphs for the graphics that I created for my Robots in Spaaaace blanket. They are 30 squares by 30 squares. Each square represents one sc (single crochet) stitch.

Gear

I used red and blue to stitch around the edges after it was done, because I thought it looked a little plain just like this.

Rocket Ship

 I flipped this one over and had it facing the other way for the "right side" of the blanket because it just looked better that way to me. :-)

Star

 Pretty self explanatory. I considered just using white for the star instead of yellow, but then I was almost out of white.... So that sealed the deal for the yellow. Ha. I think it looks pretty good like this.

Robot

 My original plan was to stitch on a mouth after it was done, but I actually think it looks pretty good as is. No mouth needed!

Battery

And there you have it! My awesome Robots in Spaaaace baby blanket!

Thank you, Jessame, for sharing your amazing pattern for free! You were my inspiration, and you're a genius! :-)

Basic Striped Baby Blanket (free crochet pattern!)

I just finished this little blanket today!

It's 30" by 33". I didn't use a pattern, but it is so very simple for even a beginner crocheter! So I'm going to write down the pattern for free. :-)

As you can see, each stripe is a different color. The little color stripes don't use much yarn at all, so if you have lots of scrap yarn you may not even need to acquire more (for the stripes).

The main color I used is Grey Heather, from the Red Heart Super Saver brand. I used up what was left of a 10oz skein, then I had to purchase a 5oz skein and used about half of that. I'd wager it was about 8-10oz total of the grey. Then I just picked one of the colors from one of the stripes and used it for the border. This blanket is for a boy, so I went with the light blue. I followed up with two rounds of grey--one on top of the other--so that the very edge feels sturdy. 

Here are the instructions! Let me know if there are any mistakes!

Materials:

Crochet hook--size I / 5.5mm
Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Grey Heather for main color
--other scraps of Medium (4) weight yarn for stripes and edging
yarn needle (to weave in ends)


Main body:

Row 1: With grey, ch 92; dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across; ch 2, turn (90 dc)
Row 2-6: (the "ch 2" does NOT count as a dc); dc in each st across, ch 2, turn (90 dc)
Row 7: dc in each st across; finish off grey.

Row 8: turn your work and attach your first color stripe (lime green for me) with a sc in the last st worked of row 7; sc in each st across; finish off. (90 sc)

Row 9: turn your work and attach grey with a sl st in the BACK LOOP ONLY of the last st worked of row 8. **Work in BLO for this whole row.** ch 2, then dc in same loop where you joined, and dc in each st across. ch 2, turn. (90 dc)

Row 10-15: continue in pattern, putting a dc in each st across.

Finish off after each grey section has 7 rows of dc stitches, then attach a color for a stripe and work it as Row 8 was worked.

After each color stripe, repeat row 9 and then continue on in pattern, working 7 rows of dc for the whole grey section.

The blanket has 6 color stripes, and seven grey block sections. There are a total of 55 rows in the main body of the blanket.

My rows went:

grey block of 7 rows dc
lime green row of sc
grey block of 7 rows dc
blue row of sc
grey block of 7 rows dc
light blue row of sc
grey block of 7 rows dc
red row of sc
grey block of 7 rows dc
orange row of sc
grey block of 7 rows dc
yellow row of sc
grey block of 7 rows dc.... then finish off main body.



Now for the border:

Pick one stripe color, or even go for a light grey if you wish, and attach at a corner with a sc.

Round 1: sc again in the same corner st of your sc join (there should be two sc in this corner st); sc in each st across to the next corner; 3 sc in corner st, *sc along side of blanket placing 2 sc in each dc row, and 1 sc in each sc row* to the next corner st; 3 sc in corner st, sc across to next corner st, repeat * to *; put one last sc in the same corner st as first two st; join to first sc with a sl st.

You should have three sc stitches worked in each corner stitch of the blanket.

Round 2: ch 1, DO NOT TURN, work 3 sc in same st as join, *sc across to next corner st, 3 sc in corner st*; repeat until you reach the beginning of the round and join with a sl st to the first sc.

Round 3: ch 1, DO NOT TURN, sc in same st as join, work 3 sc in corner st, *sc across to next corner st, 3 sc in corner st*; repeat until you reach the beginning of the round and join with a sl st to the first sc.

Round 4 - 6: Continue in this pattern, working 3 sc in each corner st and joining at the end of the round, until you have completed 6 rows of light blue. Finish off.

Round 7: Attach grey yarn with a sc anywhere on round 6. Following the same pattern, sc in each sc around the edge, and place 3 sc in each corner st. Join with sl st to first sc.

Round 8: ch 1, sc again into the stitches in round 6. This means you are essentially working your stitches in this round AROUND the stitches made in round 7. Insert your hook down into that same blue stitch that you crocheted into while working the previous round, and finish your stitch. You'll need to pull it up a little taller. When you get to the corners, work just TWO sc into the corner stitch of round 6. Do this all the way around, then join with sl st to the first sc of this round. Finish off....

Make sure you weave in all your ends... and you're done!



****Do not copy this pattern and pass it off as your own. You can definitely sell finished items made from this pattern.****


Check out my other patterns here on Etsy, or here on Ravelry! I'd also love your feedback on this or any of my other patterns. :-)

Robot Crochet

I love robots, and I love to crochet, so it just makes sense that I'm crocheting robots. I began by following a pattern for a robot, and then I branched out and created my own. And holy cow, it appears I've got quite a knack for this whole robot-crochet-design thing!

Here are some pictures of the robots I've designed, and links to where you can purchase the patterns! If you do purchase a pattern and find anything confusing or wrong in it, please contact me here or via etsy or ravelry and let me know!! And I would *LOVE* to see pictures of your finished products!

The Happy Little Robot

This was the first little guy I created on my own... and by little I mean 20" from foot to antenna. He is just so stinkin' cute! You can find him here on Etsy, or you can find him here on Ravelry.

The Kyra-bot

This was designed for my friend's granddaughter, Kyra. She's one of my fav's, for sure! She's got a skirt and everything! I love this robot. I should probably make her again for my little girl. You can find the Kyra-bot here on Etsy, or here on Ravelry.

Caleb's Robot

I couldn't think of a name for this guy, and I made him for my cousin's baby boy (Caleb), so Caleb's Robot seemed fitting. :-) He's got a pretty sweet antenna on his noggin', and the sides of his head were crazy awesome to make. I'm pretty proud of it! Caleb loves him, too. You can find Caleb's Robot here on Etsy, or here on Ravelry.

 Mr. Banks

This is Mr. Banks. I was inspired by my little girl's "piggy" bank, which is actually a robot, and naturally we call him Mr. Banks when we say goodnight to him. I'm writing a children's book about Mr. Banks as well! You can get the pattern for him here on Etsy, or here on Ravelry.

Robot Pacifier/Toy Holder

OK this little fella doesn't have a name, but he is pretty useful! He's got a loop on his head, as well as a loop on each hand, and you mom's and dad's can attach toys and such to the loops. Or you could attach this guy to your baby's play yard, stroller, or carseat. You can get the pattern here on Etsy, or here on Ravelry.

Robot Toddler Tunic

Gah! Check this out!! I had just finished making a custom Tardigrade for a customer in the reddish color, and I had a bunch of yarn left. I wanted to use it up (I didn't even come close) and I had this idea for a darling little tunic for my little lady. So this is what I came up with! Seriously, who says robots are just for boys? Pshhhhht. You can get the pattern for this here on Etsy, or here on Ravelry. This is my latest and so-far-last robot creation, but I've got ideas for others!

Cute Crochet Robot, Mr. Banks!

I've done it again... I've crocheted a handsome fellow all by myself. I mean, I always do it all by myself, but what I mean is that I created him and the pattern literally all by myself!

I did have inspiration, though! My little lady's nursery is all decorated in robots. When I see stuff with robots, like shirts or tights or "piggy" banks, I just can't help myself--it winds up in our little robot shrine. It's really cute in there, honestly.

Ramona likes to say goodnight to her robots. We say goodnight to "Stan," and "Lois," and "Boris," (framed prints on the wall), then Mr. Banks, and Gregory! (Gregory is a *reallyreally* awesome lamp that my husband's BFF, Greg, gave us after she was born. It just seemed like the right name to give it.)

So, sometimes I find myself sitting there in her room, rocking her or just sitting while she destroys the order of everything *ahem*, and I think to myself "hey, self, you should make a crochet robot similar to that one!" And so, I bring you... Mr. Banks!!

I've also written a children's book about Mr. Banks... hopefully to be published in the near future. :-)


Follow this link to buy the pattern and make your very own Mr. Banks!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/254193183/crochet-pattern-robot-mr-banks

Cute Crochet Robots!

I'm a maniac. I crochet like nobody's business. (Does that make me a crocheniac?) For years and years I followed patterns. Simple patterns, complex patterns, you name it. I made all kinds of stuff, but I wouldn't venture out and make stuffed animals. Well along came December 13th of 2011. A coworker asked me if I could crochet a reindeer hat for her, with stuffed antlers and sewn-on button eyes, and she needed it by Dec 15th. Not one to let people down, I spent my birthday (the 14th) crocheting this hat and branching out with my skills. This single project really transformed my life, and I will forever be grateful for that challenge.

Fast forward to 2015.... I now create and sell my own patterns for crocheted robots! OK let me explain my love for robots. Back in 2012, while my then-fiance and I were simply talking about maybe having a baby, I one day got this inspiration in my mind to decorate the future nursery in robots--no matter the flavor of the baby! Boy or girl, we would have robots galore! And that's what happened when our sweet little baby girl was born in 2014. We have a robot nursery. She has tons of robot shirts and tights and sweatshirts. Robots have grown quite dear to my heart. And, naturally, I wanted to crochet her a stuffed robot. I found a pattern on etsy.com for a pretty basic little robot. I used huge yarn and a huge hook to make it really big. This was the very first stuffed animal(robot, obviously) I'd ever made!

A good friend of mine saw this robot and she eyed it with admiration. She then had a massive outcropping of grandchildren (FIVE, suddenly, crazy huh?) and she presented me with a proposition in January of 2015. She asked me to make 5 crochet robot hats, plus 5 crochet stuffed robots by Christmas of 2015. Challenge accepted!

When it came time to start, which I believe I did in September of this year, I went on a hunt for more crocheted robot patterns. I found a few but they weren't all that fantastic. I made three of them from patterns and then I just knew I was going to have to make up my own. So I did, and I wrote down the patterns, and they are so brilliant! Here is little Robbie Robot:

And this here is his good friend, Kyra-bot. (She was made for a little girl named Kyra.) 

My friends and family are pretty excited about my unique robot designs and I'm already getting orders! But for each request I'm making an additional brand new unique one-of-a-kind robot, writing the patterns as I go! This is so fun! I've literally lost sleep over this because I am just so excited.

Currently I'm working on a robot called Mr. Banks. I'll post a blog about him as soon as he's finished!

You can snag the pattern for Robbie Robot at the following link:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/250030864/happy-little-robot-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_3

And Kyra-bot can be found here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/250613547/kyra-bot-the-pretty-little-robot?ref=shop_home_active_2

Happy hooking! :-)

Compliments are Important

Long ago, before I was the official trainer for my week at my job, I came up with an activity for groups of trainees to do. Each trainee must come up with some positive feedback (a.k.a. a compliment) for the person to their right. They go in a circle sharing their feedback, and then I surprise them with the news that they now get to go the other way. I never participate in the activity because I feel it would be weird if I threw that in there just so I could hear how awesome I am. Instead, I am an observer. I must say this activity makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside!

I have had trainees break into tears for the simple fact that they never receive compliments. Isn't that horrible??? There was one week I will never forget during which one trainee stopped the whole show and said, "You guys... I'm not used to this! This is so amazing! I love it! I NEVER heard stuff like this when I was growing up! I was always told that I'm ugly, I'm stupid, I'll never find a husband... This is so great!"

That right there is why I love, love, love this activity. The whole time the compliments are being shared, I sit there with a ridiculously cheesy grin on my face. It just makes me beam from the inside to see this positivity impact these people so deeply. On a few occasions, trainees have had to leave the room upon completion of the activity because they are too emotional to go on with the day just yet. The complements that usually bring the most tears are those along the lines of "just from what you say, I can tell you are a really good mother." That is a big one! The lady I quoted in the previous paragraph was told "You have a really great smile." Can you believe nobody had ever said that to her before? And that one, small little complement impacted her so profoundly...?

Positive feedback is a really big deal!!!

A few times, the follow-up conversation has moved into the realm of positive self talk. I'm sure you all realize that we say some pretty horrible things to ourselves—things that we would never let anybody else get away with! (Well we need to knock that junk off!) I think it's been 2 or 3 times that I have had my trainees go around and tell me something that they really like about THEMSELVES, which, for whatever dumb reason, is something our society tells us not to do. That is ridiculous.

I think we need to make a distinction between having a healthy self esteem and being conceited. It's OK to like yourself. It is healthy to be proud of things you have accomplished. Saying, "yeah, I am really good at that" does not make you full of yourself. I, for example, believe that I am really really good at crocheting. I really admire that in me. I am very proud of myself for having something that I am super good at! This does not make me conceited! Just think how weird it would be if every time someone said "WOW... you MADE that????" I responded with, "oh it wasn't very hard, anybody could do it, I'm sure it's been done better, it's really not that big of a deal." Sure that's being humble, but that is also being dishonest. It is 100% OK for me to respond with, "Heck yeah I did! It's the most epic thing I've ever made!!!"

Here's the most epic thing I've ever made:

Yep, I did that, I'm proud of it, and that's OK.

Think about what you like about yourself today. Give compliments to those around you, too! If you see something good, say it! I know I am really good at pointing out that my boys are handsome, intelligent, wonderful boys and I am glad that they are mine. I say this stuff to my super adorable tall husband as well. I imagine the day that I can shower my baby girl with praise. I can't wait to raise her to know that she is so incredibly awesome!!! I wish she would just be born NOW, darn it!

What things do you like about yourself? Can you make a list? Can you admit to yourself that you have good qualities?

Compliment yourself and those around you DAILY! You will be shocked at the immense impact it will have on your life as well as the lives of others.

Latest crochet creations!

I learned to crochet when I was 18. Since then, I must say I've made some pretty amazing stuff! This past weekend I made the following hats for two of my cousins.

Each of those took about an hour, I'd wager. These are just little side projects. Here is the big project I've been working on for the little bun in my oven:

It will literally be a big blanket of flowers! Isn't it wonderful? :-)

Not for the squeamish!

This morning there were two fresh piles of cat vomit waiting for me. One upstairs in my room, and one in the living room. I know this will (when he sees the pile in our room) upset the love of my life. Yesterday, in fact, he kept closing the door so the cats couldn't even get up to our room. I kept opening it, because it is not a rule that they can't go up there.

So anyway, I left him a note on the white board on the fridge. It reads "Two piles of cat vomit this morning! One in our room, one in the living room. Good thing the door to our room was open or there would be TWO down here! Gives the clean-up crew a little variety. :-) "

How's that for a positive spin? He he... *sigh* I sure love my cats.

Speaking of multiple piles of cat vomit....

A few years ago, I came home from work only to be accosted by SEVEN piles of cat vomit throughout the house. They went from solid to complete liquid. I assumed it was my female cat, because she plays the bulimia card to keep her girlish figure. Well, it was none other than Mr. Woozel. (Daxter is his given name, but you know how that goes.) He puked again right in front of me and something came up with it. A long stringy object. I immediately started gagging and had to look away as he choked it back down. Unfortunately my gag reflex kept me from identifying the object.

I assumed it was a tape worm or something equally atrocious. I took him to the emergency vet, where they did some x-rays. His intestines were all bunched up awkwardly. The vet asked me, "is there any string lying around your house?" Well, gosh, did I mention I crochet like a mad woman? Oy vey..... yes, there is lots and lots of string/yarn all over the place!!!

Poor Mr. Woozel had to spend the night in the hospital. The next morning, I picked him up from the ER vet and took him to his regular vet so he could be hospitalized there until they figured out the problem. Meanwhile, I looked around to see if there were any obvious signs that Daxter had chewed off some yarn. Then I remembered something...... I had recently made a blanket for my BFF and his wife, and there was a long strand of yarn left over at the end of a skein. This was long... 8 to 10 feet. I had put it next to my big bag of yarn in the living room. This long strand was missing.

I was living with my mother at the time. I asked her if she had thrown it out. Nope. Oh crap.

I called the vet and told him of my discovery. They scheduled surgery for poor Mr. Woozel. Yes, he had in fact slurped down over 8 feet of beautiful green yarn. They surgically extracted it from his intestines. Poor baby!!!!

Here are a couple pictures. One is, obviously, the yarn. The other is a picture of him when I visited after the surgery. I apologize if it makes you sick. :-)

Isn't he chubby and cute?????