After looking over the pattern I realized that it would be a snap to covert to crochet. Isn't it something what a difference a year makes?  How cool that I would be able to make these available to anyone who wants to make them!! Now no one has to be left out!  As it happens, they are very easy to make no matter which technique you use.  I made both of these and the egg in one evening.  The ribbing on the knit version is snugger (is that a word?) so, to make the crochet ribbing tighter I ran a basting stitch around the bottom and pulled it in a little.  Problem solved!

Embellishing them was fun too.  At first I wasn't sure what to do.  Since I don't have chickens the picture that came to mind was Fog Horn Leg Horn (we're big Looney Tunes fans here!) Anyway, I found this fuzzy, furry yarn (which I've could never figure out what to do with), and sort of stitched it in loops. I think the effect is great!  I'm not crazy about the beaks though.  In fact the knit chick had a "beak job" because the original one made her look like some sort of prehistoric monster chick, okay I'm overreacting a bit but it did look funny.  Next time I might try a piece of felt instead. You really can let your imagination run wild or go for the simple look and make them in your favorite colors.  No matter what you do, I'm sure that they will look terrific.

I love that they sit atop the eggs.  For me that's why I found them so endearing.  I'm not sure what it is about little "surprises" like that make me say, "aaawwwhh", but I can't help myself!  They're a perfect fit for the crochet eggs, or you can fill a plastic egg with candy for a super sweet treat. 

I'm including a downloadable PDF of the crochet pattern that you might find useful as well as the egg pattern.  I didn't bother to write out the knit pattern.  I was able to follow the diagram, and I'm sure you can too.  With any of them, please let me know if you have questions.  I'm new to pattern writing, and apologize in advance for any mistakes or confusing instructions!

Well my friends that's all for today.  Have fun with your creations!  I'd love to see pictures of your lil' chickies.  You can post them on my Facebook page and we can all "aaawwwhh" them together.
Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings and welcome to my pumpkin patch!  Autumn is my favorite season for so many reasons. Apple picking, the special way the air smells while walking through the woods, Halloween, sweater weather, craft fairs, candy, scary movies, costumes and of course pumpkins!  Whether it's carving a jack-o-lantern, making pie, toasting the seeds or crocheting one of these little beauties pumpkins are fun. I think of them as an ambassador for the holidays.  We see them first as one of the final crops from the summer growing season. We use them for decorations in October and then turn them into pies that grace our tables at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.  By the time the new year comes we've had our fill, but rest assured we'll be excited to see them come autumn next year!

I was looking to make some harvest themed decorations to use at the library as well as at home.  I came across this simple (free) pattern. These little lovelies are a snap to work up and actually are somewhat addicting! I've left mine plain, but Dawn over on her blog Fiddlesticks shows what can be done with a little embroidery thread, a few buttons and some imagination. She has several ideas for terrific ways to bring the harvest home. I know she's inspired me!  To get you motivated here's a look out how easy it is to make your own mini pumpkin.

I found another free mini pumpkin pattern on Petals to Picots (one of my new Friday link parties).  Kara works her's in the round.  I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my list for the weekend!  What do you think of our kitty?  She has to be part of everything!  And since she was determined to oversee my progress and my photography I had to include her in my story! 

Have you heard the news?  Today is I Love Yarn Day!  Not that we don't love yarn every day! Here is a chance for us to let everyone know just how important yarn is to us and our crafty lives.

I'm doing my part by posting here today, and by spending as much time as I can crocheting (pumpkins of course!)

On their website and Facebook page you'll find places to share your activities and see what other yarn lovers are up to today.  Here are some other suggestions from their site:

Whether you knit, crochet, craft or just adore fiber, October 12th is the day to affirm your passion for yarn. Show it off, tag with it, carry it, gather with friends. Declare your LOVE! Get involved.

• Create an I Love Day Yarn badge
• Teach someone to knit or crochet
• Do something for charity
• Wear a knitted or crocheted item
• Give a gift of yarn
• Take your yarn to work day
• Host a yarn-a-bration party
• Knit, crochet and craft in public

This is the perfect excuse for spending the day with your favorite yarn! Enjoy yourself and create something that makes you happy!

In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Race"

There are so many things that I want to do.  I often feel like there isn't enough time in the day to get it all done.  And so I find myself hurrying through instead of taking my time and enjoying myself.  I have to pull back and remember that life is a journey not a destination (thank you Stephen Tyler and Aerosmith for instilling that bit of wisdom in me so long ago!).  Anyway, I forget that I don't have to get it all done right now.  Especially when it comes to crochet and crafting.  This is my hobby.  It's a passion, but it's a hobby.  And the reason that I do it is to relax and enjoy myself.  Of course for the pleasure of creating and having wonderful handmade gifts to give, but it's about the act of doing - or at least it should be.

So when I start getting anxious and find that I am racing to the end, I step back.  I breath into the moment.  I say the mantra that has been mine for years: Be Here Now.

Five minutes doesn't last for long!  Like last week I was tempted to keep going, but the exercise is five minutes period.  So this week when the timer went off I stopped (after I jumped because it scarred the beep out of me!).

And so this brings us to the end.  I had a lot to share today.  I hope that something here caught your eye!  For more eye catching fun, check out these other blogs.  Each one has something unique to offer and I'm sure you'll find plenty to ooh and aah over! Enjoy your weekend ~ no matter what you're doing!

I am eager (and hesitant) to stretch and move outside of my blogging comfort zone. It is one of the main things that I'm hoping to achieve through participating in Blogtoberfest. And so, based on today's prompt I bravely share two poems I composed this morning.

In the pumpkin patch
beneath the harvest moon
the soil packed firm from the summer’s rain
I think of you and wonder

Pie or Muffins?

Words swirl
Like a tornado I see them

Ubiquitous azalea stunning flamingo transcontinental sea-glass magician fireworks

Together I worry they mean nothing
Make no sense

And yet they are
Part of me
Subconscious

What is their story?

What is my story?

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. If you like the little pumpkin, check back later and I'll tell you all about it!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Greetings! Thanks so much for stopping by. I've been hard at work on Sweet Eleanor and learning about color for the next installment of the Granny Square Project. As much as I'm enjoying myself, yesterday I found my mind wondering, thinking about the next "big thing".  I blame the mailman since he's the one that brought me the latest issue of Crochet Today! I always get antsy to start something new when any of my magazines arrive.  I decided to appease my desire by whipping up this little cow pencil topper (from the February 2012 issue of Crochet World). I actually think it looks more like Snoopy, don't you? No matter, it was quick and fun and gave me a chance to do something different without a commitment.  Kind of like speed dating. (Not that I know anything about that, I'm just saying...) With that out of my system I'm ready to focus on my color research and,  if the weather cooperates, maybe do some work on Julianna.

Everyday on my way to work I walk by this unlikely outcropping of beauty that appeared near the drive through of our bank.  It seems that these flowers were determined to find their way into the world.  Seeds from last year's container must have landed in a crack in the blacktop giving them their start. 

I can't help but be inspired by their perseverance and adaptability.  Others must be intrigued as well because they have remained untouched.  And on one particularly hot day I noticed that the lawn service had given them water along with the other flowers!

In addition to my fiber offerings, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Baker's place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done it, why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Stretch"

I remember him from my childhood.  The super elastic plastic man – Stretch Armstrong.  You could pull him and twist him and without complaint he returned to his original muscular stance.

I don’t have that ability to move my body like that, but I do try to expand the limits of my mind as often as possible. There was a time when that may have implied psychedelic exploration, but that’s not where I’m at today.  Today I am open to learning as many new things as I possibly can. I want to experience as much as I can and then some. I want to press the limits of my brain capacity.

Seeking the unknown, my willingness to absorb as much as I can has become a big part of my life as an adult. It’s this desire to seek just a little bit more, to go a little bit further than I have in the past that makes life so interesting.  And then as I come back I am the same, yet something more.

Friday is a great day for browsing on the internet. I'll be linking up these wonderful bloggers and sharing today's fiber offering. There are so many creative people to meet and new things to be inspired by - I hope you'll take a look.

This week I'm also joining in with Tricia and her Stash Bash. Click over for a peek!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

This week I’ve had a lot on my mind and I needed a project that didn’t require me to pay rapt attention and that I could finish in a short period of time. Browsing my favorite internet haunts, I quickly realized that Amigurumi was the answer.  Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. Of course I needed patterns and more  information so I did what I always do and went to the library.  Let me tell you all about the book I found.

The book wastes no time and simply begins with the patterns. There are 30 in all and they don’t seem to be in any kind of order (easy – difficult, similar shapes, kinds of animal etc.) The Patterns are followed by: Techniques, Conversions, Abbreviations, Index and The Art of Amigurumi.

Taking a closer look at the patterns, they list the materials required, special techniques (stitches used) and the size of the finished item.  It looks like the majority of the projects call for something other than yarn to be used for the eyes.  The instructions are given round by round as well as in a chart. Making Up tells you how to assemble the pieces you’ve made.

The Techniques section offers information that I would have preferred to see in the beginning. It’s made up of a page on What is Amigurumi? Then a brief description of crochet, hooks, and choosing yarn is followed by detailed written instructions and pictures of the basic crochet stitches. There are 9 pictures to show you how to make the Magic Circle and more for joining rounds and changing colors. There’s also a bit on spiral charts.

After reading through I felt ready to give it a go and I decided on Mini Mouse. I thought I should practice the Magic Circle since this is the beginning of all of the pieces. I struggled and struggled, but I just couldn’t get it. I am very adept at following instructions, but I could not make this happen. Luckily, I had seen instructions for an Adjustable Ring in the resources section of the July/August 2012 issue of  Crochet Today!. Four steps, first try, bam! I’m in business. The next hurtle I needed to overcome was the dc. Every pattern uses a dc for everything!  I’m typically pretty bright, but I could not figure out why they wanted me to use a dc when everyone knows that these little guys are always made in sc. At least they are when you’re in the US. And silly me, I just assumed (yeah, you know what that means!) that my book was from the US. I’m not sure when the light bulb went off, but it did and I realized that even though the pattern says dc, I should go ahead and use the sc in its place. Well thank goodness for that! Now I’m really ready!

I started with the ears.  Round 1: Using MC (that’s an adjustable ring to me! – not Main Color or Magic Circle) and B, work 6 dc (that means 6 sc!). Okay I got it. Change to A. Round 2: 2dc into each st. 12 sts. No problem, I’m cruising now! Round 3: (dc in next dc, dc in next dc) rep around 18 sts. Break yarn, leaving a long tail. What?? You want me to dc in next dc, and do it again and repeat it around and end up with 18 stitches?  That’s not possible. There’s something wrong! Clearly there is a mistake in the pattern.  I realized I needed to increase in every other stitch to get to 18 stitches. And there you have it, an ear! Happily it was easy going for the rest of the pattern and by the end of the morning our kitty had a new toy. I’m not sure that this is the easy distraction I had in mind when I began, but it did keep me busy.

Thanks for joining me for today’s book review. Next time it’s back to fiction with my thoughts on the most recent Faith Fairchild Mystery,  The Body in the Boudoir, by Katherine Hall Page.

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!