Amber's (scaifea) 2022 Knitting/Sewing/Cross Stitch/Crafting Projects

Hi, everyone! I'm looking forward to another year of sewing and knitting - happy crafting to us all!

Okay, so now that Christmas is over, I can finally post photos of the gifts I made:

Charlie's present was a drawstring Bag of Holding for his D&D dice. I ordered special D&D-themed fabrics for it and I think it came out pretty great (I think he liked it, too):

I then made some fingerless gloves and little travel tea bag pouches for a few friends (one pair of gloves look the same as the Harry Potter ones I made for myself, so I won't repost those):

These are for my former boss at the library, who is a huge Disney fan:



And these are for the chair of my department, who teaches Norse Mythology and is a big fan of Marvel's Thor and Loki:



And here are the tea pouches:

>2 scaifea: and >3 scaifea: Those all look great, Amber! I’m sure Charlie was thrilled with his D&D bag.

I’m really liking the tea pouches - I might make myself something similar for travelling.

>4 PawsforThought: Thanks! The travel pouch is really pretty simple - I put each on together in about 30 minutes.

Those are all great projects. I like the teabag holder too.

I've commented elsewhere, but it bears repeating: fabulous handmade gifts, Amber. I'm sure they were much appreciated too.

>6 dudes22: >7 lauralkeet: Thanks!!

Those little projects are a nice way to end 2021 with. Looking forward to your 2022 projects.

>10 avaland: Hi, Lois!

So. I have a small stack of Charlie's old t-shirts and I'd like to make a quilt. Anyone know of a good online t-shirt quilt pattern? I've never made one of these before and I'd like a little pattern help.

>12 scaifea: A lot of this depends on if you want to just go with squares or if you want to do a little more design. There is a really good book about creating memory quilts (Modern Memory Quilts). In the book is a "standard" t-shirt quilt design; but the whole book is inspirational.

>13 lesmel: Thanks for that. I'd prefer to find an online pattern, though. I've poked around on my own and found a couple that look promising.

I look forward to hearing about how this project goes for you, Amber. Mr. Fine has some band tees (and probably also some nerdy tees) that he'd like made into a quilt. I doubt my sewing skills are anywhere near where they need to be to attempt it so if you find it tricky at all, I'll know it's definitely beyond me. :)

Those gifts are all really cute! I love the bag of holding - it's bigger on the inside!

>16 melannen: Thanks!!

So I found a basic outline of how to approach the t-shirt quilt online (I don't really need a pattern, just a bit of confirmation on technique), so I started cutting up the shirts and applying interfacing yesterday. We'll see how it goes...

Update on the t-shirt quilt:
All blocks are interfaced and cut to size - Charlie has decided he doesn't want any sashing, so I'll just make a slightly wider border around the blocks once I've sewn them together. Here's the current thinking on the layout - I may still tweak this a bit:

I have a friend who took the T-shirts her husband had from concerts they had gone to and had them made into a quilt. She had enough that it was two-sided. It's a great idea.

>20 dudes22: I love that it's a way to give keepsakes a new job instead of just having them sit in a storage tub.

>19 scaifea: that is soooo cool. What a great way to "upcycle" !

>19 scaifea: What size did you cut the squares? The one I did was 18" squares. It ended up the largest quilt I'd made at the time!

>23 lesmel: - Those are some big blocks!

>22 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura!

>23 lesmel: >24 dudes22: They're 14.5 inch blocks.

>19 scaifea: Terrific!

Amber, have I ever mentioned SCA to you in the past? (we've been hanging around many years now so I can't believe I haven't mentioned it...but just in case....

"The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an inclusive community pursuing research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat and culture. The lives of participants are enriched as we gain knowledge of history through activities, demonstrations, and events." https://www.sca.org/

My oldest daughter was in this in her early college years (she also was hanging around the ROTC, but ended up joining the National Guard). I did go to one event, and I made her an elaborate gown for it....Didn't know if Charlie might be interested.

>27 avaland: Oh, that is so cool! Yes, I bet Charlie will love this - thanks so much for the link!

I did SCA for awhile! It's great fun, especially if you find a group you mesh with. (And not just for college kids; I learned about half the fiber crafts I know there, and found some great older mentors.)

Amber...it's been a month, everything ok? Buried in projects? Or...all those "other things" taking away from your creative time?

>30 avaland: Thanks for checking in, Lois! I'm still here but just not doing much crafting lately. I'm hoping to get back into the sewing room soon...

Wow, that was quick! Glad all is well and it's just a lull in crafting.

I am working my way through the various threads.

The dice bag is wonderful, and the mitts are so cute!

Sewing is on my "some day" list, but I don't think it is going to happen for a while.

>32 avaland: Yeah, I've been busy with teaching but also just...haven't been in the mood to sew, and when that's the case it's best I just stay away from my sewing machine because if I try to push it I end up making dumb mistakes.

>33 minervasbooks: Thanks! My mom is an amazing seamstress and crafter and taught me to sew when I was a kid. These days there are so many youtube videos to help that you could probably teach yourself pretty easily!

>35 scaifea: I don't always do well with video instruction, but I have friends nearby who could and would teach me. The local sew 'n' vac used to teach classes about taking care of your machine as well as sewing. I am not sure if they have resumed since their pandemic hiatus or not.

I inherited a machine several ... ugh, now that I think about it, six years ago from a family friend moving into assisted living. It sits patiently in its case waiting for me to have time for it.

>36 minervasbooks: I'm sorry I didn't see this earlier and respond! I bet the local shop would be a great place to learn.

News, everyone! I actually spent time in the sewing room this week! I now have the t-shirt quilt all sandwiched and pinned and ready for quilting! I may even start the quilting this weekend!

>38 scaifea: We'll look forward to seeing it.

>39 thornton37814: Ha! Well, I wouldn't advice breath-holding or anything. We'll see...

>40 scaifea: LOL

>38 scaifea: My granddaughter wants to make a t-shirt quilt.

>42 mnleona: I think they're pretty popular right now, and it makes sense - you want to keep those sentimental t-shirts, but it doesn't make sense just to stick them in a drawer or a closet somewhere. This makes them useful in a different way.

>38 scaifea: Yay! That's exciting! But I'll make sure to keep breathing evenly. lol

So the quilt is still on my sewing table, waiting to be quilted. I'll get there eventually. In the meantime: last week when I stopped into the library, a couple of my once-and-future colleagues were sitting at the circ desk crocheting sea creatures - the summer reading program theme this year is going to be An Ocean of Possibilities, and they're making a bunch of ocean animals to fill a fish tank as a display. I decided I'd try to contribute, so I knitted up a tropical fish buddy. I've decided to call him Odysseus:

Oh that's cute. I might mention this to my sister who is a children's librarian. Maybe a picture of the tank once it's on display?

>45 scaifea: That is adorable!

>46 dudes22: Thanks - I'll do my best to remember to take a photo!

>47 avaland: Thanks, Lois!

Did you use a pattern or do you have the superpowers to design your own knitted fish?

>50 lauralkeet: Oh gosh, no, I definitely used a pattern! I found it on Ravelry: Frida the Fish.

such a cute little fish! Les poissons!

Adding my love for the fish. So cute!

>52 al.vick: >53 MickyFine: Thanks, folks!

>45 scaifea: He's adorable!

>55 beebeereads: Thanks!

Cute fish!

>57 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori!

I finished another offering for the library summer program - Gordon the Stingray:

So adorable. I particularly love the tail!

>59 scaifea: Not as colorful as the previous one, but still cute.

These are fun. Great idea.

cool!

Thanks, folks!

Yet another sea creature for the library yarn tank:

All the sea creatures are so cute!!

Fun.

>66 lesmel: >67 mnleona: Thanks!

>65 scaifea: OMG, that's adorable!

>69 avaland: Thanks, Lois! I'm pretty proud of how it turned out.

I love the sea creatures you've made, Amber - they super adorable! Any plans for an octopus? (Yes, that is a hint.)

>71 PawsforThought: Thanks! One of the other librarians is working on an octopus, I think, so I'll leave her to it. I'll definitely try to remember to post a photo of the completed display, though, this summer! Right now I'm working on a starfish...

Ooh, a starfish! Lovely. I look forward to a photo of the completed fishtank/display.

>65 scaifea: Love the seahorse. The colours put me in mind of Piglet a little, which only makes me love it more.

>74 MickyFine: Aw, thanks, Micky!

And the starfish is finished:



I think I'm done with sea creatures. For now, at least. Back to the scarf I abandoned earlier...

That's cute!

>76 scaifea: I like it!

>76 scaifea: You introduced us to Gordon the Stingray but I don't think you told us the names of the Seahorse or the Starfish. Inquiring minds want to know!

(Also, they are super cute!)

>77 dudes22: >78 thornton37814: Thanks!

>79 rosalita: The seahorse is Sam, but I didn't come up with a name for the starfish. Cheeky Bugger maybe, because he caused me some exasperation.

>80 scaifea: HA!

Starfish is so cute and I love the colour!

Love the little starfish!

Thanks, ladies!

I finished the scarf I've been working on!



Next up: a beanie to match.

Nice! I like the bumpy stripe effect (whatever the technical knitting term is for that 😝).

>86 MickyFine: - What she said!

>86 MickyFine: >87 dudes22: Ha! You get that effect by varying between stockingnette stitch (knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side) and garter stitch (knit all sides).

>85 scaifea: beautiful color!

>89 beebeereads: Isn't it, though? I love it!

>85 scaifea: Oh, that's a great-looking scarf, Amber! Well done! The colour is gorgeous and the stripey effect is very nice.

>91 PawsforThought: Thanks!

I also finished my hat yesterday:



Next up on the knitting needles: I have a big skein of variegated yarn that I found in a clearance bin and I've been trying to figure out what to do with it. I think I'll try using it for a seed stitch scarf and see what happens.

Ooh, the purple really pops in this photo. Very nice!

>94 MickyFine: Yeah, the color came out more accurate here than in the scarf photo. It's a gorgeous purple, isn't it?

So I finished my very first crochet project! It's supposed to be a strawberry and it's fair-to-middlin' close so I'm calling it a success!



I think Eric Carle may have, in fact, written a book about this guy: The Very Wonky Strawberry.

>96 scaifea: I recognized it as a strawberry. It's so cute!

>96 scaifea: way to go! I recognize it too.

>97 lesmel: >98 lauralkeet: Result! Tomm told me it looks like a turnip and he nearly got a kick in the shins for his trouble.

Who ever heard of a red turnip? I think it's a very respectable strawberry.

I agree, a very respectable strawberry! I'm impressed you tackled a shape for your first crochet project. I've yet to truly tackle something that isn't squarish and flat. And of course, I've never attempted knitting. Wielding a hook is hard enough, I can't imagine two needles.

>100 dudes22: Ha! True. And thanks!

>101 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! I'm more interested in making amigurumi stuff than afghans and such, so I just started with something shaped. Honestly, two needles seems easier than one hook to me. More stable or something. But I'm sure once I get comfortable with the hook I'll feel just as at ease with it. You'd be the same with knitting, too.

>103 scaifea: I tried arm knitting once and it... did not go well. Which is fine since there's still tons of crochet stitches/techniques I have yet to attempt so I have lots to learn. And I haven't done amigurumi yet either. I ordered a book of just bird amigurumis for work recently and there's a really cute puffin that has me tempted...

Meanwhile, I'm sure you'll get the hang of a crochet hook tout suite. You're starting at the harder end of the spectrum with the small stuff. My first project used chunky yarn, which made it a bit easier to pick up since the stitches were so large and easy to see.

>104 MickyFine: Yeah, bigger needles/hooks and non-tiny yarn is best for learning, really.

Love the strawberry - it’s a start. I like the way amigurumi works up quicker.I am currently crocheting a mosaic blanket and it’s taking a … long … time.

>106 SandDune: Blankets take stamina in the knitting world, too. Ooof. And thanks for the strawberry love! Yep, it's definitely a start!

I'm interested in making amigurumi, too, for no particular reason except they are so darn cute. At a craft night earlier this week I had a tutorial in basic crochet (chain, single, double) and made a small square. Based on Micky's comments before trying a "shape" I might do some 6" blanket squares. I've been knitting them off and on for a charity thing, but crochet is another option. And I only have to make squares, not a full blanket.

>108 lauralkeet: Look at us being crochet twins! I love it! I'll probably venture into flat stuff, too, at some point, but I've never been one to make crafting life easy on myself. *eye roll*

Oohh...I'd love to see that puffin. I am quite the animal lover.

>109 scaifea:

>111 lauralkeet: Yes!!

>96 scaifea: It looks like a strawberry to me! Success!

>113 thornton37814: WOohoo!!

so cute!

>115 al.vick: Thanks!

Okay, so I've proposed to my boss at the library a contest drawing as part of the summer reading program - we'll hide origami sea creatures throughout the children's section and kiddos who find one can bring it up to the circ desk to be entered in the drawing. We have some ideas for the prizes (we may give away some of the crochet/knit aquarium residents), but I also found patterns for a couple of pencil cases, one shaped like a shark and the other like a mermaid tail. So I want to try making a couple of those.

I've been in the sewing room and poked through my fabric scraps stash, and here's what I've come up with as possible combinations for the pencil pouches:

Mermaid tail:

Lining on the bottom for each combo; also, the one on the right is pinker and sparklier than the photo shows:



I thought these could be fun for the tail pouches, too, with a solid color like what's on the top for the lining:



The shark pouch will be a patchwork on the outside, so here are a few groupings of fabrics that I think might work for those (many thanks to Lois for a lot of these solid fabrics!):







While digging through my fabric tubs I found this little gem of a scrap and thought it would be perfect for just a regular rectangle pencil pouch, since we're doing a Pirate School once a week as part of the ocean theme (red dots fabric for the lining):

I love all those color combinations, Amber! My favorite fabric is the watercolor-ish blue fabric in the top photo, the one paired with the tan lining. But the bright, cheerful patterns in the second photo are all great, too.

>118 rosalita: I love that blue fabric, too. The lining for that one is a shimmery sea-green. I tried but couldn't get the colors in the photo adjusted properly to show it. *sigh*

>119 scaifea: Oh, shimmery sea-green sounds even more delightful as a pairing with the blue. Getting colors right in photos is way harder than it should be, if you ask me. "We can put a man on the moon, but ..."

>120 rosalita: Ha! Right?! I have much better luck in natural light, but I'm not gonna lie, I was too lazy to cart all that outside for a photo.

Oh this is so fun. I can't wait to see your creations!

>122 lauralkeet: This is the part of the process where I'm both super-excited to make the thing and also extremely anxious that I won't be able to make the thing properly. My crafting life is a rollercoaster of emotions. Ha!

That's nice of you to make things for the library. And those are some great colors.

>124 dudes22: Aw, thanks! I love doing this kind of stuff. My boss told me that I should turn in receipts for supplies and I laughed. Um, yeah. I have a room full of fabrics and yarns and allll sorts of crafting supplies. No need to buy anything new.

Fabric colors are bright and colorful. Nice.

>126 mnleona: Thanks! I think they'll work pretty well.

I think the kids will love it!

>128 thornton37814: Thanks, Lori - I hope so!

I completed one of the mermaid pouches yesterday and I'm really pleased with how it turned out! I'm hoping to get at least a shark one done today.

cute!

That's really cute.

That's adorable!

Thanks, folks!

>130 scaifea: Precious! I think the winners will be thrilled!

Have been away and up to my neck in garden stuff BUT your idea for the library is soooo cute!

I love the pouch, Amber!

>136 avaland: >137 lauralkeet: Thanks, ladies!

I finished up the first shark pouch yesterday and folks, I'm really pleased with it:

I absolutely LOVE that shark! Those eyes!

>140 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! The original pattern (I made several adjustments to it) called for button eyes, but a) I don't want even a hint of a choking hazard on something we'll be giving away at the library, and b) they're just creepy. So I free-handed these out of scrap felt.

That is really adorable! What a great idea. And Laura is right - those eyes!

>139 scaifea: Amber, that shark is adorable! Looks like a whale shark except stripy instead of spotted.

>142 dudes22: >143 PawsforThought: Thanks!!

>144 MiaSpyer:
There once was a Mia from Spamland
who tried to tempt us with some brand
she could get no attraction
with her parading 'this action'
please flag her and give me a hand

so cute. love it.

The shark is so adorable.

>147 al.vick: >148 thornton37814: Thank you!

Adding my heaps of admiration for the shark pencil case. So adorable. I'd want to name them all. :)

>139 scaifea: Oh, I LOVE that shark pouch!

>151 avaland: Thanks, Lois!!

I finished the crochet apple. It's still on the wonky side, but I feel like I'm making progress, so I'm happy about it:



Next up on the crochet hook is an apple slice...

I think you're doing great with the crochet, Amber. I have no idea how to make a shape like that but would like to try it soon. Do you stuff it with fiberfill as you go?

I've been making 6" granny squares and each one is a little better than the last. I'm grateful to Paws who directed me to an excellent tutorial/pattern.

I'm really enjoying seeing all these shapes. They're so cute!

>154 lauralkeet: Thanks for the confidence vote, Laura! For the couple of things I've done so far, you fiberfill them just before cinching up at the end. I'll probably try my hand at some granny squares at some point, too.

>155 dudes22: Thanks!

Remember the sea creatures for the library display? Well I spend the last two days putting together the actual display - have a look:

It's not so easy to take photos of something behind plexiglass, but I hope this gives you a general idea of the project:







And here's a video I took, which I think shows it better (click on the photo to go to the video):

>This is utterly delightful to watch! This is definitely in the runnng for my joyful moment of the day and its only 10:30 a.m. here!!!

>158 beebeereads: Aw, thanks!! I work with some amazingly talented folks - those crocheted creatures are amazing, aren't they?

That's awesome! I'm going to show this to my sister who is a children's librarian.

>160 dudes22: Thanks!!

That is amazing! Way to go to your whole team!

OMG, that video was great. It made all of your wonderful handcrafted creatures look like they were moving!

>162 MickyFine: >163 avaland: Thanks, ladies! I think the kiddos are going to LOVE it.

I finished knitting a teeny mermaid and also made a pirate wallet for the library prize collection yesterday:

That pirate fabric is adorable! Both projects look great. I'm sure the kiddos who win them will be delighted.

>166 MickyFine: I used scraps that I had leftover from making Charlie a pair of shorts when he was a toddler. So cute.

Cute! Cute! Cute!

That aquarium is awesome, I love it.

>167 scaifea: I used scraps that I had leftover from making Charlie a pair of shorts when he was a toddler.... Clearly, I'm not the only one who can find scraps from the clothes and costumes made for my kiddos! (except mine this year are 38, 40 and 43).

>170 avaland: Ha! Yep, I don't throw *anything* away, craft-wise. Which is why I have tubs and tubs of stuff... But it works! I wouldn't have been able to throw something like this together had I not kept those scraps!

A friend of mine posted this on FB and I thought of you:
7 Fun and Unique Crochet Patterns to Try for Yourself

>173 lauralkeet: AH! I love the sea slugs! Thanks, Laura!

>173 lauralkeet: Of course you do ... 😀

I ordered a book of chonky amigurumi patterns for work and all the critters on the cover look amazing.

>175 lauralkeet: *snork!*

>176 MickyFine: Wow, those are...LARGE. Ha! I love the trash panda but that sloth scares me a little...

>165 scaifea: That pirate wallet is certain to be a hot item with the kids!

>179 thornton37814: Thanks - I hope so!

>178 scaifea: Snort, meanwhile I love the sloth and the trash panda scares me a little. I also love the jellyfish.

>181 MickyFine: Well it takes all kinds. The jellyfish, though, we can absolutely agree on. Adorbs.

Okay, the aquarium in >157 scaifea: is to die for! So cute! And well done on the pirate wallet, too.

>183 PawsforThought: Thanks! We're pretty proud of the aquarium.

I finished up another crochet project and I think I'm getting better:

Are they potholders? Cute idea.

>186 mnleona: Nope, it has no practical reason for existing beyond being a fake PB&J sandwich.

Still very cute.

>188 mnleona: Thanks!

Very cute! I feel like some of my younger nieces would like stuff like this as they could "make" sandwiches in their play kitchen. So fun. :)

>190 MickyFine: Exactly!

>171 scaifea: Amen!

>185 scaifea: OMG, that sandwich is ADORABLE!

>192 avaland: Ha!

Thanks, Lois!!

Hey everyone!

I'm still here and still crafting; I just tend to forget to visit my own thread. I've been practicing my crocheting, so I haven't had much to show-and-tell besides wonky practice swatches, so you're not missing much.

We've decided to decorate the library with crocheted spiderwebs and such, so I've been working on a web to contribute to the cause. I'm pretty pleased with the results:



And now I'm working on crocheting a spider to go with it.

I'm still working on that seed stitch scarf. It's taking *forever,* mostly because I only work on it a teeny bit at a time.

And now it's time to start working on Halloween costumes! This is the first year in a long time that I'm going to make myself one too, since I'm now working at the library again. Charlie's decided he wants to be Ed Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist, and I'm going as Strega Nona:





I'll get my supplies list together in the next couple of days and then hit the fabric shop!

I finished my little spider and then made a little ghost at work yesterday:

Those are cute!

>196 dudes22: Thanks!

Ahh.. so cute!

You are always up to something :-) Those are really cute. Good costume choices, too!

>198 al.vick: >199 avaland: Thanks, folks! These are pretty fun to make and even more fun when the patrons come in and get excited about the decorations.

Wow, just happened across this thread (pun intended) and getting some serious knitting inspiration! Wonderful work/play, scaifea!

>201 kristilabrie: Aw, thanks!!

I finished a second spider at work yesterday:





Next up is a bright purple spider web...

So cute!

If a spider can be cute, that definitely makes the grade!

>204 MickyFine: Thanks!

>205 lesmel: *snork!*

I just went through your entire thread here again (in case I missed anything). Such clever projects. Did Charlie ever find a SCA group?

>207 avaland: Thanks, Lois! Nope, but his friends are all into that sort of thing, so I think they may just do it on their own.

I cross-stitched a spider, but you used yarn for yours!

I've got my Halloween costume making supplies sorted:

Supplies sorted:

Looks like you are in business!

>211 thornton37814: Yes! I'll hopefully get cracking on the costumes today!

In the meantime at work, I finished up Boris's web and found them both a home:

So cute!

That is absolutely brilliant, Amber.

Thanks, folks! I need to sort through some patterns and decide what to make next for the library...

Every time I see your spider, I am back in West Texas where we have tarantulas. You are very creative.

>217 mnleona: Oh, that's a big NOPE from me! Ha! The only spiders I like are the yarn ones.

I made a little witch's broomstick to add to our library decorations:



And Charlie's costume is coming along:

>213 scaifea: Fabulous!

>219 scaifea: Lookin' good!

>220 avaland: Thanks, Lois!

I crocheted a witch's hat to go with the broomstick at work yesterday:



And Charlie's jacket is nearly finished - I just need to sew on the trim today. If I get that finished, I'll start cutting out my costume pieces this afternoon because I need to wait until I (hopefully) tomorrow to get help with the cricut from my boss, who is a cricut master, to cut out the symbol that needs to get ironed onto the back of the cloak before I start sewing it.

I got the iron-on bit complete for Charlie's cloak and I'm about halfway through sewing it together:



Oh, and I forgot to post an update on the jacket - it's finished now:

Very nice! Are you going to teach him how to use the sewing machine? My son got to a point where he made his own costumes because he didn't want to tell his friends "my mother made it".... (he's 38 now)

>224 avaland: He wants to learn, so probably next summer...

>224 avaland: This reminded me of when my husband and our daughter made a bathing suit for her when she was in high school. She is in her late 50s now.
These costumes are really great.

I'm nearly finished with my little crochet pumpkin at work, and I finally remembered to take a photo of the teeny cauldron:



And here's Charlie's costume (minus the black pants and boots):

>226 mnleona: Thanks!

A bathing suit! That sounds tricky, really. I've never tried to make one.

Those little Halloween items are so cute! And the costume is really nice too.

>229 dudes22: Thanks!

Charlie's costume looks great! On to yours now?

I love the tiny Halloween items, Amber. And I'm totally impressed with Charlie's costume. Wow! I hope he will allow a photo of him wearing it.

>231 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! Yep, I started cutting out the pieces yesterday!

>232 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! I hope so too.

So I've been working on my own costume and here's the progress so far (I still need to make the apron and the head scarf):



I fancied it up just a little by putting a sort of secret decorative topstitch around the neck:



And here's the little crochet pumpkin I've been working on at the library:

> 235 Love the face; that was a great idea.

>236 mnleona: Thanks! I can't claim ownership of the idea, though - I had a pattern, which also included arms and legs, but I thought that looked a little weird so I left them off.

Wow, that costume! Do you have a pattern or do you design it yourself?

>238 lauralkeet: A little of both. I used bits and pieces from a couple of patterns and changed some other stuff along the way, which is my usual method.

I'm very, very late to the party but the Halloween outfits look great, Amber.
And the Halloween decorations too - very cute! The pumpkin in >235 scaifea: is adorable!

>240 PawsforThought: Thanks!! I'm pretty proud of that pumpkin. I've only been crocheting for a few months, so I feel like he's real progress!

It's all looking great. What do you do with the costumes after?

>242 dudes22: Keep 'em. Honestly I'm loving this dress, so I may wear it anyway, maybe with a cardigan over it or something. I do love a gathered skirt.

The costume is pretty much finished! I just need to arrange my yarn pasta in my cauldron and I'll be ready to go for Monday's party:



This is what I'm going for - Strega Nona:

>244 scaifea: It looks so great, Amber! Hoping we'll get photos of you in it at some point too. I'm sure you'll look fab!

>245 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky!

looks great!

>244 scaifea: Hopefully, someone gets a photo of you in your costume! I love Tomie dePaola. He was at ALA one year and I have a signed copy of his Mother Goose, dePaola. Sadly, my copy of Oliver Button is a Sissy is missing.

>244 scaifea: I'm sure the illustrations are fabulous!

>244 scaifea: Your costume is WONDERFUL! (but where are you going to get THE NOSE!?

>249 thornton37814: They are!

>250 avaland: I'm afraid my own nose will have to do, Lois. Ha!

The scarf is finally finished!

PRETTY!

Nice!

Oooh I love it! The color really pops.

>256 lauralkeet: Thanks! It's every so slightly less neon than that in real life. It reminds me of rainbow sherbet.

Adding my oohs and aahs for the gorgeous scarf!

Looks great!

Thanks, ladies!

Hey, Amber, it occurs to me that we have been in this group for a long, long time. The thread list only goes back to 2009. I remember BoPeep started the group in the beginning, and it was already dead/dormant when I came across it. People didn't/don't realize that groups need maintenance and overseeing by one or more people. (And why did all the Aussies disappear?)

>261 avaland: I don't remember when I joined the group, but yes, it's been a long time!

I'm working on Christmas projects now and finished my first one yesterday at work - a crocheted Yoshi for my husband (he's a fan):

Adorable! You've really become quite the crocheter, Amber. Nice job.

Thanks, Laura!!

That's so cute! So many pieces and colors.

>263 scaifea: So adorable and your work is flawless!

He looks so great!

Thanks, folks!

And yes, SO many pieces. It was fun, though.

cute!

>270 al.vick: Thanks!!

>263 scaifea: Awesome! That is soooo cute.

>272 avaland: Thanks, Lois! I think he'll like it.

I finished up the mug cozies for my library colleagues:

Those are so cute! I need to show my friend Lori that picture.

>274 scaifea: Adorable!

I love those Amber! What an excellent gift idea.

Thanks, everyone! I'm happy with how they turned out.

>275 dudes22: Here's the link to the free pattern I used, if your friend is interested:

https://little-onion.com/blog/cable-knit-coffee-cozy

>274 scaifea: Those are wonderful, Amber! What a great gift to your colleagues!

>279 PawsforThought: Thanks so much! I hope they like 'em.

>278 scaifea: - Thanks

>281 dudes22: Welcome!

>274 scaifea: Those are so lovely. *is jealous I don't work with Amber*

>283 MickyFine: Ha! Thanks!!

The Sandman crochet amigurumi I made for Charlie:



I think he turned out pretty well!

>285 scaifea: Wicked cute!!!

>286 avaland: Thanks, Lois!