My kind of Easter bonnet

I belong to this website called Ravelry that's basically like social networking for people who are into knitting, crocheting, and the like. Sounds kind of dorky but it's actually pretty cool because it provides a forum to share finished work, get free patterns or sell them for profit, and find help if you're in the midst of a project hat just won't work out.

Anyway, last week I happened upon a project idea of making a baby hat but not really just any baby hat because it's one that had horns and braids attached to it - it was a VIKING helmet for a BABY!!! *swoooooon!* I became completely obsessed with it and became bound and determined to make one for Baby A. Unfortunately, the pattern for the one that everyone has made is a knit pattern and I don't/can't knit. So, I figured that since I was able to make that Thomas train recently without a pattern, why not just swing one for a viking hat too? It's not so hard, right?

WRONG.

Here was my first attempt:

I don't even know why I'm sharing this as it's completely terrible and humilitating. Does it look like a viking helmet? Ummm... not really. But it sure does look like a Hershey's kiss, doesn't it? So weird! And how did I manage to make it instead of what I was aiming for??? I have no idea.

Just the same, I'm not one to give up without a fight. And I'm proud to say that I DID IT!!!! I totally was able to figure it out and make it happen AND be really happy with the final product! It's exactly how I envisioned it if not better.


And, of course, Baby A was more than happy (NOT!) to oblige me and model it.

Do blondes have more fun? Baby A sure seems to think so!

She's finally at the age (10 months) where she really won't tolerate stuff that she just plain doesn't like and hats sometimes fall in that category. She was okay with wearing it but when the braids started to distract her, she just automatically grabbed for the hat and pulled it right off of her head. I wish I would have discovered this sooner! Maybe then we could have gotten some more wear out of it!

In any case, I'm very pleased with how this worked out. I mean, it took a lot (and I mean A LOT!) of trial and error but I really feel like I persevered and it was definitely worth it. And now that I know I can make hats, I'm all excited about other ideas for baby hats that I have come across!!!

Hair! Glorious HAIR!!!

Baby A's hair is getting SOOOOOOO long!!! Oddly, though, it's only really growing on the top of her head and not along the sides. What's resulting is this weird comb-over effect that slightly resembles a modified mohawk in the morning when she wakes up.

I took this picture this morning while she was having her snack. I will sit in a chair in front of her and face away from her and then whip around really face like I'm trying to scare her. She always laughs hysterically when I do it and I took pictures of both her hair and her giggling and smiling this morning. God love her! She's so funny!!! What a great way to start a day!!!

I can't stop!!!

I made another penguin. I KNOW!!! But they are so easy and they are SO cute!!!! This time around I made the eyes bigger (and more uniform - ha!) and gave it a red scarf instead. I think it looks a little girly-er when you compare it with the other one.


This one is being donated to the church fundraiser instead of being given away. I stylized the "portrait" of this one a little more with the classic "dutch tilt." It always makes things a little more fashionable looking.

Next up? A turtle!!! And it would be done by now except for the fact that in the midst of working on it, my creative muse overflowed my creative juices and I completely lost interest in finishing it. Not to worry, my friends! Since I know that I am my own worst enemy with project abandonment (thanks to becoming bored with things easily!), I've made a pact with myself that the turtle WILL be finished before I allow myself to start the next two items in the cue.

I'm just getting started

Looking at this is making me hungry. Perhaps it's time for me to stop and eat lunch!


Is it obvious that this is a pear? I wasn't going to even do the cheeks but it looked so plain that I felt like I kind of had to. I think I got a little carried away with them and they are kind of on the chunkier side than what I would prefer. The pattern called for felt circles but all I have is yarn. Sometimes improvising doesn't yield the most favorable results. Oh well!

This might be my least favorite so far only because of the silly cheeks! I started this one when I ran out of black for the penguin that I just finished. It was a quick one to do but it's a little too cartoony for me, I think. What do you think?

My favorite one yet!

I started this yesterday and finished it just a few moments ago. Even though I have to get crackin' with making some amis for the upcoming church fundraiser, D's best friend is getting ready to go into surgery and since penguins are his favorite, I decided to try out the LionBrand.com free pattern for the Holiday Penguin. As you can see, it turned out pretty well...


It was super easy and despite my recent proclamation that I can't bring myself to repeat patterns, I will definitely do this one over again. It was super easy and fast to make and just look how adorable it is when it's done!!! Also, it's totally customizable and I would completely do different things to it like make a more colorful scarf or do a little bow on the head for a girly looking one. This is officially the 1st amigurumi that I'm a little sad to give away!!! Guess I'll just have to make more, huh?