tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366528892024-03-28T03:23:10.135-04:00ToyDesigningVashtiThings I Crochet for My Kid. He's seven. Whoa! Now he's fifteen?Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-80919235182108945742018-10-11T16:02:00.000-04:002018-10-11T19:02:51.384-04:00Crochet the Vote!
The first poster I've ever crocheted.
I used 10 out of the 20 colors of DesigningVashti Lotus yarn, crocheted double-stranded. (It's sport weight yarn, so two strands of it together are equivalent to a worsted weight yarn.)
The background is an aran crochet stitch pattern. For kicks, I used a unique Tunisian crochet stitch for the letters. Here's how to do that stitch. (Single crochetVashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-43512953668920194702014-09-24T16:43:00.001-04:002018-10-09T17:26:45.264-04:00Crocheted Minecraft Creeper, Complete
Sinister glow in the wrong, wrong light.
I'm shocked to discover that I never posted photos of the completed Creeper!
Forced out of the shadows.For the moment...
I was sure I had. Instead, I'm probably remembering adding photos to Flickr, Ravelry and Twitter.
The finished Creeper stands quite tall. I love the size, and it wouldn't have taken so long to crochet if I'd used Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-83133934922079782812013-02-16T14:02:00.001-05:002013-02-17T08:42:16.188-05:00Chez Chippy: Cat Cave Under Construction
If I didn't have a sweet kitty who wants his own crochet nest, I'd be tempted to turn this into a boho tote, or a big round area rug. I LOVE the touches of mohair and alpaca, and the color blending (which looks richer in person than in photos.)
Bottom and side edge of cat cave.
Chippy Cat loves alpaca and wool, so I'm using up chunky scrap craft store yarns that have some alpaca, mohair, Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-83395240777159471042012-12-21T14:57:00.003-05:002018-10-09T17:34:08.663-04:00Home Stretch: A Minecraft Creeper Christmas
OK yes, it's taking me a looong time to finish this crochet amigurumi project. It's partly because of all the teaching I did this year. Try as I might, I wasn't able to use the Creeper as part of my class prep.
Inventory: 20 out of 28 Pieces DONE. Eight remain before final assembly. I can do this!
For example, none of my class topics include its "jacquard" or "tapestry" or "intarsia" color Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-51889666096052183172012-04-08T09:58:00.000-04:002013-02-16T14:26:32.674-05:00Update: Minecraft Creeper CrochetI've made significant progress since my last post!
Here is the completed head, which I stuffed with 8x8x2" pieces of foam rubber after seaming together 6 squares. It worked out.
This means several things:
The size of the crochet pieces (approx. 7.5" square, plus a selvage stitch at each side edge) works out with the 8-inch square foam pieces. I'm glad I added those selvage Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-47049359572963642302012-02-14T12:52:00.000-05:002012-02-14T13:15:42.919-05:00Crocheting a Minecraft Creeper
Courtesy of Minecraft Wiki
I started crocheting a Minecraft Creeper near the end of Dec 2011. I got in over my head.
Creepier Side of the Creeper, no?
How could I resist Toytester Bob's vision? We both want to see crochet capture its pixelated look.
This certainly complicates the crocheting: the color changes are frequent and random.
I pretty much only got the face done by Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-44202249372406299992011-04-28T19:07:00.000-04:002011-04-28T20:16:09.557-04:00Handmade Cords: Easy Crochet for BoysThis post is an update of one that I wrote in 2007. I'm writing an issue of my Crochet Inspirations Newsletter about crochet cords, braids, lanyards, etc., and how they work out well for boys and men too.
Just sent it, here's the link! Crochet Inspirations Newsletter: Fancy Cords in 360ยบ - http://eepurl.com/dBav1
At left is a simple lanyard that my son needed as soon as possible for hisVashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-80264292169964786032011-04-12T19:33:00.000-04:002018-10-09T18:29:17.200-04:00Crochet Helps Make Chores Cheerful?
(Bottom of Bank)
What is that?
Toy Tester Bob's endorsement, while looking back on his earlier years with Cheerful Chores:
Toy Tester Bob
"It was fun and not complicated. It was easy to keep track of my money. It made me feel like I was earning something real because it was physical."
The basic idea: crochet as many "coins" as you need, a Parent Bank, Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-53937279572897935172011-04-08T17:11:00.000-04:002018-10-09T18:34:28.223-04:00Happy Birthday to Toy Tester 'Bob,' Fan of Carnivorous Plants
Toy Tester Bob kicks back with his tiny cousin
As of his birthday yesterday, Toy Tester Bob received by mail the last installment of his exciting collection of carnivorous plants. They are small and delicate when they arrive, and need special care. Bob set to work researching how he could help them feel more at home here. When he heard that music can help plants thrive, he said,
"If any Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-71473399353442491442011-03-14T15:13:00.000-04:002018-10-09T18:39:32.383-04:00Crochet Toy/Amigurumi Pattern NOMINATED FOR AWARD!
"What an incredibly creative way to teach measurements of this sort!"
--Carol in Ravelry
I'm pleased and excited to report that one of myVashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-6067955018599239262011-02-07T15:27:00.000-05:002018-10-09T18:43:28.002-04:00Crochet Accessory Wins First Place........in son's heart as padding for the strap of a musical instrument.
A tenor saxophone is a heavy instrument for a kid! All of the weight is felt at the neck.
It only took about 20 minutes to crochet a rectangle of puff stitches with the softest yarn from my stash: one full skein of Moda Dea Aerie yarn.
Then, seamed it into a tube while it was wrapped around the strap.
Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-91788571065774554762010-11-21T17:24:00.000-05:002018-10-09T18:45:56.098-04:00Crochet for the Classroom: 'Teacher's Gallon Friend'Sometimes my son brings home school assignments that strike me as crochet-worthy. Maybe it's my imagination, but doesn't this look like a crochet design waiting to happen?
The body is a gallon and the arms and legs are the four quarts. They each have 2 pints, and each pint has two cups (or "fingers").
Surely this diagram would also help metric-using visitors to the United States whoVashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-46756592247878046302010-10-12T16:09:00.000-04:002018-10-11T10:31:13.761-04:00Sock Alien Chooses Crochet for Fall Accessories Line
Even aliens can catch a chill. [Ravelry page]
News Item!!
Some extraterrestrials use fashion
to express their individuality
The younger extraterrestrial populations (that we know of) seem to be turning to crochet for the practicality, fashion looks, and feel of luxurious comfort against their alien skins.
Important Developing Trend for Crochet
The number of crocheters will Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-20251584235626227912010-08-10T21:35:00.000-04:002018-10-11T11:04:34.996-04:00The Venus Flytrap Action Puppet
Your basic two-piece Venus Flytrap crochet toy.
The Big News
Pick one for me, I can't decide:
Flytrap "zipper" action holds captured fly securely.
(i.e. keeps kids busy)
A bidding war broke out at the elementary school holiday event for the last one.
A kid can make one. Or at least significantly help the parent. It's an ideal beginner's crochet project.
It's educational: Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-5071333504231065292010-05-10T11:57:00.000-04:002018-10-11T11:13:40.905-04:00Crochet Rings for Cuties
I love it when kids design their world!
I Had a Visitor
She was entranced with my craft supplies. It was her idea entirely to put a pom pom bead at the center of a crocheted rainbow flower.
Here's another one: the Flower of Power ring (project in Ravelry).Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-42324508082543653262010-01-15T13:00:00.000-05:002018-10-11T11:25:56.127-04:00Toasty Crocheted Jacket Gets Extensive Testing
I ended up adding a drawstring to the hood.
Just in time for a record cold front, this yarn stash buster is holding up pretty well (though in unexpected ways) under rigorous kid testing.'Bob' requested a new crocheted sweater and rifled through my yarn stash to be helpful. He liked the bright twists of color in the Lion Brand Landscapes. The challenge: only 3 skeins and no time to track down Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-58575130969727017062009-12-27T15:03:00.000-05:002009-12-27T15:27:16.519-05:00Crochet Stitch Close-ups of Club Penguin PuffleFor amigurumi and toy crocheters who'd like a closer look at the Rare Orange Puffle, here's the starting shape, which you can see here at the base of the toy:I hope that you can make out that the first rounds of single crochet stitches were worked in a rectangular shape. I did this so that it would sit flat, not wobble or tilt. Also, a Puffle body is not perfectly round.For the hair I unearthed Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-21468246325804561822009-12-18T17:17:00.000-05:002009-12-18T17:31:37.534-05:00Rare Orange Puffle Sighting!Kids who are members of Club Penguin know how rare an orange Puffle is. I even found a GetOrangePuffle Blog! One day Chippy the cat must have captured one in the wild because look:The Puffle seems as comfy as Chippy and Bob, so maybe "befriended" is a better word than "captured."This is a 99% crocheted Puffle, even the eyeballs! The remaining 1% is whatever embroidery stitches I was able to Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-65331691160245972922009-05-31T07:57:00.000-04:002009-05-31T09:14:08.527-04:00Free Crochet Patterns from the School "Mini-Mall"If kids were crochet designers....we'd just plain have different designs for kids!Bob the Toy Tester put on his Toy Developer hat last week. He needed to make products for his classmates to buy with class dollars at his school's "Mini-Mall" event.This is Bob's second Mini-Mall and he was anxious to create something that would thrill enough kids to bring about bidding wars. He had also seen other Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-9594827190817576352008-12-24T10:57:00.000-05:002018-10-11T13:41:37.209-04:00Holiday Frolic with Jelly Yarn: Free Pattern!Silly me, after using Jelly Yarn to make some personalized bungee bookmark gifts for my son to take to school (see pattern below), I rather foolishly left it sitting out on the day that he had two friends sleep over.
That's right, 3 grade school boys in a room with 1 ball of Jelly Yarn and a tempting pair of scissors.
Everything and everyone got wrapped and tied. You could try counting Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-63220515499042903802008-05-07T11:55:00.000-04:002018-10-11T11:40:49.600-04:00Peacocks Visit Their Ancestral HomeThis is fresh stuff today. Soon after this entry I'll be posting a free crochet toy pattern, so stay tuned. I have a lot of designs that I need to start publishing, some for free and some as instant pdf downloads via Paypal, yay!
Can you find all seven?
I appreciate the diehard faithful readers of this blog; some of you may recall when I blogged here about a peacock nest that hatched in Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-47059409524292717652007-12-28T10:25:00.000-05:002007-12-28T18:47:36.233-05:00Meet Togepi, the Crocheted Christmas Pokemon!!This is a BIG HIT with Toy Tester Bob and friends!!I finished it in time for Christmas and frankly, at first I wasn't sure I would. The pattern was in all Japanese. The diagrams are fantastic though and after a few false starts, the rest fell into place quickly. For example, the diagram that I thought was for the head was actually for the bottom. I should have realized that the diagrams are Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-1322265147853205092007-12-21T17:35:00.000-05:002018-10-11T12:39:37.001-04:00Pokemon Commemorative LanyardWhat to do with the absolute simplest crochet skills? Create custom Nintendo accessories.
This lanyard commemorates game earnings in Pokemon Pearl, Diamond, and Emerald. Be assured that Toy Tester Bob has thoroughly tested and approved it.
How I Crocheted It
A free beginner crochet pattern.
I used three different colors of crochet thread (the red, blue, and aqua are ToytesterVashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-14182745656303729302007-12-10T09:05:00.000-05:002007-12-10T09:22:04.248-05:00Shaun the Sheep: Yarn Saves the DayI'm such a fan of Shaun the Sheep that my son looks at me funny. He'd probably pat my head if he could reach! Shaun the Sheep is created by the Wallace and Gromit folks. I discovered them way back when my son was captivated by claymation. This is 21st century claymation, friends!I looked all over for a legal video clip or photo still of the Shaun the Sheep episode called "Timmy in a Tizzy". The Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36652889.post-34222616345304600412007-11-26T15:16:00.000-05:002007-11-26T16:02:00.582-05:00First Baby Cardi I Ever MadeI just found this cardi, it had been packed away. I crocheted it while newly pregnant and back then I was in the dark as to whether I was pregnant with "Bob" or with "Olivia Genevieve". I wanted to get started so I looked in my stash for 3 yarns that might work ok. One is Peachesn'Cream cotton, one is Sugarn'Cream cotton, and one is a fancy expensive silk and rayon of which I had a single Vashti Brahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14439436949166577608noreply@blogger.com0