Pokemon Commemorative Lanyard

What 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 Toytester approved). For beads: 3 "gem" beads and a slider bead. (If you don't have a slider, you can crochet one like I did for the Trailing Vines Lariat.)

1. Leave a starting end of about 4 inches. With each one I crocheted chain stitches until long enough for a lanyard with knots at both ends. Leave a long starting end when you cut the thread, just to be on the safe side. (You may need it due to your bead hole sizes. Or if you want to add more chains later.)

2. Then I "blocked" them: dampened all three chain lengths and tugged on them to relax and straighten them. I also pressed them to flatten a bit, and let dry. Note: They will lengthen a bit from this. The extra length will be taken up when braided.

See the pearl, emerald, and diamond beads?
Not sure where I got the slider Squirtle. It may
have been a pencil topper.

3. Knot all three cords together at one end. I like to incorporate the thread ends in the knot so that I can hide them without sewing them in, and then snip them. If the gem bead(s) you're using will slide over all three of your chained cords, do that now. Slide it/them up to that knotted end. (None of my gem beads had large enough holes for this.) If your beads will only fit over one thread strand, you can add them at the other ends after Step 4. Or, chain them together to create a chain-loop at one end, see upper photo.

4. Pin that knot to a cork board. (Macrame boards are really handy to have on hand.) Then, braid them to the end and tie an overhand knot; if you still have to string on your gem beads, leave the thread ends out of the knot.

5. String your gem beads onto the thread ends and secure them with a small knot and sew their ends in.
To add your lariat-style slider bead, fold your braid in half and feed the folded end through the slider hole and slide it down to adjust.

Crochet Jewelry Methods

Meanwhile, I used it to explore some crochet jewelry-making methods--mixing chaining and braiding and different kinds of beads and closures.

The prized Squirtle slider bead dates from the early days of my son's infatuation with Pokemon; he was about 4 years old and I don't remember what kind of toy it was a part of.

Shaun the Sheep: Yarn Saves the Day

I'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 whole episode is great and I love how a ball of yarn saves the day! Above is Timmy, the youngest of the flock.

The website has preview clips, games, activities, and other downloads. Play Woolly Jumper! It's not as easy as it looks!

First Baby Cardi I Ever Made

I 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 skimpy-skein. The pink yarn is supposed to be peach, and I figured that if I had a boy, peach with brown shades and real leather buttons would work fine; I like peach more than mint green.

In the photo, "Bob" is ONE DAY old. I was in heaven just resting in the garden with him. It was April and those are red banana stalks behind me.