Bunny McCarrots: tests and mistakes

I usually make 2 or 3 prototypes for a pattern: it starts with the inspiration and a rough hand-written sketch, then a model plus the yardage, and the third one is worked for the pattern photos. So, it was time for the second Bunny to check the pattern, make corrections and measure the amount of yarn. The thing is, the yarn I use in most of my projects is a wool blend in DK weight, but the factory has recently changed the manufacturing process and the acrylic they have used since 2015 makes the thread thicker. And I have both the old and new yarn. I took the skein in pearl-grey and a hook and started making the head and body parts. Hmm.. The head turned out to be a bit, no, not a bit, just bigger. I blamed it on yarn, as it contained the high-volume acrylic. But when I turned to the outfit details, which used the earlier manufactured yarn, the parts looked really loose. I stuffed the legs and body and - yep - the stuffing was peeking through. Hmm.. never happened before.. unless.. And here I checked the hook. Holy cow.. It was 3 mm instead of 2.5 mm. Most of my hooks look the same, differing in the plates with the size numbers, and I had the same models for these 2 sizes. So, I just didn't check the digits. A real facepalm. His face is less sweet and less kawaii, because his head is bigger.. And it's a disaster..

sneak peek: Bunny McCarrots

On Monday I decided to make a bunny. Actually, Harry (technically, he's a hare). But in the process I found out that there was not enough of yarn in the shade I wanted. What was I to do? Make a new pattern, of course. That's how Bunny McCarrots was born. Unfortunately, all pictures were taken at 1:30 a.m., and the next morning he left for Illinois. So, we currently have what we have.

Front and back with a big fluffy tail (not really fluffy, though). The pattern for the carrot he holds in his paws can be found on this blog.

His shirt is my tribute to Dr Sheldon Cooper. I even attempted to make a superhero carrot embroidery, but the carrot looks like a rocket :)

He got a compliment from my mother who said that he's my first really CUTE amigurumi (she considers all others goofy and weird).

The pattern is on its way with, I hope, embroidered and crocheted options for the nose and eyes (sounds as if someone else is going to do it, huh).

sneak peek

A tiny sneak peek into my recently finished work.. I have plenty of patterns scribbled on pieces of paper, copybooks and other suitable stuff, none of them printed or translated. But lately I have decided to keep them in some proper form and share them with people around the world. The Elf Sheep was the pilot sample. And now, let me introduce my most loved and most often crocheted Stripey. Ta-dam!

I first made him 4 or 5 years ago. Once looking through a sock dolls site I saw a strange sock creature with stripes and a nonchalant air and lost my mind. The test pattern was created in two-evenings time (actually, I stayed up till 3 a.m. adjusting the details). He didn't have any food-provision facilities then, but he had pockets and the nonchalant air that made me stay awake all weekend. Today he has a backpack (or a lunch bag, or a messenger bag) and something delicious in it. The basic pattern includes a pear, but I will post patterns for a carrot and an apple in this blog a little later. After the pattern is tested and checked, it will bу released via ravelry.

One of my New Year resolutions is crossed out from the list.

to ravelry users

Oh gosh!!! Guys, your attention to my elf sheep today is very inspirational! Thank you very much!

And now a little request... As I am a non-native speaker of English, I would very much appreciate any help with patterns. So, I need 5 testers to check and test the pattern announced in the previous post. Anyone willing to make Lettuce? In my turn, I can offer the volunteers the Lettuce pattern free of charge with the permission to sell finished items.