A Bear for Baby...

Over the weekend, we went to a little baby's first birthday. It was really interesting to see the Korean tradition of the 'dol' celebration, and see people I hadn't seen in years.

For the occasion, I made a purple bear, from the book The Happy Hooker. This was my third go at this pattern, and it was quite a bit easier this time around.

I hope baby Charlotte loves this little cub and gives it a good home!

Crochet Taxidermy!

You know when sometimes you are met with something so unexpected and astonishing that it blows your world? Well, few days ago I ran across this article on Dazed Digital about this amazing crochet artist named Shauna Richardson. She crochets these amazing life-sized animals, and mounts them like taxidermy animals. These creatures are unbelievably life like and so beautiful. In closeups, you can see each stitch that went into the work.

I'd never think of this idea, but it is so dang brilliant! For more of her work visit her site here.

Little Brown Bear

This is a new bear that I finished crocheting yesterday, just in time for gift giving. He's a little smaller than Mr. Blue Bear, but he's made of really nice 100% Peruvian wool and a small batch of Noro Silk Garden.

He is a gift for Shane's grandmother, to add to her stuffed menagerie.

This is what he looked like before he was sewed together.

Meet Mr. Blue Bear

On the weekend I finished up my first real crochet project (that is, a non-scarf project): a stuffed bear designed by Camilla Engman, a Swedish artist/illustrator who does really whimsical work. She sells her art, illustrations and these charming creatures through the web. I first learned of this pattern through this talented blogger.

The pattern can be found in the great crochet instruction book, Stitch N’ Bitch’s The Happy Hooker. The pattern turned out to be quite simple, with the parts (head, ears, body and limbs) consisting of just slip stitched spirals. Mr. Blue Bear was made with a Red Heart’s Acrylic/wool blend and cotton, but I want to get some good yarn for the next creatures. I’m pretty pleased with the result.

He’s awfully cute.