Guess what folks?  I’m still here!  I haven’t had an online presence at all since before Christmas, as my local customers have been keeping me hopping!  Still, anyone who reads this blog, you have been in my thoughts.  I thought I’d share a few pictures with you of what has been keeping me away from the computer.  More pics to follow, and a free pattern too, as soon as I type it up.  Right now it’s chicken scratch on paper! 

Was experiencing some wrist and hand pain as well just before the holidays, so I took a little crochet break, and made some jewelry as well.  Will show you what I’ve been working on in that department as well too. 

Finally, the last two pictures are of my Anne Boleyn amigurumi which I entered in our Wawa Winter Carnival Creative Art competition.  She took home a silver medal for me.  Yay!  The theme was “A Medieval Fantasy”, but my dark side took over and I decided to do a “Medieval Nightmare” instead.  The only Medieval Fantasy I could think of was either Lady Godiva, or indoor plumbing! 

Anyway, that’s all for today.  Going to update my webpage, my Facebook page, and hopefully my Etsy shop today.  Enjoy the photos, and have a great day!

I seriously love the show Pan Am!  If you haven’t seen it yet, you must, as it is one of the best shows on TV this season. I love the music, the clothes, the actors, everything!

As soon as I saw the hat, I knew I’d be creating one very soon.  I had to do it!  The first hat, shown above, is for a four year old, but I’ll be making one for myself as well.  I’m also going to try one in dark blue.  I bet it would look sharp!

Pattern will be available for child and adult size in my Etsy shop soon!  I’ll be sure to post pics of the dark blue, adult version as well. 

Enjoy!

Sheepy Amigurumi
A FREE pattern by Annette Morrison (cheewawamomma)
October 2011

This pattern is a bit more complicated than my usual patterns.  The combination of single crochets and treble crochets make the nubby texture of the sheep.  Basically, you are creating a ball, with the normal increases and decreases, but you are throwing in the trebles approximately every second or third stitch, depending on the row. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy-peasy lemon-squeezy!

I used Red Heart Worsted Weight yarn, and a 3.5 hook.

tr-treble crochet
sc-single crochet
inc-increase
dec-decrease
FO-Finish off
sl st - slip stitch

In a magic ring:

1.  (2sc, 1 tr) twice (makes 6 stitches total in magic ring)
2.  (1sc, 1tr) in each stitch around. (12 stitches)
3.  (1sc, then (1tr, 1sc) in next stitch) around.  (18 stitches)
4.  (1sc, 1tr, then a sc inc) around. (24 stitches)
5.  (2sc, 1tr, then a sc inc) around. (30 stitches)
6.  (2sc, 1 tr) around. (30 stitches)
7.  (1sc, 1tr) around. (30 stitches)
8-9 Repeat row 6 and row 7. (30 stitches each row)
10. (1tr, 2sc, sc dec) around. (24 stitches)
11. (1sc, 1tr, dec) around. (18 stitches)

12. (1sc, dec around).  FO. (12 stitches)

STUFF!!!

With black, join with a sl st in the last sc on row 12.  Ch 1.

1-4.  Sc around. (12 stitches each row)
5.  Sc dec around.  FO. (6 stitches)

Stuff head and weave in ends.

Ears and Tail.  Make 3.

With white.
Chain 4.  Hdc in third chain from hook, sl st in last stitch. FO.

Legs

With Black.

On the underside of sheep, join with a sl st in one of the stitches where you think the leg should be.  The legs are crocheted directly to the sheep!

Chain 5, then FO.  Weave in end.
Repeat for the other 3 legs.


Sew on the Ears and tail.

Embroider eyes on.  Alternatively, you could use safety eyes, just insert them before you sew up the snout. 

Voila!  You have a little sheepy!  Make a flock!  Wouldn’t they be cute hanging on a Christmas tree?!  Enjoy, and feel free to make them and sell them at craft fairs, although I’d appreciate credit, and I’d also appreciate it if you didn’t sell them online.  Don’t be baaaa-d!  (Sorry for that, I’m in a mood!)

Well, I didn’t even look to see when the last time I updated my blog was…it was too long!  Just wanted to post a few pics of SOME of the projects I’ve been working on.

Free pattern to come for Sheepy!

I’ve also been working on some funky, hippie jewelry designs for the Wawapalooza music festival!  Go here (http://edcwawa.ca/wawapalooza/) for more info.  I’ll be a vendor at the street fair, and everyone else who is awesome is going to be there too!

Canada Post is on strike, so I can’t send anything by mail at the moment.  BOO!!!  Hopefully next week they’ll be working again, so I can continue working.

Will post the pattern as soon as I can.  I want to test it again. :)

Stay awesome!

So, I know I haven’t posted in awhile…the Bender hats have been keeping me super-busy, and so has preparing for Wawa’s Spring Byhand Festival. 

This year I created some cotton summer hats with a hippie flair!  Some are accented with peace signs, crocheted hemp leaves, and fabric yoyos made from vintage 1960’s fabric I’ve had kicking around for a bit.  I also made some hemp jewelry, and some charm bracelets to compliment my groovy hats, and purses.  I had to switch gears, as I was developing some pain in my wrists from all the Bender crocheting!  I’ll be listing some of my new creations in my Etsy shop shortly.

I also got to unveil my new cheewawamomma banner!  I just love it so much.  Special thanks to Jon Jarro for designing my logo.  Smooches!

Enjoy the pictures, and I will post again soon.  Happy Spring everyone!

Wow!  Lots of stuff happening for cheewawamomma designs, and it’s all good! 

First off, I’d like to thank everyone for their kind words, and oodles of orders for the Bender inspired toque!  Or tuque?  I’m Canadian, I should know this!  Anyhow, the orders are going to keep me super busy, and I’m so grateful!  I’d also like to thank the folks that posted, and reposted, my little toque on all the “geek” sites and blogs.  It made the hat even more popular!  Finally, I’d like to thank Matt T. for snapping such a great photo of the toque.

The pattern will be released soon for sale in my Etsy shoppe.  I wasn’t going to sell the pattern, but I didn’t realize how popular it was going to be!  So, I changed my mind, as is my perogative!  LOL!

Also, Wawapalooza is coming up in July, and it is a music festival chock full of all kinds of talented Canadian artists from all genres!  I’m so excited!  In addition to the great music, there will be children’s activities, and a HUGE indie crafts fair!  Guess where I’ll be? 

I’m also on Facebook!  Search for Cheewawamomma Designs, and then go there, and click like!  I post there a bit more regularly.  I’m also on Twitter now, but I still haven’t mastered the art of the “tweet”!

So, I will post as often as I can, but until next time, I’ll be crocheting Bender Inspired Toques!

Catch ya later, chumps and chumpettes! ;)

Wawa Winter Carnival 2011 was a blast!  There were many activities and new events to enjoy.  The events I participated in were the Artisan and Seller’s Fair, the Creative Art Competition, and the Carnival Toque Competition.  And I’m happy to say, that not only did I have fun, I also did very well!  The Artisan and Seller’s Fair was quite busy, with many vendors.  My fur trader dude pictured above won First Place for the Creative Art Competion.  And my Ice Man hat won Most Original!

Here is the blurb I wrote for my fur trader:

Frozen in Time

The Fur Trader

I imagine the early winters were as cold, if not colder, than they are now. In any case, we have the luxury of insulated homes and warm cars to travel in!

I thought of the early settlers, traders, voyageurs and aboriginals of this area, and how tough they must have been to endure this climate. I wanted to create something not only with the Frozen In Time theme, but also something that communicated our Northern Ontario spirit.

In essence, my soft-sculptured crochet piece is a tribute to those folks from the past who froze their butts off, but through their courage and endurance, helped develop our great country. In particular, Northern Ontario Canada!

So, today, I’m updating the blog, the gallery, the site, and hopefully I’ll get some listings on the Etsy shop.  And then it’s back to work on some orders and some more creative projects. 

Ciao!

Hello!  Still here, still crocheting.  I’m sending out another batch of amigurumi chihuahuas for the Canadian Chihuahua Rescue and Transport.  The CCRT is an organization that fosters unwanted/displaced chihuahuas, and finds them good homes.  I designed and crochet these chihuahuas whenever  I can for the CCRT to sell.  All proceeds go to the care of these special little dogs.  Please visit www.ccrt.net for more information on how you can help!

Other than chihuahuas, I’ve been busy filling some orders, and designing some new and exciting crochet projects, which I’m going to go work on right now.  Can’t wait to share them with you!

Cheers!

Happy New Year!  2011 is going to rock! 

Just thought I’d post a few pics of some Christmas gifts I made for my family and friends.  If you’d like to see more, visit my Flickr gallery http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheewawamomma/.

TTFN!

Well, my little chef didn’t make the final cut for the Crochet Me! 2012 Amigurumi Calendar.  While I’m bummed out, I am also grateful to have been able to submit my design.  In an effort to cheer myself up, I’m offering the pattern for this guy as a freebie, just in time for Christmas!  I’m feeling happier already!  Have a wonderful and safe holiday season, and I’ll be back in the New Year with more crochet and crafty ramblings and such. 

Henri the Happy Chef

An Amigurumi Design by Annette Morrison

Supplies:

Small amounts worsted weight acrylic yarns in peach (flesh colour), white, brown, tan, black, and grey (Mostly Red Heart)

3.5 mm crochet hook

Polyester Fibre Fill

Yarn needle

Black seed beads (6)

Abbreviations:

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

BLO = back loops only

FLO = front loops only

inc = 2 single crochet in same st. (increase)

inv dec = invisible decrease. (if unknown, regular decrease will work.)

sl st = slip st.

FO = fasten off

Instead of magic ring, ch 2, and sc indicated number of times in second chain from hook works fine too.

Head

With peach (flesh colour)

1. In magic ring, sc 6X. Do not join rounds. (6)

2. Inc in every sc. (12)

3. Inc every second sc. (18)

4. Inc every third sc. (24)

5. Inc every fourth sc. (30)

6-9. Sc around. (30)

10. (Sc 3, inv dec) around. (24)

11. (Sc 2, inv dec) around. (18)

12. (Sc 4, inv dec) around. (15)

Switch to white on last stitch of row 12.

13. Sc around (15)

14. Inc in every sc around. (30)

15. Sc around (30)

16. Inc every fifth sc. (36)

17. In BLO, sc around (36)

18. Inc in every sixth sc around. (42)

19. Sc around (42)

20. Inc in every seventh sc around. (48)

21-22. Sc around (48)

23. (Sc 6, inv dec) around. (42)

24-25. Sc around. (42)

26. (Sc 5, inv dec) around (36)

27. Sc around (36) Do not fasten off.

First Leg

28. Sc 18X, skip 18 sc (18)

29. Sc 18 (18)

30. (Sc 4, inv dec) around. (15)

31-32. Sc around. (15) Fasten off.

Second Leg

In row 28. Sc 18 in skipped sc. (18)

29. Sc 18 (18)

30. (Sc 4, inv dec) around. (15)

31-32. Sc around. (15). Fasten off.

Sew space between legs shut. Weave in ends. Stuff head and body firmly.

Shoes

With black, sc join to the back loop of the centre sc in the back of one leg.

1. In BLO, sc 5X, hdc inc in next 5 sc, sc in last 5 sc. Do not join.

2. Sc 5X, hdc inc in next 5 sc, sc in last 5 sc. Fasten off.

Repeat above for second leg.

Shoe Soles (make 2)

1. In magic ring, sc 10.

2. Inc in next 6 sc, hdc inc in next 4 sc. Fasten off.

Sew soles of shoes to bottom of feet, stuffing as needed to create shape. Weave in ends.

Chef Coat

In remaining front loops of row 17 of Head and Body, join with a sc to last loop. Make sure the chef’s head is facing you, so the stitches lay properly.

1. Inc in every sixth loop. (42)

2. Sc around. (42)

3. Inc in every seventh sc. (48)

4-8. Sc around. (48)

9. (Sc 11, inv dec) around. (44)

10. Sc around. (44) Fasten off.

Arms. (Make 2)

With peach/flesh colour

1. In magic ring, sc 6X. (6) Do not join.

2. Sc around. (6)

3. Sc around, switching to white on last stitch. (6)

4. Inc every sc around. (12)

5-10. Sc around (12)

11. (Sc 2, inv dec) around. Fasten off.

Sew to body around the 17^th and 18^th rows, on either side. Weave in ends.

Nose

With peach/flesh colour

1. In magic ring, sc 6X. (6) Do not join.

2. Sc around. Fasten off.

Sew to face in center, approximately at the 8^th and 9^th row. Weave in ends.

Ears (Make 2)

With peach/flesh colour

1. In magic ring, sc 6X. Join. Fasten off.

Sew to head on either side, approximately at the 8^th and 9^th row. Weave in ends.

Hat

With White.

1. In magic ring, sc 6X. (6) Do not join.

2. Inc in every sc. (12)

3. Inc every second sc. (18)

4. Inc every third sc. (24)

5. Inc every fourth sc. (30)

6. Inc every fifth sc. (36)

7. Inc every sixth sc. (42)

8. Inc every seventh sc. (48)

9. (Sl st 2X, dc 4X) around (48)

10. Sc around. (48)

11. Inv dec around (24)

12. Sc around. (24)

13. Sc around (24) Fasten off.

Sew to head as shown, weave in ends.

Neck Kercheif

With Red.

Chain 37

1. 1 slst, 4 sc, 2 sl st, 1 sc, hdc 20, 1 sc, 2 sl st, 4sc, 1 slst. Fasten off.

2. Join with a sl st in first hdc. Sc in same st, and in next hdc, 16 hdc, sc in next 2. Fasten off.

Weave in ends. Wrap kercheif around neck, and sew in place.

Pot

With Grey.

1. In magic ring, sc 6 X. (6) Do not join.

2. Inc in every sc. (12)

3. Inc every second sc (18)

4. In BLO, sc around. (18)

5-6. Sc around (18)

7. Sl st around (18). Do not fasten off.

Handle

Chain 6, sc in next 5 ch, join to pot with sl st. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Sew pot to hand by handle.

Spoon

With Tan.

1. In magic ring, sc 6X. Do not join.

2. Sc in every second sc around. (9)

3. Sc in next 3, hdc in next 3, 3 sc in last 3 (9). Do not fasten off.

Handle

Chain 6, sc in next 5 ch, join to spoon with sl st. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Sew spoon to hand.

Finishing Touches

Sew 6 black seed beads to front of coat as shown. Using brown yarn, stitch mustache and hair to face and head as shown. Using black yarn, stitch on eyes as shown. Using blush, brush on cheeks for a flushed look. (optional)

Voila! Bon Appetit!