Miami Projects

This year I took crochet projects to Miami instead of knitting. I was a bit worried about getting knitting needles through since we took only carry-on luggage, but I figured I wouldn't be too upset if they made me toss a couple of plastic crochet hooks.

A. inspired me to try making amigurumi toys. The baby octopus ended up going to our seatmate on our last plane back from Miami. She was a teenager who was very, very patient during our 3.5 hour delay on the runway (arg!) and since she squealed when she saw the octopus and called it "hecka cute!" I couldn't resist giving it to her as an Xmas present.

The duckling ended up going to my mother-in-law because she asked M. to ask me if she could have it. What have I learned? Cute is irresistible. :)

Baby Octopus:


Baby Octopus on dresser (to give an idea of the size):


Duckling:


Duckling & Baby Octopus together:


And while I'm at it, here are some quick-and-dirty coasters I did. Our room in Miami didn't have coasters, so...


Technical details on Ravelry: Baby Octopus and Duckling.

More Felting & Sis-in-law's Purse

Test swatch in Paton's Classic Wool Merino, needle size US 10. Hand-felted, took forever:

Coaster in 3 colors of Paton's Classic Wool Merino, needle size US 10.5. Hand-felted, took even more forever:

Sis-in-law's cool purse (she crocheted it, not me):

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How I made the coaster:

Cast on 80 sts. in yarn color A to US 10.5 DPNs using long tail cast on method.

Cast on counts as round 1.
Round 2: P all sts.
Round 3: (K1, K2tog, K 14 sts., SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 4: P all sts.
Round 5: (K1, K2tog, K 12 sts., SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 6: P all sts.
Round 7: (K1, K2tog, K 10 sts., SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 8: P all sts.
Round 9: Switch to yarn color B. Then (K1, K2tog, K 8 sts., SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 10: P all sts.
Round 11: (K1, K2tog, K 6 sts., SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 12: P all sts.
Round 13: (K1, K2tog, K 4 sts., SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 14: P all sts.
Round 15: (K1, K2tog, K 2 sts., SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 16: P all sts.
Round 17: Switch to yarn color C. Then (K1, K2tog, SSK, K1) 4 times.
Round 18: P all sts.
Round 19: (K2tog, SSK) 4 times.
Round 20: P all sts.

Bind off by running yarn through remaining 8 stitches and pull to close.

Weave in ends then felt, felt, felt. Block in spiffy octagon-ish shape.