Needle felting with acrylic yarn

Just over a week ago I came across the YouTube video on needle felting eyes on to amigurumi, they looked really impressive...

 the one thing I don't like about crocheted eyes is they tend to be a bit bulky and raised, safety eyes are not always a good choice and also can be too bulky on small dolls, embroidery eyes can be difficult to get to lay right  ..  which is especially noticeable on small dolls....

 these were nice and smooth, but being extremely allergic to wool even though I have wanted to try needle felting for ages I thought that was something I would never be able to do.. 

Being burned out on news but still needing something to run in the background while I was working on my latest project, I let a few more needle felting videos play... one mentioned using acrylic yarn... 

That one mention was enough to get me searching online to see if I could find any more information about this.. 

Information is actually pretty limited, most everything directs towards wool, there were enough little bits here and there to convince me it was doable, wet felting of course is not but dry needle felting is... 

My intention was to just get a cheapy set from Amazon and try making a few eyes.. I mentioned this to one of my sons while I was searching on Amazon, asked him what he thought about it...  his input was... to get a better set of needles with a variety of different needle types to see which would work better.. I'll admit it didn't take much to convince me as this is really something I wanted to do for a long time... as I had just sold a few patterns, my practice is to put a little bit back into my crafting every few items sold at least, it seemed like really good timing..

I was going to start with practicing eyes but decided to watch a video on basics and they recommended starting with shapes, first being a ball.. my son walks in and asked what I'm making I tell him I'm making a ball for practice.. he's like no really what's it going to be you don't ever just practice without making something, I laughed and said I only had the set for like an hour he couldn't expect need to actually be able to make anything with it.. 

well that was enough to get me thinking that instead of just making a round ball I should try something I had wanted to do, so I started with one mushroom and another... decided it needed some grass or ground or something to put it on, that needed something with it which turned out to be a bunny not sized to scale or anything just something I wanted to try using just scrap ends.. the ball is now a bush.. still haven't finished with that video ( photo at top ) 

That lead to making more small items... 

I have been working on key chains, charms and such as I like to have plenty of small, low cost items on my tables at markets and was running low..

Still using just scraps I made a few hearts.. 

Along the way I decided to try a landscape.. 

Definitely need to work on building up skills for landscapes lol... had no clue what I was doing but it was fun .. at that point I was going on over 30 hours of no sleep .. the big take away from that was you shouldn't play with super sharp needles when you're really tired... and maybe should plan things out a little bit better..

I did practice eyes... once so far lol .. 

Mermaid hair

I have been on a quest for a doll hair I like... Been running across this style a lot recently ...

You stitch a few strands of yarn to the top of the head going back in a line 

The part down the middle is nice... It is quick.. 
 

This one call ed for a wig cap .. I am assuming to give it a bit fuller look.. definitely better with the cap but still not what I was looking for 

I tried adding a line of strands along the front.. helped unless you moved the doll

Took off the wig cap and re-stranded it adding another shade of purple... 

The next couple of photos turned out a bit too bright, I tried using natural light thinking we had enough cloud coverage, LOL back to artificial light

I tried a variation of a technique I had seen stranding it through the inside of the wig cap

this way it lies more like natural hair..  not a quick way to make hair... took hours, and a lot of yarn but if you're looking to stash bust this will definitely help with that

I like the way it looks but I had sent her aside while I was considering whether or not I liked it enough to put on her it just seemed off. In the meantime I started another doll from the same book.. a fairy this time but use the same hairstyle as the original mermaid.........

I decided with this one to make a wig cap and use a thinner yarn with more shine, I spaced the strains out a bit more and then unraveled each strand..

It definitely adds more time to the project but I was going for a medium full look

After unraveling the strands I used a hair straightener to tame down some of the hair.. that's when I decided this wig cap was perfect for the mermaid and switched gears

I wasn't thrilled with the minimal facial features after adding the hair so I added a nose but she still needed more

I added eyebrows and enhancements around the safety eyes, some blush  ... 

and added lips.. she still needed more

I added shells .. a bit fuller lips and worked with her hair a bit more.. I ended up braiding her hair in huge braids then going over it with my hair straightener to heat set it a bit ... Love the end result..... Now I need to make her a better doll stand is this one keeps trying to flop over LOL.. I have a couple more things I want to add before I put this one out for sale .. I'll save that for another post is this one is quite long as it is.. 

Goddess crochet doll pattern

Goddess dolls 

Hook size US G 

Approximately 26 yards of worsted weight yarn  

in the photo above all goddesses are stitched using the same hook size and stitch count.. all yarns are listed as #4 worsted weight, however there is a clear size difference... Just like softness of yarn varies from from brand to brand so does the thickness .. the Autumn red was made using Caron Simply Soft, green is a discontinued yarn by big twist that was their version of Simply Soft, blue is Caron's one pound

American terms 

ch = chain

dec = single crochet invisible decrease,  slid hook through front loop of next two stitches yarn over, pull through both loops, yarn over pull through both loops 

inc = 2 single crochet in the indicated stitch

sc = single crochet

Worked in spiral, no of joining rounds throughout pattern 

1) ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sts)

2) inc     (12sts)

3) inc, sc1    (18sts)

4-6) sc 

7) dec, sc1   (12sts)

 To invisible decrease go through front loop only of first stitch indicated do not yarn over go through front loop of next stitch yarn over pull through both loops yarn over again and finish the stitch give a slight tug to make sure the stitch is snug to the work

 

When first doing invisible decreases take note of your next stitch it is easy to lose sight of which stitch you need to work next, it's a good idea to count your stitches before going on to the next round 

8) dec, sc1   (8sts)    Stuff fairy firm

9) sc through front loop only

10) inc, sc1  (12sts)

11) inc, sc1  (18sts)

12) sc

13) dec, sc1   (12sts)

14) sc through front loop

15) inc  (24sts)

16) sc

When working the decreases of the bottom be mindful of keeping your stitches low, it will give you a much smoother finish 

17) dec, sc4  (20sts)

18) dec, sc3   (16sts)

19) sc

20) dec, sc2    (12sts)

21) sc           Stuff 

 

When stuffing a tight area it's easy to lose stitches, to avoid this be sure to put in a stitch holder or just slide it in with you round marker.. 

22) dec, sc1  (8sts) 

23) sc

24) dec  (4sts)

Fasten off, cut yarn leaving a tail about 6 inches long. Place tail on yarn needle, weave through last stitches through the front loop only going from bottom to top for each one, pull snuggly 

 

Go through the center stitches to weave in the tail, going out one side a few rounds down.. 

I like to catch a couple of stitches and go back in a few times

Fasten off weave through remaining stitches pull tight, weave in end 

Arms

1) ch5, turn

2) sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc3, ch1 turn

3-24) sc4, ch1, turn

Fasten off leaving a tail long enough to seam the long edges together, sew on using photo as a guide. 

 

I find it easier to quickly stitch up the arms panel by placing something to stitch around in it... in this photo I am using a solid straw but have used knitting needles and pencils

Before stitching on arms, turn your goddess around looking for the best placement..

I stitch the bottom of the arm first then go through the arm just above that in stead of going around the edge of the arm.. gives it a smother finish 

Pattern without photos or tips 

1) ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6sts)

2) inc     (12sts)

3) inc, sc1    (18sts)

4-6) sc 

7) dec, sc1   (12sts)

8) dec, sc1   (8sts)    Stuff fairy firm

9) sc through front loop only

10) inc, sc1  (12sts)

11) inc, sc1  (18sts)

12) sc

13) dec, sc1   (12sts)

14) sc through front loop

15) inc  (24sts)

16) sc

17) dec, sc4  (20sts)

18) dec, sc3   (16sts)

19) sc

20) dec, sc2    (12sts)

21) sc           Stuff 

22) dec, sc1  (8sts) 

23) sc

24) dec  (4sts)

Fasten off leaving tail long enough to thread through remaining stitches 

Arms

1) ch5, turn

2) sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc3, ch1 turn

3-24) sc4, ch1, turn 

Fasten off leaving long tail for seaming edges together and stitching to body. See photo above for placement. 

All rights reserved, items made with this pattern may be sold. 

Cthulhu two different takes

I've been meaning to do a deeper dive into amigurumi for a bit now.. it is a crochet world of it's own pretty much.. where styles can range from minimalist to super detailed, ulta realistic to far out fantasy.. thread or super bulky..

 whatever style or size you like.. whatever you can think of you can make into amigurumi.. 

I have been collecting patterns for years now.. exploring the different styles and techniques.. at some point I will release some of my own but right now I'm having a lot of fun and learning a lot

Recently I purchased a book on Kindle of crochet Cryptids and creepy creatures, unable to thumb through the whole book of course, I wasn't really sure what I was getting but judging for the cover, I was sure to get a few cute ones at least.. it was clear it was going to be in a minimalist style, 

I'm not even sure if that's the right term for this style, it's just what I have been calling the patterns that only use safety eyes and no other facial features and a minimum of details for the rest of the pattern, so that's how I will continue to refer them until I find out otherwise..

I did a quick review on my Facebook page ( Life is Good blog )  of the patterns for Nessy (of lock ness fame ) and Mothman.. if I get the chance I will revisit that in a longer post here... Far too many plans have fallen to the wayside to make any promises.. hopefully I have learned that lesson finally 😉

I really enjoyed making the Cthulhu out of this book..

oh the link to where I got both the book and the pattern mentioned here are below, I am in no way linked to or profit from either, just trying to make it easier to find the patterns I am speaking of for my readers...

The pattern is fairly quick and easy, I like how the tentacles are created  while making the head, no sewing needed.. but however you do need to sew the head on which I find to be a pain, if I were to make it again I definitely would just make it in one piece .. my  preference as I find I can strengthen the neck easier.. throughout the book there are a few typos ( the way every format corrects your writing whether it's needed or .. not this is not a surprise, also I imagine if you have someone editing your book who does not crochet and understand how patterns are written it would be almost impossible to not have typos ) and a lack of detail that might be difficult for a beginner to work out but overall this pattern and book have been worth the price.. 

The Supergurumi pattern is written for thinner yarn and a smaller hook then what I made mine with, I used worsted weight and a F 3.75mm hook .. no issues with jumping up a few sizes whatsoever.

This pattern does not fit into the minimalist category .. lots of details .. each tentacle is stitched on separately as well as the pieces, however the body is done in the same piece as the head, 

it does take more time to finish but is definitely worth the effort. 

It is well written, it's not the first pattern I've made of theirs, so I pretty much picked up on the style they use while writing .. I have made the the Good Witch, Evil Witch and Wizard... I have a few more to go and have my eye on a few others, each pattern has come out absolutely adorable..

each pattern is also offered free on their web page .. but well worth the price for the ad free PDF.. you can find the link to their web page from the Ravelry page link below

Two totally different looks for the same character / god?.. Both patterns more fun to work on and came out with super cute results.

 Supergurumi on Ravelry
 Crochet World Creepy Creatures Cryptids Amazon

Mini wreaths

 A cute easy ornament or gift topper etc. 

I saw an magazine article about quick Christmas ideas long before the internet but don't recall which magazine,  this as it had to be a good 30, maybe 35 years ago or more... I highly doubt that magazine was the only one who was ever printed the idea, so I'm sure you'll find more ideas on how make and decorate them out there on the net.  

They are a cute easy project however so a revisit to the idea I thought was in order, I actually have been meaning to do this for years.. time kept getting away from me every holiday season.. I put a ring in my purse catch all bag as a reminder.. and this year it worked, I found it again just in time lol 

In the article if I remember correctly they used the ring from around a milk jug, as we don't drink milk I grabbed some off of water and a couple of soda bottles that my mother was a recycling. They are a bit smaller but I think it adds to their cuteness 

Just Pop off the ring

Grab some yarn and a corresponding book, in this case I used Red Heart Paddy Green worsted weight and a G 4.0 mm hook

Single crochet around the ring until it's as full as you like, slip stitch to the first single crochet stitch 

Chain a loop, I did 10 chains for these as I was planning on using them for gift toppers and didn't need it very long

Slip stitch to the next single crochet or base of the chain stitches.. 

Weave in tails on the backside.. wreath is ready to be decorated.. I tried using small amounts of scrap yard to add colonial knots (see photo above ), French knots should work just as well, I like the bit thicker colonial knots myself... This does take a fair amount of time though, so I ended up glueing sequins and a bit of  red yarn for a ribbon to them using craft glue.. maybe next year i will think of it early enough for doing all of them with knots or beads lol