Star Wars Amigurumi!

BAAAH! buh buh buh buh buh buh buh buh ....okay, that was supposed to be the Star Wars intro. Anyway, here's my latest set of little figures!

Aw, aren't they cute? That's Admiral Ackbar on the left, followed by Leia, Chewie, Han, and Yoda rounding off things in the front. Don't you just love little Yoda's ears? I am still debating whether or not I want to give him little white tufts of hair. He's so cute right now I don't really want to mess with anything.

Admiral Ackbar was really hard, too. I wanted his head to slope backwards--if you ever look at his head, you will notice how strangely shaped it is. All I remember about it is that I ripped out his head about 3 times and that he has some double crochet in the front. As to how many rows, how many stitches, I'm not sure. I'll figure it out one of these days, though.

Of course you guys want to see the little sculpey things my boyfriend made, right? Okay fine, here they are.
I can't believe how detailed the little lightsaber it! And it is so tiny! And get this--the beam of the lightsaber is removable, so Luke can wear it on his belt! (when we finish the belt...) I thought that was so cool.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know what I have been up to. I will be posting the other characters we have made really soon!

Free pattern! Human Amigurumi 1

Alright, Legolas and Gandalf are very similar to the other two men except I didn't use sugar 'n cream yarn for their bodies, I used worsted weight. As a consequence, they need a couple more rows to make them an equal height to Aragorn and Boromir. If you choose not to use the sugar 'n cream yarn for the top color, please see the other human pattern.

**NOTE--These patterns can also be used for any human character, such as Han, Leia, Luke, and anyone else you can think of.***

The patterns for the clothes and accessories are available at my etsy store.

Legolas and Gandalf:
This pattern uses an F hook and worsted weight yarn.

BC: bottom color (the "pants")
TC: top color (the "shirt")
AC: arm color (the arms)
SC: skin color (for any skin parts)

BODY:
With BC, work 2 ch
Row 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Row 2: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) three times

Row 3: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) four times, 2 sc in next st
Row 4: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) seven times

You should have around 20 stitches by now
Row 5: even
Row 6: (sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 7: (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 8: even
Row 9 (sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
You should have around 40 stitches by now Change to TC (Gandalf does not change color)
Row 10-14: even
Row 15: (sc in next 7 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 16-17: (sc in next 6 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 18: even
Row 19: (sc in next 5st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 20: (sc in next 4 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 21: even
Row 22: (sc in next 3 st, sc2tog) until end of row
You should have about 17 stitches by now

Now is a good time to put in the arms

ARMS: Make two
With SC, ch 2
Row 1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Row 2: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) twice
Row 3: even
Row 4: even
Change to AC
Row 5: even
Row 6: even
Row 7: even
Row 8: even, BO, leave a long yarn tail to attach arm to body

Attach these to the body and pick up the stitch on the stitch holder with the skin color to finish the head.

HEAD: With SC
Row 23: (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 24: (sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 25: (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 26: (sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 27-29: even
Row 30: (sc in next 4 st, sc2tog) until end
If you have safety eyes, now would be a good time to put them in--try to place them around row 22
Row 31: (sc in next 3 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 32: (sc in next 2 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Now is when you want to stuff the whole body, and even put a weight down at the bottom if you are so inclined. Make sure you stuff the body very tightly.
Row 33: (sc in next 1 st, sc2tog) until end of row or until the head is completely closed up.

Weave in all ends.

Free pattern! Human Amigurumi 2

Alright, here's the pattern for the men. Go to my flickr page for a lot of reference pictures for the colors you should use.

The patterns for the clothes are accessories for Lord of the Rings characters are available on my etsy page.

***NOTE-This pattern can also be used for any human character, as long as they are made out of Sugar 'n Cream yarn (or any comparably sized yarn)***


Aragorn and Boromir pattern:
This pattern uses an F hook and worsted weight for the bottom color and Sugar 'n Cream yarn for the top color. If you want to use worsted weight for the top too, please see the other human pattern.


BC: bottom color (the "pants")
TC: top color (the "shirt")
AC: arm color (the arms)
SC: skin color (for any skin parts)

BODY:
With BC, work 2 ch
Row 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Row 2: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st)

Row 3: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) four times, 2 sc in next st
Row 4: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) seven times

You should have around 20 stitches by now
Row 5 even
Row 6: (sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 7: (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 8: even
Row 9: (sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
You should have around 40 stitches by now Change to TC
Row 10-14: even
Row 15: (sc in next 7 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 16: (sc in next 6 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 17: (sc in next 5 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 18: even
Row 19: (sc in next 4 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 20: (sc in next 3 st, sc2tog) until end of row
You should have about 17 stitches by now

Now is a good time to put in the arms

ARMS: Make two
With SC, ch 2
Row 1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Row 2: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) twice
Row 3: even
Row 4: even
Change to AC
Row 5: even
Row 6: even
Row 7: even
Row 8: even, BO, leave a long yarn tail to attach arm to body

Attach these to the body and pick up the stitch on the stitch holder with the skin color to finish the head.

HEAD: With SC
Row 21: (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 22: (sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 23: (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 24: (sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 25-27: even
Row 28: (sc in next 4 st, sc2tog) until end
If you have safety eyes, now would be a good time to put them in--try to place them around row 24
Row 29: (sc in next 3 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 30: (sc in next 2 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Now is when you want to stuff the whole body, and even put a weight down at the bottom if you are so inclined. Make sure you stuff the body very tightly.
Row 31: (sc in next 1 st, sc2tog) until end of row or until the head is completely closed up

Weave in all ends.

Free pattern! Hobbits (and Gimli)

Alright everyone, I've decided to share the crochet pattern for all of the Lord of the Rings characters. The clothes patterns are up for sale at my etsy store so everything you need to make your own Lord of the Rings amigurumi characters will be available!
I've never made a pattern available to the public before, so if anyone needs help please feel free to leave a comment! It all makes sense in my head, and I am going to do my best to make sure it makes sense in yours. These are worked in a continuous spiral, do not turn your work. Use a stitch marker to indicate every row--everything may not line up exactly, but it doesn't really need to. Make sure you read the whole pattern before you start.
Hobbit pattern:
This pattern uses an F hook and worsted weight yarn. If you use anything else, be prepared for a wonky size. Everything in parenthesis ( ) needs to be repeated until the end of the row.

BC: bottom color (the "pants")
TC: top color (the "shirt")
AC: arm color (the arms)
SC: skin color (for any skin parts)

BODY:
With BC, work 2 ch
Row 1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Row 2: (sc in next 1 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 3: (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 4: (sc in next 1 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 5: (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 6: (sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Change to TC
Row 7: (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 8: (sc in next 5 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 9-11: even
Row 12: (sc in next 5 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 13: (sc in next 4 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 14-15: even
Row 16: (sc in next 3 st, sc2tog) until end of row

Now is a good time to put in the arms, so just put a stitch holder on the last stitch and make the arms now. This is also a good time to put the little white felt "V" for the vest on, and to put little buttons on. I use a french knot for the buttons and invisible thread to stitch the "V" on.

ARMS: Make two
With SC, ch 2
Row 1: 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Row 2: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) twice
Row 3: even
Row 4: even
Change to AC
Row 5: even
Row 6: even
Row 7: even, BO, leave a long yarn tail to attach arm to body

Attach these to the body and pick up the stitch on the stitch holder with the skin color to finish the head.

HEAD: With SC
Row 17: (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 18: (sc in next 3 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 19: (sc in next 4 st, 2 sc in next st) until end of row
Row 20-22: even
Row 23: (sc in next 4 st, sc2tog) until end
If you have safety eyes, now would be a good time to put them in--try to place them around row 22
Row 24: (sc in next 3 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Row 25: (sc in next 2 st, sc2tog) until end of row
Now is when you want to stuff the whole body, and even put a weight down at the bottom if you are so inclined. Make sure you stuff the body very tightly.
Row 26: (sc in next 1 st, sc2tog) until end of row, or until the head is completely close up.

Alright! Your hobbit should be done. Remember, this isn't an exact science so feel free to mess around with the pattern if you feel like it. I hope everyone enjoys this!
Oh yeah, if you actually make a hobbit, PLEASE post pics here or e-mail them to me or something! I would love love love to see them.

The Horsey King!

Alright everyone, it's time for the final installment of the Lord of the Rings amigurumi characters. At least for the moment. I present to you, Theoden, King of Rohan!
He doesn't have as many accessories as some as the other guys, but he sure is painted up! I like his little gauntlets, too. His cape is a dark green felt and then painted red on the inside, but I'm not sure if you can see that very well. Isn't his little belt buckle adorable? The boy did that, I'm not quite sure how, but it's awesome.

Here's another shot of him--you can't really tell, but under his V-neck he has another little piece of painted felt. So detailed!

Next post--Star Wars people! I promise.

Maniac Monday--Futurama!

I love Futurama. I think that it is one of the funniest shows ever created, aside from Arrested Development. Unfortunately, there's not too much love for the show in the craft world. However, the crafts that are out there are AWESOME! And most of them come with free patterns too, which of course is also awesome. Awesome to the max.

Here goes.





1. Amber over at Cthulu crochet made a completely awesome little Nibbler. Can I even begin to tell you how cute he is? And he even has a completely innocent puupy-dog eyes on his face, a look like he knows that he just totally dropped a ball of dark matter on the carpet and ate all of the neighbors cats (oh please oh please not the neighbor too), but you still love him anyway because he's so cute.



2. Ever wanted your own brain slug? Well, now you can own one for your very own head. I'm not exactly sure about the mechanics of the brain slug--does it suck your brains out and eat them, or just disable them? Maybe it feeds off of brainwaves somehow? Hermes seemed fine as soon as he got his off his head, but the slugs obviously need the brain for sustenance, because Fry's died without proper nutrition. Although maybe Fry's died because he is his own grandfather. That can mess someone up, I'm sure.

3. Lastly, I give you-- THE GENDER BENDER!! Now, I've seen this amigurumi Bender floating around the internet (and there is a link to the free pattern for original Bender on the site linked above) , but I only recently saw the little outfit. How cute are the curls? And he even has a little wand to tickle people with. So cute!

Yay! If anyone ever sees any Futurama crafts out there, feel free to drop me a line! I'm always up for some good Futurama-related paraphernalia.

Fair Shield Maiden...

Alright, as promised, shield maiden of the year, Eowyn!
Yeah I know, poor Eowyn doesn't have a really cool costume like the guys (although I guess we could have made her when she was in disguise at the battle of Pelennor Fields) but I thought this costume was the most iconic for her character. Out of all of the dudes we made, though, she does have the most costume changes, so it might be cool to make some different outfits for her...

Anyway, this dress is pretty simple. The white felt is on the bottom, with painted gold, and then her little burgundy vest over that. I don't know if you can see it in the picture, but her sleeves have little braided ties on them.

I'm not 100% happy with her hair color, but our Hobby Lobby for some reason didn't have anything that I liked better.

Star Wars news: I am working on the new Star Wars set of people, and let me tell you, I am not really feeling them. The boy made AWESOME AWESOME blasters and lightsabers, but the clothes are so plain that I'm not sure they pop in the same way. The classic Leia outfit is just a piece of white felt with a belt on it! Maybe I'm just being too critical--I'll post some pictures next week, and if anyone is out there, maybe I can get some opinions on this.

New Lord of the Rings characters

Well, my plan for this blog was to post all of the Fellowship members, along with pictures and my incredibly witty, insightful thoughts about creating them. Well, since the Fellowship has burst upon the interwebs (with more incredible success than I thought possible, like this or this or this) I thought I would post some information about some LotR characters that I didn't show everyone. You know, maybe to make this blog actually relevant?

Okay, here goes--


Faramir! Isn't he so cute? Unlike the members of the Fellowship, he doesn't have any accessories. Of course, the tree of Gondor on his outfit is so incredible, that I don't think he needs anything. He is kind of complicated, though--he has three different layers of felt (the brown, the tan, and the dark brown) and little gold rings connecting the tan colors together. And of course his cloak.



The bottommost layers of felt have some decorative "baseball" stitching on them (not sure if that's a technical term, but it's the kind of stitching they have on baseballs so it's a good bet). And of course the belt--we have TONS of leather, since the boy used to work at a furniture store and got to keep lots of their little fabric samples they threw away.

I don't have a picture of him next to his brother Boromir, but they do look like they are related! Faramir's hair is one shade lighter but still in the same color category.

Faramir was the first non-Fellowship member I made, and of course (so he wouldn't be lonely) I had to make his lady-love, Eowyn--but you have to wait till the next post to see her! Okay, you could cheat and go to my flickr page, but then you wouldn't get to see all of the neat things I have to say about her!


Pretty Little Elf

Alright everybody, time for the pretty little elf, doing his little nancy dance. (Can you tell I was obsessed with Cassandra Claire's LotR private diaries?)

To be honest, Legolas was not my favorite in the beginning. He turned out fatter than the rest (and my sister was yelling at me to make him skinnier than the rest, being an elf and all) and his head is kind of a funny shape. It was super hard to find the right colors for him, both in yarn and in felt. Even now I'm still not sure we shouldn't have made him in silver yarn and a beige felt tunic with the green felt vesty thing over that. Being so fat though, that would have made him huge.

Anyway, once we got his hair together and his awesome bow and arrow and quiver, I changed my mind. The boy did such a wonderful job with the quiver (can you see that peacock? How crazy is that?!) and the bow (except when the cats ate it and stole the silver thread on it) that I think I changed my mind about little Leggy.

Definitely the prettiest!

Blow your horn, Boromir

Ha ha, okay, time for some Boromir. (I know all of these pics are already on craftster and flickr, but I wouldn't have anything else to post unless I did these one by one. Plus, I know everyone enjoys my stupid random comments, right? RIGHT?). Anyway, on to the show--

Little Boromir! I cannot express how much I love his little horn of Gondor. The boy painted and sculpted it and then even put little rings so I could strap it around Boromir. Except for all of the sculpey, Boromir is one of the more simple Fellowship members, but he is one of my favorites.

Of course, as soon as I made Boromir, I had to make Faramir too, and then Eowyn so that Faramir wouldn't be lonely (being the only non-Fellowship member and all) and then of course Theoden, because Eowyn would probably want to be with her uncle too (if he was still alive). But that's another post. For now, enjoy our poor fallen hero.

Gimli

Okay, I will be honest. I never really cared that much for Gimli in the LotR movies, because I thought he was just used as some campy comic relief and he scares me a little because he reminds me of some of my customers at work. ANYWAY, I love the little Gimli the boyfriend and I made.

Isn't he so cute? I love his little braids. We decided that his beard would have to be made out of felt, like the other characters that have beards, and it couldn't be braided like in the movie, but I think the effect here turned out really well. Also, how cute is his little helmet? The boyfriend sculpted little Dwarven runes into it before he painted it. Crazy, right?
And you can't see them very well, but Gimli has two little braided strands running across his chest. I braided those suckers, they are 5 stranded braids (which are VERY HARD to do, for me at least) and you can barely see them. Oh well.

Hope you guys like him!

Maniac Monday--R2D2!

Okay, so, I am a little obsessed with R2D2. Scratch that--I am totally obsessed with Artoo. I have no idea why, but I have Artoo collectibles from pez dispensers to cookie jars to cardboard cutouts. I even have the little remote controlled Artoo that responds to your voice. Anyway, I thought I would share some cool R2D2 crafts I have seen on my trek through the intertubes.

1. The R2D2 casemod. Let me tell you, if I knew squat about computers and/or metal welding, I would so make one of these. I want one so bad. For now, I'll have to stick with my tower that has AT-AT's painted on it. (That's still kind of cool, right?)


2. Steampunk R2D2. I am fascinated by steampunk right now--I think it's a really interesting sci-fi trend. This steampunk R2D2 is just too cool. The guy that made this has details about it on his blog, it's very interesting. He made a lot of it from parts that you wouldn't expect, kind of like the original R2.


3. Okay, this one is kind of cheating. My boyfriend painted this Christmas ornament for me. Out of everything I've posted, it's the least technically challenging, but there is not a chance in hell it would look anything like an R2 unit if I tried to paint it, so I am still in awe.

For now, I'll have to stick to crochet and knitting, but I can still stand in awe of those with different craft techniques and say...I WANT!!!


Here comes Gandalf!

Put on your robe and wizard hat, because here comes Gandalf!


Isn't he adorable? No, he won't do any pointy hat tricks, but I still think he's pretty cool. His body is totally crocheted, and his clothes are made out of felt. I love the little details on him--his staff is made out of sculpey, and his pipe fits inside! You can see it if you squint. He also has his little tobacco pouch too, because you never want a wizard to be caught off guard.

I know the colors might seem a bit off (like his belt and satchel) but those are the real colors he wears. The "Lord of the Rings" movies use a blue tint for everything, so it is hard to choose which colors to go with--the colors from exhibits and pre-edited movie stills, or the actual colors that are in the movie. Of course I went with pre footage, and now I kinda wish I didn't, but oh well.


Sorry Gandalf, no Lorien cloak for you. More Fellowship members to come soon, be on the lookout!

First post!

Wow! This is my very first blog ever, so I'm still getting used to everything. I started this blog to show the world the crafts that I make, as well as other stuff I find around the web that I think is cool. Of course, in keeping with the name of the blog, everything will (er, at least should) be geek related. I have a passion for crafts related to video games, movies, anime, and even books (I have visions of amigurumi Karamazov brothers--but I got a little sidetracked).

Hopefully in the coming weeks I will be able to show everyone what I have been working on. I think that so far, my little amigurumi dudes are turning out really well. I hope that this blog will be the source of inspiration for those looking for more unconventional, geeky crafts, as well as a place for me to show general things that I enjoy.

I hope this turns out well!