Moon Cosmic Snowflake! Make Up!

Readers (and fellow Moonies), if you really want to get into the nerd spirit of this snowflake, please play the music linked below. And feel free to sing along!

Readers, one of my favorite guilty pleasure TV shows has been digitally restored and put on Hulu.

While I don't count myself among the "Moonies", I will say that I have a very soft spot in my heart for Sailor Moon.

Growing up, I would joyfully set myself in front of the TV if I was lucky enough to catch the show before heading out for school (the show aired at 6:30 am where we were living), and partake in whatever fabulousness Serena (aka Usagi in the Japanese version) and her friends were up to. This was a rare treat, though; my mother wasn't exactly a fan of the show, so the channel would get routinely get changed to the morning news. She'd tolerate the show on a few rare occasions, but she'd never miss a chance to remind us that "this cartoon is the dumbest thing I've ever seen!"

Usagi, you are (and always will be!) my main animated girl, but my parents were right. You were dumb as hell. We still love you though! Image found here: http://sailormoon.wikia.com/wiki/Sailor_Moon_Wiki

Well, yes. Yes, it is dumb. Sailor Moon (at least the American version) is probably one of the dumbest shows ever put on television. But I love it anyway. It fills me full of nostalgic feels.

So, Sailor Moon wasn't a show that I got to watch all that often, along with Muppet Babies, Ren and Stimpy, Sonic the Hedgehog, Captain Planet; any show that annoyed either of my parents was generally avoided at our house. And if any of us whined enough to be allowed a temporary viewing, both of my parents would take every possible opportunity to remind us WHY they thought the show was beneath our family's dignity.

In Sailor Moon's case, my parents weren't necessarily bothered by the concept or characters (although my Dad would point out on more than one occasion that he thought Serena's Sailor Senshi outfit was stupid: "It doesn't even hide her face! It's not like she's hiding her identity! What kind of superhero is this?!"), more than anything else, it was the voice acting that set them over the edge.

Before any of you ask, yes, I'm talking about Cloverway's terrible English dub.

Anyways, my latest crochet snowflake is based around my favorite guilty-pleasure cartoon! The larger spokes are loosely based off of Usagi's Cosmic Heart Compact (I put more hearts on it), and the crescent moons are based off of her Moon Stick. To the Moonies reading this: I am well aware that Usagi never used the Moon Stick and the Cosmic Heart Compact at the same time. I just thought they looked nice together :-)  I hope you guys enjoy, Readers!

"Moon Cosmic Snowflake"

Materials: Size 10 crochet threat
Hook: 1.5 mm
12 smallish glass beads (optional)
white sewing thread (optional)
sewing needle (optional)

Special stitches: Crescent Moon
Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch. Sc in next 2 ch. Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch. Sc in next 2 ch and in next sc. Sl st in base of "moon".

Ch 7, form ring. 

Rd 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc) 17 dc in ring. Join w/ slip stitch to first dc. 

Rd 2: *Ch 11, work 2 dc cluster in 3rd ch from hook. Ch 3, sl st in same ch as 2 dc cluster. Ch 16, sl st in same ch as 2dc cluster to form ring. In ring, work 3sc, 2hdc, 2dc, 4tr, dc, hdc, sc. Ch 6, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next 2 ch. Ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook. (ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook) twice. sl st in first ch of previous ch 3 and in top of last dc worked. Ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook and in next ch. Ch in top of 3rd dc of 1st dc group made. 1 sl st in same ch as 3rd dc of first dc group and in next ch. In ring, work sc, hdc, dc, 4tr, 2dc, 2hdc, 3sc. Sl st in same ch as previous 2dc cluster. Ch 8, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc. Ch 8, work 2dc cluster in 3rd ch from hook. Work Crescent Moon. Ch 3, sl st in same ch as previous 2dc cluster. ch 5, sc in same st as previous sc, repeat from * around. join with sl st. 

If using beads, sew the beads in the middle of the crescent moons, and in the middle of the heart spokes. Starch using 6-point star. Stiffen using any method you like!

Crocheters, you know the drill! You can do whatever your hearts desire with the snowflakes you make from this pattern, but as for the pattern itself: Please don't change it, please don't sell it, but feel free to share it all you like!

Apis

"One can no more approach people without love than one can approach bees without care. Such is the quality of bees."
                                                 -Leo Tolstoy

I've got a new snowflake pattern, Readers! I hope you enjoy!

"Apis" snowflake

Materials:

Size 10 crochet thread

1.65 mm crochet hook

Chain 6, form ring (or make magic circle).

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc in ring. Join with sl st in third ch of beginning ch 3.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same st. *ch 8, skip next dc, sc in next dc. Repeat from * 4 times. Ch 3, dtr in first sc to form last ch-8 sp.

Round 3: Work beginning 4-dc cluster in same sp. Ch 9, *work 4-dc cluster in next ch-8 sp, ch 9. Repeat from * around, join with sl st to beginning 4-dc cluster.

Round 4: ch 12, sl st in same sp. Ch 20, sl st in 20th ch from hook. Ch 1, 8 sc in next ch 9 sp, *Ch 21, sl st in 20th ch from hook. Sl st in next 4-dc cluster, ch 12, sl st in same 4-dc cluster. Ch 20, sl st in 20th ch from hook. Ch 1, 8 sc in next ch 9 sp. Repeat from *4 times. ch 21, sl st in 20th ch from hook. Ch 1, and sl st in first ch of beginning ch 12.

Round 5: sl st to the center of first ch 12 loop. Ch 1, sc in same loop. *Ch 10, sl st in 2nd ch from hook; hdc in next ch. ch 1, skip one ch, tr in next ch. Ch 1, sk next ch, dtr in next ch, ch 1, skip next ch, ttr in next ch. ch 1, sc in same ch 12 space. Ch 9, insert hook into 10th ch of next ch-20 space, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), insert hook into 10th ch of next ch-20 space, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through all three loops on hook. (Ch 6, sl st in same st just made) twice. Ch 9,  sc in next ch 12 space. Repeat from * 5 times, omitting final sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Bind off.

Pin and stiffen using whatever method you prefer:

Crocheters, you may use the flakes you make from this pattern in any way you like, but please do not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks!

Naaaaa na na na na na na na...

Pattern found here: http://amysbabies.wordpress.com/magnetic-katamari-pattern

Katamari Damacy is, in my humble opinion, one of the very best video games ever made. It's delightfully colorful, fast-paced, clever, and has cornered the market on WEIRD FUN.

You guys know who else is delightfully colorful, fact-paced, clever, and full of weird fun? My sister!

This awesome anigurumi is my sister's birthday present! I had a ton of fun making it, and will definitely be making more!

I used up the last of the purple mercerized cotton (as well as a bunch of the green, and all of the light blue when I made my first attempt at the magnetic nubs around the side) in my stash to make little piece of adhesive-star-magic. Woo!

Until next time, Readers! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lace Doodle: Odette

At long last, Readers! We finally have a snowflake pattern!

I've been playing around with the idea of incorporating a "feather" kind of design into one of my snowflakes for a while now, ever since I saw the movie "Black Swan". While I did have a great appreciation for the film's dark and horrifyingly accurate exploration into the head of a poor woman suffering from schizophrenia, my inner five-year-old squealed with delight and was FAR more interested in the beautiful costumes.

Oh my word that HEADPIECE! 

 The feathers, the beading, the little "coronets" in the center, are all an homage to the graceful (non-schizophrenic) Swan Queen character.

Worked with:
DMC cebelia, size 20 crochet thread (white)
Steel hook size 8 (.9 mm)
12 small glass beads

String all beads onto your thread.

Round 1: Ch 6, join to form ring

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc in ring. Join with sl st to third ch of beginning ch 3. 12 dc.

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in next dc. (Ch 3, dc in next 2 dc) around, ch 1, hdc in first dc worked. 6 ch-3 spaces.

Round 4: Ch 4, in same sp work (dc, hdc).*Ch 5, dc in 4th and 5th ch from hook. double-treble crochet (yo three times) in next dc.  Ch 4, sc in fourth ch from hook. ch 1, slide bead up, (or picot), ch 1. sl st in sc. ch three, sl st in sc. dtc in next dc. Ch 5,  dc in fourth and fifth ch from hook.^ In next sp work hdc, dc, tr, ch 3, tr, dc, hdc. Repeat from * four times, then from * to ^ once.  In next sp work hdc, dc, tr, ch 1  and hdc into 4th chain of beginning ch 4. 6 "Coronets" and 6 ch 3 spaces.

Round 5: Chain 1, sc in same sp.
*Ch 12, sl st in next 6 ch from hook.
Ch 10, sl st in next 7 ch from hook.
Ch 11, sl st in next 8 ch from hook;
Ch 12, sl st in next 9 ch from hook,
Ch 13, sl st in next 10 ch from hook,
Ch 14, sl st in next 11 ch from hook.
Ch 14, sl st in next 13 ch from hool
Ch 12, sl st in next 11 ch from hook.
working on the other side of the "feather", sl st in next three chains.
Ch 11, sl st in next 10 ch from hook.
sl st in next 3 ch.
Ch 10, sl st in next 9 ch from hook.
sl st in next 3 ch.
Ch 9, sl st in next 8 ch from hook.
sl st in next three ch.
Ch 8, sl st in next 7 ch from hook.
sl st in next 3 ch.
Ch 7, sl st in next 6 ch from hook.
sl st in next 6 ch,
sc in same sp.
Ch 10, slide bead up, ch 11. sc in next ch-3 sp. Repeat from * around, join with sl st to first sc.

Pin and starch, using a 6-point pattern for reference.

Crocheters, you may use the flakes you make from this pattern in any way you like, but please do not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks!

Lace Doodle Thursday: Naomi's Star

Good afternoon, Readers!

Now that I'm a boneh-fiday married person, I think that it's time to amp up my lace-making skills. I am officially on a "lace schedule", Readers! You can expect a lace doodle every Thursday!

The first four of these "doodles', Readers, are little "Thank-yous" to a few of the people who helped make our wedding wonderful!

The first of these is a snowflake inspired by my parent's wonderful neighbor, Naomi:

Ladies and gentleman, the Fairy God Mother is alive and well and is living in the Pacific Northwest. Her name is Naomi, and she's been a close family friend for about five years now.

If a person were to go to a dictionary and look up the words "Hospitable", "Giving",  and "Welcoming", they would find Naomi's picture. While I was planning my wedding, Naomi has been UNBELIEVABLY helpful!

This Fairy God Mother in disguise planned my bridal shower, down to the tiniest detail. She also helped address our invitations, and she HANDMADE these amazing leaf-shaped brooches that my bridesmaids wore.

This flake/star has a pineapple lace motif in the center, to serve as a symbol of welcome and hospitality, the very same kind that Naomi gives to each and every person she meets!

Naomi, this lace flake is for you! Thank you so much for being so wonderful!


Naomi's star


worked with DMC cebelia, size 20 crochet thread (white)
steel hook size 8 (.9 mm)

Special stitches:
Picot: ch 3, sc in third ch from hook
Beg. 3dc cluster: Ch 3, (YO, insert hook in st indicated, pull up loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, YO, draw through all 3 loops on the hook.
3 dc cluster: (YO, insert hook in st indicated, pull up a loop. YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) three times. YO, draw through all 4 loops on the hook.


Ch 8, sl st in first ch to form ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in ring. (ch 6, sc in ring) 5 times, ch 3, Dc in first sc fo form last ch-6 sp. 6 ch-6 spaces.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in same space. Chain 4, *(sc, work picot, sc) in next ch-6 sp, ch 4. Repeat from * 4 times, sc in first ch 6 sp, work picot, sl st to first sc.

Round 3: Ch. 1, (5 sc in next ch-4 sp, ch 7) around, join with sl st to first sc.

Round 4: sl st to third sc from round 3. Ch 5 counts as first dc plus ch 2 , dc in same st, (ch 2, dc in same st) twice. Ch 10, *dc in third sc from round 3, (ch 2, dc in same st) three times. Ch 10. Repeat from * 4 times, join with sl st to third ch of first ch 5.

Round 5: work beg 3dc cluster in next ch-2 space, (ch 1, work 3dc cluster in next ch-2 space) twice. *(ch 2, 2 dc) three times in next ch 10 space, ch 2. (work 3dc cluster in next sp, ch 1) twice, work 3dc cluster in next space, ch 2. Repeat from * 4 times, (ch 2, 2dc) three times in final ch 10 space, ch 2. join with slip st to beg 3 dc cluster.

Round 6: sl st to first ch1 space. Work beg 3dc cluster in same space, ch 1, work 3 dc cluster in next space. *Ch 3, sc in next sp. ch 2, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next sp, ch 3, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next sp. Ch 2, sc in next space, ch 3, work 3dc cluster in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, work 3dc cluster in next space. Repeat from *4 times, ch 3 sc in next space, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next sp, ch 2, sc in next sp. Ch 3, slip st to first cluster.

Round 7: Sl st to next ch 1 sp, work beg. 3dc cluster. *^Ch 4, skip next ch-3 sp and next ch-2 sp, (2dc, ch 2, 2dc) in next ch-2 sp. Ch 2, sc in next, sp, ch 2, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. Ch 4, ^ work 3dc cluster in next ch-1 sp. Repeat from *4 times, repeat from ^ to ^ once. join with slip st to first cluster.

Round 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in next ch-4 space. *^(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space. (Ch 2, sc in next space) twice, ch 2. (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp. 2 sc in next ch-4 space, work picot, ^2 sc in next ch-4 space.  Repeat from *4 times, then repeat from ^ to ^ once. Join with sl st to first sc.

Round 9: sl st to first ch 2 sp. ch 3, dc in same sp. ch 3, 2 sc in next space. In next space work (sc, picot, sc), 2 sc in next space. ch 3, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 space, (ch 2, 2 dc) twice in next ch 2 space. Ch 3, 2 sc in next sp, in next space work (sc, picot, sc), 2 sc in next space. Ch 3. Repeat from *4 times, (dc, ch 2) twice in next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, sc into first dc.

Round 10: Ch 6, * in next sp work (sc, hdc, dc, tr). (ch 12, sl st in 6th ch from hook) 3 times. Ch 12, sl st in 6th ch from hook, (ch 6, sl st in same st) twice. (Ch 12, sl st in 6th ch from hook) 3 times, ch 6. Work (tr, dc, hdc, sc) in next sp. Ch 3, dc in next ch-2 sp, tr in next sp. Ch 7, (begin little heart), sc in 6th ch from hook. Ch 3, sc in third chain from hook, sl st into first sc (the one you made in the 6th ch), next ch and top of last tr worked. dc in next ch-2 sp. ^ Ch 3, repeat from * 4 times, then repeat from * to ^ once. Join with slip st and bind off.

You can do whatever you like with the snowflakes you make from this pattern, but please to not republish or sell the pattern. Cause that's not cool. 

Until next time!